BMW unveiled drastic modifications to one in all its largest journey touring bikes final week. The R 1300 GS Journey obtained a brand new engine, chassis, and digital rider aids together with a number of redesigned options, including to the mystique of the GS line that has been circling the globe for 4 a long time.
The BMW GS Journey bikes are basic touring bikes. Once I consider using all over the world, this bike is the default for each fantasy movie in my thoughts. So. Darn. Basic. Ewan McGregor and using companion Charlie Boorman rode a predecessor to the R 1300 GS Journey from London to New York. This experience resulted within the cult basic Lengthy Means Spherical TV sequence and guide, thrusting the BMW GS into many adventure-seeking minds.
BMW outlined an unlimited record of modifications from the earlier R 1300 GS Journey. The 2025 model is an all-new bike, right down to the engine, chassis, suspension, brakes, rider electronics, and a lot extra. Right here’s our rundown on probably the most important new developments on BMW’s grand journey touring machine.
New Boxer Engine
Basic BMW Boxer Engine Traits
BMW’s boxer engines are simply as basic because the GS namesake. The horizontal and opposed cylinders have a number of benefits. The burden stability between the left and proper sides and the decrease heart of gravity enhance dealing with over vertical cylinders.
Because the pistons at all times “field” each other, the engine is extra environment friendly and clean since this motion eliminates opposing inertial forces. And the rotational output doesn’t have to make an additional 90-degree change of route to energy the rear wheel. Anybody who has ridden a boxer engine understands the distinctive really feel these horizontally opposed cylinders and pistons ship.
Some disadvantages embody the elevated width of the motor and the larger potential of valve head injury in a crash. However, for the reason that cylinders do stick out, they’ll considerably shield the legs throughout a crash.
The New 1300cc BMW Boxer Engine
BMW elevated the bore, decreased the stroke, enlarged the 4 valves per head, and mixed all this with new crankshafts. The 1300cc motor has a claimed peak horsepower of 145 at 7,750 rpm, a rise of 9 horsepower over final yr. Most torque is 110 foot-pounds at 6,500 rpm for a 5 foot-pound achieve. The torque achieve applies to vast engine speeds.
That is particularly notable within the super-usable 3,600-7,800 rpm vary, the place at the least 96 foot-pounds can be found. The 2025 BMW R 1300 GS Journey has a 3.4-second 0-100 km/h time and a high velocity of over 124 mph.
The BMW Boxer engine makes use of distinctive ShiftCam expertise. Two completely different valve cams using on a single consumption camshaft will be actuated relying on the state of affairs. A “partial load” cam optimizes gasoline financial system, whereas a “full-load” cam stresses efficiency.
Even with these efficiency features, the gasoline financial system is nearly an identical to final yr’s massive GS. A 7.9-gallon aluminum tank ensures the long-range journey vacationers demand.
New Transmission on the 2025 BMW R 1300 GS Journey
The massive information is that BMW moved the transmission under the engine as a substitute of behind it. This enables shorter transmission shafts, which leads to tighter packaging. Each enhance mass centralization for higher dealing with and equate to a weight lack of 8.6 kilos. It’s nonetheless a six-speed, and energy is modulated by a 10-disk moist clutch with a self-reinforcing anti-hopping mechanism.
BMW put in a sign transmitter for the brand new elective Automated Shift Assistant, which converts the clutch into an auto clutch. The function negates the necessity for the clutch lever to disengage the motor from the transmission.
The rider can shift by way of the adjustable foot-shift lever or select an automatic mode that shifts gears with out enter. Whereas on this automated mode, the rider can nonetheless shift gears manually (with out actuating the clutch).
These automated shift features are tuned with different digital using aids for optimum efficiency. These embody Adaptive Cruise Management, Ahead Collision Warning, Hill Begin Management, and using modes.
