BMW R 1300 R, R 1300 RS & R 1300 RT ridden &#...

BMW R 1300 R / RS / RT Overview

BMW’s closely overhauled 1300 cc boxer engine has now been rolled out to its three extra road-oriented fashions after first showing within the all-important GS and GSA Journey fashions final yr.

The 1300 is much and away the Munich model’s most necessary engine, with over 50 per cent of BMW Motorrad gross sales coming from the 2 Journey bikes, and an additional 15 per cent coming from these highway fashions. So this engine alone powers two-thirds of all of the bikes BMW sells in Australia.

MCNews.com.au was invited to the Australian launch of the R 1300 R, RS and RT variants in Victoria, to match and distinction the three road-going fashions and see simply how properly the brand new 1300 donk performs within the tarmac-only function.

I got here away not simply impressed with every bike in their very own proper, however with a brand new appreciation of simply how a lot distinction might be felt from what can appear to be comparatively minor modifications to trip place and chassis geometry.

I additionally now have a brand new private favorite boxer-engined BMW. And primarily based on what I do know, will probably be a extremely controversial opinion {that a} substantial variety of GS homeowners are lacking out on what’s arguably a greater highway bike. Extra on that later…

The three fashions in query

For the uninitiated, the three fashions might be summarised as follows:

The R mannequin. The bare roadster sports activities bike. A bit little bit of boxer-powered streetfighter. Huge bars in a decrease place (in comparison with the opposite two) make this the sportiest trip of the three.

The RS mannequin. The Sports activities Tourer. Barely extra relaxed driving place in comparison with the R – with some fairings thrown in for much more consolation. If the much-loved Honda VFR of outdated was reincarnated as a BMW boxer, it might be this.

The RT mannequin. The Tourer. Essentially the most relaxed driving place with all of the touring trimmings, together with however not restricted to that apparent massive display screen and fairing. Don’t suppose for a minute that it might’t be hustled alongside although…

Similar, identical. However totally different.

As I discussed within the introduction, all three fashions share the engine and gearbox with the GS. In addition to the principle chassis and swing-arm from what I might inform (and what we have been instructed). However regardless of sharing a central core, every mannequin rides noticeably in another way.

That engine, for what it’s price, stays an absolute powerhouse. 145 hp tells solely a small a part of the story; it’s the colossal 149 Nm of torque that completes the image. It’s simply so extremely grunty, virtually from simply above idle.

Superbly fuelled too. On the highway, it’s a pleasure to twist open the faucets and get into that excellent midrange.

Whereas I’ve by no means been an enormous fan of the boxer exhaust be aware (they’re traditionally just a little underwhelming), I’ve to confess that even with the usual muffler, each the R and RS fashions sounded surprisingly good. Greater than as soon as, when doing picture runs and ready our flip, a few of us have been one another in shock asking ‘is that one in every of our bikes?’

This boxer’s ‘field finds its mark.

It hasn’t all been clean crusing for the brand new 1300, although. I’ve been crucial of the brand new gearbox prior to now, particularly within the decrease gears. Shifting between the primary three cogs by way of BMW’s quick-shifter (BMW shift help) isn’t exceptionally clean. Removed from it, I discovered it to be fairly a blunt instrument in that regard. The newest GSA appeared to enhance issues just a little, however you continue to find yourself utilizing the clutch for these gears as an alternative of simply counting on the quick-shifter.

Nicely, there’s an answer for that: the ASA clutchless choice. You’ll be able to run it in full auto mode (D), the place it shifts for you, or in guide mode (M), the place you continue to shift the cogs. And I’m right here to inform you that the guide mode is nothing in need of excellent on the highway.

Whereas there can be many who’re reluctant to go that path on their GS – and that’s honest sufficient for these riders who rely closely on clutch method offroad – on tarmac it’s good. Up. Down. Any revs. Simply wonderful. Smoother than teflon-coated butter.

How good? I’d put it up there in my prime three gearboxes I’ve ever ridden, becoming a member of the opposite benchmarks being BMW’s personal M1000R and Ducati’s good Multistrada V4 field. The lever really feel could be very totally different, however when you’re used to it… what a factor.

The ASA (Automated Shift Assistant) makes use of two actuators to regulate the clutch and gearshift, and presents noticeably improved rev-matching in comparison with the usual quickshifter.

BMW expects the overwhelming majority of the R, RS, and RT to be fitted with the choice, as in almost all. Sure, you possibly can go for a daily gearbox, however you’ll be within the minority.

There’s a Variant for all

I’ll additionally admit to being just a little cynical prior to now about BMW’s plethora of spec ‘variants’ inside fashions. However as was identified on the launch, with so many customisation choices, BMW has discovered it easier to tailor packages of choices for particular buyer wants after which let these prospects fine-tune them as they need.

Take the R, for instance. Base mannequin is available in at 22 thousand, however the listing of really useful choices that almost all punters will go for brings that as much as almost 28k.

