BMW R 1300 GS specifications, dimensions and price
BMW · Adventure
The BMW R 1300 GS is BMW's flagship adventure-touring flat twin: a 1,300cc boxer with ShiftCam variable valve timing, Full Integral ABS Pro and a four-mode riding suite. BMW lists a 523 lb weight, a 33.4 in seat, a 5.0 gal tank and a 59.8 in wheelbase, and prices the base bike at $20,395.
BMW R 1300 GS
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2026 |
| Class | Adventure |
| Engine | Air/liquid-cooled flat-twin (boxer), double overhead chain-driven camshafts (BMW ShiftCam) |
| Displacement | 1,300cc |
| Bore x stroke | 106.5x73 mm |
| Compression ratio | 13.3:1 |
| Fuel system | Electronic intake pipe injection |
| Transmission | Claw-shifted 6-speed gearbox |
| Final drive | Cardan shaft drive |
| Front suspension | BMW Motorrad EVO-Telelever, central shock absorber |
| Front suspension travel | 7.5 in |
| Rear suspension travel | 7.9 in |
| Front brake | Twin disc, semi-floating discs, 310mm, 4-piston radial caliper |
| Rear brake | Single disc, 285mm, 2-piston floating caliper |
| Front tire | 120/70 R19 |
| Rear tire | 170/60 R17 |
| Seat height | 33.4 in |
| Wet weight | 523 lb |
| Wheelbase | 59.8 in |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal |
| Starting MSRP | $20,395 |
What a long-term test found
Bennetts BikeSocial ran a 2024 R 1300 GS for a long-term test and recorded 7,966 miles, 51 mpg, 134 bhp and 104 lb-ft measured, and 250 kg with extras. It says adaptive seat height seems pricey at £490 when the hardware is already in place, since you need the ESA suspension. But that it makes a huge difference in rider and pillion confidence, and that the radar cruise control also seemed pricey.
It reports a dealer visit where the latest software was installed and the suspension inspected with a 25-mile test ride and no problems found, and it lists complaints from the tester: the engine felt too revvy, the riding position too sporty, the gearbox stiff, the quickshifter inconsistent and fuel use high for the speeds ridden. The tester's price as tested was £23,770.
BMW lists the EVO Telelever front with a central shock and 7.5 in of travel, the EVO Paralever rear with a cast aluminum single-sided swingarm and fully adjustable preload, twin 310 mm semi-floating front discs with 4-piston radial calipers and a 285 mm rear disc. Tires are 120/70 R19 and 170/60 R17, and the gearbox is a claw-shifted six-speed.
The measured 134 bhp in the long-term test compares with the BMW R 12 G/S's rated 109 hp.
R 1300 GS against its rivals
At $20,395 it costs $3,300 more than the BMW R 12 G/S at $17,095 and $5,196 more than Honda's Africa Twin at $15,199. It weighs 523 lb against 510 lb for the Africa Twin and 540 lb for Triumph's Tiger 1200 at $22,095. KTM's 1390 Super Adventure S costs $21,649 and the EVO version $22,699.
- These are base prices before options
- The separate Multistrada comparison also lists a lower-priced alternative.
Against the other big adventure bikes
The R 1300 GS costs $20,395, $3,300 more than the BMW R 12 G/S at $17,095 and $6,000 more than the F 900 GS at $14,395. At 523 lb road ready it is 19 lb heavier than the BMW R 12 G/S and 41 lb heavier than the F 900 GS. Its 33.4 in seat is 0.5 in lower than the BMW R 12 G/S's 33.9 in.
Ducati's Multistrada V4 at $19,995 is $400 cheaper and weighs 505 lb without fuel. So the BMW's premium is for its size, equipment and dealer network.
R 1300 GS against the Tiger 1200 and 1390 Super Adventure
Triumph's Tiger 1200 and KTM's 1390 Super Adventure are the closest large adventure-touring rivals.
BMW R 1300 GS — specification referenceBennetts' long-term tester found the engine too revvy, the position too sporty, the gearbox stiff, the quickshifter inconsistent and fuel use high at the speeds ridden.