BMW’s 2025 R 1300 GS Adventure is ready for the big tour. Street or dirt, solo or two-up, it’s built to go the distance with the most creature comforts this side of a Honda Gold Wing. And this is not just last year’s GS with a bigger gas tank and a few add-ons. The 2025 Adventure sports a re-designed engine, chassis, and bodywork, seats, and many other improvements.
Standard version
In the words of Christof Lischka, Head of BMW Motorrad Development, “Never before have seating comfort, ergonomics and wind and weather protection been so harmoniously combined with precise handling, exceptional suspension comfort and smooth running.” BMW has created four models to experience this harmony–Standard, Trophy, Triple Black, and Option 719 Karakorum.
Trophy version
2025 Adventure Power Upgrades
BMW calls this the most powerful GS ever, with a claimed 145 horsepower at 7,750 rpm and 110 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm. The cylinder bores are 4 mm larger and the stroke 3 mm shorter for an even 1300 cc. As a result, the torque curve stays north of 96 pound-feet between 3,600 and 7,800 rpm, where most riding takes place. In spite of the power gains, BMW claims the new boxer gets “nearly” the same fuel mileage as the previous version. Other changes include a bump in compression ratio to 13.3:1 from 12.5:1 and larger valves. The air/liquid cooling still ducts air over the cylinders and liquid through internal hot spots.
Triple Black version
Shifting Transmissions
As they did with the 2024 R 1300 GS, BMW placed the Adventure’s transmission below the engine, saving weight and space in the bargain. The same 10-disk wet, anti-hopping clutch initiates gear shifts. The new gearbox supports BMW’s optional Automatic Shift Assistant (ASA), which has two modes of automatic shifting. First is mode M, where the rider activates the shift lever. Second is mode D where the Assistant handles all aspects of shifting. Bikes fitted with ASA do not require clutch levers.
The 2025 Adventure’s New Suspenders
Like the engine, the entire suspension of the new BMW R 1300 GS Adventure was redesigned from the previous model. The centerpiece is a new steel sheet metal main frame, made stiffer than the old one. In the course of the redesign, the rear frame was also completely re-conceived, becoming a lattice structure of aluminum tubes and forged parts. Stronger is better when the bike weighs 593 pounds with a tank of gas, leaving 503 pounds for riders and gear.
In addition to a new frame, BMW improved the Telelever front and Paralever rear suspension, creating Evo versions of both. The stiffer, more stable Telelever design is a hybrid of those on BMW sport bikes and the previous GS models. The Paralever was also made more rigid. The combined effect is an increase in suspension travel to 8.3 inches at the front and 8.7 at the rear. Ground clearance is not specified. Leaving no feature untouched, the 2025 Adventure now has next-gen Dynamic Suspension Adjustment that compensates for load by changing the spring rate.
Option 719 Karakorum version
Sophisticated Stopping
The new R 1300 GS Adventure comes standard with two newly developed, radially mounted, four-piston fixed calipers. There are twin 320 mm disks up front and a single 285 mm disc with a two-piston floating caliper at the rear. Braking is controlled by BMW’s Full Integral ABS Pro, where the front brake lever engages the front and rear brakes simultaneously. The rear brake foot lever does the same thing. The currently selected riding mode determines how ABS Pro will determine the best application of the brakes. For off-pavement riding, the braking can be set to allow locking the rear wheel with the foot lever.
By preventing unintentional throttle application, Dynamic Brake Control is a fail-safe for braking in difficult situations. It works by intervening in the engine control to reduce torque during braking, allowing full use of the braking power at the rear wheel. This keeps the motorcycle stable and shortens the braking distance.
Electronics
The 2025 Adventure’s control center is a 6.5-inch full-color TFT screen. It displays all the pertinent riding data and supports phone and media functions via Bluetooth and a helmet mounted BMW Motorrad Comms System. BMW’s free Connected App logs routes, displays information, and allows route sharing via Rever. A separate Sport screen presents a visual representation of riding dynamics data, such as traction and braking. BMW makes motorcycle travel safer with an SOS button that activates an emergency call to summon help.
The new Adventure now has four riding modes. The Rain and Road modes allow riding characteristics to be adapted to most road conditions. The Eco mode engages BMW’s ShiftCam technology to squeeze the most distance from a tank of fuel. It uses a mellower throttle curve and moderate torque limitation to create an economical riding style. The Enduro mode sets the bike up for reduced traction on off-pavement excursions.
2025 Adventure: Loaded
There are enough standard features on the R 1300 GS Adventure to make a rider’s head spin. First up are those labeled “Dynamic.” These comprise brake control, cruise control, engine brake control, and traction control. Hill start assistant, integral ABS Pro, tire pressure monitoring, full LED lighting, heated grips, and a storage compartment with charging are also onboard. And that’s not the whole list.
BMW takes special pride in the 7.9 gallon aluminum gas tank on the new bike. To quote them, “The sheer width of the tank inspires confidence and provides effective frontal weather protection.” While it is a nice looking piece, it is also is unique in having built-in hardware for an accessory tank bag. The 12-liter bag clips onto eyelets and rotates back for filling the tank.
Comfort
There’s no doubt the 2025 Adventure is built for the long haul, or what BMW terms “enhanced touring.” Accompanying the various systems that make it easier to pilot the machine are creature comforts to match, though most are optional. Seat heaters are available for the separate rider and passenger seats and bar risers are available to better fit the rider. Heated hand grips are standard. While the pilot rests his feet on enduro foot pegs, the passenger luxuriates with “comfort” enduro footrests. Mounting and dismounting are made easy by the Adventure’s optional adaptive vehicle height control. The standard height is 34.3 inches, but there are several higher and lower seats available.
The big GS handles the wind with a large windscreen and hand protectors. The optional Riding Assistant with Active Cruise Control, Front Collision Warning and Lane Change Warning contribute to peace of mind and a safer journey.
Accessorizing the 2025 Adventure
When the motorcycle is a BMW it’s hard to ignore the shedload of genuine Motorrad goodies available. Nineteen of them are storage related, others include nav, comms, and protection. There are also plenty of options to make each rider’s 2025 Adventure unique. Pick a version, choose some options, hang some luggage, and ride, ride, ride.
Read more: BMW R 1300 GS, GS Trophy Namibia
Images: BMW
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