Last Updated on: May 10, 2025

2025 BMW 1300 GS Triple Black.

BMW 1300 GS was introduced in the first half of 2024. Finally it was my turn to try it out for a couple of hours. 

I’ve not been in a hurry to test it. Being in a hurry with buying the newest and latest, whether a motorcycle, a car, or tech stuff, sometimes isn’t the best of ideas. Consumers are, as we know, useful guineapigs. Useful paying guineapigs.

This post is not a super technical review or comparison. Such requires a lot of time and resources. If that is what you’re after, I recommend Bike Social and this excellent review. In their usual fashion it’s very thorough. Even if you have to do conversions well worth the read.

BMW 1300 GS, vs it’s “predecessor”

I went back to BMW June 2024. After three seasons on two KTMs. Bought a one-owner 2022 1250 GS with sensible mileage. I’ve since done in excess of 20.000 kilometres on it. All of which has been quite pleasant. If you’ve read some of the post on my page. regarding the bike, then you know it wasn’t all gold and glitter. It never is.

But the 1250 GS has been fault free in my ownership. That accounts for something.

My 2022 BMW 1250 GS Triple Black, with some extras.

May 8th this year it was time for the annual service at my BMW dealer. And got the key FOB for a 2025 BMW 1300 GS, Triple black version. With I believe almost all the bells and whistles, though not the 519 option styling pack, nor the sports suspension, which up the price further.

The number of options for this generation of BMW boxer motorcycles is staggering. The base price and base version is something very different from a near full spec version. If one cares the least bit about aftermarket value, then it’s clear that the motorcycles with all or near all options fetches the best prices. In Norway you rarely see anything close to base models, for that reason.

First impressions

You immediately notice it. The 1300 GS is lower, lighter and overall feels smaller. The 1300 engine sound is very different from the 1250. It rattles like a KTM, and there’s this whining sound in the rear. Both these injections in the sound picture has annoyed some riders .

I always ride with custom moulded ear plugs. But the rattle & whiny frequencies from the engine are higher pitched and therefore came through regardless. Don’t think I’d have any problems getting used to it though. But I like the fruity sound of the 1250. Another thing to notice immediately is that it feels almost vibration free.

Smaller and design-wise the prettiest in the GS family?

The bike is notably easier to flick and steer. The engine is highly responsive, and pulls like a train. Less vibey in lower RPM than the 1250. While riding the first miles I was grasping for a definition of the experience, and came up with the word “clinical”. Neutral would perhaps be more accurate. With all its advanced tech novelties, perhaps a little too neutral?

Loss of personality?

Some people like motorcycles with character or  “personality”. The 1300 GS is different in that respect. But two hours is a short time to get really acquainted. The bike was fitted with the same tires I have on mine, Michelin Anakee Adventure. So familiar tires, new bike experiences.

The BMW 1300 GS has sportiness written all over it. And for that reason it might attract new buyers. Whether it will attract people with older GS models experience, is another matter. Out with the old and in with the new may at times come with a cost.

Getting back on my own bike after two hours was not at all a downer. But my 1250 GS is not standard, thanks to modifications done last year (more here). I don’t think the 1300 GS more economical than mine either. But since I forgot to reset both trip counters I am not 100% sure.

1300 GS bike front with Matrix headlight

1300 GS – useful stuff

Being a long distance touring rider, for whom a motorcycle is as an adventure tool, the 1300GS has some stuff I’d fancy.

• Adaptive (radar controlled) cruise control: worked brilliantly under various conditions. The quickshifter allows up/downshift without turning cruise control off. I believe this is true regardless of whether you use the radar or not (but didn’t test that without the radar off).
  • Note: unlike on the 1250 GS, the cruise control does not turn off if you press the clutch, only the breaks. Caught me by surprise a couple of times.
• Electrical windscreen: very practical, although it’s not difficult to adjust that manually on a 1200/1250 GS.
  • The higher the wind pressure, the more difficult manual adjustment gets. However, easy on mine (with sports screen).
• Blind spot assist: the rear radar offers added safety, with arrows lighting up in the mirror.
  • However: If you don’t like the stock mirrors you’ll have to pay quite a bit to get Option 519 mirrors, or any other, with the blind spot indicator integrated.
• Matrix headlight: supposed to be excellent, but since riding in daylight I don’t know how good it is compared to the old. with additional lights on. A combination that has proven to work very well for me.

Will I buy one?

Maybe one day. I need to ride it more to decide. It’s not an obvious next purchase for me. And it’s bloody expensive. Some just buys beemers. Regardless of price, of their weight, or size. I’m not one of those. The BMW 1300 GS is no doubt a great motorcycle. But it’s not the only great motorcycle.

Oh yes, one more thing. People a mild form of OCD will be pleased to observe that the cylinders are a lot better aligned than on the previous generations. It can never be 100%, after all this is a boxer. But it’s closer than ever. Perhaps within tolerance? Cheers 🙂

BMW brings peace for those with OCD