Verdict: The 2024 BMW R 1300 GS is a powerful, comfortable and highly capable adventure-tourer, but its launch-era US price climbed quickly with options and its extensive electronics add complexity. Independent testers praised its road manners, brakes, wind protection and mixed-surface ability. It makes the strongest case for itself as a premium all-rounder; its price and equipment make less sense if you want a simple bike or rarely leave pavement.
What changed on the 2024 R 1300 GS?
BMW gave the GS a 1,300 cc air/liquid-cooled horizontally opposed twin, a redesigned two-section frame and revised EVO Telelever front and Paralever rear suspension. It is a substantial update rather than a minor equipment refresh, with a slimmer-feeling profile and a broad electronics menu.
BMW’s launch specifications, as reported by RevZilla and Cycle News in 2023, claimed 145 hp and 110 lb-ft. BMW Rent A Ride’s model-family page lists 149 Nm of torque; that is a different source and unit, so it should not be treated as a direct restatement of the US launch figure. RevZilla reported BMW’s claimed base weight as 523 pounds in 2023. Its 2024 test bike, equipped with options including AVRC, weighed 567 pounds in the publication’s measurement. Those figures describe different configurations and methods, not a like-for-like comparison.
How does it ride?
RevZilla’s 2024 road test praised the brakes, wind protection, slimmer feel and chassis, while noting the luxury and distinctive exhaust note. Its 2023 first ride described the bike as smooth, fast and comfortable. Those are reviewer impressions rather than standardized measurements, but they align with the GS’s role as a high-performance touring machine that can also handle gravel.
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The Telelever/Paralever layout is part of the bike’s character, not an unqualified advantage. RevZilla’s 2023 report noted that the system adds weight and complexity, and that some riders perceive less direct steering feedback, particularly off-road. That is a reported trade-off, not a universal flaw. The available tests support capable road-and-gravel use, but do not establish a standardized head-to-head advantage over another adventure motorcycle.
What does the electronics package do—and add?
Riding modes and suspension
BMW says ECO, RAIN, ROAD and ENDURO modes are standard. ENDURO is intended for off-road riding on road tyres, with traction-control intervention tailored to that use. It is not a substitute for suitable tyres, skill or judgement on difficult terrain. BMW’s mode descriptions are on its Riding Modes support page.
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Adaptive vehicle-height control is an option that requires Dynamic Suspension Adjustment. BMW says it lowers the standard seat to 820 mm when stopped or below 25 km/h, then raises it to 850 mm above 50 km/h. With the low comfort rider seat, the corresponding heights are 800 mm and 830 mm. These figures may help at stops, but they do not remove the need to assess the bike’s width, weight and balance in person. See BMW’s Vehicle Height Control guidance.
Radar assistance has limits
BMW’s radar-based Riding Assistant includes adaptive cruise control (ACC), front-collision warning and lane-change warning. These systems assist rather than replace the rider. BMW warns that they may fail to detect or recognize objects in bends or on uneven roads; it also says ACC may not provide sufficient braking in fast bends. The rider remains responsible for controlling speed, braking and following distance. BMW describes the limits on its Riding Assistant support page.
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- VEHICLE COMPATIBILITY: Specifically designed oil change kit for BMW Motorrad R 1300 GS and R 1300 GS Adventure motorcycles
- COMPLETE KIT: Includes all essential components needed for a complete oil change service on your BMW motorcycle 5 Quarts of BMW 5W-40 Oil and BMW Oil Filter 11427105320. Two 13725A72844 OEM air filters. Oring and two washers. Edwards spout, shop rag and gloves
- QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Manufactured by Edwards Motorsports & RVS Company to meet powersports engine oil requirements
- CONVENIENT MAINTENANCE: Simplifies routine oil change procedures with pre-packaged components designed for your specific motorcycle model
- MOTORCYCLE SPECIFIC: Engineered for BMW Motorrad adventure touring bikes to maintain optimal engine performance and longevity
That breadth of assistance is useful for riders who value technology on long rides, but it also contributes to the impression of a complicated motorcycle. RevZilla’s 2024 tester praised the engineering while expressing frustration with the growing electronic complexity. The question is not whether the GS has many features; it is whether you want to configure, understand and pay for them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How expensive is the 2024 R 1300 GS?
The figures below are launch-era US references, not current dealer quotes or prices for other countries. They also show why an advertised base price and the price of a well-equipped test bike can look so different.
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- Designed for R 1250 RS 2019-2024, R 1300 RS 2025+, R 1250 R 2023-2024, R 1300 R 2025+, R 1250 GS 2019-2023, R 1300 GS 2024+, R 1300 GS Adventure 2024+, S 1000 R 2020+, S 1000 RR 2019+, S 1000 XR 2020+ instrument 6.5" screen, seamless size fitness.
- Designed for BMW F 750 GS 2018+, F 800 GS 2024+, F 850 GS 2018+, F 900 GS 2024+, F 900 GS Adventure 2024+, F 900 XR 2020+, F 900 R 2020+, M 1000 RR 2020+, M 1000 R 2023+, M 1000 XR 2024+, C 400 GT 2018+, C 400 X 2018+ motorcycle instrument 6.5" screen, seamless size fitness.
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| Reference | Price | What it represents |
|---|---|---|
| RevZilla, 2023 | $18,895 | Reported US base MSRP at launch. |
| RevZilla, 2023 | $24,150 | Test bike with Premium and Comfort packages. |
| Cycle News, 2024 trim listing | $19,590 | Basic trim MSRP. |
| Cycle News, 2024 trim listing | $20,656 | GS Trophy and Triple Black trim MSRPs. |
| Cycle News, 2024 trim listing | $23,285 | Option 719 Tramuntana MSRP. |
| Cycle News specification table | $19,890 | The same Cycle News page lists this MSRP separately, creating an internal discrepancy. |
| RevZilla, August 2024 | $24,980 | Option-rich road-test bike’s as-tested price. |
Package contents and trim matter as much as the headline number. RevZilla’s August 2024 report noted that a hypothetical base bike would omit equipment available as add-ons, including heated grips and seats, an electronic windscreen, centerstand, additional ride modes, quickshifter, radar systems and spoke wheels. So the expensive impression is real for a richly equipped example, but it should not be confused with the base MSRP—or with what a buyer will pay today.
Is it a better GS, and who should buy one?
RevZilla called it the best adventure bike BMW had made at the time of its 2023 first ride, while its 2024 tester described it as a brilliant piece of engineering despite the complexity. Those are editorial judgements, not universal rankings. Cycle News likewise treated the redesign as a major technical step, while observing that the GS now faces more competition than in earlier decades.
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The 2024 R 1300 GS is easiest to recommend to riders who want one premium motorcycle for fast road riding, touring and occasional gravel, and who will make use of its power, comfort and configurable assistance. If you mostly ride pavement, compare the price of the equipment you actually want rather than assuming every option is essential. If you plan sustained off-road riding, pay close attention to the bike’s mass, tyres, suspension setup and your ability to manage it at low speed; the available reviews do not establish that it is the best choice for every off-road rider.
Quick Recap
- Before buying: compare a specific bike’s included packages and options, not just its trim name or base price.
- Check fit: try the seat height and low-speed balance yourself; adaptive height control changes seat height under the conditions BMW specifies.
- Choose for your use: weigh the touring comfort and assistance against the cost and electronic complexity if your riding is mostly short or pavement-only.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
