Alright, let’s talk about this new GS Adventure 1300. Been riding bikes for years, seen models come and go. Heard the buzz about the 1300 replacing the old 1250, so naturally, I got curious. Had to see for myself what the fuss was all about.
So, I made my way down to the dealership a little while back. There it was. First impression? It definitely looked… different. Sharper lines, maybe a bit more compact looking than the outgoing model, even though it’s still a big bike. You know, the Adventure always had that imposing presence, and this one still does, but feels a bit more modern, I guess.
Getting Familiar
Walked around it a few times. Checked the fit and finish. Seemed pretty solid, as you’d expect. Then, the moment of truth – throwing a leg over. Sat down. Hmm, felt pretty good. The ergonomics seemed familiar if you’ve been on a GS before, but maybe slightly adjusted. Hard to pinpoint exactly without riding. The weight felt manageable, maybe even a bit lighter than I expected, or perhaps the balance is just really good. Fiddled with the handlebars, felt the controls. Standard stuff, felt intuitive enough.
First Ride Impressions
Managed to actually get some seat time, which is what really matters. Fired it up. The sound… it’s still a boxer, but there’s a different note there. Quieter maybe? Smoother? Hard to say just idling.
Rolled out onto the street. Clutch was smooth, gearbox felt slick right away. That’s always a good sign. Gave it a bit of gas. Okay, yeah, there’s power. Feels responsive, definitely. The engine pulls cleanly from low down. Took it through some city traffic first. Felt surprisingly nimble for its size. Filtering wasn’t too bad, though you’re always aware it’s a wide machine.
Hitting the Open Road
Got it out onto some more open roads, a few curves I know well. This is where you start to feel the bike properly.
- Handling: Leaned it into the corners. Felt planted. Stable. The suspension soaked up the bumps pretty well. Didn’t feel vague, gave decent feedback. You can hustle it along quite nicely.
- Engine: Opened the throttle more. The power delivery is strong, very linear. Doesn’t feel peaky. Just a solid wave of torque pushing you forward. Felt potent, definitely an upgrade in grunt over the 1250, though the 1250 was no slouch either.
- Brakes: Had a couple of moments where I needed to scrub off speed. Brakes felt strong, good initial bite without being too grabby. Felt confident using them.
- Comfort: Seat felt supportive for the hour or so I was riding. Wind protection seemed decent from the adjustable screen. Didn’t get blasted around too much.
Played around with the riding modes a little bit. You can feel the difference in throttle response and traction control intervention. The dash is clear, easy to read the important stuff like speed and gear. Didn’t dive deep into all the menus, just focused on the ride.
Wrapping Up the First Go
Pulled back in after the ride. Parked it up. Stood back and looked at it again. Yeah, it’s a capable machine, no doubt about it. Felt refined, powerful, and still very much a GS at its core, just evolved.
My initial take? It’s impressive. Feels more modern, definitely packs a punch, and handles great. It’s still a big adventure bike, make no mistake, but BMW seems to have honed it further. Need more time in the saddle, maybe a longer trip, to really get under its skin, but the first impression is very positive. Definitely a worthy successor from what I’ve experienced so far.
