Text/photo: OA Isdahl
BMW really deserves it, when our guard is down they surprise us again and again. Without warning, a redesigned version of the R 1300 R and R 1300 RS is being launched, both of which have been in the portfolio for a long time and have sold really well. But, truth be told, they were both ripe for an upgrade now. We’ve got a “sneka Peak” and are about to drive the saints.
The R 1300 R comes in two versions, a standard and an “option 719” – it’s tough
The model has been completely redesigned but has the same frame and engine as the GS 1300. In terms of design, BMW is making a quantum leap into the future and with 145 hp and 149 Nm, the quantum leap is pretty quick. Option 719 has some extra capacities that the standard model doesn’t have, so if you like to stand out from the crowd, this is probably the edition to get. You can save up later because the fun costs just under NOK 330,000.
The design is deliberately new and sexy, and both models go straight into the “head-twister” category. The model looks terribly angry (which it is) and if you’re living it up in dynamic pro, your life will probably flash before your eyes in fast forward.
The standard edition that starts at around 300,000 is not a bad choice and will last a long time for most of us.
The R 1300 R has a wider and much tougher design at the front, the headlight is new and the bodywork is flush with the two horizontal cylinders, giving the bike a fearsome front. The fuel tank is new and the seat frame with seat and rear light is also completely new. The exhaust system on both models is chromed and looks absolutely fantastic. The instrument cluster is also new and looks hairy. The components used on these models come from the top shelf and we’ll come back to the details. If you’re impatient, you can read up on https://www.bmw-motorrad.no/en/models/roadster/r1300r.html#/section-more-neverstopchallenging
The R 1300 RS has also received a successful boost
The R 1300 RS has also been given a similar facelift and with this it travels confidently into the future as a sports tourer in the high-end segment. But these are all bikes that you can sit and look at, study and just enjoy the details of which there are many. With this, BMW meets the future and without a doubt sets a completely new standard that only BMW can own.
The technology is now well proven on the GS 1300 and 1300 GSA, so there will probably be no surprises here.
The Sullen can be viewed at MC Oslo and some of the models can even be test ridden. We don’t know the status of other dealers at the moment, but they’re probably on their way if they’re not already in place.
Now BMW really impresses, this looks impressively good and is surely even better to drive.
We’re really looking forward to it.
