After being listed on the BMW Motorrad India website a few days ago, we can now confirm that the launch of the all-new hotly-anticipated R 1300 GS will take place on June 13.
- 1,300cc motor makes 145hp, 149Nm of torque
- Gets radar-assisted electronic riding aids
- Three variants listed on Indian website
BMW R 1300 GS India launch details
The R 1300 GS marks a tectonic shift in design terms for BMW’s flagship adventure tourer. Where the older models almost always had an asymmetrical twin-pod headlight, the R 1300 GS comes with a single-pod headlight flanked by four DRLs; the headlights and DRLs are LED units.
The 1300 is also a much lighter machine – 12 kilos to be exact – than the outgoing 1250, but has a longer wheelbase. Most of that weight-saving comes from a new sheet metal frame and the new 1,300cc engine. A small part of that weight reduction also comes from the fact that the 1300 GS carries a litre less fuel than the venerable 1250.
Speaking of the engine, the liquid-cooled, horizontally-opposed mill makes 145hp at 7,750rpm and 149Nm of torque at 6,500rpm. This is a significant increase compared to the older 1250 GS’ 134hp and 143Nm output numbers.
For the first time on GS, BMW has bestowed radar-assisted riding aids in addition to the usual gamut of riding modes, electronic suspension, traction control and cruise control.
Three variants of the BMW R 1300 GS have been listed on the Indian website – GS Trophy, Triple Black and the top-spec Option 719 Tramuntana. Of the three, the first two have alloy wheels, while only the Tramuntana variant runs on tubeless cross-spoked rims. Tyres sizes are common across the board at 120/70-R19 and 170/60-R17, front and rear, respectively.
The outgoing BMW R 1250 GS is only sold in a single ‘Pro’ guise and is currently listed at Rs 20.55 lakh (ex-showroom, India). We expect BMW to continue with relatively competitive pricing, but it is likely that the 1300 GS will still carry a premium over the model it replaces. For reference, the closest competition to the R 1300 GS include the Ducati Multistrada V4 and the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special, and both cost over Rs 24 lakh. Of the big 1,000cc+ ADV tourers on sale in India, only the Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro is priced under Rs 20 lakh, with other variants of the big Tiger costing north of that figure.
We have ridden the BMW R 1300 GS in Ladakh and our reviews will go live on June 13, so keep your eyes on our website and social media handles.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
