Hi everyone, what do you think of the new BMW GS 1300?
I personally am curious to try it....
I personally am curious to try it....
BMW GS 1300
Aldoir
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I don't begrudge GS owners. Our bikes wouldn't exist without the GS. I remember seeing the original GS in a dealership shortly after launch. Being an onroad/offroad guy, I initially struggled to wrap my head around the concept -- it just seemed so big and ungainly. BMW defined the segment. Today, my Pan America is bigger than that original GS. LOL
The 1300 shows that BMW clearly took notes from both the Panamerica and the Multistrada. Setting aside the prestige of the GS brand, BMW was falling behind and resting on its laurels. More horsepower, adaptive ride height, adaptive lighting, radar, making it narrower, etc -- that's all playing catch-up to the competition.
I have no doubt that Harley will be adding radar to the Pan America in another year or so. With the 1300, it's now the only big player in the segment that doesn't have it. Blindspot detection and radar adaptive cruise control for motorcycles are moving downmarket. Competition helps everybody.
The 1300 shows that BMW clearly took notes from both the Panamerica and the Multistrada. Setting aside the prestige of the GS brand, BMW was falling behind and resting on its laurels. More horsepower, adaptive ride height, adaptive lighting, radar, making it narrower, etc -- that's all playing catch-up to the competition.
I have no doubt that Harley will be adding radar to the Pan America in another year or so. With the 1300, it's now the only big player in the segment that doesn't have it. Blindspot detection and radar adaptive cruise control for motorcycles are moving downmarket. Competition helps everybody.
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427 Posts
I ride with others that have many of the brands out there. It's about the destination if there is one, and not who's riding what, and I can tell you this, there isn't one of us that doesn't have or hasn't had a complaint about their bike. Right now I can't get replacement parts for my PAS so this is my bitch for the lase three months.
Still no buyers remorse
Happy trails
Still no buyers remorse
Happy trails
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224 Posts
My HD Livewire was waiting on parts for EIGHT months. Contact Harley customer support directly. Don't rely on the dealer to make it happen. Harley ended up having someone hand carry a part at the York plant and get it sent to the dealer. HD will work to make it right. I wish that I hadn't waited so long to contact them.I ride with others that have many of the brands out there. It's about the destination if there is one, and not who's riding what, and I can tell you this, there isn't one of us that doesn't have or hasn't had a complaint about their bike. Right now I can't get replacement parts for my PAS so this is my bitch for the lase three months.
Still no buyers remorse
Happy trails
In the market of large ADV bikes, it is clear that BMW lead the charge. Shows like "Long way Round" helped bolster their foothold in the market as it was emerging. Many other manufacturers have simply followed the market trend. As for HD, they took a huge risk trying to enter the market. Many of the design and engineering team for HD came from other manufacturers. This is relatively common place in the world of motorcycles in general.
Did HD hit a grand slam with dipping their toes into the ADV market? Probably not. But they did hit a single home run. For a company whose customer base is the average age of 45, they branched out, took a risk, and came up with a viable alternative. Note the pricing on a PA vs a GS. It's clear, there was an element to market and aim at the GS from the start.
If I were a betting man, I'd say there are more improvements to the PA to come. In what years(s)? I don't know. I was not issued a crystal ball with my owners manual. None of us were. If you do this well on the first time out, my guess is there is great things to come. The annual sales report speaks for itself.
Did HD hit a grand slam with dipping their toes into the ADV market? Probably not. But they did hit a single home run. For a company whose customer base is the average age of 45, they branched out, took a risk, and came up with a viable alternative. Note the pricing on a PA vs a GS. It's clear, there was an element to market and aim at the GS from the start.
If I were a betting man, I'd say there are more improvements to the PA to come. In what years(s)? I don't know. I was not issued a crystal ball with my owners manual. None of us were. If you do this well on the first time out, my guess is there is great things to come. The annual sales report speaks for itself.
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my curiosity to try a motorbike does not mean that I would change my PA for the GS, I am satisfied to have in my hands a motorbike with a unique character in its style and its engine, BMW has copied everything over the years (twin-cylinder engine copied in the 1920s from the English Douglas 500 cc, the beak took inspiration from the Suzuki DR 750) Harley is a legendary brand and has always made unique motorbikes designed and built by itself without taking inspiration from anyone and the PA is no exception!
Excellent comments #detansinn.
Riding a '22 PAS with 9k miles on the odo, currently living in TX. Went with her to Colorado for some adventure trails and loved every second of it. The PAS is a beast in Off-Road+ (need to stop and keep holding "mode" button down to switch from Off-Road to Off-Road+, purple icon). Rode with many BMW and Triumph owners - we loved the moments and one would need to be a top professional to sense a difference between the bikes (IMHO)s.
Rode in Austria the GS and GSA 1250 on roads only. Both feel a touch smoother (quieter, softer gear changes) but particularly the GSA shows its weight and dimensions (big, broad tank and boxer).
Zero regrets for the PSA, in fact, love its character (sound, looks, and also slimmer appearance) more than the BMW.
