Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1511059
RIDE REVIEW I 2024 BMW R 1300 GS P70 The GS's new ergonomics make low-speed, rough terrain easier to navigate, but by far, the biggest advantage of the 2024 GS is the action and feel of the new Evo Telelever suspension. On the tarmac, while good, the Evo Telelever isn't as great a standout as it is when the road gets dirty. Our off-road loop wasn't so much a loop as it was a course set up by BMW in an old, disused mine with plenty of sharp-edged rocks ready to catch you out. Using Metzeler's exceptional Karoo 4 ADV tire, the GS's new front end made life in the rocks a cinch. The machine tracks much better than it did in 2023 and before while still giving loads of feel through the handlebars. BMW has separated the forces generated from the Evo Telelever so they don't reach the handle - bars as much—the result is a genuinely easy ma- chine to manhandle in tight off-road sections, as well as off-camber dirt roads that would normally have the front-end going walkabout. Playing around with the ECU modes is an ab - solute must in off-road conditions, as you want to avoid the full whack of the motor delivered when terrain isn't at its best. Enduro Pro mode, with its softer throttle response and plusher suspension, made for a stable ride, one that is so approach - able that people with far fewer hours in ADV set- tings than me could hop on and ride confidently. The longer swingarm also made for more stable acceleration and handling on the dirt, especially when the traction control was backed off somewhat. I flicked the TC off for a bit just to feel the mechanical advantages of the chassis unmolested by electronic intervention; again, the result was a very confidence-inspiring ride. The way BMW has mapped the engine's torque should be commended for slow off-road use. The torque comes on creamy smooth with hardly a hint of throttle or driveline lash from the driveshaft, and when matched to the slick, near-electronic gear - shift, the GS is exceptionally hard to fault off-road. Our time in the off-road loop was short compared to that of the tarmac, but it nonetheless highlighted how vast an improvement the new GS is over the old one—which was and is an excellent motorcycle. BMW has reinvented the GS for a new genera - tion, making this one of the most impressive bikes of the year. CN 2024 BMW R 1300 GS ($19,890) ENGINE: Twin-cylinder, 4-stroke Boxer engine VALVETRAIN: 2 overhead, chain-driven camshafts, a counterbalance shaft, and variable intake camshaft control system BMW ShiftCam COOLING SYSTEM: Air/liquid-cooled DISPLACEMENT: 1300cc BORE X STROKE: 106.5 x 73mm FUEL INJECTION: Electronic fuel injection system, 52mm throttle bodies, Ride-by-Wire throttle COMPRESSION RATIO: 13.3:1 EXHAUST: 2-2-1 TRANSMISSION: 6-speed CLUTCH: Wet clutch with anti-hopping function, hydraulically activated CHASSIS: Two-section frame concept consisting of main frame with bolt-on rear frame, load-bearing engine FRONT SUSPENSION: EVO Telelever, central suspension strut. Optional equipment: Dynamic ESA REAR SUSPENSION: Cast aluminum single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad EVO Paralever II, WAD spring strut, spring preload hydraulically infinitely adjustable; optional equipment: Dynamic ESA FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: 7.48 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: 7.87 in. FRONT BRAKE: Dual semi-floating 310mm discs, 4-piston radial calipers, Cornering ABS REAR BRAKE: Single 285mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper, Cornering ABS FRONT TIRE: 120/70 R 19 in. REAR TIRE: 170/60 R 17 in. STEERING HEAD ANGLE: 63.8° TRAIL: 4.41 in. WHEELBASE: 59.7 in. SEAT HEIGHT: 33.4 in. FUEL CAPACITY: 5.02 gal. WEIGHT (CURB): 522 lbs. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S