I have loved motorcycles my whole life. I have always preferred big engines, and the smallest motorcycle I have ever owned was a Honda CRF 300 Rally.
I prefer having more torque and horsepower available instead of wishing for more when I need it, but this is not because I like to ride fast. In some situations, enough power can help you complete a maneuver safely, but it never replaces good judgment, respecting the speed limits and riding carefully.
For years, I owned a 2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure with a manual transmission. I honestly thought it was the perfect motorcycle, until I dropped it fully loaded on a muddy gravel trail and spent almost two hours dealing with the situation alone.
That day made me reconsider what the perfect motorcycle really meant for the way I travel and work. I eventually changed to a 2026 BMW R 1300 GS with Automated Shift Assistant, or ASA, and after approximately 5,000 kilometers I would make the same decision again.
Why Riding Matters to Me
Riding a motorcycle and surfing are the only two activities that completely remove me from my work routine. I am normally in what I call go and do things mode, and it is difficult for me to slow down because my mind is always looking for the next responsibility.
When I ride, I have no choice but to focus on the motorcycle, the road, the traffic and everything happening around me. It may sound strange, but knowing that a mistake can have an expensive consequence forces me to be completely present.
That concentration takes my attention away from work in a way that calmer activities normally cannot. The relaxed feeling also stays with me for most of the day after the ride is over.
I have written openly about my experience with travel anxiety and panic attacks. I am not saying that a motorcycle is a treatment for anxiety or stress, but riding helps me personally because it gives my busy mind one important job at a time.
There is some interesting research behind that feeling, because a peer reviewed study involving 77 experienced riders found evidence of increased focus and sensory monitoring while riding, together with hormonal changes consistent with the stress reduction reported by riders. The research was funded by Harley Davidson, which is worth knowing when interpreting it, but the findings describe my experience very well.
The Day My Perfect GSA Became Too Heavy
I loved my R 1250 GS Adventure because it was comfortable, powerful and impressive to look at. The 30 liter fuel tank gave me excellent range, and I could ride more than 550 kilometers before thinking seriously about fuel.
Then I dropped it while it was fully loaded on a muddy gravel trail. I was alone, the trail was lonely, and the complete situation took almost two hours of hard work to resolve.
Being honest, I enjoyed part of it because it felt like a real adventure, although it was not a perfect scenario. My first concern was getting injured while trying to lift such a heavy motorcycle by myself, followed by the possibility of being stranded, losing working time and damaging expensive photography equipment.
That experience did not make the GSA a bad motorcycle. It made me understand that the best motorcycle on paper is not always the best motorcycle for the job you actually need to do.
How Much Lighter Is the R 1300 GS
The difference I felt was not imaginary, because BMW publishes the following figures for the standard motorcycles when ready to ride and at least 90 percent fueled. Optional equipment, ASA, my Enduro Package, accessories and luggage can change the final weight of an individual motorcycle.
| Specification | BMW R 1250 GS Adventure | BMW R 1300 GS |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to ride weight | 268 kg | 237 kg |
| Usable fuel capacity | 30 liters | 19 liters |
| Rated output | 100 kW or 136 PS | 107 kW or 145 hp |
| Maximum torque | 143 Nm | 149 Nm |
The published difference is 31 kg, or approximately 68 lb. Some of that difference comes from carrying eleven fewer liters of fuel, but when you are trying to control the motorcycle on gravel, move it around a parking area or lift it from the ground, weight is weight.
The new engine also produces more power and torque, and the R 1300 GS feels lighter and more powerful at the same time, which is exactly what I wanted. You can verify the figures on the official BMW pages for the R 1250 GS Adventure and R 1300 GS.
Why I Did Not Need Another 30 Liter Tank
I do not use this motorcycle mainly for crossing countries without stopping. I ride it for Mytanfeet photography and videography assignments, to reach places around Costa Rica and to attend meetings without spending so much time inside traffic.
Traffic in Costa Rica is becoming very bad, and when I am traveling alone, the motorcycle is often my most practical transportation choice. It lets me move more efficiently and makes the journey part of the experience instead of only wasted time between two places.
One of my favorite working rides is the road around Lake Arenal when I need to go to La Fortuna. It has many curves, beautiful lake and mountain views, and every ride can become different depending on the weather, traffic, assignment and wildlife I see along the way.
Why I Chose BMW ASA
I also decided that this was the right time to experience an automated motorcycle. Some riders will never consider one because they believe it disconnects you from the bike, affects the riding experience and also that a real man should always operate a manual clutch, but to me that sounds like blah, blah, blah.
I honestly do not care about that stereotype, and I drive an automatic car where, guess what, nothing has changed for me. Choosing a transmission does not decide how much of a man or how serious of a rider somebody is.
I test rode the R 1300 GS ASA once, and one ride was enough. The motorcycle felt more powerful, much easier to handle and natural enough that I knew I wanted it.
ASA is not the same system as a scooter transmission, because BMW uses two electronic actuators to operate the clutch and the six speed gearbox. There is no clutch lever, but the rider can choose fully automated D mode or use the foot lever to select gears in M mode, and BMW explains the complete system in its Automated Shift Assistant technical introduction.
There is a learning curve because years of using a clutch create strong habits, but once I became familiar with it, the system became very enjoyable, especially on longer rides and in heavy traffic. I use D or M depending on the ride because every situation is different.
