No sooner had the brand new BMW R1300GS damaged cowl, than followers of the mile-munching boxer had been clamoring for the much-anticipated R1300GS Journey. In spite of everything, the flagship GS has had an accompanying ‘Journey’ variant since 1999, usually providing extra vary, extra safety, and extra baggage capability. Now, virtually 10 months later, the BMW R1300GS Journey is lastly right here… and it’s chunky.
The R1300GS marks the most important redesign of huge BMW boxer since eternally, and the brand new BMW R1300GS Journey builds on this. It makes use of the identical new-generation 1,300 cc liquid-cooled motor, full with its transmission-under-the-motor structure and BMW’s improved ‘ShiftCam’ variable valve timing system. The numbers keep the identical; 145 hp at 7,750 rpm and 149 Nm at 6,500 rpm.
The Journey mannequin additionally shares the ‘common’ 1300’s Telelever entrance suspension, redesigned sheet metallic shell front-end body, and die-cast aluminum rear body. The Journey seems to sport a special subframe although (BMW is fuzzy on the small print), presumably designed to deal with the added load that BMW expects of the Journey variant.
‘Added load’ could as effectively be the brand new BMW R1300GS Journey’s catch phrase. As with earlier ‘ADV’ fashions, BMW has taken a extra is extra method right here.
The gas tank beneficial properties an additional 11 liters, bringing its total capability to a whopping 30 liters [7.9 gallons]. Given its measurement, BMW’s engineers determined to make the aluminum gas tank a function reasonably than cover it behind extra plastic, so most of it’s seen. It additionally options three anchor factors distributed round its gas cap, designed to make BMW’s tank bag plug-and-play, and a small compartment to retailer a smartphone whereas it prices.
BMW has additionally utilized the additional actual property to supply extra climate safety to the rider. Not solely is the tank broader, however the GS Journey additionally will get additional wind deflectors on its hand guards and alongside its main windshield. Rubber pads just under the handlebars (the place the gas tank’s flanks create a pure shelf) provide a non-slip spot to stash instruments and the like while you’re parked.
Earlier iterations of the GS Journey got here with baggage racks as normal, however it seems that the R1300GS Journey doesn’t provide that individual bonus. You do get a chunkier passenger seat than on the bottom mannequin GS although, with what seems to be one other particular BMW baggage anchor level.
There’s, naturally, a full set of aluminum packing containers on provide, ex-works. The set features a 37-liter prime case with an 8 kg [17.6 lbs] load capability, and 37-liter (left) and 36.5-liter (proper) facet circumstances, every with a ten kg [22 lbs] load capability. All of the packing containers hook up with a solid aluminum baggage rack system, with a magnetic coupling on the left case that sends energy to a USB charging socket.
The highest field makes use of an anti-vibration mounting plate, and every pannier will be expanded by an extra 10 liters through non-compulsory bolt-on extensions.
Beneath the hood, the GS Journey boasts your entire array of digital gadgetry that its stablemate does, after which some. There are mountains of acronyms to wade via, however the highlights embody ABS, traction management, switchable rider modes, and BMW’s new and improved ‘Dynamic Suspension Adjustment’ (DSA), which dynamically adjusts damping and spring charge on the fly, relying on quite a lot of components. (There’s additionally an adaptive experience peak system that may be fitted as non-compulsory gear.)
Cruise management is normal too, and is aided by the 1300’s entrance radar system. It features a collision warning system, with a rear collision warning system out there as an additional.
One significantly notable function is BMW’s new Automated Shift Assistant (ASA). In a nutshell, it’s a semi-automatic gearbox and clutch that makes use of electromagnetic actuators reasonably than providing a direct connection to the clutch and transmission. You may nonetheless run it in ‘handbook’ mode, or you’ll be able to flick it over and let the bike do the shifting for you.
Up entrance, the GSA’s alien-esque X-shaped headlight is flanked by a pair of auxiliary LEDs. The quirky headlight design someway appears to go well with the Journey mannequin higher than it does the bottom mannequin GS, however we’re nonetheless not satisfied that it’s an enchancment over conventional BMW designs. What’s abundantly clear while you take a look at the R1300GS Journey from the entrance, is simply how beefy it’s.
The outgoing R1250GS Journey is huge to start with, however the R1300GS Journey provides simply over an inch to its total width. And whereas the bottom mannequin R1300GS weighs in at a surprising-for-its-size 237 kg [522.5 lbs], the Journey swells to 269 kg [593 lbs].
All of that bulk interprets right into a muddled aesthetic. Its slender LED gentle and thin 19” entrance wheel are dwarfed by its entrance view, and, when considered from the facet, its gas tank and accompanying aluminum panels dominate the visible.
It will get higher trying as you transition to the darker colorways on provide, however there’s no denying that the BMW R1300GS Journey is nearly painfully utilitarian. However maybe that’s the entire thought. In spite of everything, despite the fact that a 1,300 cc, 593-pound journey bike with 30 liters of gas on board is whole overkill, it’s by no means stopped BMW from promoting bucketloads of those.
Supply: BMW Motorrad
