GSA 1300 Trophy X: The ultimate off-road adventure machine
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- The legendary BMW GSA Trophy X is put through its paces in a rigorous off-road test, highlighting its unique features and capabilities that make it a top contender for motorcycle adventure.
In an effort to appreciate the new frame geometry and upgrades Dave Darcy of @MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV takes the bike into challenging dirt sections most riders would avoid on a big adventure bike.
Dave, with the help of Andrew Clubb AKA Clubby, Editor of Australian Adventure Bike Magazine, also examines the differences between the Trophy X and the BMW 1300 R GSA Triple Black and GS Trophy.
An insightful, real world test of the BMW 1300 R GSA Trophy X heavily focussed on its dirt performance and capability for off-road motorcycle touring.
This is a great review. So many European (and US) reviewers comment on the off road ability. However, they don't realise that the Trophy, Base and Triple Black versions all have different set ups. Additionally, many of them, don't have the off road experience that you have. The machine control you exhibit, on the trials circuit, was phenomenal. Anyone who has good machine control won't be making the stupid comments about it not being able to go off road. (In fairness, a lot of these are armchair riders, who've never owned a GS or GSA or even a Motorrad product).
Yep, there's certainly lots of arm chair riders out there.
@@michaelkreuzmeir8248 You keep saying this. It is NOT the case. It has been verified by BMW Motorrad. Motorrad have written to me and confirmed the. off road performance of the Trophy X suspension is better. Confirmed on the video. We have ridden both, there is a big difference when going hard. This is the second time you've said this. You've been corrected once but persist. No more discussion on this issue please.
I may be an armchair critic but I’m a small one. It would be all over for me if I dropped this bike. I will stick to my 450 Himi
@ they are surprisingly easy to pick up. Certainly way easier than a T700
So, the big takeaway there was that the chat with real world punters, an owner and a prospective owner, was by far the most valuable part of the video. Very smart of Dave to tag that in on the end of the edit. This is a format that should be done regularly. As ever, all round terrific. Well done chaps.
Yeah, we stumbled across that and I felt it significantly added to the review. It was just luck, but I agree. These guys and girls had an extensive experience with Beemers. It wasn't eluded to in the video but they were also riding instructors!
The best coverage of the new GSA I've seen. The looks aren't for me, but there's no denying its capabilities. It's a monster.
Thank you, I put a lot of effort into filming it.
Fun, entertaining and informative vid. Good job Dave and Clubby. Hell of a motorcycle. So many variations one should be able to get almost exactly what you want. Now what I an told color or name doesn't matter. You can order the motorcycle anyway you want it. Even the Trophy edition. The build sheet is a mile long and takes a stack of money to go with it. Sure most will buy what is available on the floor or easy to get close by. I'm glad they have the comfort and range needed in some parts of the world. Those attributes made the GS famous most of 45 years ago. RTW. All good from east Kentucky USA. Look forward to the next vid. Take care and be safe. Us pensioners heal slower.
Hi Sam thanks for your thoughts. On another note I've just come back from our high country riding Honda CRF450s (next video out) I felt I was riding those smaller bikes better because of all the seat time I'd done on the Beemer. Go figure.
Superb video on how this Bison of a machine can handle well in the hands of an experienced rider, another great informative video, thanks Dave and Clubby. Adding the fellow riders opinions as well was brilliant. At 5,7" I think these are beyond my skillset to manoeuvre in the tricky stuff, but hell I can't touch the ground on a horse either so maybe I'll do a test ride.
With adaptive height control and lower seat may be worth a go.
Thanks for another great review Dave. I understand from my research into the 1300GS that you can get the TrophyX Sports Suspension as an option for the other 1300 models as well. In addition, with the 2025 models, I understand that you can now get the Adaptive Vehicle Height Control with the Sports Suspension. Keep up the great work.
Yes, stacks of options.
Brilliant review... covered all the good stuff riders want to know. I had to watch that 100km/h gravel stop a few times, that was something else.
It truly is amazing.
You handle that big beast so well 🙌🏻
Thanks Outback! Long time no see.
Enjoyed the group talk at end of vid thanks
I did too, It wasn't expected but worked really well.
great as usual......can't wait to see what you make of the automatic clutch option when you get to try one.....
You may be disappointed Dave. I don't have any interest in testing them. Sorry.
Great Review- the Trophy and TB look way better than the Red they originally launched it in! Starting to warm to it! But in saying that I’m glad I bought my 1250GSA to do my trip from Perth to Newcastle 6 months ago!
Cheers and keep up the great work
P. S it’s the Rolling Key Fob!
I reckon you've done all right.
