BMW launch £18,870 R1300GS Adventure with optional semi automatic gearbox

BMW have finally pulled the covers off their incoming £18,870 R1300GS Adventure, revealing the bike in front of thousands of fans at this year’s Motorrad Days festival in the Bavarian ski town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

The long anticipated reveal comes following countless spy shots, comments from senior BMW staff, and even an official social media teaser on Wednesday, July 3. The bike will take over from the outgoing £16,360 R1250GS Adventure, which has been with us since 2019.  

• Related: BMW R1300GS details explored

“The appearance of the new BMW R1300GS Adventure is sure to attract attention,” Head of BMW Motorrad Development, Christof Lischka said. “Never before have seating comfort, ergonomics and wind and weather protection been so harmoniously combined with precise handling, exceptional suspension comfort and smooth running.”

Underpinning the new GSA is the same 1300cc boxer twin engine found in the standard R1300GS, which was revealed ahead of the 2024 riding season, and comes housed in a sheet metal shell main frame. With a bore and stroke of 106.5 x 73, expect a claimed 143bhp at 7750rpm, plus 110lb.ft of torque at 6500rpm.

Also retained from the existing GS is the striking cross designed LED headlight, plus the front radar guided cruise control system that also offers collision warnings, lane change warning, and more – with the biggest visual alteration being the flattened aluminium fuel tank.

Capacity has now stretched to 30 litres – up from 19 on the R1300GS – taking the kerb weight to a claimed 269kg. As a result, it now sports a broader set of shoulders – with an additional LED headlamp placed on either side, flanking the front beak.

Designed to add to the weather protection for the rider, the side profile of the tank has also been altered, with flat surfaces on each side featuring non-slip rubber to place items on – such as a warming cup of coffee – when at a stop.

A closer inspection also reveals three pre attached mounting points for a bespoke 12-litre tank bag, which will be available as an accessory option. Further luggage then consists of a 37-litre aluminium top case, plus a combined 73.5-litres of pannier space. The larger 37-litre left case offers a handy USB charging socket, too.

Electronic updates

As you’d expect, the R1300GS Adventure is packed with electronic upgrades over the 1250, ranging from neat touches like hand guard integrated indicator strips, to a self-lowering suspension system to give shorter riders an easier time with the 870mm-890mm seat height.

You also get four riding modes as standard, plus the usual suite of lean-sensitive rider aids including hill hold control, cornering ABS, and more. There’s an optional extra Enduro riding mode for off-road exploration, too.

Back to the suspension, and the new GSA receives something called Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) as standard. Using clever onboard computers, the semi active system combines adjustable front and rear damping with tweaks to the spring rate on the fly, depending on the selected riding mode, riding conditions, and outputs from the rider.

Further to this, the spring rate will also change based on the load on the bike – be that a solo rider, or two-up with a pillion, or loaded up with a weekend’s worth of luggage.

When coming to a stop, the ride height is also able to be dropped by 30mm to ensure a flatter footing. This all works in tandem an ‘EVO Telelever’ system at the front and ‘EVO Paralever’ at the rear, both of which are claimed to be more rigid and responsive.

Plenty of options

The R1300GSA gets a number of goodies as standard, including heated grips, and a keyless ignition. However, being a BMW, there’s also an extensive optional extras catalogue to take things further.

This includes the aforementioned luggage and the collision warning system, with even a centre stand costing extra. Further accessories also include comfort seats, an anti-theft alarm, and more.

On top of this, a number of colour and trim packages are available. Coming in red as standard, the bike can be upgraded to a Triple Black, GS Trophy, or Option 719 Karakorum design – each coming with a differing level of standard kit.

Semi-automatic option

At the time of launch, BMW have also confirmed the R1300GS Adventure will be available with the option of an Automated Shift Assistant (ASA) function – bumping the price up to £21,300.

Revealed as a concept in early May 2024, the system does away with the need for a clutch lever and even offers a fully automatic mode. It’s been worked on by the German brand for the past five years.

“The uniquely powerful propulsion and smooth running of the 1300cc boxer engine contribute significantly to the harmonious riding experience of the new R1300GS Adventure,” Project Manager, Patrick Gürlich said. “With the optional Automated Shift Assist (ASA), it also offers an innovative technical solution to make long-distance touring and adventure riding even easier and more comfortable.”

The whole ASA system is essentially a computer-controlled conventional motorcycle transmission, with electrical actuators working the clutch to pull away and stop and shifting the gear ratios.

In ‘M’ mode, the rider can still select gears, using a traditional foot control, with ‘D’ mode offering preselected shift points, for an easier riding experience. The shifting lever is connected to a small shaft inside the engine with a sensor to detect when the rider moves it up or down. There’s no mechanical link at all.

Meanwhile, the Transmission Control Unit adjusts the gear shifting parameters according to riding style, and which riding mode the bike is in.

BMW aren’t the only firm toying with the idea either, with KTM showcasing an AMT (Automatic Manual Transmission) prototype in June, and Yamaha recently committing to a number of machines using their new Y-AMT system, revealed at the back end of last month.

Honda have also been building bikes using their Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) system since 2010.

Watch our review of the standard R1300GS here: