[adi_sun]

It all stated in 2007 when I saw Milla Jovovich with BMW K1200 in Resident Evil.Was a dream to own a BMW one day.

Stage 1 – Morden Classic | Triumph Street Twin 900
Roll forward 11 years and I relocated to Pune for a short time and picked a Triump Steet Twin, that was my introduction to the big bike category. Absolutely loved the motorcycle and still miss selling it. This was a coffee and paratha bike for me, never been outstation on it.
2 years, 9k km




Stage 2 – Cruiser | Harley Davidson Low Rider S 114
After 3 years, wanted to explore and picked a Harley Davidson Low Rider S 114. The love for that was short lived and very soon I realized I am not the cruiser guy. In six months it was on the block to move to an ADV. The only long trip on it was Delhi Jaisalmer
6 months, 8k km




Stage 3 – ADV | Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro
Picked a Tiger 900 Rally Pro and enjoyed it for good 2 years and 22k km. The bike while brilliant for most parts had its shortcomings but that writeup is for a different day. This post is all about BMW R1300 GS Trophy !
2 years, 22k km





Stage 4 – BMW R1300 GS


Was always in love with the GS, thought long and hard at the time of Tiger too of picking a 1250GS but the extra $ was too much. A year later this thought was still moving around in circles and Tiger too was showing areas where the the BMW excelled. Most in the riding group has 1250 GS/GSA and the few times I rode a dear friends GS I was always laughing ear to ear.

Comes Oct 2023 and 1300 GS was revealed, the initial impressions were bad and I found the 1250 better looking than the 1300. The X headlight started to grow on me and in Feb 2024 went to book 1300 GS expecting arrival in June.

Days were hard to pass and I can surely say there was not a single day that passed when I did not think of picking the 1250 now rather than waiting longer in the dark. The price, feature list or even availability and definitely reliability was unknown.

Had a few calls with the dealership guys and the discounts on the outgoing 1250 GS made the deal too sweet to pass, yet the thought of owning a 1300, an all-new motorcycle held on to me. Thankfully in May they sold off all the 1250 GS stock and I was relived somehow. One less thing to choose from!

In June mid the bike was finally here, since I was amongst the first few to book it they dealership was kind enough to get it unveiled by me at the Delhi launch ! Loved it

Initially had booked the triple black but was liking the trophy colour more, The issue was that Trophy came with high seat as standard making the seat height to 870 mm. While I can flat foot this too with my riding boots cant with other boots (seat height with standard seat is 850 mm)
So a standard seat / Wunderlich was added to the budget and trophy colour was finalized !


First impressions:

• Absolutely blown away right from the word go. Truckloads of torque makes the take off like a jump and requires getting used to.
• The size instantly dissolves and feel no bigger than a 100cc bike launched with a rocket launcher. It’s so agile that the test ride bike had no guards and I of all people wasn’t worried!
• Gear box has come a long way from 1250 but is still jerky, not precise and nowhere near where tiger is. Shift up and down are better with clutch, quick shifter is like an un-lubed pole in a dry hole. Thankfully clutch is light.
• Did I mention power and torque is pronominal? Basis memory I feel it’s a significant bump over there 1250 as well. Was laughing at my stupid speed pulls, it’s that fast.
• The bike doesn’t dive at all! What a change but not sure it’s the tele lever or the diet - front feels very light, twice I think I pulled an accidental wheelie or was it that the front was weightless not sure
• Seat comfort is good with the split seat holding you in place
• Did not like the foot pegs one bit, it’s not a peg it’s a round pipe that’s manageable if you are sitting but stand and you feel slippery. Imagine the rider foot peg is smaller than the pillion foot peg.
• Wind protection is spot on, leave it in the lowest position and it allows air to flow. Flick the switch and it’s good for highways (electronic windshield on paper looks useless but is fun to have)
• Heat management is superb, coming from tiger my bar anyway is near frying point. There is radiator fan blowing air near the right leg but nothing to be worried about.
• Loved the exhaust note too, 1250 has a little rough sound but this one sounds better to my ear.

