THE SHIFT-CAM MOTOR The new 1300cc shift-cam engine that first appeared in the adventure-touring GS model is powerful; more powerful than the 1250 for sure. It’ s grunty too, but not ridiculously so. Having owned a 1250GS, I keep debating if the new 1300 is a better engine overall. I still can’ t quite decide, they’ re quite different. Naturally, the RS’ engine is smooth, quick and effortless with mountains of torque, 149Nm at 6250pm to be exact. Horsepower peaks at 145hp, 1500 hundred revs later than on the 1250. BMW says the 1300 will go from zero to 100 km / h in 3.3 seconds which is really quite fast- for anything, let alone a sports tourer. I’ m not sure this is particularly relevant to the average rider … I’ m thinking the 80km / h
to 120km / h to 100km / h waft time in sixth( top) gear( for ease of passing) would be more pertinent, certainly for us Kiwis. And it is excellent at that. Really, the numbers don’ t actually matter, because we all know the 1300 will be plenty capable. It’ s the quick, safe pass and back to non-upsetting Mr Plod speed that matters in our current policing environment. That and the effortless engine response that makes for relaxing mile-eating days. This last part is where the 1300 is not quite as nice as the 1250 predecessor. Yes, it feels a little quicker with a little more punch in the lower mid-range. But somehow it does not feel quite as smooth to me. Where the 1250 was absolutely silky smooth, the 1300 has more of a‘ big bore’ feel
52 KIWI RIDER