For some it’s the pinnacle of adventure; the new GSA has been announced. The brutalist appearance is disruptive and polarizing. The list of electronic rider aids is extensive; automatic lowering suspension, automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, headlight Pro, internally lighted luggage, and more. Is this the ultimate or just the latest example of feature creep? Let me know your thoughts. https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/en/models/adventure/r1300gs-adventure.html
For me this is a pass. BMW likes to tout the GSA for off-roading but in reality this is a touring bike. The electronic innovations are only aimed at highway cruising. I want less rider aids not more. Judging it’s industrial design; I’m not sure what that front square-ish cover is accomplishing. Maybe it’s supposed to resemble the aluminum side cases? BMW does make excellent bikes for the road. Their refinement and performance is some of the best I have ridden. But they fail to excel in the dirt. Over weight, over complicated, and overpriced. All without allowing the rider to adjust suspension beyond preset road, off-road, and enduro modes. If I need to adjust the rear rebound damping rate on a $30k motorcycle I think I should be able to. I have no doubt this is a wonderful machine. It’s just not the right tool for me.