2025 BMW R1300GS I bought this spring. I tried to buy a base model but the only one I could find was in AZ. All the dealers said they don't stock the base because no one wants them (except for me). My dealer said he could order one but it'd likely take 4 months. Being the good salesman he is he said "with current BMW incentives I can sell you this leftover 2025 GS that lists for $27K for $22K which is what a 2026 base would cost. No changes for 2026 other than color so I bought it, not wanting most of the stuff but figuring I could just turn it all off in the menu, and it might maintain resale better.

Some of the stuff I didn't want was "following cruise control", I want it to maintain the speed I set not follow slower traffic. Following cruise can be disabled through the cumbersome menu system but defaults back at each start up. Didn't want the "feature" that lowers the motorcycle when it goes slow or stop, and raises it back at speed. I couldn't turn off the auto lowering completely but was able to set it to only activate when the stand is lowered rather than when going slow. Unfortunately sometimes it accents gets turned back on when I'm stumbling through various screens. Heated grips and seat are also clumsily controlled by toggling through the menu screens. Want to reset the trip odometers at fill up? No button for that it's buried in the menu somewhere, I just gave up trying to even find it. Can't apply just the front or rear brake because they are linked and the computer decides what ratio of front and rear to apply. Want to turn off traction control so you can make it up a steep gravel road? No button for that it's back to scrolling through the screen to get to the applicable menu for that too. Adjust the suspension? That's done through the various modes and menu with names like Dynamic, Road, Rain, Enduro, Enduro Pro, etc. which also affect the throttling.

I've been trying my best to learn the complicated menu system so I don't have to pull off the road to find where to do something like turn on the heated handgrips. TBH I'm kicking myself now for buying it because to me the complex electronics, braking system, and menu driven display, suspension, etc, ruins an otherwise nice motorcycle.

It's starting to sound like a 2 wheel car.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
It's starting to sound like a 2 wheel car.

Yeah or a 2-wheel laptop.

To each his own I guess because the primary reason I upgraded from a 1250GSA to my 1300GSA is because of the tech. Adaptive Cruise is awesome especially when you're stuck in slow moving traffic so no more engaging/disengaging cruise control as traffic speeds up or slows down. Adaptive height is also awesome especially for the vertically challenged which fortunately Im am not but its still a great feature especially when putting the bike on the center stand. Toggling through the various menus is easy once you get used to them. I like the power windscreen and the bump in hp/torque over my 1250GSA is much appreciated.

I recognize most of the problems I have with the bike are not shared by many or most owners. If I commuted or often rode in lot's of slower traffic that I wanted to follow behind I'd probably appreciate following cruise, but I almost never ride in those conditions. But FFS let us press a button or touch the display to reset the trip odometer, power heated grips, seat, cruise modes, traction control, etc, instead of having to scroll through fucking menus.

Do you like having brakes linked F to B and B to F with proportioning controlled by the computer? What ride mode do you generally use?

I wonder how many wrecks are caused by people looking at screens trying to navigate through menus to adjust settings while driving instead of reaching for physical knobs and buttons while keeping their eyes on the road. It's not just a problem on bikes....new cars are full of that crap, too.

Linking the front and rear brake is stupid, too. I've only been back on two wheels for a few weeks, but I've already found situations where I only want to apply the rear. Gently braking on gravel, or starting on a hill. And if I want both, I apply both...what's so hard about that? My son's 82 Goldwing has the front and rear linked... actually, it has two front disks and calipers. One side is applied solo with the front brake lever (why you'd ever want to do that I don't know) and the other is actuated by the rear brake pedal, so when you press that you get both front and rear brake....there's no way to get just the rear. It's unwanted and adds complexity, and being an older bike we've already had to work through some maintenance stuff with it. I'm not a fan.

