These are my defining reasons why you should consider buying an R1300GS, even if you don’t want one…

There are those who have a BMW GS; those who want a GS (openly or secretly); and those who would rather remove their own eyes with a tea-stained spoon than be seen on one. But if you’ve never spent any quality time with the Bavarian behemoth, then you’re doing yourself a disservice. 

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• Update one: First impressions
• Update two: The GS fails to start after getting wet
• Update three: Building the miles and riding with a pillion
• Update four: The good, the bad and the fugly
• Update five: Is the R1300GS too heavy off-road?
• Update six: Covering over 1000 miles in under 24hrs
• Update seven: The luggage I live with

I could list 30 great reasons why you should buy one, and fewer than a handful of reasons why you might pause for thought first – but these are the six core (if not particularly sexy) reasons that underpin what makes the current GS one of the most beguiling bikes you could choose to own. 

1. The sound of silence

Adventure bikes inherently suffer wind problems, delivering turbulence and wind noise to the rider that seems almost impossible to escape. But BMW have really nailed it with the 1300. It’s the quietest and calmest cabin of any current adventure bike (the only one I’ve not tried yet is Guzzi’s Stelvio), and is better than every tourer, too (BMW’s own R1250RT aside).

It makes a difference on every single ride – but on long days in the saddle, it’s revelatory. The lack of aural abuse decreases distraction and – most crucially – significantly reduces fatigue. Even after 23hrs in the saddle racking up 1012.2 miles, I felt completely fresh, and had no hint of brain-befuddling deafness. So impressive. 

2. Ditching the pitching

Front and rear suspension boast semi-active electrickery, and both ends boast adaptive ride height tech that allows the GS to drop to the deck automatically as you come to a standstill (if you want it to). It feels like a magic carpet ride on the go, and members of the vertically-challenged club have proclaimed it the most confidence-inspiring adventure bike they’ve ever ridden.

The Telelever system up front makes a world of difference. In terms of composure and consistency over all terrains, and particularly when carrying a pillion, it’s absolutely superb, and ruins almost every other bike for you. 

3. Keyless all areas

Going keyless is much like having blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control and myriad other acts of cleverness: it’s unnecessary. But it’s superb when done properly – by which I mean ignition, fuel cap and luggage all operating without sticking a sliver of metal into a lock. BMW might not be able to make backlit switchgear, but their keyless is all-inclusive and genuinely improves your bike life, especially as a high mileage all-weather rider.  

4. Effectively à la mode

Multiple riding modes are very much the fashion now, but I ride the GS in Dynamic Pro at all times, other than when greenlaning – when I switch to Enduro Pro. But while I’m predominantly a one-mode-wonder, the beauty of the GS is that the modes really do make a difference. So, if you like to match the mode to your mood, or varying weather conditions – the GS genuinely delivers. 

5. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

The beating heart of the GS defines it in every way. But it also makes it special. The 1300cc boxer delivers all the punch you want on road and off it (only eclipsed by Ducati’s Multi V4). It’ll hit hard on a wave of torque on twisty B-road missions, tops out with a reasonable surge to peak power, and if you switch off the electronics you really get the full effect of its hard-thumping, wheel-lifting irreverent side.

But dial down the throttle aggression, and it’s creamy and compliant. Super-friendly in town traffic, turbine-like on the motorway (but with instant punch in reserve) – and laden with character. Only its low-rpm clatteryness mars the package – but it’s a 1% demerit amidst 99% praise. 

6. Quality shines through

After 11,000 miles in all weathers, the GS still cleans up like new. Not a single area of corrosion, tarnished finish, rubbed paint or flakiness. Yes, the gold wheels are hard to keep immaculate, but it can be done. I really can’t fault how well it’s shrugged off 11k of intensely hard use.

Many riders never venture out in wet or filthy conditions and will rack up around 3500 miles per year. By that measure, this GS is over three years old – and still looks mint. Few bikes are so resilient.