BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026: Test Review, Pros, and Cons. Opinions

The BMW R 1300 GS equipped with the ASA (Automated Shift Assistant) system represents Munich's most ambitious attempt to automate transmission management in the maxi-enduro segment. The heart of the system is an electromechanical actuator that manages the clutch and gear shifting, eliminating the manual lever. The goal is to maintain the feel of a classic mechanical gearbox while integrating a dual-mode management logic (M for manual, D for automatic). In this long-term test of over 2,500 km, we will analyze every detail of the bike. Pros, cons, and issues that emerged in every condition of use, including 1,000 km of off-road riding.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Build Quality

The quality of the polymers and aluminum castings is high. Tolerances between body panels are minimal. The integration of the ASA system is clean, with the wiring following the original engine casing path without exposing critical connectors. The new frame is also well-made, as are the new suspension and braking systems. Despite the high quality, we would have preferred an update to the instrumentation and controls, which are borrowed from the previous model. It should also be noted that the long list of options drives the price up to over 32,000 euros if one does not carefully consider what is really necessary versus what is superfluous.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Ergonomics and Riding Comfort

Rider: The seat is profiled to facilitate reaching the ground, with well-calibrated density. The handlebar position is optimal for standing control. The optional electronic system that lowers the bike at low speeds allows even those shorter than 170cm to firmly touch the ground. A significant advantage and one of the recommended options if you are under 175cm (above that, it is entirely unnecessary).

Aerodynamic Protection: The electrically adjustable windscreen is effective, but the central section generates annoying turbulence for riders over 1.85m, while it is perfect for riders under 175cm. In the very long BMW accessories catalog, there are other windscreens that adapt to various body types and rider needs.

Vibrations: The 1300cc boxer is balanced, but at 5,500 rpm, a specific resonance is felt on the metal footpegs.

Heat: The heat from the cylinders is better managed compared to the 1250, but the exhaust pipes remain very hot near the right heel.

Passenger: Excellent comfort, abundant space, and well-positioned grab handles. Another recommended option is the heated seat, which is excellent in winter and even in summer in the mountains during bad weather.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Suspension

The equipment includes the EVO Telelever system at the front and the EVO Paralever at the rear. The behavior is characterized by a drastic reduction in pitch during braking. Furthermore, the new DSA electronic suspension allows for better setup, with an adjustment range from -2 to +2, and variables based on the selected engine maps. In practice, at -2, you have a very soft suspension behavior, while moving up the scale leads to sporty control in the +2 setting. It is impossible not to find the ideal setup, although we would have preferred even greater customization possibilities, with the option for a differentiated setup between the front and rear and a higher number of clicks (at least +/-4).

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Suspension Setup Guide

Road Setup (Dynamic Pro): Use the default settings of the DSA (Dynamic Suspension Adjustment) system; generally, it is better to use a +2 setting to have a stiffer suspension behavior.

Road Setup (Road and Rain): It is better to use a neutral DSA setting in Road, which can drop to -2 in the case of roads with very damaged asphalt or rain, to have a "soft suspension" behavior.

Off-road Setup (Enduro Pro): Activate the Enduro Pro mode, which inhibits excessive traction control and adapts the response speed of the hydraulic valves to absorb sudden impacts. It is better to set the suspension to -2 because it is basicly stiff for light/moderate off-roading. Faster riders, however, can set them to the neutral value, up to +2, depending on their riding style.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Braking and Traction Control

The BMW Full Integral ABS Pro braking system is powerful. The DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) acts based on the lean angle. The sensitivity of the integral braking, which also activates the rear, is excellent for stability but requires getting used to off-road. Overall, the braking system is at the top of the category for reduced stopping distances and ease of achieving them.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Riding Assistant

