-Dealers have begun unofficial bookings
- Booking amount ranges between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh
-Launch expected in June
The BMW R 1300 GS is going to be launched in India soon. The adventure motorcycle is the successor to the highly successful R 1250 GS range which is among the best selling bikes in the segment, both in India and abroad. While BMW Motorrad India is yet to announce the date of the launch of the R 1300 GS, which should likely take place in June, dealers across India have begun accepting bookings for the same. The booking amount is said to be between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh, depending on the variant.
The BMW R 1300 GS has pretty large shoes to fill. The R 1250 GS was known to be a rather friendly motorcycle that wasn’t intimidating to ride even for people getting their first ADV. Its size belied its agility and handling prowess, both on and off-road. It’s no surprise that it was lapped up by riders both young and old. All said, the R 1300 GS does have a lot going for it.
To begin with, it doesn’t look as large and intimidating as the R 1250 GS did. It's more athletic in its build while still looking like a typical BMW ‘GS.’ This is evident in the shape of the beak, the fuel tank and the slim rear that’s designed so to accommodate panniers and a top box.
Under the bodywork, there’s a sheet metal frame that’s joined by a die cast aluminium subframe. It has Telelever front suspension while at the rear there's a Paralever unit. Expect the new bike to have a pliant and comfortable ride, like the old one. Even the handling should be easy and possibly have more agility.
Powering the bike is a new 1,300cc, twin-cylinder engine that makes 145bhp at 7,750rpm and 149Nm at 6,500rpm. It is paired with a six-speed gearbox. BMW says that while in terms of displacement, the engine is larger than the R1250GS’, it is more compact which was achieved by placing the gearbox under the engine.
BMW has also thrown in a comprehensive electronics suite, including multiple ride modes, traction control, switchable ABS, radar assisted cruise control and more.
BMW Motorrad India will launch the bike in four variants- GS, Triple Black, GS Trophy and the Option 719 Tramuntana. The last variant looks rather fetching in it the green paint and gold wire-spoke wheels.
Prices of the BMW R 1300 GS are expected to begin from Rs 22 to Rs 23 lakh, ex-showroom. The bike goes up against the Ducati Multistrada V4, Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 and the Triumph Tiger 1200.
