BMW K1300S Road Test
Tester Julian V Taylor
Pillion Passenger Gina M Taylor
One of the benefits of living on an Island back in England was the ability to jump on a ferry, to cross the English Channel to France every few weekends. It opened up thousands of wonderful touring roads in foreign countries at the drop of a hat. I use to regularly take me Honda 1100 XXX Blackbird across and tour regions covering 400 miles a day with my wife on the back.
France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium I have done them all two up following a map with only a city destination in mind and no where to stay, or following the World Superbikes or MotoGP around to European races.
So when BMW asked me to test their new Sport Tourer the K1300S, those European trips came to mind, and I thought I should take up BMW’s offer and tackle a similar trip two-up here in the continental U.S.
We loaded our saddle bags and the wife jumped on the back and off we went down to Summit Point in Virginia for a 500 mile round trip.
The first thing that impressed me about the Beemer when I left the dealership (Pittsburgh European Motorcycles (www.bmwpgh.com) was the maneuverability of this big machine. My old Blackbird had to be pushed into a corner and it hated slow turns with weight on the back, this machine on the other hand just wanted to literally dive and glide into each bend, and slow moving was effortless even with the extra weight.
It caught me out a couple of times at the beginning by closing the corner off too early, but once I got the hang of how quickly it wanted to lean in, it was really rewarding and exciting. It encouraged me to keep the throttle open when tipping into any type of bend; you knew the planted stability would guide you around the corner, something I really would never have thought a BMW of this size would be capable of.
To look at the machine you can see that BMW have spared no expense on design, it really is a good looking machine. With its single sided swing arm, gorgeous wheels and sleek aerodynamic shape you can tell that the targeted market has taste. However, the big exhaust does ruin the look of the bike on the right hand side, that pipe could quite easily be put under the seat to keep the sleek lines
The toys on this machine are really quite incredible. Starting with the big powerful headlight that really does work in the pitch-black back roads of Virginia, a quick shifter, full electronic suspension setting switch that you can change on the fly, and computerized wizardry that will keep any techie like me occupied for hours while aboard this rocket-ship.
From the comfortable riding position that keeps you upright but sitting into the tank with a low center of gravity, wonderful mirrors and excellent pillion positioning it really is designed to eat up the miles.
That being said the 1293cc water-cooled 4-stroke in-line four-cylinder engine that rev’s to 11,000 RPM just keeps pulling in any gear. Sixth gear is comfortable as low as 45 miles an hour with no hesitation, and pulling all the way through without any type of power curve or flat spot. Just smooth linear power that keeps you moving very swiftly indeed. If you want to use the engine to its full capacity drop down to third gear crack open the throttle and you will see triple digits in no time at all, much to my wife’s disgust. That’s where the back prodding speed reducing mechanism she has developed over the years comes into action, much to my annoyance.
After about 200 miles it was time for a break. I felt the wind blast that came around the shield on the interstate starting to take its toll on my shoulders and my neck was getting a little stiff, but not too bad considering. The screen does not electronically move, but I could see why it could be a valuable extra on this machine when riding large amounts of miles.
The K1300S has ABS as standard with ASC (Automatic Stability Control) and ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) optional. The ESA really works on this machine, even while moving; you can change the suspension setting to fit the road and riding conditions and the feedback is instant. The settings include Comfort for the interstate, Normal and Sport for the twisties. I have to say when it was working it was very effective, however, on the second day a warning light came on and it stopped working for the rest of the journey, and I am still waiting to find out why from the dealership.
The majority of BMW’s are equipped with the Paralever shaft drive system instead of the conventional chain drive setup. This was my first experience with this system, and I have to say I was very impressed with its responsiveness. There was never a time that I thought it needed a conventional system due to lag or any other issue and it’s also very maintenance friendly. The light alloy casing of the rear axle differential has a jointed connection to the light-alloy-cast single-sided Paralever swing arm. It bears the drive shaft that delivers the power.
On board, the instrument panel is designed to encompass both new and conventional technology. The speedometer and rev counter are both conventional, and fuel, ESA setting, tire pressure and many other statistics are all digital. I did find myself having to look twice at the speedo as the clock is quite cramped, and I found myself having to check my speed regularly due to it not being that visible while riding. When the policeman said I was speeding and I disagreed with him, the clock excuse came in very handy, he let me go..!!
On the way home I did find the bike much more enjoyable on the country roads than the interstate, just because of ride-ability and fun, so we kept pushing to make it home in one hit only stopping for gas fully on the back roads. The BMW K1300S really is everything and more than I expected, and it’s streets ahead of my old Blackbird. It makes for a very capable sports tourer.
I would have one in my collection to ride all year round; I could see us doing plenty of miles on this machine.
Julian V Taylor.
It has been 5 years since I have been a pillion on the back of a powerful machine. There are many qualities of living in Europe that I miss and travelling on 2 wheels across open and truly spectacular country sides is definitely one of them. It was that one trip in Boston (sorry Massachusetts, but your drivers scare me) which ended my desires. It took a driver not looking in her rearview mirror combined with sand on the road that ended my days as a pillion. Although I had total confidence in the operator, it was the surrounding world that I lost faith in.
So, when I was told that I had the chance to renew my pillion category on none other than a BMW…I took the chance. I thought, yes, a nice steady cruise (that was challenged quickly), and a short journey to break me in (500 miles total) and well what woman does not want to be associated with a shiny, new BMW?