Accessories list planned is long, there are a few things that I will carry forward from the tiger rest is under process as I type this.
Things that I am carrying forward from Tiger:

• Denali D4 lights
• Baja Design Squadron lights
• Double take mirrors
• SP connect phone mount
• Triumph top box

New for 1300GS and current status

• Wunderlich side stand extender - done
• OE lower crash bar with engine cover - done
• SW Motech Footpegs – ordered
• SW Motech gear lever – ordered
• SW Motech brake lever – ordered
• SW-Motech front and rear axle sliders– ordered
• Innovv N1 carplay and dashcam – ordered
• Wunderlich upper crash bar
• Wunderlich comfort seat
• Hexcan for lights, horn etc
• Givi base plate for top box
• Wunderlich ABS sensor guard
• Evotech brake calliper guard
• Healtech exhaust servo
• Denali T3 puddle lamps
• Auxiliary brake lights
• Barkbusters
• Evotech Radiator guards
• OE Headlight protector

I think this is the pinnacle of ADVs, plan to keep this for really long since there is nothing I feel post this is left to upgrade to !
Thanks for reading, pictures to follow.

Have completed 700km till now, waiting for the 1k mark to reach so that the full potential of the bike can be explored.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by adi_sun

So a standard seat / Wunderlich was added to the budget and trophy colour was finalized

Congratulations and all the best adi_sun! Your GS 1300 review is the first on Team BHP. It will be great to read about your ownership journey, please keep this thread updated with your progress.

Are the forged enduro wheels available as an option in India. It’s showing on the website.



Ride safe and continue having fun.

Cheers

[adi_sun]

Thankyou ! Yes I do plan to update this thread regularly. Have lots of stuff planned for this one and it will arrive in bits. Most shipment for accessories for 1300 haven't landed yet in India.

Enduro wheels are not an option by BMW, like all the previous years they bring pre-selected combos for offer in India.

Base is white
Then there is Triple black and Trophy (TB has ride height option)
and finally there is 719.

[Axe77]

Thanks for that crisp overview and look forward to a lot more details as you get more miles on this beauty. And of course, congratulations on possibly the first 1300 on this forum. The Trophy is an absolute looker. Best to go gradually on the accessorizing on a need basis I guess so one is careful about what weight is being added but I know you’ve thought through each one in great detail so thanks for sharing the list here for other prospective owners.

On a side note, I was in fact in the Geneva Motorrad showroom last week and got the chance to see the 1300 and all new 900 Trophy editions side by side for comparison. I also managed to see the triple black 1250 and 1300 side by side but sadly it was a badly lit area and couldn’t get a decent enough picture.

Getting a chance to see the previous generation and all new gen bikes side by side was quite nice and I for one really like the overall look and profile of these new 1300s.

Wish you the best of memories with the king of ADVs. Safe riding.

The 1300 and 900 Trophy alongside.




1300 and 1250 Triple blacks (apologies for the poor quality picture)


900 GSA

[Its_Arkk]

Great Bike! Congratulations, Wishing you many many happy miles!

Doesnt it come with Blind Spot Monitoring on the Rear View Mirrors? Or is it an option?

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by Its_Arkk

Doesnt it come with Blind Spot Monitoring on the Rear View Mirrors ? Or is it an option?

That would only be on the Option 719 Tramuntana I suppose since that’s the only variant that is ADAS equipped.

[Guru_Shikhar]

Many congratulations adi_sun for the fantastic purchase.

The new bike will always be compared with the outgoing GS / A 1250 and most will not like it initially since GS 1250 has its mark in riding fraternity as macho and badass ADV over the world. But there is always a time when you have to accept the changes and continue in present.

As you rightly said, the new design grows up gradually with big advantage of less heavier than outgoing model.

As you own a Tiger too; it will be very interesting to know from you what made you feel getting GS over the Tiger (what you really missed apart from vibes) because Tiger is also a great bike in its category.

Have thousands of happy miles with this slim beast.

Keep posting updates.

Cheers

[shabih]

Originally Posted by adi_sun

I think this is the pinnacle of ADVs, plan to keep this for really long since there is nothing I feel post this is left to upgrade to !
Thanks for reading, pictures to follow.

Hi Aditya, many congratulations on your new steed. Wish you loads of smiles and miles on this one

PS: I am the guy who bought the mirrors off your Street Twin a few years back!

