Bmw R 1300 Gs Review
"The benchmark adventure bike, best bought used with patience."
Key Specs
Used Buyer Review
The R 1300 GS is BMW's most accomplished adventure bike yet, and buying used makes the eye-watering new price a lot more digestible. The ShiftCam engine is genuinely brilliant — torquey from idle, smooth at highway cruise, and surprisingly fuel-efficient for a 1300cc twin. First-year examples had some teething issues with the ASA automated shift assist, so check service history carefully and test that system thoroughly before handing over cash. The new chassis geometry transformed the handling compared to the R 1200 and even the 1250. It steers with real confidence on tarmac without feeling nervous off-road. That said, the electronics suite is deep enough to intimidate newcomers — budget time to actually learn it. Seat height remains a talking point for shorter riders, and BMW's option-heavy build philosophy means two used examples can differ wildly in spec and value. Always check which packages are fitted. Early used examples are just hitting the market now, typically with low miles from owners who bought for the badge then got scared of scratching it. That's your opportunity.
Pros
Cons
You're short, budget-conscious, or mechanically nervous
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