Great review - two crucial points you made at 33.45 - The 1250 makes the torque lower down and the 1300 has a higher CofG... Obviously I need to test a 1300 GSA myself, but both of those suggest I will still prefer my 1250 GSA
I think a lot of 1250 GSA riders will feel the same
Love your work ! Best wishes guys.
(from the Algarve, Portugal 🇵🇹, where our trails are almost as good as Victoria high country)
Cool, thanks!
GSA Trophy is definitely the Starbucks spec machine! Just needs the full aluminium luggage set and should be good!
No metal luggage for me 😂
This is why I love your videos. Internet who? Nah, we just ride the damn thing and make up our own minds. Who cares about the look, a GS has never been beautiful. It was always polarizing.
Nice to here your verdict and it was fun to listen to the guys at the end of the video as well. I have the standard GS Trophy and I love that bike, even if I am "too young" for it at 34😁. But seems like I made the right choice for my riding style. Even if at 190cm I would nicely fit on that GSA as well.
thank you. I doo loovve the GS Trophy. It really takes advantage of the changes to frame and steering geometry.
The legendary GSA . Perfect for long hauling Australia!
It really is outstanding for that task
so is EVERY other adv bike
cool !!
Cheers from Greece !!
Thanks for watching.
As always, love your reviews. I've surprised myself and done something i thought i would never do and bought a BMW.
My v-strom got stolen and i ended up with a 2016 F700gs as a replacement. Haven't picked it up yet and I've not ridden it so I'm looking forward to the adventures I am gonma have.
Would like to see if you have done any reviews on it.
Way back, yes. In fact around 2016. Search the channel and you'll find it. As I recall it was pretty thorough.
@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV I went back to take a look just now but can only find your 1200GS stuff butbi will look again. Can't afford the brand new stuff but hope this one lasts a while.
I need to win the lottery! Beautiful bikes (to my eyes).
I like riding it, particularly on those long rides.
Fabulous video Davo, only thing about the lower crash bar extension I disagree with lane splitting. I lane split on every ride getting out of tokyo and feel no difference from the 1250 mate i can pass just as easy 👍
I didn't feel comfortable, particularly after repeatedly hitting the camera, as can been seen in the video. Maybe I needed a little more time to get used to it.
Great review. I've been trying to keep up with your channel since about 2020/21 when you got your hands on the T7. While the size would be somewhat of a problem for me as I would have to build up more strength, it's the shear amount of tech that's on the bike that I dislike. And that is the same situation for almost any bike now. Aside from standard dirt bike. Perhaps it is my bias from being in vehicle maintenance for 9 years but, do you ever have any misgivings about taking such a tech-loaded bike out in the wilds?
Not worried about the tech. I haven't ever had any problem with it. I didn't go into the traction control settings on this bike, as I've covered that before. They are truly remarkable.
I have a 2020 1250 GSA with factory low suspension. I just like the utilitarian look and functionality of the bike. For me it’s been a long range on road touring bike after moving on from a much heavier K1600. I’d like to trade up to a 1300 GSA, maybe next year. I sat on one at my dealer last week, but it was too tall for my 29 inch inseam with even more kickstand lean than my 1250 that I couldn’t get the bike upright on the showroom floor, although a low comfort seat and adjustable ride height option might make it work for me, but they did have any demo yet with those options. Not sure what BMW was thinking with the kickstand lean, but AltRider is coming out with adjustable one in increments out to 2 inches/5cm.
Thanks for giving us your views. Great to see Beemer owner riders contributing to the discussion.
Great discussion,thks.
Glad you liked it.
Great review! Now hopefully the used 1250 market will become over saturated with nicely farkled machines so the prices will drop! Then I might be willing to give up my 17 R1200 GS Rallye! Sure wish I lived so close to such fantastic riding areas like you.
You are spot on. The 1250 GSA is a cracking bike. Have a look at this channel for other content on that bike.
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV I've been watching all your stuff for years ;-) I even subscribed, something I RARELY do. My kids love watching your trip videos as well.
@ That's great. We've got another ride coming up in India/Nepal in 6 weeks. Then in November we ride Vietnam,Laos, Thailand for an exploratory ride with Ellwood Motorcycle Adventures
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV Living the dream! Good for you! Your hard work has been paying off.
26:40 The guy said his bike is more difficult to lift from the side stand than the 1250, because of a higher center of gravity, but if he has full options as he says, the bike lowers when it is parked and this affects the angle the bike leans to the side.
You would have thought it would have been less in that case as the bike would be moving closer to vertical as the bike automatically lowered. I guess the assumption is he had automatic height adjustment and he might not have. He seemed quite clear on what he observed.
