Rennie Scaysbrook | October 11, 2024
The BMW R 1300 GS was the largest overhaul ever seen in the legendary GS platform. Top to bottom, it was all-new and all-polarizing, some lamenting it was now a streetbike for the dirt than the other way around, as has traditionally been the case. If you want to read the in-depth test from Spain, here you go.
We always knew there would be a 1300 Adventure variant in the works, and as you can see, it is quite the departure from even the 1300 it’s based off.
The new R 1300 GS Adventure runs the same 1300cc liquid-air cooled, BMW ShiftCam-equipped boxer-twin motor as the base model that pumps out a claimed 145 hp at 7750 rpm and 110 lb-ft of torque at 6500 rpm, those numbers being nine horsepower and five foot-pound more than the old 1250 motor.
*Update October 11, 2024: MSRP is listed at $22,745
The engine was notable because it was the first time BMW engineers mounted the gearbox under the engine as per current sportbike design ethos, but the 1300 Adventure steals a march over the base model by coming with the optional Automated Shift Assistant (ASA) for fast gear changes.
What is ASA? It’s BMW’s semi-automatic gearbox, more or less. It comes with a Manual (M) mode and the automatic Drive (D) mode. Manual is at sounds—traditional shifting via the foot lever but Drive mode allows the electronics to pick your shifting points via a mixture of parameters like rpm, throttle position, lean angle, riding mode, etc. Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission pioneered the technology of semi-auto gearboxes way back with the VFR1200 of the late 2000s, and now BMW has taken and adapted the technology for the 1300 Adventure. Just how smooth the shits are, we can’t wait to find out.
The main chassis is likewise similar to the base model in that it’s made up using a compact sheet metal shell main frame with a lattice rear frame made of hexagonal extruded aluminum tubes and forged bits.
The GSA has been in the gym and hitting the shoulders hard.
BMW says the seat height is adjustable from 34.3-35 inches, but they also offer an Adaptive Vehicle Height Control accessory where the GS Adventure lowers itself by 1.2 inches when you come to a stop, giving you a range of 33.1-33.8 inches. BMW also has a Comfort add-on to the VHC that allows the seat height to be customizable in either auto, high or low positions. This will reduce the seat height by 0.8 inches, thus ensuring heights of 33.5-34.2 inches when you’re riding and 32.3-33 inches when the wheels aren’t moving.
These fancy do-dads aside, it’s impossible to escape the broad shoulder appearance of the GSA thanks to the boxy 7.9-gallon gas tank. This is the same capacity as the previous generation we tested here but it looks almost like the design cues have been taken from the Star Wars Walker fighters.
There are mounting points for days with the new tank, showing BMW designers really do want you to load up as much stuff as possible and disappear for as long as possible. The same goes for the subframe, which has plenty of strap holes and luggage points so you’ll always have somewhere to put something.
The front-end of the GSA is certainly tougher looking than the base model. The X-shaped headlight is retained that has an optional upgrade to a lean-sensitive adaptive headlight, but there’s now two auxiliary lights either side of Robocop-looking radiator shrouds. There’s also LED lights at the back.
The 1300 Adventure steals a march over the base model by coming with the optional Automated Shift Assistant (ASA) for fast gear changes.
Above the headlight sits a taller screen with a couple of side deflectors than the base model, and you have the option of making it electronically-adjustable, rather than relying on the turn-knob as per the base model. There’s also room for the optional radar system below the screen, which gives you access to the optional adaptive cruise control and front collision warning. There’s a rear collision warning system to complete the radar picture.
As for wheels, the GSA comes stock with the cross-spoke wire wheels or you could trade up and get the lighter forged enduro wheels (best accessory BMW offers, in my book. It’ll save four pounds of unsprung weight).
The new front lighting and radiator shrouds definitely have a Robocop look to them.
The 2025 R 1300 GS Adventure will come in four color variants with each model containing specific add-ons in the red, silver and black base model (dubbed Basic), Adventure Style Triple Black, the traditional BMW red, blue and white GS Trophy, and the beautiful emerald green Option 719 Karakorum.
MSRP’s should be released in the fourth quarter of 2024 and we hope to see them in dealerships before the end of the year.
*Updated October 11, 2024: MSRP is listed at $22,745
2025 BMW R 1300 GS Adventure Highlights from BMW
- The Automated Shift Assistant (ASA) with automated clutch operation makes motorcycling even more convenient and offers an exciting riding experience through automated gearshift characteristics in accordance with the selected riding mode.
- Completely newly designed boxer engine with bottom-mounted transmission and BMW ShiftCam technology for varying the valve timing and valve stroke on the intake side.
