2025 Acko Drive Awards: BMW R 1300 GS Wins The Premium ADV Motorcycle Of The Year

There are adventure motorcycles and then there is the BMW GS. It is revered and loved by all for decades. And the recipe is just further enhanced with the arrival of the latest-gen big daddy GS of them all: the R 1300 GS, which takes home the TOTM for the Premium ADV Motorcycle of the Year. 

With the R 1300 GS, BMW has done some serious work. It is significantly lighter than before, the chassis has been stiffened in areas, the suspension is optimised and the electronic damping works like a charm. All of these make this behemoth tango like never before. And the firepower on hand allows it to humiliate a few sportbikes as well. 

All of this is packaged in a new, sleek and yet functional look. The cross-face symmetrical look does make it more welcoming, and the Trophy edition colours are just wow! However, it is still tall to hop on, 230+ kilos is not light by any means, and the moment you notice the two large cylinders jutting out, there is some form of respect and intimidation that the bike evokes. We rode the bike briefly in the Himalayas, and came back excited. And it continued to be just as impressive around the Buddh International Circuit. 

For the GS to win the category award, it faced competition from its own smaller sibling the F 900 GS/GS Adventure, the Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE, the Triumph Tiger 900s and the Aprilia Tuareg 660. What sealed the deal for the large GS is that it continues to be the benchmark BIG ADV that other manufacturers aim to beat and enthusiasts continue to love.