Riding new bikes is always fun, it’s even better when they’re BMWs. So when the opportunity arose to log a few miles on the new R1300GS, I couldn’t help but jump at it. The stories I write always unfold during the ride, and this one was no different, except it kept changing every time I leaned into a new corner.
First Impressions: A Standout in Green and Gold
The Aurelius Metallic Green R1300GS is one of the nicest colors and bikes in BMW’s modern lineup. The gold accents contrasted against the deep green and black complement each other perfectly. The Option 719 features have always been one of the more tasteful upgrades you can do from the factory, and they really shine on this model. Another unique feature is the optional Automated Shift Assistant (ASA), which is undoubtedly a polarizing topic in the motorcycle community.
Learning to Let Go of the Clutch
After first throwing a leg over the GS and getting a few miles under my belt, I thought I’d write about my opinions on shifting without a clutch… or not at all. It didn’t take long to realize the real story wasn’t about the clutch—it was about the bike itself. Over the years, I’ve owned multiple GSs, but all were Adventure models. I’d carefully kit each one out to meet my travel needs and the comfort I sought when logging long days in the saddle. I’d only ridden the standard GS model a handful of times before, and most of those were on a good friend’s tuned and modified bike, one that had become its own kind of beast.
The Ride That Changed My Mind
As I sat on the 1300, I was looking forward to learning a new way to shift and testing out the new displacement, while maybe even debunking the myths I’d quietly built up about this latest iteration of the beloved line. Any doubts I had quickly disappeared in my rear-view mirror. Shifting without a clutch lever felt strange at first but became second nature in no time. Once you’re alone on the back roads chasing twisties, quick shifting between gears becomes so natural that your focus shifts to your lines and what lies beyond the next corner.
What Sets the 1300 Apart
So what made this GS different from the others? After all, it’s still a mile-muncher, as nimble as ever, and can easily make you feel like a better rider than you probably are. For starters, it was the riding triangle and the seating position. It felt like it was custom made for my 6’ frame. I needed almost no adjustments to feel confident leaning into corners, accelerating past distractions, or navigating city traffic. I kept asking myself: How did these German engineers so masterfully create a bike that handles like a sport bike but offers the comfort of a touring machine? The easy answer is to rattle off the stats—1300ccs, 145 HP, and 110 lb-ft of torque—all tucked behind the now world-famous Telelever suspension that sets BMW apart.
Where Soul Meets Engineering
I can appreciate and hold reverence for the classical mode so effortlessly outlined by Robert Pirsig, but it’s the romantic mode that keeps luring me toward new machines. That feeling tends to reveal itself in the throttle—the way the boxer motor delivers power so effortlessly, time and time again. BMW has so many amazing machines in its lineup, and while this might be an unpopular opinion with some, the soul of the brand still lives in the flat twin.
The GS Evolution Continues
The GS has evolved the way lasting relationships do—through trial, error, and compromise. The years have been kind to it, and you can see that clearly in the R1300GS and the multiple personalities it so effortlessly takes on. Leave the side cases off and ride it like a sport bike. You’ll turn heads as the green and gold glisten under the summer sun. Or pack it out and ride around the world. No matter the terrain, you’ll still be turning heads.
Final Thoughts: Adapt and Ride On
One thing’s for sure: the new 1300GS will not disappoint. More importantly, it will adapt with you when you let go and become one with it. Change is inevitable, but it can bring new, exciting things. Whether you try the new ASA model or keep it OG with a clutch lever—go ride an R1300GS, and thank me later.
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