Best Adventure Motorcycle of 2024: BMW R 1300 GS

When a flagship motorcycle undergoes a major overhaul, it’s worth taking a closer look, and that’s just what we did with the BMW R 1300 GS. We came back from our First Ride of the GS singing its praises after getting a taste of the machine in the Spanish hillsides, but ultimately knew we needed more time to tap into everything the R 1300 GS had to offer. The new compact design – thanks to an all-new philosophy of chassis development – pointed the machine in the opposite direction it had been heading for so many years – it’s finally smaller than its predecessor.

After seven years of development, arguably the most storied adventure motorcycle has been reintroduced in its latest form. Starting with the new mill, the bore was increased by 4 mm with the stroke decreased by 3 mm. A higher compression ratio (up to 13.3:1 from 12.5:1) has BMW claiming 145 hp at 7,750 and 110 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. Not surprisingly, BMW’s Shiftcam technology was carried over for optimizing valve lift and stroke at varied loads. While repackaging the engine, BMW moved the transmission from behind the engine to below it thus creating a much shorter package from front to back.

The new frame and subframe design contribute immensely to the R 1300 GS’s tight new bod. A sheet metal shell frame is laser welded together and has been optimized for stiffness while also being shaped to provide the snuggest package possible around the new engine – a “second skin” the engineers called it. Likewise, the die-cast aluminum subframe is a new design that integrates smoothly with the main frame while providing the strength needed to do its job while keeping the entire tail section about four inches shorter than before, adding to the overall compact appearance of the motorcycle.

While a short day’s ride was a great appetizer, and enough for a broad understanding of the latest GS, it was riding for seven days through hundreds of miles of sandy riverbeds and rocky terrain in Namibia where I was truly able to connect with the R 1300 GS. As the US media rep alongside team USA for the 2024 GS Trophy, I was able to spend day after day riding the new machine through terrain most ADV enthusiasts would shy away from. Being thrown into the deep end in terms of sand, you sink or swim fairly quickly and the time it took to get comfortable riding the 1300 GS in these challenging conditions was nil. Before long I felt like one with the machine, aggressively powering through rutted sand, jumping off ledges, and hopping over water bars. We rode these machines hard and they held up their end of the bargain.

The adventure motorcycle category continues to deliver new models while pushing the performance of the stalwarts of the category – 2024 was no different. Ducati gave its DesertX the Rally treatment with trick KYB suspension designed to help riders push the envelope for themselves and their machines. MV Agusta also hit the scene with its Enduro Veloce boasting sportbike-esque performance from its aurally pleasing new 931cc Triple.

CFMoto also unveiled its Ibex 450 to the world, which was probably the closest to taking the top honors from the GS in this category thanks to its light weight, price, and general approachability, making it an excellent option for those looking to dip a toe into the world of adventure riding.

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