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV He said he has full options later on in the discussion.
I’m on my 3rd GSA, currently on a ‘21 40th anniversary edition. I’ve seen the 1300 GSA in person. I can’t get used to the design language of it. It’s too much toaster oven for me.
I have no doubt that it’s a highly capable bike, and some level of evolution over the 1250.
But, are the developments significant enough for the casual rider, who’s 80 on-road/20 light off-roading (gravel and forest), to warrant an expensive upgrade?
Not sure. Many 1250 GSA riders are test riding the 1300s now. It will be interesting if they make the switch.
Bingo! That bike is huge. Just because you can take it off road, doesn't mean you should. A bike like this can get a rider in trouble quickly off road.
Pol Tarres on his Tenere 700 @ Erzberg is a great example.
99.9% of people could not navigate that machine in that environment.
@ Bingo. The 99.9% is just garbage and reflects on you poorly. If you don't believe me have a look at the BMW Safari videos on this channel where over 200 riders take on tough conditions, slippery mud, deep sand. As BMW Motorrad says, Australia is only one of a small number of countries where these bikes are taken where they can go. Finally, I'm no Pole Taris. I'm a 64 year old pensioner, grandfather of 4, that in terms of skills is in the top 20 to 30% of riders that buy this bike.
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV Sorry pal, but I disagree with you. Does that reflect on you poorly? Maybe, but I've seen many people who don't have alot of off road riding experience try the ADV thing, and end up having a bad experience.
Then they get away from riding altogether.
Keep within your 30% skills and you should be OK 👍
@ You haven't looked at the videos hence the 'maybe' sentence, a distraction. I'm not going to get into a debate with you, your changing the topic to suit your next argument. Now my rules for my channel are, you've had your say, no more correspondence or your comments will be removed.
Hey Dave how's it going, looks a nice machine ye, what's the ergonomics like Dave, it looks a bit cramped mate 👋🤠👍
Hi Cliff, Ergos were great on all the Beemers. They fit like a glove for me.
The side stand is a problem they will have to solve. As it is the same for all suspension heights, in versions with the highest suspension the bike is very tilted, making it more difficult to turn straight.
A couple of riders have mentioned that to me now.
Fast riding on rough roads, hitting the suspension stops, deep water crossings, jumping the bike, yeah, it will cost a small fortune to maintain this 30,000 dollar beast. Was this bike really made for this type of punishing riding?
This is on the upper end of what the top 10% of riders would subject this to in Australia. The point is when it does get rough, it can do it, and do it surprisingly well for a big bike. That's the point of the test, it was dirt oriented. Not many would go where I went with this in 5 years. :)
By beast you refer to size ?
It is indeed a big bike. My subscribers have nominated Bison.
Great job great review will still buy a Enfield Bear 🐻 Grrr
Enjoy your Bear.
WANT WANT WANT 🐸 🐸 🐸
WHY WHY WHY 😂
DONT WANT DONT WANT DONT WANT
@@leberkas_adv hahahaha
I can understand that.
C’mon Dave, stick the BIG aluminium boxes on the bike and show us yer lane splitting skills 😎
Nooooooooooo!
For a rider who has ridden over 550,000 km on BMW GS bikes I would say NO to a 1300 GSA.....Absolutely fugly, way too wide....and not worth an upgrade from a 1012 1200 Rally last of the oil cooled engine.
I understand where you're coming from.
Despite it being a great bike to ride, it still has to appeal to me on styling. I've tried, just can't get to like it at all, same reasons i never had the desire to own a Harley..
Price tag is another sore point. Stick to my GSA1250.
I thought the same about the looks, but then I saw it in real life and I sat on it, walked around it.. It's definitely not bad looking in reality.. funny how that works, but I kinda like it now!
Had no idea the trophy was more tuned for off road. BMW hasn't done a good job marketing that.
We didn't know that either until we started pushing both bikes on similar tracks and it became obvious and then we wrote to BMW and asked them. They confirmed our observations and said for many riders it wouldn't be noticeable. You can definitely push the Trophy X harder and faster in the dirt. It was so apparent to us. And then we got to thinking how. Is it an electronic thing? Or is it different internals in the suspension.
Dam, you should’ve talked to the guy on the old RG500 and a close look at it lol
Next time
Bravo...BMW finally made a bike uglier than the original 1200C....hahahahahahaha. On a further note, it's not a bike anymore...there's some much electronics it's now only a video game that will give you hernias if you try to pick it up.
A tad harsh.
and the 1200c became a bestseller in the used market ;)
What are the prices of the bikes?