- Most powerful BMW boxer engine ever.
- Powerful response across the entire engine speed range, exemplary fuel consumption, emission levels, running smoothness and refinement.
- Power output and torque: 107 kW (145 hp) at 7,750 rpm and 149 Nm at 6,500 rpm.
The GSA in GS Trophy hue.
- Knock sensor system for optimized travel suitability.
- Completely redesigned chassis compared to the predecessor model with sheet metal main frame and aluminum lattice tube rear frame. Even greater steering precision and riding stability thanks to new EVO Telelever with flex element and revised EVO Paralever rear wheel guide.
- BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS as standard.
- Four riding modes as standard.
- Engine drag torque control (MSR), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) and Hill Start Control (HSC) as standard.
- Driving Modes Pro with additional riding modes as optional equipment ex works.
- Dynamic Traction Control DTC as standard.
- Electronic Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) as optional equipment ex works, with dynamic adjustment of the damping and spring rate, and also load compensation.
- Adaptive vehicle height control comfort and sport suspension as optional equipment ex works.
The emerald green Option 719 Karakorum is oh-so-pretty.
- Matrix LED headlights and newly developed auxiliary headlights integrated into the body as standard.
- Headlight Pro with adaptive headlight as optional equipment ex works.
- Hand protectors with integrated turn indicators as standard.
- 30-liter aluminium tank.
- Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC) with brake function as standard.
- Riding Assistant with Active Cruise Control (ACC), Front Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Change Warning and Rear End Collision Warning (RECW) for safe and convenient motorcycling as optional equipment ex works.
- Smartphone charging compartment with integrated USB socket and 12 V on-board power socket as standard.
- Seat heating for rider and passenger for enhanced touring suitability as optional equipment ex works.
- Handlebar risers up to 30 mm as optional equipment ex works.
Wanna go stealth? The Triple Black might be the option for you.
- Wide range of seat height variants as optional equipment ex works.
- Connectivity: Multifunctional instrument cluster with 6.5-inch full-colour TFT screen and numerous features as standard.
- RDC, Keyless Ride and heated grips as standard.
- Intelligent Emergency Call as standard (market-dependent).
- Attractive basic variant along with the model variants Triple Black, GS Trophy and Option 719 Karakorum.
- Extensive range of optional equipment, original BMW Motorrad accessories.
2025 BMW R 1300 GS Adventure Specification
| MSRP: |
$22,745 |
| Engine: |
Air/liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder, four-stroke boxer, OHV, eight valve, chain-driven camshafts, BMW ShiftCam variable intake camshaft control system |
| Displacement: |
1300cc |
| Bore x Stroke: |
106.5mm x 73mm |
| Power: |
145 hp at 7750 rpm |
| Torque: |
110lb-ft at 7750 rpm |
| Transmission: |
Six-speed, shaft final drive |
| Fuel capacity: |
7.9 gal |
| Electronics: |
Riding modes Pro (Rain, Road, Dynamic, Race, Race Pro 1–3, Pit Lane Limiter, Launch Control, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) +/- Shift, Wheelie Control, Slide Control, Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), shift assistant Pro, Automatic Hill Start Control (HSC) Pro), Dynamic Damping Control (DDC), BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, Adjustable steering damper, Keyless Ride, Tire pressure control (TPC), Heated grips, cruise control, USB charging interface |
| Chassis: |
Bridge-type frame, cast aluminum, engine as stressed member |
| Front suspension: |
EVO Telelever, DSA central strut. Electronic self-adjusting rebound/compression damping (Dynamic ESA) |
| Front wheel travel: |
8.3 inch |
| Rear suspension: |
EVO Paralever, aluminum single-sided swingarm, central shock absorber. Electronic preload adjuster, electronic self-adjusting rebound/compression damping (Dynamic ESA) |
| Rear wheel travel: |
8.7 inch |
| Front brake: |
Four-piston monobloc calipers, dual 310mm rotors |
| Rear brake: |
Two-piston caliper, 285mm rotor |
| Front wheel: |
3.0 x 19 in. cross spoke |
| Front tire: |
120/70 R19 |
| Rear wheel: |
4.50 x 17 in. |
| Rear tire: |
170/70 R19 |
| Wheelbase: |
60.4 in. |
| Seat height: |
Standard is 34.3-35 in. Adaptive Height Control is 33.1-33.8 in. stopped, 34.3-35 in when moving. AHC Comfort is 32.3-33 in. when stopped, 33.5-34.2 in. when moving. |
| Weight: |
593 lb (curb, claimed) |
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