Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 19 hours ago
The Truth About the BMW R1300RS
I've ridden the R1300GS and the R1300RT, and I reckon the R1300RS is a better bike than both of them for most riders. Here's why.
I took the BMW R1300RS on a 600km solo ride from home to Bathurst and back, picking up my iPad from the in-laws (or did I leave it there on purpose for an excuse to ride?). This gave me 9 hours in the saddle to really test this bike on everything from highways to Mount Panorama to the twisty roads around Bathurst and Central Western NSW.
🏍️ BMW R1300RS SPECS:
• Engine: 1300cc Boxer Twin
• Power: 145 HP / 108 kW
• Torque: 149 Nm
• Weight: 237kg (wet)
• Price: $25,500 Ride Away (Base Model)
• Standard: Cruise control, rider modes, pannier racks
• Optional: Quick shifter, radar cruise control, panniers
📍 ROUTE:
• Sydney to Bathurst (300km)
• Mount Panorama lap
• Bathurst to Crookwell via Abercrombie River
• Trunkey Creek back roads
• Taralga
• 600km total / 9 hours riding
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro: Why the RS is Better
1:15 - Coffee Stop with Dave
2:30 - Reason #1: The Looks
3:45 - Riding Through Taralga
4:20 - Reason #2: Practicality
5:40 - Mount Panorama Lap
6:50 - Reason #3: It's Sporty
8:15 - Reason #4: The Handling
9:30 - Abercrombie River Crossing
10:20 - Reason #5: The Price ($25.5K)
11:45 - What I Don't Like (Screen, Seat)
13:20 - After 600km: Final Thoughts
14:30 - Outro & R1300R Teaser
💭 5 REASONS THE RS IS BETTER:
1. **Looks** - Sleek, proportioned, way better than the "dropped pie" GS
2. **Practicality** - Narrower, more versatile, works as your only bike
3. **Sporty** - Engaging riding position, feels like a sports bike
4. **Handling** - Corners like a dream, eggs you on to go faster
5. **Price** - $25.5K base vs $33.5K (GS) vs $43.5K (RT)
❌ WHAT I DON'T LIKE:
• Manual windscreen (not electronic, doesn't do much)
• Seat is firm (but not terrible)
• BMW app is ordinary
• After 600km, you'll feel it (but what bike wouldn't?)
🤔 MY VERDICT:
For most riders, the R1300RS is the sweet spot in BMW's boxer lineup. It's sporty enough for weekend blasts, comfortable enough for touring, practical enough for commuting, and $8-18K cheaper than the alternatives. At $25.5K, it's a hell of a lot of bike.
The RT is phenomenal for long-distance touring, and the GS is the adventure king, but the RS? It's the one that does everything well without breaking the bank.
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more honest motorcycle reviews!
👕 NEW MERCH - "Life is Better with Torque" T-Shirts:
https://bikertorque.com.au/products/lifes-better-with-torque-full-colour-tee
📱 FOLLOW BIKER TORQUE:
Instagram: @bikertorque
Facebook: /bikertorque
TikTok: @bikertorque
🏍️ COMING SOON:
BMW R1300R Review - I reckon it might be even better than the RS. The R series bikes are criminally underrated. Stay tuned!
#BMWR1300RS #BMWMotorrad #R1300RS #MotorcycleReview #BikerTorque #BMWBoxer #BoxerTwin #MountPanorama #Bathurst #SoloTouring #MotorcycleAdventure #BikeReview #AustralianMotorcycling #CentralWesternNSW #BMWvsGS #BMWvsRT
🏍️ BMW Motorrad Australia: https://www.bmw-motorrad.com.au/
⚠️ Disclaimer: This motorcycle was provided by [dealer/BMW Motorrad] for review purposes. All opinions are my own based on 600km of real-world riding.
GEAR I USE:
Canon R6 Mark II
Canon 15-35mm F2.8L
Canon 50mm F1.2L
Canon 85mm F1.2
DJI Mini Pro 5
GoPro 13
Rode Wireless Pro
📍 LOCATIONS FEATURED:
• Mount Panorama, Bathurst
• Taralga, NSW
• Crookwell, NSW
• Trunkey Creek
• Abercrombie River
• Central Western NSW back roads
---
Thanks for watching! Let me know in the comments - would you choose the RS, RT, or GS? And where's your favorite place to ride?
