New BMW R 1300 GS: Less weight, More power

BMW R 1300 GS has been launched globally and is the successor of the 1250 GS. The motorcycle belongs to the brand’s flagship adventure bike portfolio, with a new heart and updated body.

BMW R 1300 GS

BMW R 1300 GS Engine

Since the highlight of the new bike is its new engine it’s only fair, that we start with that. The BMW R 1300 GS is powered by a massive 1,300cc engine that churns out 145 hp at 7,750 rpm and 149Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. That means the power is up by 9 hp and 6Nm from its predecessor with the 1250cc engine.

Another improvement is that despite the power jump, the engine is more compact than before. Oh, and this engine is the most powerful series production boxer-twin engine that’s ever produced by BMW.

BMW R 1300 GS Design and underpinnings

The design of the R 1300 GS has been completely changed, and while its predecessor was by no means bad in design, it was big and bulky. The new motorbike changes that with a more focused and sleeker bodywork, which according to BMW, will ensure optimum performance and functionality for the needs of each rider.

BMW R 1300 GS New head light design

The tail light section also appears to be slenderer than before and the headlight design is also new, replacing the traditional asymmetrical design with the integration of high and low beams including cornering light, in one projector unit.

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The bike’s geometry and weight both are less now since the body has been packaged as tight as possible to give it a compact and powerful feel.

BMW R 1300 GS (Design)

Speaking of the bike’s weight, it shed around 12 kgs of weight compared to its predecessor and now weighs 237 kg. A new sheet metal steel main frame is also present around the engine which is stiffer than before, while a die-cast aluminium unit replaces the tubular rear sub-frame.

The new aluminium fuel tank holds 19 litres, which is 1 litre less than before, however, the power to weight has risen significantly from 546.2 hp per tonne to 611.8 hp per tonne.

BMW R 1300 GS Features

The BMW R 1300 GS is loaded with features that will make any adventure convenient. The bike has 4 standard riding modes – Rain, Ride, Eco and Enduro. This is also the first BMW GS to get radar-assisted safety features like Active Cruise Control, Front collision warning, and Lane Change Warning. Apart from that, it comes with a TFT cooler display with Bluetooth connectivity, an adjustable windscreen and an LED headlight as standard.

BMW R 1300 GS features

As optional features, you can get the electronically adjustable suspension, a new Dynamic Suspension Adjustment that also adjusts spring stiffness depending on the selected riding mode and conditions, and adaptive vehicle height which will automatically adjust the height of the motorbike.

BMW R 1300 GS Price and When will it launch in India?

The price is not confirmed in India yet since it has just been globally unveiled, but if and when it makes its way here, expect its price to be higher than the current R 1250 GS Pro, which sells for Rs 20.55 lakh.

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Why Pro? Because the GS line-up only sells this variant here and so, expect the R 1300 GS to also come in the same Pro variant only.

But the chances of the BMW R 1300 GS coming to India are high or likely certain since the brand’s been selling their vehicles here quite successfully, and even launched their BMW iX1 EV in India recently.

Talking strictly about two-wheelers, the brand has also achieved quite a success here, even collaborating with TVS to launch new bikes here, and with the increasing hype of ADV bikes, it is certain BMW won’t miss this opportunity.