BMW unveils long-awaited R 1300 GS Adventure

Let’s get straight to the point: what an unbelievably ugly shed. The back is still okay, but the front and side panels that extend from the tank have turned the Adventure into a clumsy spectacle, as if they had put a metal toolbox on the block. But hey, knowing the GS enthusiast, that won’t matter and this R 1300 GS Adventure will also sell like hot cakes.

So, that’s out of the way. Now let’s see what the Germans have done. The beating heart of the Adventure is the same 1,300 cc Boxer twin as the regular R 1300 GS, good for a peak power of 145 hp at 7,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 149 Nm at 6,500 rpm. The block introduced last year is 4 kilos lighter than the previous 1,254 cc Boxer twin, while the entire drivetrain has been reduced by more than 6 kilos in weight.

Also new to the R 1300 GS was the sheet steel, laser-welded main frame with cast aluminium subframe, which according to BMW had to be lighter, stiffer and narrower. The Telelever and Paralever wheel suspensions had made way for next-gen EVO Telelever and Paralever systems. The electronics were also significantly upgraded, including adaptive cruise control.

The most striking difference between the R 1300 GS and this R 1300 GSA is (besides the hideous design) the massive aluminum 30 liter fuel tank, which according to BMW can also be used to carry luggage. As if you really need that for that weekend in the Ardennes. Optionally, a 12 liter waterproof tank bag can also be attached to it.

The GSA also has longer spring travel than the regular GS, 210 mm at the front and 220 mm at the rear (GS: 190 mm at the front and 200 mm at the rear) and these are indeed exactly the same lengths as its predecessor, the R 1250 GSA. BMW has increased the seat height from 850/870 mm to 870/890 mm. Clever, because now the Germans know for sure that the optional (the wonder word at BMW) Adaptive Ride Height Control, which lowers the seat height by 30 mm at low speeds and when stationary to 840/860 mm, will be eagerly purchased.

We’ve said it before, optional is the magic word at BMW and that certainly applies to this R 1300 GS Adventure. The GSA comes standard with the new Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA), as well as 4 riding modes (Eco, Road, Rain and Enduro), but that’s about it.

The list of options, on the other hand, is very long. The aforementioned Adaptive Ride Height Control is optional, as are Riding Mode Pro (Dynamic, Dynamic Pro and Enduro Pro), Shift Assistant Pro, Active Cruise Control (ACC), Front Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Change Warning and Rear End Collision Warning (RECW), the latter of which causes the hazard lights to flash rapidly when you brake hard.

But we’re not there yet, the GSA can optionally also be equipped with the already announced Automated Shift Assistant (ASA), a semi-active gearbox like Honda’s DCT system, but without a double clutch. It’s kind of funny, when Honda introduced the system in 2010 it was condemned by the vast majority, because shifting and clutching are part of motorcycling, but it seems like all brands have suddenly seen the light.

Also optional are the mounting brackets for the 3-piece aluminium case set plus the cases themselves (37 litres top, 37 left and 36.5 right) which can optionally be enlarged by another 10 litres, a centre stand, preparation for navigation, an electrically adjustable windshield and a chrome sump protection plate. Not to mention the laundry list of accessories that the GSA can be equipped with.

The 2025 R 1300 GS Adventure comes standard in Racing Red unilak, it is also available as Triple Black, GS Trophy and Option 719 Karakorum. Optional, of course. The bike will be introduced at the end of this year, with BMW currently only communicating a starting price of € 26,950, but not what the prices of all option packages are. Knowing BMW Motorrad, you will end up somewhere around 35,000 euros with all options.