BMW R 1300 GS Levels Up the Adventure Motorcycle World

• BMW Motorrad has long been a pillar of the adventure motorcycling world and it isn't looking to give up its title anytime soon.

• Releasing the new R 1300 GS, BMW is revising its legendary adventure bike for another decade of success, both on and off-road.

• The 2024 BMW R 1300 GS sees more displacement, better ergonomics, and a new production process.

The BMW GS platform has been the staple of adventure motorcycling for nearly three decades now. Up, down, and around the world on multiple occasions with a variety of riders (namely Elspeth Beard, Charley Boorman, and Ewan McGregor), BMW Motorrad is rightfully proud of its legendary boxer-twin-cylinder oversized dual-sport.

And its customers feel the same way, as BMW says it sold over 60,000 units of its R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure last year. Still, despite a refresh in 2019, with upped displacement and some other refinements, some core complaints remained regarding the the R 1250 GS adventure bike.

Namely, GS owners have long noted its wide snout and hefty weight between the legs. However, BMW is out to fix these issues and further cement itself as the manufacturer by which adventure bikes are graded. Culminating from 43 years of engineering experience, this new model is named the 2024 BMW R 1300 GS, hinting at a part of its improvements.

BMW has completely redesigned the boxer engine for 2024, for starters. With exactly 1300cc of displacement, this increase is owed to an enlarged cylinder bore and a new crankshaft with reduced stroke. With 145 hp and 110 lb-ft of torque, the R 1300 GS is up 9 hp and 5 lb-ft of torque.

It's not all about increasing output, though, as these engines necessitate longevity as well. As a result, the fuel consumption of the new BMW R 1300 GS is identical to its predecessors, though it also implements a tried-and-tested knock sensor system. Finally, the engine has been slightly repositioned in the frame to increase vibration damping.

Further drivetrain refinement is at work on the R 1300 GS, as BMW moved the six-speed gearbox and clutch into the engine housing itself, as opposed to behind the engine. Now it is situated underneath the engine. This achieves a 14.3-pound weight reduction in the drivetrain and further improves the center of gravity, with an overall reduction of 26 pounds.

Last, on the drivetrain front, a driveshaft with bigger U-joints and the rear axle assembly are also new. Notably, a longer wheel axle stub is present for easier mounting and dismounting of the rear wheel. This will be essential during those extra difficult trail rides.

The frame is also reworked for 2024, though only in the ways that BMW deemed necessary. Stopping the trend of getting bigger and bigger was key, according to Jochen Beck, project manager of the BMW R 1300 GS, and the new steel frame as well as the diecast aluminum rear frame was able to reverse this trend.