How ASA Helps My Photography Work
I normally keep my Sony A1 II inside my SW Motech tank bag, ready for the moments when I see something worth photographing. Birds and other wildlife usually do not wait for a travel blogger to organize himself.
With ASA, I can stop without operating the clutch or finding neutral first. Saving two or three seconds may sound unimportant, but it can be the difference between capturing a bird and watching it disappear.
To be clear, I do not remove or use the camera while the motorcycle is moving, and I stop and stabilize the bike first. ASA simply makes those stops easier and gives me faster access to the camera when the moment is disappearing.
What I Love About the R 1300 GS
The Lower Weight Changes Everything
The lower weight is the biggest change for me. The R 1300 GS is still a heavy motorcycle by normal standards, but after owning the R 1250 GSA it feels light, responsive and much easier to manage.
This matters on gravel, when turning slowly, when parking and when stopping beside an uneven road to take pictures. The lighter motorcycle gives me more confidence without asking me to sacrifice the engine performance I enjoy.
My Legs Finally Receive Some Air
The second major improvement is airflow around my legs. The large tank on the 1250 GSA provided massive wind protection, but it also blocked the fresh air and left me feeling mostly the heat coming from the engine.
I ride in Costa Rica, where temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius with high humidity. The smaller GS still protects me enough on highways and rainy days, but the additional airflow makes hot rides much more comfortable.
The Electric Windshield Is More Useful Than Expected
An electric windshield is one of those features you may not understand until you have one. I lower it when riding slowly, when I want a clearer view of something interesting or when I need more air in the heat.
When I reach the highway, I raise it for more wind protection. I use the adjustment much more frequently than I expected, and it helps the GS work in different conditions without requiring a huge fixed windshield.
Adaptive Height Helps Even at Six Feet One
I am six feet one inch tall, so reaching the ground was not a serious problem on my old motorcycle. Even so, the adaptive height system gives me both feet flat on the ground and creates extra support and security when I stop.
That stability is especially helpful in my work because I frequently stop beside roads, take photographs from the motorcycle or need to manage equipment. A feature can be useful even when you are tall enough to ride without it.
The New Boxer Engine Feels Excellent
I have always liked having torque available, and the new boxer engine has not disappointed me. It feels strong, smooth and more powerful while the complete motorcycle is easier to handle.
This combination was the reason I did not simply buy a much smaller motorcycle. I wanted less weight, but I still wanted the character, torque and power of a large BMW boxer engine.
The Smaller Fuel Tank Is the Main Compromise
The only disadvantage that affects me regularly is the smaller fuel tank, because with the GSA I could travel 550 kilometers or more between fuel stops. With the R 1300 GS, I begin looking for a gas station at approximately 300 kilometers.
I am not complaining because I knowingly chose the smaller and lighter motorcycle, and I also do not need a 30 liter tank for most of my work in Costa Rica. It is simply a difference you will notice immediately if you are coming from a GSA.
BMW Being BMW Before 500 Kilometers
BMW owners will understand this picture. My check engine warning appeared before the motorcycle had even reached 500 kilometers, but everything continued working normally.
The dealer discovered that the motorcycle software had not been updated. They installed the update, the warning disappeared and the complete visit took approximately 30 minutes or less.
Nothing was mechanically wrong, but it was still annoying to return to the dealer for a software issue. BMW should allow owners to install approved motorcycle software updates through an application when no mechanical inspection is required.
My Enduro Package and Installed Accessories
I chose the Enduro Package because it fits the way I use the motorcycle, and it included the engine protection bars and wider foot pegs. It also moved the turn indicators away from the plastic hand guards, which makes more sense to me on a motorcycle that may eventually fall on a trail.
Why I Chose the BMW Vario Panniers
I also bought the original BMW Vario side panniers instead of choosing an aftermarket luggage system. They are the most expensive motorcycle cases I have ever purchased, because BMW Motorrad Costa Rica charged me the ridiculous amount of 1,808 USD for only the two side cases, since I already owned the top case.
I chose them because they work with the motorcycle’s central locking system and do not require the large external racks used by many aftermarket systems. The left pannier also has a USB-A charging port with up to 15 W of power, so I can charge camera batteries and other work equipment while I am riding.
According to BMW Motorrad, the two panniers hold approximately 49 liters before expansion and can each gain up to another 5.5 liters, with a maximum load of 10 kg per side. For me, the Vario design means I can keep the motorcycle narrower when I need less luggage and create more room when I am carrying photography or videography equipment.
I like installing motorcycle accessories myself. The process teaches me how each part is connected, and if something fails during a trip, I have a better chance of understanding the problem and fixing it.
So far I have installed Lone Rider auxiliary lights and a front headlight protector, a CHIGEE AIO 6 with front and rear cameras, a Denali SoundBomb, Barkbusters hand guards and Air Flow Seat Covers. The CHIGEE also gives me Apple CarPlay on a dedicated screen, which is its most useful everyday feature besides the cameras.
The SoundBomb is a must for me in Costa Rican traffic, where a driver may begin moving into your lane without seeing the motorcycle. It is also very fun to use, although its serious purpose is making sure another road user notices me when necessary.
Modern CAN bus accessory controllers make installations easier than many riders expect. I installed the Lone Rider MotoCAN to control the lights and Denali horn, and I used it to provide the ignition signal for the CHIGEE.