- Ross
Biker Torque
P.S. - Amber reckons I left my iPad in Bathurst on purpose just to have an excuse to ride. She might be right. 😏
The Truth About the BMW R1300RS
I've ridden the R1300GS and the R1300RT, and I reckon the R1300RS is a better bike than both of them for most riders. Here's why.
I took the BMW R1300RS on a 600km solo ride from home to Bathurst and back, picking up my iPad from the in-laws (or did I leave it there on purpose for an excuse to ride?). This gave me 9 hours in the saddle to really test this bike on everything from highways to Mount Panorama to the twisty roads around Bathurst and Central Western NSW.
🏍️ BMW R1300RS SPECS:
• Engine: 1300cc Boxer Twin
• Power: 145 HP / 108 kW
• Torque: 149 Nm
• Weight: 237kg (wet)
• Price: $25,500 Ride Away (Base Model)
• Standard: Cruise control, rider modes, pannier racks
• Optional: Quick shifter, radar cruise control, panniers
📍 ROUTE:
• Sydney to Bathurst (300km)
• Mount Panorama lap
• Bathurst to Crookwell via Abercrombie River
• Trunkey Creek back roads
• Taralga
• 600km total / 9 hours riding
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro: Why the RS is Better
1:15 - Coffee Stop with Dave
2:30 - Reason #1: The Looks
3:45 - Riding Through Taralga
4:20 - Reason #2: Practicality
5:40 - Mount Panorama Lap
6:50 - Reason #3: It's Sporty
8:15 - Reason #4: The Handling
9:30 - Abercrombie River Crossing
10:20 - Reason #5: The Price ($25.5K)
11:45 - What I Don't Like (Screen, Seat)
13:20 - After 600km: Final Thoughts
14:30 - Outro & R1300R Teaser
💭 5 REASONS THE RS IS BETTER:
1. **Looks** - Sleek, proportioned, way better than the "dropped pie" GS
2. **Practicality** - Narrower, more versatile, works as your only bike
3. **Sporty** - Engaging riding position, feels like a sports bike
4. **Handling** - Corners like a dream, eggs you on to go faster
5. **Price** - $25.5K base vs $33.5K (GS) vs $43.5K (RT)
❌ WHAT I DON'T LIKE:
• Manual windscreen (not electronic, doesn't do much)
• Seat is firm (but not terrible)
• BMW app is ordinary
• After 600km, you'll feel it (but what bike wouldn't?)
🤔 MY VERDICT:
For most riders, the R1300RS is the sweet spot in BMW's boxer lineup. It's sporty enough for weekend blasts, comfortable enough for touring, practical enough for commuting, and $8-18K cheaper than the alternatives. At $25.5K, it's a hell of a lot of bike.
The RT is phenomenal for long-distance touring, and the GS is the adventure king, but the RS? It's the one that does everything well without breaking the bank.
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more honest motorcycle reviews!
👕 NEW MERCH - "Life is Better with Torque" T-Shirts:
https://bikertorque.com.au/products/lifes-better-with-torque-full-colour-tee
📱 FOLLOW BIKER TORQUE:
Instagram: @bikertorque
Facebook: /bikertorque
TikTok: @bikertorque
🏍️ COMING SOON:
BMW R1300R Review - I reckon it might be even better than the RS. The R series bikes are criminally underrated. Stay tuned!
#BMWR1300RS #BMWMotorrad #R1300RS #MotorcycleReview #BikerTorque #BMWBoxer #BoxerTwin #MountPanorama #Bathurst #SoloTouring #MotorcycleAdventure #BikeReview #AustralianMotorcycling #CentralWesternNSW #BMWvsGS #BMWvsRT
🏍️ BMW Motorrad Australia: https://www.bmw-motorrad.com.au/
⚠️ Disclaimer: This motorcycle was provided by [dealer/BMW Motorrad] for review purposes. All opinions are my own based on 600km of real-world riding.
GEAR I USE:
Canon R6 Mark II
Canon 15-35mm F2.8L
Canon 50mm F1.2L
Canon 85mm F1.2
DJI Mini Pro 5
GoPro 13
Rode Wireless Pro
📍 LOCATIONS FEATURED:
• Mount Panorama, Bathurst
• Taralga, NSW
• Crookwell, NSW
• Trunkey Creek
• Abercrombie River
• Central Western NSW back roads
---
Thanks for watching! Let me know in the comments - would you choose the RS, RT, or GS? And where's your favorite place to ride?
- Ross
Biker Torque
P.S. - Amber reckons I left my iPad in Bathurst on purpose just to have an excuse to ride. She might be right. 😏