I have had the fortune of being on the back of a Honda 1100 XXX Blackbird, a Honda VFR800 Interceptor and a Ducati 999 (ok, only for 3 miles). I have also had the fortune of owning BMW’s as my own ultimate driving machine. So, I must say in comparison, the BMW was built for 2 not only in design, safety and comfort but in maneuverability and handling. I did not have to jump off for my husband to back it up if needed and it took small, slow corners without any issues at all.
This machine had pull like no other and by the time you know it the wind became a bit fierce only to look over my husband’s shoulder to see 100mph. A strong nudge in the side brought that speedometer to a much more respectable number. I experienced the comfort of a tourer with the feel of a sport bike. I have always enjoyed the strength of the pull and that 0-60 measured in seconds on the back of a motorcycle. There is something about the G-force that makes the ride a little more exciting. Obviously, the engine size greatly contributes to this but as mentioned earlier in the article, the BMW K1300 did not konk out at 11000 revs.
Ergonomically, I was not sitting too high up or too close for comfort. There was ample room between me and my husband as quick stops and starts did not inhibit his performance with the jilt in my body weight or the notorious impact of the helmets which is not an impressive sound or feeling. I was able to push back to accommodate higher speeds and pull in when the afternoon sun was fading away. The one main issue we faced was that the BMW did not accommodate our tank bag. As ours is designed for a metal tank, it contributed to frequent stops to look at the map. As my sense of direction is less to be desired, this did impact our journey time.
As far as this sport tour impersonating a sport bike, the handling as it entered and exited bends was very impressive. I really was not prepared for such a large machine to go into corners at the rate and stability that it did. This was a feeling that I needed to get use to again. I felt myself pull back for the first couple of times but once I was use to what this machine was able (and willing) to handle my fears subsided. The BMW loved the curves and the feeling was reciprocated. I was not able to detect the change in the ESA but my husband was able. Perhaps the scenery was taking my thoughts away from the mechanics of the ride. There are some beautiful twisties and scenery in West Virginia and Virginia.
Lastly, I will address comfort. As I stated previously, it has been several years since I have been on the back of a machine, and this is no small machine. Aside from feeling my legs the day after, I was able to sit comfortably on the back for 200 miles. It was at that point, that my knees and butt started feeling the miles. In the past, on both Hondas, my rest point came much earlier and more frequently. As a pillion, I have all positive reviews about the comfort of this machine. And, as far as the beauty, need I say any more. I did enjoy looking at our reflections in store windows or next to shiny cars.
Thanks to BMW and Lee at Pittsburgh European Motorcycles (www.bmwpgh.com) for this experience. I have already asked my husband if this can be permanently in our garage.
Gina Taylor
Whenever you run into a vintage motorcycle at a show or museum, do you daydream what it would be like to be one of those hardy bikers back in the day? You would be concerned about kick starting "Betty", and making it to and actually back from a trip.
Jim Bounds
Guest Writer
Whenever you run into a vintage motorcycle at a show or museum, do you daydream what it would be like to be one of those hardy bikers back in the day? You would be concerned about kick starting "Betty", and making it to and actually back from a trip. Just think - grabbing a handful of non-mesh gears, slapping that cable clutch and working that collection of bolts up to top cog and holding on for a ride out there on the edge.
Our biking forefathers really loved their machines to put up with all of that and find the fun and excitement that has spurred on the industry to what it is today.
I have always stood there in front of those 2-wheeled time machines and wondered what it would be like to not just own a vintage motorcycle, but to actually ride one full-time. Not just to a show or something, but to experience what it would be like to ride and maintain one of these historic motorbikes on a daily basis.
Meet the BMW R 1200 GS. This is the flagship motorcycle that the Beamer brand is going to be focusing its marketing efforts on. That said, they're going to be trying something new this time: instead of traditional advertising via print, radio and TV ads, BMW is going to focus on utilizing celebrity endorsements, public relations, digital media (i.e.: the Internet) and lifestyle events to get their message across. Laurence Kuykendall, the BMW Motorrad USA communications manager, had this to say about the unique strategy:
"This was an unprecedented action for us. We believe a little PR effort can more than match the ROI of traditional advertising in this economy."
If that were the case, though, wouldn't more companies be doing the same thing? It'll definitely be interesting to see where the R 1200 GS will show up --- will it be showcased at concerts? Will BMW pull some strings (and write some checks) to get the bike into some movies? I'm thinking it'd be pretty awesome if it ended up in the new Transformers movie.
Wired - Hey Ducati, your Streetfigher's got competition! BMW unveiled its new S 1000 RR at the Autodramo Nationale Monza, and it's one of the sexiest things I've ever seen. Weighing in at 455 pounds, the S 1000 RR has 193 horsepower and is fast enough to rip the panties off of whatever girl is riding behind you (yeah, I can't believe I just said that, either).
Diamonds and Rust - A photo gallery of hot chicks on bikes (a Ducati, specifically). You know who else is looking for pictures of hot chicks on bikes? We Are!
AutoBlogGreen - Ever wonder what professional racers thing of the new generation of electric motorcycles? Well, wonder no more. The organizers of the upcoming TTXGP zero-emissions motorcycle race commissioned a motorcycle prototype, called the TTX01, and it's getting rave reviews. Make sure your speakers are on, you're going to want to hear the impressive sound the TTX01 makes.