I also don't like following cruise control. A friend's Yukon has it, and that thing brakes randomly when it shouldn't in Chicago traffic, and it's scary as hell. One, I think it breeds complacency, and two it behaves in an unpredictable manner that other drivers can't anticipate and could actually contribute to a crash. If I'm in traffic, especially on a bike, I want to be the one to choose when my brakes go on every time...not the computer, or the guy in front of me. Because it isn't going to matter who's legally at fault when I get run over by that semi behind me because the bike slammed on the brakes inside of his stopping envelope.

I'm not a fan of any driving aid that takes control of the vehicle away from the driver. It's bad enough on cars, but we live in a society that largely treats those like an appliance and most who operate them have no interest in driving apart from a way to get from A to B. A bike is something you ride because the actual act of riding is fun, and that soulless appliance tech has no place on one.

Completely stupid on a motorcycle. The last thing you need is any kind of distraction via menu doom scrolling. Especially if you are doing real riding around corners, quickly, on pavement, or taking it off-road.

I would look into flashing the ECU if it’s possible. The forum for the bike may have some answers. If not, I’d be annoyed as well and be looking at replacing it with something else.

They’ve added all this bullshit to try and get new riders (Gen Z in other words) who are hooked on “tech” like crack addicts. I’m glad all of my bikes are my right wrist that controls traction control. They have ride by wire for the throttle but they’ve been flashed and mapped.

I bought a new car this year, I’m still turning off as much of the tech as I can, after I find what I’m looking for in the online owners manual.

quote:

I wonder how many wrecks are caused by people looking at screens trying to navigate through menus to adjust settings while driving instead of reaching for physical knobs and buttons while keeping their eyes on the road. It's not just a problem on bikes....new cars are full of that crap, too.

My sentiments exactly. The RAV is bad but at least the most commonly used controls are buttons.

The F250 is HORRIBLE. And it's a base model XLT. I can't even imagine the crap on a Platinum or King Ranch. Yeesh.

I've actually had to pull over and stop while I scroll through a bunch of shit to find out how to reset the odometer or somesuch. Pain in the ass.

My old Yamaha FJ09 had useful tech like ABS, ride modes and traction control and all the useful, often-adjusted stuff was readily available and greatly appreciated. Once I flashed the ECU to eliminate the top speed lockout and default to "hooligan mode" on start-up I had zero complaints about it.

quote:

Originally posted by Prefontaine:
Completely stupid on a motorcycle. The last thing you need is any kind of distraction via menu doom scrolling. Especially if you are doing real riding around corners, quickly, on pavement, or taking it off-road.

I would look into flashing the ECU if it’s possible.....

Not too long after I bought it as I was approaching some cars on an interstate I notice my speed had dropped from set 78 to around 70 and it started braking as I was starting to shift to the passing lane so I'm now giving throttle to override it. Meanwhile the car I had passed earlier at 78 was coming up in the passing lane probably wondering why I'm driving so erratically. Once I pass and move back over I start fiddling with the various buttons and "wonder wheel" trying to find the screen with cruise control to uncheck the box for following control while also looking up to stay on the road. I thought this is too dangerous so I just shut cruise off completely.
There is a way to assign up to two (I believe) functions to a shortcut button say windshield and heated grips, or heated grips and following cruise, etc. I need to study the manual more to learn how best bring up the stuff I want to use or disable.

I've not heard of any service that goes into the ECM to delete some of this or change the defaults. At the first service I asked a mechanic at the dealer if they could disable the quick shifter when they had it connected to the computer and he said it would be more involved than that. If I could disable the radar function that would kill following control but Lord knows what the computer would do? Probably trigger all kinds of warning lights and put the engine in limp mode.

The Africa Twin 1100 I had was almost as bad having to navigate through screens to find functions. One time I came to a stop when trying to go up a steep road that the State had just dumped about 4" of stone on. I was giving more throttle but the computers traction control was braking and cutting power. I was able to get turned around and rode back down, fooled around in the menu finding traction control, set it to minimum (there was no off) and tried again. Nope, made it further but it still cut the power. Went back down and got the huge manual out and found that if I held the button while TC was on minimum it would turn it off completely. Did that and made it up but it was still cutting power or braking just not as much. Someone later asked "did you disable wheelie control"? I said no. He said you have to disable wheelie control too because that cuts power when the wheel is spinning.

