I wanted to share a few key takeaways from my recent experience riding the BMW R1300GS with the Automatic Shift Assistant (ASA) on tour — both to say thank you for offering this bike and to provide some insights that may help future renters make the most of it.

First Impressions: Learning Curve & Quick Adaptation

Jumping on a motorcycle without a clutch takes a minute to adjust. In Athens, Milko and Freddie got a good laugh watching me instinctively reach for the left-hand clutch lever — which, of course, isn’t there. That said, after about an hour of riding, I felt completely comfortable.
Tip for new riders: Remind them not to rev the throttle from a stop — since the bike is already in gear, it will launch forward immediately. I was fortunate to have seen a YouTube video that explained this, but a quick heads-up during bike handoff could be a big help.

Ride Modes Summary

• Eco Mode – Honestly, this mode felt unnecessary. No one’s trying to save gas on a tour, and the reduced performance wasn’t worth it.
• Rain Mode – Exceptionally helpful in wet or slippery conditions. We rode several roads in Greece that felt slick even without rain, and with Rain Mode on, the bike delivered solid grip and confidence. The only minor tradeoff was needing a bit more throttle to exit tight 180º turns due to the reduced power curve.
• Road Mode – My default for the first 8 days. Smooth and predictable. Manual shifting was excellent. With automatic shifting, though, the system often opted for higher gears and lower RPMs, which could leave you underpowered exiting sharp corners. Fuel efficiency was noticeably better — around 10–20% more than in Dynamic Mode — but at the cost of throttle responsiveness.
• Dynamic Mode – This was the mode. From day 9 on, I never switched back. The bike held higher revs and was always in the right gear when using automatic shifting. Power delivery was consistent, responsive, and confidence-inspiring.

Braking & Downshifting – ASA at Its Best

The front brake lever becomes the real control hub with the ASA. As you brake, the bike downshifts automatically and accurately for the corner or stop ahead. It’s seamless. The brake hold feature at stops worked great, and the system released it intelligently — eliminating the feeling of dragging or fighting the clutch that sometimes happens on the standard GS when trying to pull away from a stop.

Parking Notes – Important Safety Tip

One quirk to be aware of: if the brake hold is engaged and you get off the bike, it will automatically disengage after 20–30 seconds if the engine is off. I had the bike on a slight decline when this happened, and it rolled forward just enough to lose the kickstand. Thankfully, we caught it before it hit the ground.
Suggestion: When parking, ensure the bike is either on level ground or firmly clicked into gear after disabling brake hold. It’s a small adjustment, but worth noting to avoid mishaps.

I also noticed the bike occasionally slipped into neutral on its own when turning the bike’s power button on. I was fully in control each time, but riders new to the system might find that surprising.

Final Thoughts – My Honest Take

The Good

• This bike was incredibly easy to control in technical conditions and tight turns — far more so than a clutch bike.
• Riding two-up with my wife, I never once felt out of control or unsure of the bike’s handling.
• I would confidently recommend the ASA GS to anyone doing a technical or mountainous tour. It’s smoother, safer, and simply more enjoyable.

The Only Drawback

• BMW’s kickstand design: it's positioned too low and causes the bike to lean excessively. This makes lifting it upright — especially on uneven roadside terrain — a challenge unless you're tall or strong. That’s a BMW design issue, not an ASA one, but worth noting.

In short, I loved this bike — and I’m so glad you had it available to rent. Had I done the same Greece tour on a BMW RT, I suspect I might have gone down once or twice. On the ASA GS, I didn’t even come close. In fact, I’ve already called my local BMW dealer to get one for myself.