BMW R 1300 GS Adventure Review

As a self-confessed fan of the GS Adventure models, my anticipation for the new BMW R 1300 GS Adventure was sky-high. Yet, when I first saw it live in the garage of Canary Ride, I was taken aback: Visually, the 1300 didn't immediately captivate me. The iconic "must-have effect" that previous models evoked just didn't kick in. However, my curiosity got the better of me, so I grabbed the key.

In the narrow maze of Las Palmas streets, the wide and tall machine initially felt out of place. With a seat height that's unmatched, the Adventure was anything but compact. Yet, after just a few kilometers, a familiar feeling returned. Once the seat was adjusted to its lower position, it provided a secure sensation at stoplights. At the same time, it remains a comfort marvel, particularly rewarding on longer tours.

As soon as we hit the first curves, it was back: that harmonious, playful steering response I love about the GS Adventure. Despite its 269 kilograms of ready-to-ride weight, it handles every combination of turns with unmatched composure. Leading the group, I rode easily and relaxed, but at the first stop, I realized the brisk travel pace I was setting. To me, it felt like leisurely "cruising," while my colleagues behind had to twist the throttle hard to keep up. That's typical GS Adventure: poise at high travel speeds.

The 145 horsepower at 7,750 rpm and 149 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm are no longer the pinnacle in the premium adventure touring segment. However, in Dynamic mode, the BMW unleashes a level of dynamism that's truly exhilarating. Each hairpin turn becomes the starting point for powerful thrust, with the front wheel practically shouting skyward. At the same time, you can feel that the suspension can become quite unsettled in extreme riding situations. BMW gives the electronic aids a surprisingly wide latitude, which skilled riders will appreciate but also find challenging. Switching to Road mode, the electronics become noticeably more restrained—yet even here, the bike is anything but tame.

The suspension on the R 1300 GS Adventure is as poised as ever. The Telelever at the front and Paralever at the rear ensure stability, even on rough asphalt. The seat strikes a perfect balance between comfort and feedback—truly a highlight. However, on the GC 606, one of the toughest motorcycle routes on Gran Canaria, it became clear that the electronic aids have their limits. The Combined ABS works excellently on standard asphalt but reaches its limits on extremely poor road conditions. Brake transparency and feel are more theoretical here—the deceleration is there, but confidence suffers slightly. The brake lever constantly pulses, leaving you uncertain about its actual intentions. Poor asphalt with numerous bumps is the ultimate adversary for the big Adventure's control systems. In Enduro mode, everything becomes clear again—the electronics step back a bit, and you know how to handle it. On perfect asphalt, everything is wonderful too—you can give it the beans without a second thought, and the ECU handles the rest. However, it's quite arduous to tackle the mentioned bumps on poor asphalt with such a heavy bike.

One area where BMW remains unbeatable, even in the new Adventure version, is the control concept. The switches, the menu, and the logic behind it—all are intuitive and perfectly accessible. Especially compared to other brands, the well-thought-out ergonomics of the R 1300 GS Adventure stand out. Whether on the road or off it, you immediately feel at home and always in control. It pays off that BMW sticks to its principles, refining rather than reinventing the wheel every few years.

The Michelin Anakee Adventure was an excellent choice for the variable conditions on Gran Canaria. From icy asphalt at 2000 meters elevation to short gravel sections and track-like bitumen in scorching heat—the tire handled it all with ease. It offers grip, stability, and a sense of security that's invaluable on such a tour. Of course, the Anakee Road is a bit more precise and grippy on perfect asphalt, but the Anakee Adventure provided rugged looks while still offering plenty of safety on tarmac. A great compromise for this motorcycle!

Here are all the details on the tire.

If you're looking to customize the new BMW R 1300 GS Adventure, you should check out BMW's online configurator. It allows you to conveniently browse through available options, from seat heights and colors to equipment packages. The configurator also displays the total price directly, giving you a quick overview of what your dream machine will ultimately cost. It's a helpful tool to tailor the GS Adventure perfectly to your needs. Unfortunately, the configurator often puts the base price of the bare machine into perspective. Even though some features are already standard, you'll need to weigh in a number of extras for your bespoke Adventure. Personally, I reached a price of 27,300 Euros with my configuration in the BMW Motorrad Configurator in Germany. In Austria, the price climbed to over 30,000 Euros. Link to BMW Motorrad Configurator Austria

Here's how I would personally configure my Adventure:

• Base model
• GS Trophy Style
• Innovation Package, Touring Package, Dynamic Package
• Cross-spoke wheels (included in the GS Trophy Style Package)
• High comfort seat plus comfort handlebars
• Navigation device preparation (included in the Touring Package)
• Topcase

Gran Canaria is a true GPS navigation paradise—and simultaneously a real challenge for digital route planning. With tight hairpin bends, spectacular coastal roads, and hidden mountain passes, we relied on the Calimoto app during our test. And for good reason: The app's precise curve prediction was invaluable, especially in the less visible mountain sections. Using the "curvy" setting, the app reliably guided us to the island's most exciting routes—from the legendary "Valley of Tears" to hidden roads not found in any travel guide. Particularly handy is the offline functionality. Since mobile networks can be spotty in the mountains, pre-loaded maps allowed us to fully focus on the fantastic routes of the Canary Island.

