BMW R 1300 GS riders have always seemed a different sort of breed, harbouring an internal confidence that their bikes are supreme, and better in every way. It wasn’t until my first experience with the Pure variant that I began to understand their rationale.
Fabled as the legendary model that aligns the worlds of adventure and touring, on and off road, seamlessly, BMW’S R 1300 GS is made of magical leprechaun farts and Unicorn DNA, at least according to owners – who will wax lyrical for hours if you let them.
And so it came to pass that we found ourselves on this Pure offering, our first standard GS ever, having previously tested the Triple Black Adventure, headed for an event at Grey Gums Cafe on Putty Road.
The sun was shining and the wind was a little stronger than one would like, but we were on our way for a 400km round trip to get acquainted with the bike. Even though we were spending the day on the tarmac, the GS was fitted with a new set of Metzler Karoo 4 tyres.
Our route would have us heading out through Yarramalong, up Bumble Hill and then scooting along to Wollombi. From there we would head to Broke for a quick splash of fuel before making a beeline up Putty Road to our destination.
A perfect test for the GS, with the route combining the best of twisty roads, cruising country straights, tight switch backs and some of the most average road conditions NSW has to offer. For this ride, I would be travelling solo.
The first 20km was spent getting used to the knobby tyres and handling characteristics of the GS. It’s fair to say both were sensational and offered some of the best riding I’ve had for some time.
The further I travelled, the more at one I felt with the GS. I bonded quickly with the Karoo 4 tyres too, as they offered plenty of grip as well as a little fun, slipping and sliding as more spirited endeavours took over.
As good as the Boxer powerplant is, it is the adventure bike suspension that is the star of the show for us. It eats up the less than ideal road conditions, and when matched with BMW’s electronic aids wizardry, gives the rider an abundance of confidence.
Riding the Putty like a man possessed, well within the posted speed limits of course, we found the tele-lever frontend nothing short of brilliant. The GS tips in sensationally, while mid corner bumps and road imperfections can be handled without issue.
There’s plenty of travel too, with 190mm up front and 200mm at the rear – a combination we suspect would be perfect for pillion passengers. As we arrived at our destination, we were a little disappointed that it was time to take a break, such is the joy of the GS Pure.
I drooled over the BMW as I fed my face, constantly turning towards its direction with admiring eyes, thinking about what modifications and trim level I’d choose if I were to buy one of my very own (the Triple Black or Trophy for those wondering).
Not to take anything away from the Pure, that’s simply because the latter two offer more niceties and features for long distance touring. It was a few hours before I would find myself back aboard the GS, heading for home.
My attention turned to the Bavarian boxer’s soul as I pushed my way in and out of corners with as much gusto as one could muster. The GS’ powertrain soundtrack isn’t as glorious as you might expect and doesn’t come close to the noise BMW’s inline four’s produce.
It’s probably the biggest downfall of a model that makes up for noise, or lack thereof, with an absolute bucket load of useable torque in the low to mid range. The 1300cc engine produces 107kW and 149Nm, via a 6-speed gearbox and quick shifter.
The combination makes for an engaging and exciting package, perfect for carving up your favourite road. There’s a stack of riding modes, including Dynamic Pro – where we spent most of our time – as wells a host of goodies.
You’ll find cruise control, heated grips and ABS Pro among them. The control centre remains the BMW TFT screen and wonder wheel. Ergonomically the GS ticks all the right boxes too, with a comfortable and upright seating position with good reach to the bars.
Even if the rider needs to stretch, there’s the ability to tap into the adventure origins of the GS Pure and stand on the pegs – a fact we found handy towards the end of the day. Seat height is a reasonable 850mm.
At the end of my time with the 2025 BMW R 1300 GS Pure, I now fully understand all the fuss. Those folks that believe that Jesus, in-between religious feats, spent most of his time aboard a GS, may just be right.
This bike is the perfect blend for on and off road riding, offering comfort without compromise. It made such an impression that I now desire to be one of those GS riders who it would seem knew more than I did, before I did.
The 2025 BMW R 1300 GS Pure is priced from $29.978 ride away and is available in Pure White. It comes with a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty, which you can pair with three or 5-year service plans.
You can find out more on the BMW Motorrad Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership.
Our test bike was provided by BMW Motorrad Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this motorcycle.
