BMW K1300GT Review

BMW K1300GT Review / Page 1 By Trevor Hedge While BMW are most famous for their traditional boxer layout the marque is also successfully building a more sporting reputation around a revamped four-cylinder range. MCNEWS.COM.AU recently attended the launch of the sporting K1300S, naked K1300R and touring oriented K1300GT. The launch allowed for extremely limited time on the machines and was far from enough to offer our readers a considered opinion on this trio of new Bavarian Bahnstormers. So we took home a K1300GT directly from the launch to put some serious kilometres on the touring arm of the triumvirate and then spent two weeks quality time with the new K1300R. The first of our reviews featured here focuses on the sports-touring oriented K1300GT. We have only had a 15 minute track session on the K1300S and around 75km on the road so we won't be commenting on the S just yet until we get a chance to spend some quality time with a unit. BMW’s K1200GT has always proven a versatile touring machine and for the 2009 model year the GT, like it’s R and S siblings, has gained a hike in capacity to morph into the K1300GT. The basic engine architecture remains much the same but benefits from a 1mm increase in bore, and a 5.3mm stretch in the stroke to realise that extra 136cc and arrive at the new 1293cc displacement. The cylinder head has also been revised with a new combustion chamber design and camshaft profiles to help realise a better torque curve throughout the 10,000rpm rev range. BMW claim only an 8hp boost over its smaller engined predecessor and a 5Nm increase in peak torque, but it is further down in the rev range where the improvements are most apparent. More than 80% of the engine’s maximum torque is available from as low as 3500rpm before reaching its 135Nm peak at 8000rpm. It’s a good balance and despite offering excellent grunt down low the engine does appreciate visiting the upper end of the tachometer and pulls strongly right through to 10,000rpm. The engine pulls harder and longer than similarly sized competitors such as Yamaha’s FJR1300, Honda’s ST1300 and Kawasaki’s 1400GTR. In a big turn up for the books at 255kg dry and 288kg with a full complement of fluids, including a full 24 litre fuel tank, the BMW also makes the smallest dent in the scales. Put simply, it doesn’t hang about when you get angry with the right grip. BMW then continues to outdo the opposition in the technology stakes with remote control setting of both the damping and preload characteristics of the suspension at both ends of the machine. A sophisticated traction control system ups the ante further but the real icing on the cake is the way BMW have implemented the user interface with the ABS (Anti Lock Brakes), ASC (Automatic Stability Control) and ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment). Simple rocker switches on the left handlebar grip cycle through the range of suspension adjustments and also allows for the ASC system to be deactivated. From the left handlebar the rider can also set the cruise control, cycle through the numerous information options on the centrally mounted LCD screen, raise or lower the remotely adjustable windscreen, select low or high beam, beep the horn or activate the indicators. And yes, for the new model year BMW has got rid of the independent left and right indicator buttons on each bar in favour of the more conventional left-right rocker toggle switch on the left bar. Some people will say hallelujah, but I never really found much wrong with the previous system. On the right handlebar the regular stop-start rocker switch resides below the push button controls for the heated seat and grips. The pillion scores a rear cowl mounted switch for their heated seat. That sounds like one huge list of buttons and selections but in reality it is all achieved via 11 buttons and rocker switches across the two bar ends on compact control units that are all clearly labelled and simple to learn. It really is a superb triumph of intelligent design and whoever was responsible back in Munich should be promoted. BMW K1300GT Review Page 1 (Engine & Electronics) / Page 2 (Handling) / Page 3 (Braking & Luggage) / Page 4 (Dollars & Sense) / Page 5 (Wallpaper)

BMW K1300GT - Pictured with optional BMW Navigator GPS system

BMW K1300GT Review
Page 1 (Engine & Electronics) / Page 2 (Handling) / Page 3 (Braking & Luggage) / Page 4 (Dollars & Sense) / Page 5 (Wallpaper)