You’ll be able to go for the ‘Unique’ variant that provides consolation and dynamic tech packs and a few particular styling choices for 28.5k, or the ‘Efficiency’ variant, which provides the game suspension and sports activities seat choices, amongst others, for 28.2k.

Or go for the highest canine, the ‘Choice 719’ variant for 31k that provides a bunch of styling choices however skips the sports activities suspension.

Sport Suspension choice does take issues up a stage

That sports activities suspension definitely makes a distinction. In case you’re the form of rider who may need to mess around at a monitor day or two, or your favorite piece of highway is good and clean, I’d give it some severe thought.

It’s electronically adjustable, with settings for highway mode and dynamic (sport) mode. Nevertheless, I discovered it noticeably much less compliant over bumpier sections of highway than the usual suspension, even when softened again so far as it might permit.

The RS too has the sports activities suspension choice by way of a ‘efficiency’ variant, however right here once more I’d personally follow the usual suspension except your roads are good and clean… The usual suspension does a terrific job of bump management whereas providing loads of really feel.

I discovered each the R and RS to be greater than comfy and to deal with in a well-recognized, comparatively standard approach within the twisties (that’d be the ‘regular’ entrance suspension). You’ll be able to roll by the bends, they usually’re more than pleased doing their factor.

Or if you wish to get one of the best out of them, each bikes reply properly to shifting your weight round and getting extra concerned. Get your butt sideways and your physique on the within of the centre line, they usually’ll each rail a nook higher than you may suppose for 239 kg (R) and 245 kg (RS) bikes. That weight interprets to terrific stability and on-road composure at even extremely spirited highway speeds, and there was no problem within the braking division both.

One bike favored to be ridden in another way from the opposite two

The RT is exclusive amongst the three, although. With its 24 L tank in comparison with the 17 L unit shared by the opposite two fashions, it’s clearly made with the lengthy haul in thoughts. Mixed with the extra fairing work, tall display screen, and colour-coded facet panniers, it sees the burden bump as much as a not-insubstantial 281 kg when totally fuelled.

It’s the one bike of the three that makes use of BMW’s Telelever entrance suspension, which is ready as much as deal with the additional 40 kg over the opposite two fashions.

When strolling the bike round at a standstill, it’s noticeably extra top-heavy than the opposite fashions. Nevertheless, as soon as on the transfer, there’s some German engineering wizardry at play right here. Not solely does that weight disappear, however the extra top-heavy nature of it really interprets to a motorbike that requires subsequent to no physique motion in any respect to hustle alongside.

In case you let the bike pivot beneath you whilst you keep comparatively upright (somewhat than leaning off) it’s an absolute doddle to punt alongside. Particularly once you transfer it into one of many sport modes (Dynamic or Dynamic Professional), which companies up the suspension and sharpens the geometry by bumping up rear preload…

I could or might not have been laughing as I pushed a few of the different journos who have been on board the R and RS. I can’t think about what that may have appeared like filling their mirrors.

You’ll be able to see how they make such a superb base for police bikes loaded with much more gear, and I now perceive how mentioned police riders can hustle them alongside at surprisingly excessive speeds… Tremendous comfy, nice pillion and baggage choices and that terrific torquey boxer engine. It’s touring made simple.

Considered one of them hits the candy spot

However for me, the decide of the bunch is the RS. It’s such a handsome-looking bike, particularly in that Brooklyn Gray ‘Choice 719’ trim. I used to be the moth to its bare flame as quickly as I noticed it. I’m satisfied that if extra producers made Sport Tourers that appeared and carried out like this, that section would come to life once more. I do know Trev lusts after a protracted, low twin-piped sports-tourer powered by the engine from Yamaha’s MT-10 or from Ducati’s Multistrada V4.

The RS is fashionable, clean, steady, comfy, simple to trip, has all of the tech you need and might be punted alongside greater than shortly sufficient. And with 145 hp, it’s tremendous manageable with out being overpowered, not like a few of the 180+ hp monsters in the marketplace. Throw a sports activities muffler on there for additional aural goodness, give me some even stickier tyres and I’d be as glad as a clam.

I’m aiming to seize a kind of for a couple of weeks to reside with and attempt to decide it aside. As a result of, frankly, I couldn’t discover any significant faults in my fast impression, although I did marvel what it might be like with the decrease bar risers fitted to the ‘Efficiency’ variant. Not even certain if that’s a chance by way of speccing them up (I don’t suppose it’s).

The ASA choice has cured the gearbox points, and with that choice, I’ll go as far as to say the R 1300 RS is one of the best boxer-engined BMW I’ve ever ridden. Huge assertion certainly.

If you’re one of many 50 per cent of BMW consumers who’ve opted for a GS however you solely trip on the highway… I reckon you may simply be lacking out…

BMW R 1300 R / RS / RT Specs

BMW R 1300 R / RS / RT Photographs