This is a completely new engine to start with, it is 3.9 kg lighter than the previous one, despite having more displacement and it is a more compact engine with optimized design solutions at various levels, such as the fact that the gearbox is now located below the crankshaft, or the quickshifter that has been completely redesigned (and works perfectly). BMW told us out of curiosity that they made an investment of 1.5 million euros just in the development of the new engine. In practice, what I felt in terms of its behavior was that it is an engine that delivers the same power as the previous one at low revs, but at medium and high revs, there is a noticeable increase in power. Ideal for getting the blood pumping, or making that daring overtaking maneuver.
The whole bike is stiffer, not that the previous one wasn’t, but the stiffness of the entire assembly is something that can be felt from the first moment. The main reasons are the new frame and subframe, 100% new. This time they abandoned the trellis frame and opted for a more current design with more modern and efficient lines in terms of stiffness. The famous EVO telelever is also completely new and here too it is noticeable that everything is stiffer and with more solid components, and even the diameter of the front suspension is clearly larger. In practice, what happens is an incredible reading of the terrain. In the previous model, it was something I always mentioned, not as a flaw, but as a characteristic. For me, in terms of off-road driving, it was like a trademark, and it never prevented me from riding fast and safely. In this model, what struck me the most was precisely this improvement, as the bike now provides very good feedback on the terrain. Especially the front is always informing about the type of terrain we are passing through.
IN PROGRESS
As soon as I sat on the bike I realized that it’s not just on paper that everything is new. In practice as well. The riding position is not radically different, but it is quite different. To start with, the fact that the whole set-up is narrower makes it less intimidating for beginners, and more exciting for more experienced riders who want to go fast. After all, what is the advantage of having a bulky motorcycle? In terms of performance, nothing… it just serves to impress friends basically… It was only for this reason that they made the bike easier to ride and less intimidating. Maybe it’s a very personal opinion, but the previous version required a quick adaptation and in this one it was as if I already knew the bike.
Everything happens in a very intuitive way. Whether it’s weight distribution, acceleration, or braking. Speaking of braking, the front brake has been improved in terms of power, and I felt the same type of feel in braking, which was a fact that I really liked in the previous version. As for the rear brake, this one was greatly improved. It is more powerful and what I felt was that the combined braking with the front brake is less intrusive. I didn’t understand if when braking with the rear brake it activates the front brake less than the previous version (which sometimes was a bit scary) or if it just became more efficient.
The quickshifter, as I mentioned before, was completely redesigned and works perfectly. Now it has a more mechanical feel and slightly harder when shifting gears, which in practice translates into perfect operation without ever being unsure if the gear has engaged. And the effectiveness of putting the bike in neutral works 100% of the time.
IN SUMMARY
This is an impressive motorcycle on all levels. The main thing is that they managed to win a competition where they were already kings. In fact, it is a segment that they themselves created. Being a completely new motorcycle, anyone who happened to not like the previous version for various reasons, with this one was completely left without arguments because it is almost 100% new. And I predict that dealers who have stock of the previous version will have a big challenge to sell the 1250 stock.
HIGHLIGHTS
– Completely redesigned suspension with main frame in steel and sub-frame in aluminum
– 12 kg weight reduction compared to the previous version
– BMW Motorrad ABS pro as standard
– Dynamic traction control DTC as standard
– Four riding modes as standard
– Connectivity and 6.5-inch color TFT screen
– Hand protectors with integrated turn signals as standard
– Heated grips as standard
– Dynamic cruise control as standard
BMW R 1300 GS
BOXER engine, twin-cylinder, air/liquid-cooled
DISPLACEMENT 1300 cc
POWER 145hp @7.750 rpm
TORQUE 149 Nm @6.500 rpm
GEARBOX 6 speeds
FRAME steel, subframe aluminum
FUEL TANK 19 liters
FRONT SUSPENSION EVO Telelever, 190 mm travel
REAR SUSPENSION EVO Paralever, 200 mm travel
FRONT BRAKE 2 discs of 310 mm, 4-piston caliper
REAR BRAKE 285 mm disc, 2-piston caliper
FRONT TIRE 120/70 R 19
REAR TIRE 170/60 R17
WHEELBASE 2,212 mm
SEAT HEIGHT variable between 800 and 890mm
WEIGHT 237 kg
MSRP (from) 20.462€
