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BMW R 1300 GS/ GS Adventure Bigfoot: One Small Accessory That Makes a Big Difference

BMW R 1300 GSBMW R 1300 GSA
kiran kalshetty January 01, 2026


If you ride a BMW R 1300 GS/ GS Adventure, you already know one thing very clearly —
this bike is big, heavy, and built to go far.

And while BMW has engineered the R 1300 GS brilliantly for riding, there’s one area where real-world usage tells a different story:

👉 Parking a loaded 1300 GS/ GS Adventure is not always stress-free.

That’s exactly where a Bigfoot (side stand extender) comes in.

The Real Problem Nobody Talks About

On paper, the side stand works fine.
In real life?

You park on:

  • Gravel

  • Mud

  • Soft shoulders

  • Hot tarmac

  • Slopes outside cafés or fuel stations

Add:

  • Panniers

  • Top box

  • Pillion luggage

And suddenly:

  • The bike leans a lot

  • The side stand starts sinking

  • Picking the bike up feels like a workout

Most GS tip-overs don’t happen while riding —
they happen while parked.

BMW Doesn’t Offer an OEM Bigfoot (Yes, Really)

Here’s an important thing many riders don’t realise:

👉 BMW does NOT offer a factory (OEM) Bigfoot for the R 1300 GS / GSA.

You get:

  • A standard side stand

  • A small contact patch

  • Fixed lean angle

BMW assumes:

  • Ideal parking surfaces

  • No heavy luggage

  • Controlled conditions

Real-world touring doesn’t work like that.

What a Bigfoot Actually Does (Beyond “Looks”)

A Bigfoot is not a cosmetic add-on.
It solves three very real problems:

1️⃣ Prevents the Side Stand from Sinking

By increasing the contact area, the load is spread out.

  • No sinking in mud

  • No melting into hot asphalt

  • No surprises after you walk away

2️⃣ Reduces Excessive Lean Angle

This is the game-changer on the R 1300 GS.

The bike already leans a lot on the side stand.
Add luggage, and it leans even more.

A Bigfoot:

  • Slightly lifts the parked bike

  • Reduces excessive lean

  • Makes the bike feel more balanced

3️⃣ Makes a Loaded Bike Easier to Lift

This one matters more than people admit.

When the bike is:

  • Fully loaded

  • Parked on uneven ground

  • Leaning too much

Picking it up feels heavy and risky.

By reducing the lean angle:

  • Lifting the bike becomes easier

  • Mounting the bike while seated feels safer

  • Confidence goes up, especially after long rides

Machina Bigfoot for the R 1300 GS /GS Adventure

Machina approached the Bigfoot as a usability and safety upgrade, not a one-size-fits-all plate.

What Makes It Different

  • CNC-machined 6061 aluminium

  • Stainless steel clamping plate

  • Secure top + bottom clamp design

  • Zero rotation, no loosening

  • Clean edges that don’t dig into the ground

Multiple Height Options (Because Riders Are Different)

Machina offers three Bigfoot height options for the BMW R 1300 GS:

  • 10 mm – Mild lean correction, minimal change in feel

  • 16 mm – Ideal for most touring riders with luggage

  • 20 mm – For heavily loaded bikes, pillion use, or frequent soft-ground parking

This means you can:

  • Choose how upright your bike sits

  • Match the Bigfoot to your riding style

  • Avoid a “too upright” or “still too leaned” setup

Is a Bigfoot Really Necessary?

If you:

  • Tour regularly

  • Ride with luggage

  • Park on unknown surfaces

  • Mount the bike while seated

  • Have ever worried about your bike tipping

Then yes — it absolutely is.

This isn’t about off-roading.
It’s about daily usability on a big touring motorcycle.

The BMW R 1300 GS/ GS Adventure is an incredible machine.
But even the best bikes need small real-world fixes.

A Bigfoot:

  • Doesn’t make the bike faster

  • Doesn’t change how it rides

  • Doesn’t shout for attention

What it does is simple:
👉 It makes parking, lifting, and living with a heavy GS easier.

And on long tours, that matters more than most people realise.