BMW R 1300 GSA long-term review: part two

Will Sandilands jumps on board BMW’s flagship adventure bike for a mile-crushing weekend adventure to Ireland. 

I had a difficult choice to make. The annual office excursion to the ABR Ireland Rally was fast approaching and I needed to decide which bike to take.

While my long termer Royal Enfield Bear 650 had proven a joy to ride on balmy summer evenings in the Cotswolds over the past few months, I now faced a 340-mile motorway dash to catch a ferry to Ireland. I’d then enjoy two days of glorious riding in Ireland, followed by a late-night ferry and another motorway slog back home again.

How would the Royal Enfield fair? Would I end up holding up the rest of the lads from the office because I was on a bike with no screen and a 13.7l fuel tank? I feared the answer was yes, so when ABR Editor James kindly offered to lend me his BMW R 1300 GSA for the weekend, it was with mixed feelings I said yes.

The BMW R 1300 GSA holds its own on twisty roads

If I’d had more time, I’m in no doubt I’d have had a wonderful time exploring Ireland on the Bear 650 at a sedate pace, but there are few bikes better suited to covering bike miles than the GSA. Decision made.

From the off, there were things about the 1300 GSA that I absolutely loved. Things that I can only really put down to what I’ll call its GSA-ness. This isn’t a term I expect to sweep the motorcycling world, but it works for me.

The GSA’s massive 30l fuel tank means fewer stops between fill-ups

As I mentioned, one of the big reasons for switching was the thought of fuel stops, and keeping the lads waiting while I hunted for petrol every 120-130 miles sounded like a fast track to losing friends.

On the GSA, with its monstrous 30l fuel tank, I ended up watching them refill far more often than me. ABR Founder Alun, on his 1250 GSA, was also sat beside me, both of us patiently waiting while feeling a little smug.

I also love the way I could tailor the bike to my needs, whether that was fiddling with the adjustable ride height, the heated seat and grips, adjusting the electric windscreen, and even changing the sensitivity of the adaptive cruise control.

The R 1300 GSA is striking in its Triple Black colourway

On that last point, the least sensitive cruise control setting, which keeps you closest to the vehicle ahead, was too conservative for riding in a pack of bikes. I was so far back it made group riding tricky, forcing me to constantly catch up. My total bone idleness is partly to blame for that complaint.

But catching up was so easy because, Christ, there is some torque and power there. I loved it. Whether it was the gut punch acceleration or the smoothness of the engine at cruising speed, I could not get enough.

Despite all that power, and the GSA’s sheer size, its weight is carried so low that it feels surprisingly easy to manoeuvre. It is hard to imagine dropping it, a very welcome thought when you are riding the editor of ABR’s  pride and joy.

The riding position and cockpit of the R 1300 GSA provide all-day touring comfort

But the real magic of this bike is how it keeps you fresh. With all the weather protection, that big torquey engine, light yet predictable steering, top level technology, and general ease of use, you can ride all day without feeling drained.

I arrived in Ireland absolutely raring to go. Even though it was late at night and I had the prospect of sleeping tent to face, I was surprisingly cheerful when we rolled into camp at the village of Teelin in County Donegal.

People swarmed around the bike straight away because it was still a relatively new model and very few people had seen a 1300 GSA in the flesh. It is hard to imagine that will last. You only need a short ride to know you want one parked in your garage.

When it comes to touring, combining endless motorway miles, winding back roads, and a bit of off-road adventure as well, nothing else comes close for me.

Specs at a glance

Price: From £18,870
Engine: air/liquid cooled four-stroke flat twin
Final drive: shaft
Capacity: 1,300cc
Power: 145bhp
Torque: 149Nm
Gears: six-speed with quickshifter, option for automatic shift
Front suspension: BMW Motorrad EVO-Telever, central DSA shock absorber, 210mm travel
Rear suspension: BMW Motorrad EVO-Paralever, central DSA spring strut, 220mm travel
Front brakes: twin semi-floating 310mm discs with 4-piston radial calipers
Rear brakes: single 285mm disc with 2-piston floating caliper
Weight: 269kg wet
Tank capacity: 30l
Seat height: 870mm / 890mm standard
Wheels: cross spoke tubeless 19” front and 17” rear

Shad tank bag

There is very little I’d add to the 1300 GSA Triple Black because it is so well equipped already, but I have decided to add a tank bag because they one of the most useful motorcycle accessories on the planet. And Shad’s E091CL Click System Dual Lockable Tank Bag is absolutely brilliant.

Seriously, it’s raised the tank bag bar. Not only does the bag itself lock in place above to the GSA’s filler cap to stop it being stolen, but the zipper can also be secured using a combination lock. Genius.

The bag itself sports a rigid exterior which means it sits neatly on your tank and will protect your valuables inside if you were to drop it. The interior has 5l worth of storage space, which is enough for a wallet, phone, bottle of water, a packet of jelly babies, keys, and a disc lock.

And there’s also a handy shoulder strap which turns the tank bag into man bag or handbag, off the bike. It really is a clever designed piece of kit. Top marks.