New BMW R1300GS on the way
New test mules and trademarks point towards new engine for GS
BMW have been spotted testing a new version of the GS which, combined with some recent trademark applications, suggest a new engine is on the horizon. We’ve believed that BMW were working on a new bike and engine update for some time, and last year trademark filings emerged for a M1300GS which, as well as nodding towards the high-performance range of M vehicles as seen with the recent M1000RR, also suggests a change to the engine. The machine was spotted at an off-road centre where BMW offers training.
Although the bike was heavily disguised, there were clear changes to the engine, including a new front engine cover, suggesting big changes to the bottom-end of the engine. The cylinders were also shrouded and the bike was fitted with much larger radiators, suggesting the new engine has increased water cooling.
The current 1250 ShiftCam engine, although considered watercooled, actually only uses selective watercooling for particularly hot parts of the top-end. The cylinders themselves have remained air-cooled throughout, hence why they are still so heavily finned. Wrapping the cylinder in a waterjacket will have a couple of advantages, namely finer control over the combustion environment for reduced emissions while also offering sound insulation,
‘BMW filed a trademark for an M1300GS’
both things that will be under tighter control for Euro 5B, which is expected in the not too distant future. Although we’ve had nothing official, we’re not expecting a new bike to debut until 2022 at the absolute earliest.