Holloway ratings
Four separate scores, not one blended number, so you can see what's actually driving it.
Full specs
Will your feet reach?
The BMW R 1300 GS Adventure has a 890mm seat. Enter your inside leg for a rough idea of how much foot you'll get down when stopped.
A rough guide only. A wide seat needs more leg than a narrow one, the suspension settles 20 to 40mm under you, and boots add a little. Many bikes offer a low seat or lowering link. Sit on one before you buy.
Range against similar bikes
Real-world range from tank size and typical economy, against the bikes closest to it in weight and type. Out on the lanes, fuel stops are often further apart than on a road ride.
Range only. Hard off-road riding and headwinds use more fuel, so plan fuel stops with margin.
Tyres that fit the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure
It runs a 120/70-19 front and a 170/60-17 rear, on Metzeler Tourance Next 2 from the factory. 28 tyres in our Tyre Finder are made in at least one of those sizes, ranked by green lane score.
Sizes are for the standard UK model and can change between model years. Check the size on your own tyre sidewall, and ask your dealer before fitting a different size. Our size lists come from maker and retailer listings and can miss sizes, so a tyre shown for one end may still be made in your other size. Check the maker's size chart.
Compare the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure
What we actually found
Owners praise this machine as an unmatched long-distance overland tourer, with riders regularly achieving 350+ miles from its massive 30-litre tank in complete comfort. When it comes to green laning, however, owners agree that its 269kg bulk, wide tank, and tall seat make narrow, muddy single-tracks virtually unmanageable solo, it's built for open gravel plains and fire roads rather than tight UK lanes.
Pros for green laning
- Massive exploration range: the 30-litre fuel tank provides 350+ miles of range, allowing multiple days of remote lane exploration without refuelling.
- Upgraded suspension travel: fitted with longer travel (210mm front / 220mm rear) compared to the standard GS, offering increased bottoming resistance over dips.
- Extensive factory armor: broad tank crash rails and heavy-duty frame mounting points provide robust side impact deflection in low-speed spills.
- Enduro Pro customisation: highly configurable engine braking, dynamic traction control, and rear-wheel lockup control tailored for heavy off-road use.
Cons and limitations
- Massive bulk and weight: at 269kg fully fuelled, it is too heavy and wide for solo riding on technical, muddy, or heavily rutted UK green lanes.
- Wide overall profile: the broad 30-litre tank and wide crash bars make tight trail passages, overgrown brush, and narrow wooden bridleway gates difficult to squeeze through.
- Tall 890mm seat height: combined with the wide seat base, planting feet firmly on off-camber loose ground requires long legs and advanced balance.
- Road-biased wheel sizes: 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels limit grip options in deep mud compared to 21"/18" setups.
Based on manufacturer specifications and independent motorcycle press reviews.
Find where to actually ride it
Browse legal green lanes and byways across England and Wales, filtered by difficulty, on Holloway's map.
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