Fully support the note on the healthy competition that did bring the automated ride hight that our PAS has (as a first!!) to BMW and would love to see a (no service) drive shaft and some better hand protectors / mirror arrangement as well as the safety features
of the new BMW (front, rear radar) back to the PAS.
At the end it is about the roads and trails you take and the camaradery.
The HD PAS stands tall and proud with an amazing look at the front with the competition.
![Image]()
PAS on the trails of Colorado.
![Image]()
GSA in Austria.
![Image]()
Riding a '22 PAS with 9k miles on the odo, currently living in TX. Went with her to Colorado for some adventure trails and loved every second of it. The PAS is a beast in Off-Road+ (need to stop and keep holding "mode" button down to switch from Off-Road to Off-Road+, purple icon). Rode with many BMW and Triumph owners - we loved the moments and one would need to be a top professional to sense a difference between the bikes (IMHO)s.
Rode in Austria the GS and GSA 1250 on roads only. Both feel a touch smoother (quieter, softer gear changes) but particularly the GSA shows its weight and dimensions (big, broad tank and boxer).
Zero regrets for the PSA, in fact, love its character (sound, looks, and also slimmer appearance) more than the BMW.
Fully support the note on the healthy competition that did bring the automated ride hight that our PAS has (as a first!!) to BMW and would love to see a (no service) drive shaft and some better hand protectors / mirror arrangement as well as the safety features
of the new BMW (front, rear radar) back to the PAS.
At the end it is about the roads and trails you take and the camaradery.
The HD PAS stands tall and proud with an amazing look at the front with the competition.
PAS on the trails of Colorado.
GSA in Austria.
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44 Posts
I am sure the new BMW is just fine. I much prefer the look of the HD. It has far more character and exudes something the bird beak look cannot. Just my opinion.
Re waiting for replacement parts... I've been waiting more than two months for a replacement BCM. My dealer is getting nothing from HD except that there are 'supply chain problems'. But like you, I've no buyer's remorse.I ride with others that have many of the brands out there. It's about the destination if there is one, and not who's riding what, and I can tell you this, there isn't one of us that doesn't have or hasn't had a complaint about their bike. Right now I can't get replacement parts for my PAS so this is my bitch for the lase three months.
Still no buyers remorse
Happy trails
Joined
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224 Posts
Contact HD customer service directly. They can be more helpful than the dealer to get parts moving.
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427 Posts
HD was no help for me.
After a week of waiting on HD to get back to me, they said there's nothing they could do so I have to continue to wait.
I have a new Tourtec upper rack to put on my bike and I cant install it because that plastic shitty grab handle is the only thing holding the rear sub base together
After a week of waiting on HD to get back to me, they said there's nothing they could do so I have to continue to wait.
I have a new Tourtec upper rack to put on my bike and I cant install it because that plastic shitty grab handle is the only thing holding the rear sub base together
2 months is ridiculous, don't take no for an answer, stay on the phone, and have them keep moving you up to who they report to when they say they can't help you. They are still producing bikes and can pull one from the factory floor. Research you lemon laws and use them against them during the call, they would rather hand you one from the floor than a new bike. I've had to push them for a couple parts that way and magically parts showed up they could send. It's a pain and time consuming, but not having your bike for 2 months is worse.
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44 Posts
Great article.
www.topspeed.com
Is The BMW R 1300 GS Spicy Enough To Beat The H-D Pan America 1250?
Or will the Pan America make life difficult for the new Beemer? Here's a comparison to answer that
www.topspeed.com
Sold the 2021 PAS for medical reasons. Now I'm in the market for a 2024 bike. Have had pretty much every single major brand in the last 40 years so not wedded to any of them in particular.
I hope HD ups their game with the 2024 PA. The new screen on the 2023 CVO Road & Street Glides is something that needs to make its way to the PA.
The R1300 now has an electric windscreen and central locking bags. Hopefully HD can provide bags that don't have to be kept locked to get the key out and a windscreen that doesn't move all over the place.
The HD dealership is 12 miles from home while the BMW dealership is 28 miles (mostly highway) so about double the time to get there.
Neither of these bikes wins any beauty contest. Had plenty of beautiful bikes that were either awful to ride or cooked your nads (thanks Ducati).
If HD doesn't step up for 2024 then I'll more than likely end up on the R1300GS. If HD adds the new display, fixes most of the long list of items they need to address and keeps the pricing in check, then there's a good chance I'll go that route.
I hope HD ups their game with the 2024 PA. The new screen on the 2023 CVO Road & Street Glides is something that needs to make its way to the PA.
The R1300 now has an electric windscreen and central locking bags. Hopefully HD can provide bags that don't have to be kept locked to get the key out and a windscreen that doesn't move all over the place.
The HD dealership is 12 miles from home while the BMW dealership is 28 miles (mostly highway) so about double the time to get there.
Neither of these bikes wins any beauty contest. Had plenty of beautiful bikes that were either awful to ride or cooked your nads (thanks Ducati).
If HD doesn't step up for 2024 then I'll more than likely end up on the R1300GS. If HD adds the new display, fixes most of the long list of items they need to address and keeps the pricing in check, then there's a good chance I'll go that route.
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