I didn't put the prices in because they vary so much depending on options you purchase. GSA around $38K
great bike but weight and price , currently you can get Mazda BT50 4x4 ute for the same price.
Good point
+1 to ppl saying this was a great review.
Yeah, I put a lot of effort into making it comprehensive but focussing on handling and suspension
Ragazzi il traduttore è un disastro totale,
Non abbiamo alcun controllo sulla traduzione audio, ma modifichiamo i sottotitoli per garantire che si tratti di una versione inglese accurata che verrà poi tradotta nella tua lingua.
So much scraping and banging went on to get to this point with a lot of the edges worn off.
Yep
Tried the 1300GSA a couple of months ago..... didnt gel with it 😑it might have someting to do with me being to used to my 1250GSA that i have done 55k+ km on 😋 it didnt help its case that the 1300 was fitted with the new ASA transmision and altho you can use it in manual mode it messes up any notion of fine control at slow speed..... Auto was just a disaster waiting to happen with its jerky gear changes at the most unapropriate times
Thanks for your thoughts.
i had one and you know what ! this bike I wanted to sell after 6 months because its crap unsuitable for adventure after 1 day in the sahara my rear suspension was blockt and after I came back my front rim was broken and after I bought myself a new rim for 1050 euro, ges what after the second offroad trip in Andorra the second rim was broken ? and crazy that the other 3 bikes , a gs 650 ktm 990 and a old African twin wo took the same roads like I did didn't had this problem and the 19 years before that I had a old Bmw gs 1100 I never had a problem . a good money saver is DONT BUY !!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for your insight.
Throw in say 30kg of luggage which would be typical on a tour and you have 300kg. In the hands of a good rider dirt touring is do-able but you better have another one or two riders around if it falls or there are any tricky sections. This trend to near 200kg min. 45Hp max adv bikes is the final nail in the coffin of genuine lightweight machines ie sub 150kg. I compromise on road comfort for extremely low weight with my 500 ADV, similar to your Husky. NOthing can beat it on a dirt road.
Yeah, I hear you but I've ridden these big bikes in the outback and they do it the best by far..........but I was always riding in groups.
That fuel tank design is just not pleasant to look at.
You're not alone with that thought.
I might be the odd one out but I like it, specially in the Red/Grey paint scheme.
wow - 270kg!!! I think I will stick to my Himi 450. My small frame would so stuggle!!
Yeah, it's a big bike, but it really surprised me with its off-road ability.
I love BMW motorcycles and I own a 2021 GSA, but that 1300 GSA is the ugliest motorcycle I have ever seen.
There are many BMW riders who say the same thing.
ROBOCOP BIKE 🙂 Amazing if that's your thing
Yep
You can hear some nasty clanking noises
🤔🤣
On board microphones always pick up clanky noises that in real life generally are rocks and craps hitting stuff.
A lot of people focus on the looks - GS’s have never been good looking bikes - whenever there’s a new model, there’s been a core bunch of people who moan about it. Then people get used to the looks and stop moaning😂😂 remember the outrage when the first asymmetrical headlight came out?😉
Frankly I was taken aback by how many BMW riders don't like the look. I think they were in love with the Rhino look. This looks more bulky, but having said that it is very functional with the way the hot air is blown away from the rider and the luggage fitting points.
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTVi used to have a 1250GSA - took a peak at the 1300, and it wasn’t as big as it looks in the pics, I reckon!
Tankbag of 12 Liters is a huge amount? What? Sorry. Original GS were traveling with 35L Tankbags, I have two here. Harro Elefantenboy, the best tankbags for classics, I had a 25L and it was really big. Strapped with leather belts. Lasts easy 40 years traveling. And quick single YKK zip untie, tie of the bag.
The GSA features the same crappy gear-lever made of plastic as the GS. Ridiculous and no comment by you.
Your videos are moving more and more from Tests to Advertising shows in their wild.
Pull your head in. I was focussing on the handling and suspension for a bike that claims the big off road tourer mantle. While you're at it I also missed the changes to traction control settings, where Enduro mode is no less agressive, the bashplate, or lack there of, the list goes on and on and on. Read up about it and don't be lazy that I have to feed you like a baby.
Still a very expensive turd on 2 wheels, for many. It goes great and it should at this level. My test ride was ok - apart from the clatter of the motor, I thought it had no oil in it (!) but I didn't feel the need to ditch my 1250gsa and take on more substantial debt to buy one. BMW are taking the piss with the cost to change, here in the UK anyway. And too fiddly scrolling through menus now to get to basic functions. And then there are the looks which I just cannot get past. It is UGLY.
You're not an island. A lot are happy with their 1250s.
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV 👍
I cannot get over the price and ugliness. It’s a no from me.