[adi_sun]

Originally Posted by Guru_Shikhar

The new bike will always be compared with the outgoing GS / A 1250 and most will not like it

As you rightly said, the new design grows up gradually with big advantage of less heavier than outgoing model.

Thanks, yes this is a hard pill to swallow, people are obsessed with loading GS/A and while the 1250s had a lot of real estate to play around in I personally am not growing any younger so will like something thats easier on my legs and shoulders. Love it or hate it 1300 is the future.

Originally Posted by Guru_Shikhar

As you own a Tiger too; it will be very interesting to know from you what made you feel getting GS over the Tiger (what you really missed apart from vibes) because Tiger is also a great bike in its category.

So tiger 900 RP is a brilliant bike, served me very well. Issues / observations

1. Vibes on pegs and handle bar. Tried everything from Barkbusters bar end weights to grip puppies to anti vibe risers. Nothing is a complete solution but I definitely got used to it after 6 months and then did not bother
2. Cant put risers on the bike, the wiring is too snug in RP and the handle bar position made a weird angle that made my wrists hurt in twistees. Munsyari ride I was in deep pain
3. Power is adequate but not explosive, or I wanted more
4. Loved the suspension setup, though manual. Dial down the settings for off-road mode and select the map, the bike transforms completely. Its magical what I could do with my very limited skill set
5. Super light, never had any issue with weight
6. Heat
7. Above list is what I told myself, these are not real world issues. Wanted a GS rest of the story is made up!

Originally Posted by shabih

Hi Aditya, many congratulations on your new steed. Wish you loads of smiles and miles on this one

PS: I am the guy who bought the mirrors off your Street Twin a few years back!

Thanks ! oh good to see you here

[adi_sun]

Update : excitement is building up as more stuff is reaching my door steps

SW Motech Footpegs
SW Motech gear lever
SW Motech brake lever
SW-Motech front and rear axle sliders



Innovv N1 is cleared from customs today and should be with me in next 1-2 days.
Placing orders for light mounts from SW motech as well and I am not thinking to order D7 pro as well, justified under section you only live once

[tjacob]

Congratulations adi_sun, you didn't waste any time in getting the newly launched 1300GS fresh out of the oven. You must have been one of the first few customers to buy the bike. Wishing you happy travelling days with this awesome bike. Drive safe and have fun.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by adi_sun

I am now thinking to order D7 pro as well, justified under section you only live once

Christmas is definitely early

The D7’s are brilliant by themselves but the D7 Pro’s take things to another level altogether. I have seen the D7’s in person and a video review of the D7 Pro’s.

Please share photographs as you go along adding goodies to your bike.

Cheers

[MonkOnWheels]

Congratulations on your new BMW R1300 GS Trophy! It looks fabulous in trophy color. I wish you many happy miles of riding.

Originally Posted by adi_sun

Placing orders for light mounts from SW motech as well and I am not thinking to order D7 pro as well, justified under section you only live once

I have D7 Pro lights on one of my bikes, and they're very good and felt like value for money when you compare them to Clearwaters. For your 1300GS, you might also want to consider light mounts from Denali, which are specifically designed for that bike.

[adi_sun]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

Christmas is definitely early
Please share photographs as you go along adding goodies to your bike.
Cheers

Thanks, yes love Denali's products generally and D7 Pro is superb. Will keep adding to the thread as more stuff reaches me and gets installed.

Originally Posted by MonkOnWheels

Congratulations

I have D7 Pro lights on one of my bikes, and they're very good and felt like value for money when you compare them to Clearwaters. For your 1300GS, you might also want to consider light mounts from Denali, which are specifically designed for that bike.

Thanks! Yes, either the SW Motech 1300 mount / Denali mount is what I am looking at. Vs the Clearwater it is definitely value for money.

Innovv N1 also got delivered and I was not patient enough to mount on the bike. Fired it up at home with a 12v supply. The screen is still plastic clad leading to lower quality display feel.

[Guru_Shikhar]

I can equally feel the excitement what you are having; the way things are reaching to you as ordered

Please share the costing including labour charges if you are ok to share. I must appreciate your accessories planning. What is the most long lead item you ordered / want to order?

Already loving this thread. Please keep posting.

Cheers.