The Truth About the BMW R1300RS | 9 Hour, 600km Honest Review

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/l... 📱 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. 😏