After 160’000 km on a BMW 1200 GSA and 1250 GSA and two world tours … I had the opportunity to spend two weeks on the 1300 GSA. This is the worst review. It’s a complete new engine and the suspension depends on the tech specs for ex ASA. The artificial computer-animated voice with different speeds is absolute nonsense in advance.👎👎👎
I have no control over the animated artificial voice. Many have complained. I recommend using the subtitles. It is not a complete new engine, that is simply not the case. The suspension depends on options chosen. Adaptive height control can be installed in all models. I think you need to do more research before wrongly suggesting the review is not up to scratch.
Ohnonotagsagain 😅
Yep
Quel doublage catastrophique en français. Je suis obligé d'aller dans les paramètres pour exiger la version originale...tellement stupide...
Oui, je comprends. Le doublage n'est PAS bon. Plus tard dans la journée, je réviserai le récit en anglais pour m'assurer qu'il est correct. De là découlera la version française.
Espérons qu'avec le temps, le doublage s'améliorera. Peut-être que l'intelligence artificielle n'aime pas la langue australienne. :)
Pity that not one reviewer mentions prohibitive price of this and many other bikes these days. Thank God for China and CF Moto 800MT Explore that I picked up 2 days ago with complete Aluminium luggage kit for $18,290 NZ. Most of us are not oligarchs, and China seems to be the only country on Earth that understands that.
What is the point of mentioning price....to remind you it's more expensive than a CFMOTO? What's the point. When price is relevant I will mention it, for example the CFMOTO 450 MT or the Himalayan 450 because it falls within the value equation. These things a priced higher than many cars and everyone knows that. The people that buy these bikes are generally wealthy middle class, many of whom would have benefitted from riding smaller bikes before they pulled their wallets out.
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV The point of the price is that manufacturers have gone bananas with their greed. There is no chance in hell that GS is worthy of double the price of said CF Moto. Yes, bigger motor but sounds and feels like a tractor engine and bare-bones price if twice the price of Explore fully kitted.
And, not just "wealthy middle class" are watching and appreciating your reviews. The time to point out at the greed of all Euro, American and some Japanese manufacturers is long overdue. Price definitely plays the role in most people's appreciating and /or decision to purchase the goods. Rant over.
@@interceptorm5 I'm not going to get political, but one part of the motorcycle market that seems not to have felt the economic downturn is the premium $30K plus range. At the same time of the downturn there has been a crazy surge in interest on this channel on the 450 class, hence our focus on it for this year. It's supply and demand. The majority of viewers on this channel are not wealthy middle class. You'll notice that I rarely do reviews on the big capacity bikes for that very reason.
C’est quoi ces commentaires en francais…..mais taisez vous
Oui, un truc avec UA-cam. Éteindre et lire les sous-titres est le meilleur. Mieux que la traduction automatique car j'ai vérifié le sens et le vocabulaire.
At the end of the day, a bike that big is really a motorcar !! You would never go anywhere on your own with such a machine as if you ever fell off.... you would never be able to lift it !! CF Moto 450 is the bike. Does everything this does at a fraction of the price. Crazy big, too complex !!
We've been talking about the value of 450s for years and finally the manufacturers are waking up, including BMW. I look forward to seeing their 450 contribution.
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV well said ! I too am keen to see what they bring to the party. Thanks for sharing. Always enjoyable.
Ultimate off road machine is a 250 to ,350cc dirt bike. Those are highway princess's.
Maybe it's worth waiting until you see the video :)
Me in the Pyrenees/ France/ dolomites tet trails beg to differ.
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV nice but 99.99999% of the gS riders will think, the gS is doing your stuff on its own 😂.
poor video quality at the offroad section - that is very sad, can´t enjoy to watch like 240p videos in the year 2024 from a professional channel
The video is uploaded at 4K! The problem is your end with your internet connection.
What a ridiculous comment Pez.
Try complaining about the weather next, you’ll get more sympathy
very expensive bike to own, run, and maintain.
True that! Not for everyone.
its so expensive, ugly and heavy you may as well ride a landcruiser
I get it. Clearly you've never ridden one.
I’m on my 3rd GSA, currently on a ‘21 40th anniversary edition. I’ve seen the 1300 GSA in person. I can’t get used to the design language of it. It’s too much toaster oven for me.
I have no doubt that it’s a highly capable bike, and some level of evolution over the 1250.
But, are the developments significant enough for the casual rider, who’s 80 on-road/20 light off-roading (gravel and forest), to warrant an expensive upgrade?
Not sure. Many 1250 GSA riders are test riding the 1300s now. It will be interesting if they make the switch.