The Riding Assistant analyzes the surrounding environment using radar sensors and forms the basis for functions such as Active Cruise Control, Lane Change Warning, or Rear Collision Warning. Headlight Pro guarantees excellent illumination in every riding situation. In tourist use, it works excellently, immediately warning of sudden slowing of vehicles ahead and if following cars get too close. In sporty use, it is less effective because sometimes it signals danger while you are performing an overtake (admittedly, very close to the car being overtaken...), ultimately warning us that we are "exceeding the limit of common sense." Expensive as an option, not indispensable, but ultimately useful, especially when driving with very reduced visibility, such as fog or heavy rain, when it effectively issues an alert of sudden slowing before it is too late. Very useful for those who use the motorcycle 365 days a year and for long-range tourism. An extra level of safety.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Engine Performance Top Speed

Top Speed: 228 km/h actual (reached 242 km/h on the speedometer).

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds.

Engine Smoothness and On-Off: The delivery is fluid; the on-off effect is imperceptible thanks to electronic management.

Heat: Excellent thermal management, efficient radiators.

Recovery in 6th gear from idle: The 1300 engine picks up with vigor from as low as 2,000 rpm without hesitation.

General Performance: The torque is full-bodied, the push at mid-range is remarkable, and the elongation is excellent. Overall performance is more than excellent, superior to any previous boxer, although the "torque punch" of the previous 1250 at low revs has been lost, diluted by the fact that the engine now pushes harder throughout the rev range and revs out more easily. Even though the top speed is almost unchanged, it is reached more easily; overall performance is superior to the previous 1250—perhaps less easy to exploit at 100%, but superior in every situation. By minimizing traction control and anti-wheelie, it is easy to lift the front end in the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, with showy (but illegal on open roads) wheelies; likewise, it is easy to wheelie the bike by throttle only in 1st and 2nd gear. A more sporty overall behavior compared to the 1250, which had more of a touring soul. A more than excellent engine. The only flaw is the scooter-like noise at low revs, due to the Euro 5+ regulation, partially solvable with the Akrapovic exhaust, available among the options.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Engine Setup Guide

The "Dynamic Pro" map is recommended for spirited riding on asphalt. The "Road" map is the most balanced for 90% of uses. Furthermore, the Rain map is excellent for use both in tourist use and clearly in the rain, because it makes the engine very fluid and easy to exploit. The ECO map is useful for reducing fuel consumption, particularly on long highway transfers. On the other hand, it reduces engine response to the throttle too much, so it is not very suitable for having fun in the corners. The Dynamic map is not very different from the Dynamic Pro, while the Enduro Pro map allows you to make the most of the engine and chassis off-road. The Pro maps are a highly recommended option, because they allow you to customize throttle response, ABS intervention, traction control, and wheelie control. Overall, you have all the settings for every specific use. Nothing is missing.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Gearbox Problems and Functionality

The ASA, in D (automatic), is fluid in fast shifts, albeit noisy; at times it is abrupt and indecisive in downshifts, especially at low speeds in the city. To get it to shift into first, you really need to stop the wheels, whereas on many hairpin turns tackled with a sporty spirit, you would want to shift into it. If you push the pace in automatic mode, the system sometimes delays the gear change by a fraction of a second compared to an experienced rider, or it engages the higher gear for a moment before dropping back down. In tourism, there are never problems, just as in the city, but in sporty use, it is always necessary to intervene manually to correct its settings. In M (manual), the gearbox is even better—quieter, fluid, smooth, and even faster. So much so that for sporty riding, even off-road, it is preferable to use it in manual. The absence of the clutch is an advantage in the city, completely irrelevant in sporty road riding, while off-road, in difficult sections or fast riding, we would have preferred to have it. For 90% of the owners of this bike, the ASA will be fine in Automatic just as it is. But in fact, except in difficult off-roading, even the remaining 10% will find it better in sporty road use (using it in Manual).

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Riding Qualities

City: Easy handling thanks to the ASA, low center of gravity, and general dynamic qualities. Pay attention to the dimensions and weight, but ultimately it is the best among the maxi-trails to use in the city and for home-work commuting.

