A man, a kangaroo and a 2026 BMW R 1300 GS Adventure

There’s nothing better than taking delivery of your dream bike. It’s a special moment in one’s life, filled with joyous excitement for the adventures that lay ahead. That’s particularly so when the machine is an Option 719 BMW R 1300 GS Adventure.

A grin from ear-to-ear adorned this writer’s average looking melon as he took possession at Worthington’s Motorcycles on the NSW Central Coast. The culmination of just over two years of planning and riding a hell of a lot of motorcycles, it was a special day.

Having been a long time Harley-Davidson owner, it was also the first time I’d choose a bike outside that stable. With a group of humans referred to loosely as mates, the sports touring/adventure bike path was chosen.

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The choice came down to the S 1000 XR, R 1300 GS and the bike I eventually chose. A demonstrator bike fitted with automated shift assist, a top box for touring, and less than 2000km on the clock, was the winner.

After a few obligatory happy snaps with the new wheels, it was time to hit the road. As the title might imply, you can probably guess all did not go to plan. The first ride was a journey of happiness and wonderment.

Two days later, we were ready to take down the Putty Road loop. Pairing my Cardo comms setup to the Chigee infotainment screen I’d installed on the GS Adventure, we were nearly ready to rock and roll.

There were heating options to be adjusted, and an electric windscreen placement to have a giggle with, but we were quickly sorted. We met up at around 7am, wearing enough warm gear for an Atlantic exploration mission.

The first leg of the ride would start with a leisurely jaunt out through Yarramalong on the NSW Central Coast, before heading up Bumble Hill, darting through Kulnurra and making our way to our first destination, the Trading Post Cafe at Laguna.

For context, this is a route we do regularly, that’s perfect for bike testing. It offers an abundance of corners, tight switchbacks and sweeping bends, as well as a variety of road surfaces designed to give the suspension a good shake down.

It’s not unusual to spot the odd bit of wildlife, especially in low lying areas early in the early morning. Our riding group is vigilant, communicating through our headsets when we spot anything as we scoot along at the posted speed limit.

One of the things I like most about my GS Adventure (GS-A) Option 719 is the patriotic green and gold colour scheme, it’s very Australian. Unfortunately, it was probably one of the characteristics that brings this story to a less than ideal climax.

About five minutes out of Laguna things came unstuck. A kangaroo leapt off a rock ledge, bounced into the lane and then banged into my shiny GS-A. Surely the colour scheme of the bike aroused Skippy enough that it wanted to hug the front of the motorcycle.

They say love hurts, and unfortunately for him, it did more than that. It was a case of motorcycle “one”, kangaroo “zero” as he lost his life in the impact (a sad thing for poor old Skippy). I was impressed with how the GS-A handled the impact though.

Sure, there is heaps of damage, and an abhorrent amount of roo poo and guts that engulfed the motorcycle (and the smell that goes with it), but it held a straight line and showed no signs of going over onto its side during the accident.

I can understand how this bike got its Rhino nickname, and am certainly more than thankful I was wearing the correct safety gear. Muck is easy to clean off, and being able to walk away from such an incident is a testament to both the machine and my equipment.

The Cardo needs a special mention too. Like many I have always thought of this device as a nice to have, a setup that’s good for music, calls and chatting with your mates. That’s changed. The lead rider in our crew heard the impact through the headset.

That, and my subsequent update, meant the group could quickly turn around and provide assistance. After a quick meeting by the side of the road that determined the BMW was no longer rideable, it was onto the insurance company straight away to arrange a tow.

Soon enough, the not so new GS-A was loaded onto the back of a tilt tray, and was off to be assessed. While we wait for the bike to be repaired, and for the return of our 2026 BMW R 1300 GS Adventure Option 719, there is a silver lining.

This writer wasn’t hurt and received no injuries. Despite an emotional connection to my new machine, it can be replaced, at the end of the day, and I for one am glad I could get home to my wife and kids, unscathed, if not a little shaken up..