BMW, after launching the new R 1300 GS globally, has now unveiled its flagship, the R 1300 GS Adventure, or the GSA. The motorcycle shares a lot in common with the GS models but also gets a host of changes and add-ons to make it a globetrotter capable of any terrain.
BMW R 1300 GSA — Design and platform
The first thing is the design of the motorcycle. The new GSA is based on the same platform as the 1300 GS, but gets a bulkier design thanks to the larger 30-litre fuel tank. This has not only added to the weight of the motorcycle, but also changed the overall design.
The 1300’s update had mixed opinions already and the GSA has just added to that. The motorcycle has shed its muscular lines for a more squarish design, with integrated lights on either side of the fuel tank. That said, the new R 1300 GSA is 32kg more than the GS, tipping the scale at 269kg, 1kg more than the outgoing R 1250 GSA.
BMW R 1300 GSA — Features and equipment
Moving on to the features, the new GSA shares most of its underpinning with the R 1300 GS, such as the brakes wheels, suspension, and other components. However, the GSA gets a few standard equipment as well, such as four riding modes, engine brake control, hill-hold assist and radar-assisted safety. The optional extras are a long list as well, which include the dynamic suspension with adaptive ride height, and luggage accessories.
Despite sharing the same engine – a new 1300cc boxer twin that makes 143bhp and 149Nm of torque mated to a six-speed gearbox – the GSA gets a new automatic clutch called the Automatic Shift Assistant. BMW was seen testing this mechanism earlier and what the ASA does is that it eliminates the clutch lever completely, making the GSA ridable without using the clutch to shift gears. The GSA does get a gear shifter, if riders want to take manual control of the gearbox.
The ASA will be a standard feature on the new BMW R 1300 GSA, while this system will be available on the R 1300 GS models soon, as an optional package. Looking at Honda’s success with the DCT, Yamaha’s new Y-AMT gearbox, and even KTM testing a similar automatic version, expect big adventure bikes to go fully automatic soon.