Suburban/B-roads: Precise, rigid, communicative, with sports bike performance, a clear step forward compared to the past. Stiffer, more uncomfortable, but much faster in corner entry, more precise at high speeds. Very competitive even in sporty riding. More relaxed riders will do well to set the suspension to -2 and the Road map, so as to find the riding comfort of the previous 1250. From the point of view of sporty dynamic performance, an excellent bike, despite an image that is not sporty at all...

Highway: Benchmark stability, excellent riding comfort at legal speeds, maximum safety, and minimal riding effort.

Mountain Passes: Agile, precise, fast in direction changes, stable under braking, and with excellent directionality at the exit of curves. With the right riding skills and road tires, you can have a pace that is not easy to beat. On certain routes, especially the narrower ones, it manages to keep paces enviable by any other type of motorcycle.

With a Passenger: A bike that borders on perfection, with optimal balance, with dynamic performance that is not in the least affected by the presence of the passenger, also thanks to the DSA semi-active suspension system, which levels the bike and maintains the setup unchanged even with the presence of the passenger and any luggage.

Off-road: Even if the GS was born from the Paris-Dakar epic, the current BMW R 1300 GS is very far from a true enduro bike. The use of specific tires is important, as is the rider's skill and accepting the limits of the bike's weight and bulk. Once the suspension is set according to one's riding skills, the bike is very enjoyable on dirt roads with compact, hard surfaces—its true ideal terrain. In such conditions, the bike is excellent and easy to ride. As technical difficulties increase, the bike becomes more demanding to ride, tiring, and with performance far from a real enduro bike. A common problem with all maxi-trails. Even in this case, the off-road limits of the current R 1300 GS are well above the needs of 99% of its buyers. If the automatic transmission helps the less experienced, it should be considered that in true technical and difficult off-roading, one would prefer to be able to count on manual clutch control. But as mentioned, this concerns a minority of GS owners.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Fuel Consumption

Performance has a price, but up to a certain limit. If you use the engine without saving, in a truly sporty use, consumption easily drops below 15 km/l; using careful riding and the ECO map, you easily exceed 24 km/l, which for the size of the bike is a record hard to beat. On average, you get about 18 km/l, which is a valid consumption for the type of bike. Real range easily exceeds 350 km, from full to full.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Conclusions, Pros and Cons

Pros: Engine torque, general performance, braking, DSA suspension, Radar, ease and safety of riding.

Cons: Complexity of the ASA system in technical off-roading, price.

Summary Data

Maximum power: 145 HP at 7,750 rpm. Maximum torque: 149 Nm at 6,500 rpm. Curb weight: 237 kg. Price: starting from €21,500.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Advice

Recommended for those who cover many kilometers on highways and in the mountains. Not recommended for those who practice extreme technical off-roading.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Alternatives

Ducati Multistrada V4 S: Just as much technology, more powerful, but with less torque at low and mid-range, less easy to ride, and less comfortable.

KTM 1390 Super Adventure: More suitable for off-roading, but less easy to ride.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Accessories and Up-grades

The "Enduro" package is recommended for protection, and avoid non-original auxiliary lights so as not to overload the CAN-bus.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Scheduled Maintenance Guide

Service every 10,000 km. It is essential that diagnostics are performed exclusively at BMW Motorrad workshops for the calibration of the ASA system and periodic ECU updates.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 Review: Known Issues

Sporadic reports of errors in the ASA software in conditions of prolonged overheating (mud/low speed).

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 FAQ

Can the ASA break down? It is an electromechanical system; it requires maintenance.

Do I need an automatic motorcycle license? No, it is still a manual-gear motorcycle.

BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026 What didn't convince us

The excessive electronic intrusion off-road. The sensation of "disconnection" from the engine in situations where a manual clutch would make a difference. The instrumentation and electrical switches on the handlebar are no longer keeping pace technologically with the rest of the bike.

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BMW R 1300 GS ASA 2026: Test Review, Pros, and Cons. Opinions | CrazyWheels