Does the 2024 R 1300 GS Do Anything the 2008 R 1200 GS Can’t Do?
Ahh, the BMW GS; most likely the model that single-handedly caused the adventure bike phenomenon to explode as it did. You could argue that it was a pair of TV and film ‘celebs’ riding round the world on them that really put the bike on the map, but you would have to counter that by saying the bike was already there; otherwise, why would they have chosen it in the first place? They merely gave it that last push into the stratosphere.
The story of the GS is well known; conceived as the two-wheeled equivalent to the Range Rover, it has grown from the R80 G/S into today’s R 1300 GS, via the R100 G/S, R 1100 GS, R 1150 GS, R 1200 GS and R 1250 GS, gaining more power, more electronics, more capability, more comfort, more wind protection and, yes, more weight and bulk along the way.
When Is Enough, Enough?
But is the pinnacle of the GS represented by today’s R 1300 GS, or have models in the past 15 years, since the last of the air-cooled R 1200 GSs, merely become more complex without an equivalent seismic shift in on- and off-road ability? Is it possible to justify spending close to half a million Rand on a new one when you can have a very good used one that does exactly the same things for a third or a quarter of that price? It’s an argument that has raged endlessly among motorcyclists around the world and, naturally, it can have no absolute conclusion.
But it is interesting. I’ve had experience of the big GS in all its forms for the past 17 years, and they’ve all had way more ability than my personal talent warrants or deserves. They’ve all cossetted and flattered, been forgiving of ham-fisted operation, both amazed and been taken for granted, enabled some life-changing experiences and helped cement friendships. Most of all, they’ve entertained and enticed me back time after time, and not once have I wished for more, even though BMW has delivered ‘more’ with every new generation.
Looking back, I’ve never felt short-changed by the GS I have been riding at any particular moment, be it an air- or liquid-cooled 1200, a 1250 or a 1300, and I can’t think that I would be particularly upset if I were offered any one of them to ride through Africa.
Which raises the question: when is enough, enough? Or when is too much, too much? Of course, that’s all subjective and there’s no way I would castigate anyone for spending the money on a new 1300, just as I wouldn’t find fault with someone buying a 15-year-old 1200 for a fraction of the price. Both buyers are getting what they want; whether they need it is another matter altogether, and not for this article.
The Two GSs
What is relevant to this article are the two bikes presented here, both of which are currently in stock at Bikeshop Rivonia. In the not-far-off-classic-status corner is a 2008 R 1200 GS, with 98,000 km on the clock, selling for a frankly ridiculous R59,990. In the ‘new’ corner, is a 2024 R 1300 GS, with 32,340 km showing and priced at R279,990.
As far as I can make out, the only thing the ‘new’ model has over the ‘old’, in terms of usability, is the question of reliability (although, naturally, that can never be guaranteed; I’ve known brand new GSs break down, just as I’ve known 150,000 km GSs still going strong, having never broken down. I’ve also heard of 50,000 km GSs with a string of problems behind them. That’s the luck of the draw and why a good independent assessment of any used bike is always worth the expense.)
Yes, the 1300 cc boxer twin has more power and, thanks to the Shiftcam technology, a broad spread of torque throughout the rev range, but the 1200 cc version of the engine wasn’t particularly breathless, was it?
The electronic suspension of the 1300 gives the uncanniest magic carpet ride over rough surfaces, which is a joy to experience, but I don’t remember being shaken to bits on my 1200 over similar terrain.
Comfort and wind-protection is brilliant on both, as is the ability to eat up the miles with as little rider fatigue as possible. Extensive after-market options are available for both, particularly in the fields of bike protection and luggage solutions. Perhaps the only thing the ‘old’ model has over the ‘new’ is the number from which to choose; there really is something for every budget, often with a choice within a particular price point.
So, Why Buy New?
So, it all begs the question, why would you ever need to go new? Even if you don’t want a not-far-off-classic-status bike, you can opt for a five- to ten-year old bike and save a ton of money over a new GS with no appreciable loss of desirability.
But, of course, it is only because people do choose to go new that there are so many used examples on the market for those of us who are less well-heeled. Some riders like the idea of riding the latest and greatest and there’s nothing wrong with that; it’s their money and, as this test is showing, you can have the latest and greatest at a discount if you are prepared to wait a year or two.
A brand-new bike comes with the added reassurance of a full warranty and there is something about being the first owner of a bike with that magical 00000 on the odometer, but both of those fade very quickly.
In light of that, the two-year-old R 1300 GS for sale at Bikeshop Rivonia makes a lot more sense. Initial depreciation has been taken care of, any recalls likewise, mechanics have had time to become more familiar with weak points, and you’re saving yourself a lot of money over new list price for a bike that’s barely run in.
On the road, the 1300 feels livelier than the 1200 and certainly smoother, but it is also a noisier engine, especially from the cylinder heads, which clatter alarmingly. The gearbox is still very ‘mechanical’ and clunky, but I’ve always liked that characteristic. The riding position remains commanding and comfortable, although I will always prefer physical buttons to turn electronics on and off, as opposed to fiddling through a menu.
But the best thing is that there is the choice of BMW GS models out there; if anything, I’d have a problem trying to choose from the extensive stock at Bikeshop Rivonia as all of them look perfect. Of course, that is a good thing as you can be as pedantic as you like and come away with exactly what you want, having made no compromises.
If neither of the bikes in this test (both of which are available at the time of writing) is whetting your appetite, Bikeshop Rivonia has a huge selection of adventure bikes; you’d be wise to make the journey to see for yourself.
Browse Bikeshop Rivonia’s latest stock in the ZA Bikers Bikes For Sale section, or visit their showroom—you never know which two-wheeled gem might be waiting for you.
