GS Model names leaked … new RSs to follow?

[Grumpy Goat]

Even if a new 1300cc RS comes out, I doubt I would ever consider upgrading. I am likely to keep my 2016 RS for as long as I ride. I don't do enough miles in a year to wear out the bike. Especially as I own another bike.

I feel the same way as you on this, but I have learned to never say "never". My R1200RS is my first BMW and my little story of how I got it on the "rebound" after initially lusting for an S1000XR, and then not loving the RS even after buying it, then falling in love with it after the first long trip, etc. makes me feel like this is one to keep "forever". I even have my second bike to help keep the miles off the RS, to that end.

While I liked the R1250RS and the ShiftCAM engine, as I remarked in my test ride video 2+ years ago, there is likely a snowball's chance in hell that I would change my 1200 to a bigger engine all other features being more or less the same. I certainly would not do it for the 1250 engine and the TFT screen. The RS would have to dramatically change for me to change mine out, and the question therefore for me is whether any 1300 / 1400 RS would be that different aside from the engine.

If I do need another bike due to some calamity and I have insurance money to spend, there are so many good bikes in Europe in the sub £12000 ($15600) category. Honda & Suzuki have recently launched new sport tourers to compete with the Yamaha Tracer & Kawasaki Z1000 Ninja. Then there are some lovely bikes from Triumph and Moto Guzzi (although the V100 is edging towards premium pricing). BMW's offerings in this sector are there but pretty dull in comparison.

I know you guys in Europe are so spoiled for choice ... it is like I live in the bloody desert when it comes to motorcycles I like. Over here, the focus is on cruisers of which I have zero to almost negative interest. In the UK you get to choose so many models we'd likely never see here, and you have hit the nail right on the head. The Tracer is a great example of that. I watched vids of the Tracer GT in the UK before it even came to the US and thought it looked like a great bike. So when it finally came here and I had the opportunity to pick one up I did and am pleased overall.

The apparent [potential?] resurgence of the non-adventure style sport tourer genre (again especially over the pond) and the offerings from Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha all put pressure on the RS. For me, BMW has to offer up something more than just a bigger engine to ensure the sales success of its premium non-adventure sport tourer.

On paper so far, the V100 Mandello is one of these likely premium bikes that I would shell out the cash for because it appeals to my right brain. That said, I have not seen any photos of it with matching panniers, which it would need to make it a sport tourer to compete with the RS.