New Driving Modes Professional
BMW can match the brand new R 1300 GS Journey with an elective Driving Modes Professional function. This provides riders the extra experience mode decisions of Dynamic, Dynamic Professional, and Enduro Professional modes. The latter two using modes will be additional tuned to non-public tastes. Commonplace using modes are Rain, Highway, Eco, and Enduro.
The mode button will be programmed to sequentially toggle as much as 4 of those modes whereas using.
Chassis and Suspension Modifications
New Body
The brand new BMW R 1300 GS Journey has a brand new sheet metallic body, which is extra compact and stiffer than the outgoing body. The rear subframe can also be new, with BMW changing the tubular metal building with an aluminum lattice construction.
A part of the chassis redesign accommodates extra snug, longer, and height-adjustable seats and a bigger quantity of bags. The brand new chassis configuration additionally contributes to modularity. For instance, rear footpegs will be eliminated for a sportier solo setup. And riders can match three completely different passenger seize handles.
EVO Telelever
BMW has improved its distinctive and visually beautiful Telelever entrance suspension for 30 years. The brand new EVO Telelever on the 2025 R 1300 GS Journey combines one of the best traits of two prior Telelever variants.
Telelever suspension is way more sophisticated than commonplace motorbike suspension. The only technique to describe the brand new entrance EVO Telelever system is that it decouples any tilting handlebar motion from steering forces whereas sustaining front-end rigidity and stability.
One other approach to have a look at EVO Telelever is that it isolates the handlebar steering motion from the suspension motion. BMW achieves a few of this by way of a showcased chrome steel plate that connects the handlebar bridge to the higher fork bridge. BMW dubs this because the “flex aspect.”
EVO Paralever
The Evo Paralever rear suspension system has a brand new wheel information, stiffening the connection between the suspension and the body. The body extends farther again to extend traction, and the swingarm bearing now sits off-axis compared to the rotation of the shaft drive joint.
All these suspension modifications improve entrance and rear suspension journey by 0.8 inches, to eight.3 inches within the entrance and eight.7 inches within the again.
Digital Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) is now commonplace. DSA routinely adjusts spring preload and dynamically adjusts entrance and rear damping charges relying on using mode, using situations, and bike motion.
This digital suspension adjusting functionality improves security, consolation, and efficiency. It additionally eliminates guide changes which are required when using parameters change.
BMW additionally provides elective Adaptive Car Top Management, which modifications experience peak relying on situations to make sure the best consolation whereas sustaining using dynamics and cornering capacity. This technique can alter the seat peak by 1.2 inches; it’s accomplished in 3 seconds when elevating and 1.5 seconds when decreasing. Shorter riders can go for one other elective addition that additional lowers the seat peak by an extra 0.8 inches.
Braking Enhancements on the 2025 BMW R 1300 GS Journey
Two new radially mounted four-piston calipers mate to twin discs on the entrance of the 2025 BMW R 1300 GS Journey. A two-piston floating caliper clamps the one disc out again. BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS Professional actuates each entrance and rear brakes with the hand or foot brake lever. The braking motion is optimized for on or off-road use, relying on the using mode chosen.
And the grime bikers amongst us can rejoice! The rear wheel will be locked up within the ABS Professional setting!
BMW Dynamic Brake Management prevents unintentional throttle utility throughout troublesome braking maneuvers. The system intervenes on the engine management degree, decreasing drive torque to make sure shorter braking distance and stability.
Conclusions on the 2025 BMW R 1300 GS Journey
This itemizing covers the extra important modifications to BMW’s largest and strongest journey touring machine. Many different digital rider aids, baggage techniques, lighting, consolation, comfort, security options, and aesthetic enhancements grace the 2025 BMW R 1300 GS Journey.
The long-lasting GS has taken many adventurous motorcyclists throughout the most popular deserts, the tallest mountain passes, and probably the most difficult terrain on Earth. The brand new bike guarantees to do extra of the identical however with many enhancements to each side of journey using.
The 4 2025 BMW R 1300 GS Journey fashions will hit showroom flooring within the fourth quarter of 2024. MSRP has not been specified presently.