Here are 3 tour tips for your motorcycle vacation on Gran Canaria:

• NastyNils' Favorite Tour on Gran Canaria
• Narrow Paths, Dead Ends, and Secret Roads
• The Tour with an Atlantic View. Western Tour

The temperature fluctuations on Gran Canaria pose a real challenge for any motorcycle gear: from a cool 5 degrees in the mountains in the morning to a summery 30 degrees at the beach—your equipment needs to keep up. The new IXS Venture Series handled this task brilliantly during the Canary Trip 2025.

In the editorial team, we relied on two different setups: While McGregor chose the airy Venture Air suit with the new Venture-1.0 helmet and STX gloves, I tested the slightly sportier Venture-STX combination. The key feature of both variants? Thanks to clever ventilation openings and high stretch content, they adapted perfectly to the changing conditions. A quick tug on the strategically placed ventilation zippers was enough to switch from mountain mode to coastal climate. During our test rides across the island, this proved to be a real time-saver—no annoying stops to change gear, just adjust while riding and keep going.

Here are all the details on the IXS System.

The BMW R 1300 GS Adventure 2024 remains the commanding adventure touring bike it always was. It's powerful, mighty, and comfortable—a machine for demanding and experienced riders who love both long tours and challenging routes. The electronics and brakes show minor weaknesses in extreme situations, but the overall concept is still impressive.

Would I buy it? The design didn't immediately captivate me, but after a day on Gran Canaria, I'm certain: The R 1300 GS Adventure is a motorcycle that shouldn't be underestimated—and it has ultimately won me over again. However, to be frank, in this terrain, I might opt for the new F 800 GS next time. Here on the island, it was easier to maneuver, and overall I found it to be the better choice. In contrast, after tours in Andalusia, I've always felt a strong longing for the big adventure models. It's logical that the intended use case is the most important criterion for the purchase decision. The "smaller" GS models are now much better than before and present a fascinating alternative to the big beast.

Nonetheless, the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure is a clear recommendation for riders who enjoy dynamic riding but still seek maximum comfort. The prerequisite is having the necessary height and the experience to handle such a heavy and large motorcycle competently. Then it makes traveling not only easy and comfortable but also breathtakingly fast—a combination that's simply fascinating.

What is the optimal tire pressure for the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure?

The R 1300 GS Adventure follows similar principles as the standard GS, but adjusted for its higher weight and potential load. For pure road use, values around 2.5 bar front and 2.9 bar rear (solo) are often recommended, with more pressure at the rear when fully loaded. However, always check the manual or the sticker! For off-road use, pressure needs to be significantly reduced (e.g., below 2.0 bar), depending on the tire model and terrain. Checking on cold tires is essential.

Is the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure suitable for beginners?

No, the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure is definitely not a motorcycle for beginners. Its high weight (over 250 kg ready to ride), large build with correspondingly high seat position (due to long suspension travel), and potent 145 PS engine require a lot of experience and strength. Even the optionally available adaptive vehicle height adjustment does not change the demanding handling at low speeds. The GSA is clearly aimed at experienced touring riders with routine in handling large adventure bikes.

What is the range of the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure with a full tank?

A hallmark of the BMW GS Adventure models is the large tank, and the R 1300 GSA is no exception. With a tank volume of 30 liters and a moderate consumption ranging from about 4.8 to 5.5 liters per 100 km, enormous ranges are possible. Realistically, stages of well over 500 kilometers can be achieved, and with economical riding, even over 600 kilometers without refueling.

What accessories are most commonly purchased for the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure?

Although the R 1300 GS Adventure often comes more generously equipped than the standard GS (e.g., with engine protection bars), popular accessories are still in demand. Robust aluminum luggage systems and top cases, inner bags for the cases, tank bags, and various soft luggage solutions are highly sought after. Additional LED headlights, navigation devices, comfort seats, or handlebar risers for ergonomic customization, as well as more robust engine protection plates or headlight guards for tough off-road use, are also commonly retrofitted.

How does the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure compare to the competition?

Even in the new generation, the R 1300 GS Adventure often sets the benchmark in the segment of ultimate adventure tourers. It combines long-distance comfort, weather protection, range, and luggage capacity at the highest level with remarkably good handling and serious off-road capabilities. Compared to the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, it often scores with more comfort, against the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally with the low-maintenance shaft drive and boxer character, and against the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer with the well-rounded package and extensive accessory offerings.

Is the premium for the R 1300 GS Adventure over the standard R 1300 GS worth it?

Whether the significant premium for the Adventure over the standard R 1300 GS is justified largely depends on the intended use. Those who regularly travel very long distances, often with a pillion and lots of luggage, value maximum range, and don't shy away from small off-road sections will clearly benefit from the GSA's advantages: larger tank, longer suspension travel, and more robust equipment.

How often does the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure need servicing, and what does it cost?

The maintenance intervals for the R 1300 GS Adventure are the same as those for the standard R 1300 GS: The first service is due after 1,000 km, then annually or every 10,000 km (whichever comes first). A major inspection is required every 20,000 km. Costs are within the BMW-typical premium segment and can vary depending on the dealer and scope.

What should I definitely check when buying a used BMW R 1300 GS Adventure?

Although it will take time for the R 1300 GSA to appear in significant numbers on the used market, important points will be: a complete service history, the condition of the frame and swingarm for cracks or deformations (especially after off-road use), the function of the complex suspension components and all electronic systems. Check the condition of the spoked wheels (spoke tension, rims for dents), the tightness of the engine, gearbox, and final drive. General maintenance condition versus claimed usage, and of course, the usual wear parts and accident indicators.