The 2024 BMW R 1300 GS is a ground-up redesign of the flagship adventure bike, built around a new boxer twin in a slimmer, lighter package. It is designed to tour in comfort, carve mountain roads, and keep going when the pavement ends.
The 1300cc horizontally opposed twin is more oversquare than the 1254cc engine it replaces, with a 13.3:1 compression ratio and ShiftCam variable valve timing. Peak output climbs to 145 horsepower, and the powerband is broad, with strong pull from the midrange to the 9000 rpm redline. Cooling is a mix of liquid and air, and final drive is by shaft.
BMW moved the 6-speed transmission beneath the engine rather than behind it. That shortens the engine, makes room for a longer swingarm, and helps cut 26 pounds from the GS, which has a 523-pound curb weight. The wet multiplate clutch has a slipper function and hydraulic actuation, and a quickshifter is optional.
The chassis is new, too. A steel sheet-metal main frame uses the engine as a stressed member, and the bolt-on cast-aluminum subframe can be replaced if damaged. The redesigned Evo Telelever front end eliminates the flex of earlier versions for more precise steering and clearer front-end feedback, while the Evo Paralever swingarm is longer and stiffer. Fully linked brakes use 310mm front discs with radially mounted 4-piston calipers.
Standard equipment includes Road, Rain, Eco, and Enduro ride modes, a 6.5-inch TFT display, heated grips, keyless ride, tire pressure monitoring, hill-hold control, a Matrix LED headlight, and Metzeler Karoo 4 tires. Options include three more ride modes, semi-active suspension, adaptive ride height that lowers the seat 1.2 inches at low speeds, and radar-based Active Cruise Control.
Beyond the base model, the R 1300 GS comes in Triple Black, GS Trophy, and Option 719 Tramuntana variants, each with its own finishes, seats, and equipment. Premium, Comfort, and Enduro Pro packages bundle popular options, and seven seat combinations allow seat heights from 31.5 to 35 inches.
Hello and welcome again to the Motos and Friends Podcast. This episode is brought to you by Leod Escapes.
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Aprilia is bringing a scooter to North America, and it’s one designed to appeal to adventure motorcyclists. The SR GT 400 is a mid-size scooter built around a steel motorcycle-style frame, a 399cc single, and off-road-ready hardware. It reaches US dealers as soon as this month. Don Williams and Kelly Callan spent some time riding the Aprilia and were surprised by what they discovered. Is this a real motorcycle or just a good-looking urban scooter?
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Cat McLeod is founder and owner of Leod Escapes, the ultimate tour company for sport-minded motorcycle riders. Cat talks to us this segment about some of his amazing European experiences and tours that include of course, riding some amazing MotoGP tracks on new BMW S1000RRs. If you like what you hear, now is the time to book your trip of a lifetime, so visit LeodEscapes.com to find out more.
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Our guest this episode is Terry Vance, the multiple Motorcycle and Motorsports Hall-of-Famer. Terry is of course the former professional motorcycle drag racer, team owner, and co-founder of the high-performance parts company Vance & Hines. Teejay Adams chats with Terry about his incredible career that includes being the first rider to hit 200 mph in the standing quarter-mile.
Having won this year’s MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers championship with Hayden Gillim riding the Vance & Hines factory Indian Challenger, and with Harley-Davidson’s recent withdrawal, Terry gives us his thoughts on where the series might go from here.
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Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
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![2024 BMW R 1300 GS Buyer’s Guide [Specs, Price]](https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2024-bmw-r-1300-gs-first-look-adventure-adv-motorcycle-23-768x512.webp "2024 BMW R 1300 GS Buyer’s Guide [Specs, Price]")
