It is not new that BMW works on a new version of the R1250GS. In 2019, the company registered the M1300GS name, implying that a version of the ‘M’ sports division might be on the way.
Now, an entirely new version of the R1250GS could arrive in the next few years: it’s the 2023 R1300GS, spotted in tests with major changes, according to the website Motorcycle.com.
According to them and what we can see in the photos, the 2023 R1300GS arrives with an updated design, with a new headlight [in a lower position, inside the “beak” or “schnoz” if you prefer], new tank and new side fairings. Where there is the headlight on the current R1250GS, only a smooth surface appears, which can be used to accommodate the radar system.
Apparently, there is also a change in the chassis, in the front suspension [which may no longer be the traditional GS ‘telelever’ system], and a new exhaust system with a shorter silencer.
Other changes [at least apparently] show up at the heart of the bike. The engine can increase its cubic capacity to something close to 1300cc and, as they appear with the covered cylinder heads, it is expected that it will be fully liquid-cooled. The fact that the radiator is bigger [at least visually] contributes to this.
Of course, as the model caught is with heavy ‘camouflage’, which tries to deceive the curious, all the points raised here are, for now, speculations.
Apparently, there are no changes to the wheels, rear single-sided swingarm and secondary transmission system [cardan shaft].
The fact is that, with these images, it is evident that BMW is working on a new generation of its ‘Bigtrail’ model, and that it may arrive in 2023 with important changes.
source and images
A new clue has been uncovered, revealing BMW is going big, ah, even bigger with its flagship GS lineup, with three new models on the way to include an R1300GS, M1300GS and – get this – an R1400GS.
These designations were discovered by motorcycle.com‘s sleuth Dennis Chung, who unearthed them listed prematurely on BMW’s own service request website. The entries have since been deleted from the site, but not before screenshots were captured and news started to travel.
We reported that a new, significantly overhauled R1300GS model was on the way when a heavily disguised test mule was spotted last summer. Corresponding trademark filings gave away the prototype’s capacity as 1300cc and also suggested a higher-spec, special edition “M” 1300GS version, something along the lines of BMW’s M1000RR, was also on the way.
What raises eyebrows about the designations on BMW’s service website is the admission there will also be a R1400GS model. And yes, at first glance it does seem an odd choice for BMW to build an even bigger GS when no one is pining for more power of heft from their adventure bike, but the nomenclature is likely explained when you consider the hierarchy of the company’s middleweight GS lineup, which includes the budget-minded F750GS, a standard edition F850GS, and then the up-spec’d F850GS Adventure. All share BMW’s 853cc inline twin. Triumph plays similar sleight of hand with its 900cc “Tiger 850 Sport”.
Following the logic of the 850 series would mean this new GS line would be powered by a 1400cc engine, which seems rather extreme. However, the displacement and corresponding power bump could be explained as an effort to simply maintain current power outputs ahead of Europe’s ever-tightening emissions standards. All fine, as long as we’re not adding weight.
So, we know the M1300GS will have some doodads aplenty and its boxer twin will likely be tuned for max thrills, while the R1300GS will be the standard Goldilocks edition. The mystery is whether the R1400GS will be the new flagship, off-road oriented GS Adventure edition, or perhaps a long-legged, more tour-oriented bike to compete with Ducati’s Multistrada V4, with a GSA version to follow a year later, as is sometimes BMW’s game plan.
Either way, last summer’s spy shots revealed these new GS bikes will differ greatly from those of the current generation. Despite the prototype’s extreme camouflage we could make out larger radiators, which, in combination with temporary cylinder head shrouding that blocked nearly all air flow to the engine, told us this new boxer will likely be fully liquid cooled this time around, jettisoning the current targeted air- and oil cooling system on the current R1250 series.
The chassis is more of a mystery, covered as it is on the test mule by a decoy “frame,” that was nothing more than fake white frame tubes floating on a black plastic panel. The bike’s front suspension is also a puzzle since the spoked front wheel looks to be suspended by a traditional fork instead of a Telelever unit, long a staple on top of the line BMW GS models. The central spring and strut of the Telelever system is usually visible between the fork legs, but only a steering stabilizer can be seen on this prototype.
As for aesthetics, the GS test mule’s shape would be unrecognizable if it weren’t for the hallmark cylinders jutting from each side. As is, the whole headlamp and windscreen assembly are a radical departure from traditional GS issue. Of special interest is the obvious void between the lamp and screen which is likely to house a radar lens that would allow for the adaptive cruise control that BMW has announced is on the way. Around the rear of the prototype you can see a corresponding slot on the panel that holds the license plate.
In addition to the prototype’s revamped snout, a rudimentary, seamless uni-fairing likely hides new componentry and possibly a new tank shape.
Though the accidental listing of the three new GS models on BMW’s service website has since been deleted, we did note there was no model year included for these bikes. We’d put our money on 2023 for the model year, with promotions launching sometime in late 2022.
Author: Jamie Elvidge
Jamie has been a motorcycle journalist for more than 30 years, testing the entire range of bikes for the major print magazines and specializing in adventure-travel related stories. To date she’s written and supplied photography for articles describing what it’s like to ride in all 50 states and 43 foreign countries, receiving two Lowell Thomas Society of American Travel Writer’s Awards along the way. Her most-challenging adventure yet has been riding in the 2018 GS Trophy in Mongolia as Team AusAmerica’s embedded journalist.