The combination of so many functions controlled through cumbersome menus, snatchy throttle, and engine heat was enough for me to sell that bike.

Showing my age, but: Motorcycle = Turn signal switch and Horn button. Maybe a steering damper.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Showing my age, but: Motorcycle = Turn signal switch and Horn button.

I'm ok with that, maybe add a start button though.

I left off the Headlight High Beam switch. My last bike had a switch for the factory installed Driving Light.

quote:

Some of the stuff I didn't want was "following cruise control", I want it to maintain the speed I set not follow slower traffic.

Isn't this called "crash"?

It's taken me a moment to adjust to auto-cruise on a newer car, but in traffic it's great. Even better for me is times I'm on a two-lane road where there won't be a passing area for miles, if ever, and behind a car varying from 45-65 on a 55MPH road. Way less stressful than moderating to their insanity myself.....

Been looking at BMW cars for a few months now to replace my 9yo bmw. Uuuggh. Driving modes…embedded in touchscreen. Climate controls…touchscreen. Auto shut off…again embedded. “But you can use voice commands…”

Sigh.

I always pulled off to make a change in my computerized BMW K1600GT. I carried the user manual also.

You may if not already on the R-bike forum want to inquire of the experts there.

My ride is a 2015 Kawasaki 650. The tech is minimal, with ABS braking and electronic engine control. The display has 2 buttons to scroll through trip odometer, mpg avg, or instantaneous mpg displayed in one corner.

I had to have the ECU flashed to get rid of throttle sensitivity. Especially when rolling off throttle, the factory program went into fuel cutoff which was very herky jerky. The drivetrain is now excellent.

I would like to try something different to ride, but the tech is a big deterrent. I'm with Johnny that all a bike needs is throttle, turn signal, and horn.

My 2 yr old SUV has the radar following cruise control. There are a few places where it always mistakes something at a freeway exit as an obstacle and hits the brakes for no good reason. On a bike it could cause a disaster.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:

Showing my age, but: Motorcycle = Turn signal switch and Horn button.

I'm ok with that, maybe add a start button though.

Start button? Definitely not needed!

Scrolling menus isn't fun especially when you haven't memorized all the steps in a car, much less a motorcycle while riding...

The HD menu is embedded in the infotainment system, not voice activated, spent a bit of time setting up things and haven't noticed it changed anything on updates so far. The basic audio functions, and bringing up the map from GPS is simple. Putting in directions is a pain though, it's basically useless..

I run a Cardo headset now with BT to the Phone so music, gps instructions comm to other headsets is all voice activated.

Zee Germans have a way of overengineering things and complicating them, you just have to spend time this winter sitting on it in the garage playing with everything to get it right, then, forgetting it by the time spring comes around LOL

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:

quote:

Some of the stuff I didn't want was "following cruise control", I want it to maintain the speed I set not follow slower traffic.

Isn't this called "crash"?

It's taken me a moment to adjust to auto-cruise on a newer car, but in traffic it's great. Even better for me is times I'm on a two-lane road where there won't be a passing area for miles, if ever, and behind a car varying from 45-65 on a 55MPH road. Way less stressful than moderating to their insanity myself.....

No as you approach the car ahead you shift to the passing lane and overtake w/o slowing down, same as driving without cruise only you don't have to manipulate the throttle to hold speed. It's funny but more and more I see cars following right behind a slow truck up a mountain then speed back up with it on level or down hill.

Oh I can see its usefulness for driving in heavy traffic in a car with automatic transmission. It can stop when traffic stops and just follow along when it moves. But it's very seldom I'm ever in traffic like that on a motorcycle. All I'm wanting is the ability to disable following control in the menu to make cruise control be the default. I did this on both my car and truck which was a snap to do. On this bike it's cumbersome to do and you have to do it again every time the bike is started which is really annoying.