HAVING been running BMW’s F850GS as a long termer since July, I’m well placed to compliment, and criticise it.
It’s great, lightweight, and knows its way around a trail or two. But where it falls short is on the motorway, with a tiny screen that leaves you exposed to buffeting and a fuel range far inferior to that of the grown-up GSes.
But BMW look to have solved those issues with the reveal of the new F850GS Adventure. Based on the dynamic F850GS platform – a steel bridge frame and 95hp 853cc parallel twin powertrain, making torque of 92 Nm at 6,250rpm – it promises to better the base bike in both off-road competence and long-distance capability.
The design is dramatically different to the F850GS, with a rally-reminiscent stance, eye-catching graphics and all-consuming engine bars. This is a bike that means business.
A larger, two-stage adjustable windscreen promises to diminish the deafening buffeting the base model brings, while a 23-litre fuel tank will allow a range of up to 340 miles (550 kilometres).
Off-road, wide enduro footpegs and adjustable gear shift and foot brake levers (hallelujah!) will make the Adventure a hell of a lot easier to ride, and the aforementioned engine protection bars and a stainless steel luggage rack will reduce the damage dropping it does.
As with the F850, the model features ABS, ASC and the riding modes ‘Rain’ and ‘Road’ as standard, with the optional upgrade to Riding modes Pro, which comprises ABS Pro, BMW’s dynamic brake light, DTC and the new riding modes ‘Dynamic’, ‘Enduro’ and ‘Enduro Pro’ (with switchable ABS).
A new LED headlight is standard, while Dynamic ESA, BMW’s 6.5-inch TFT dash and emergency call function are all options. It will be available in the base colour and Exclusive and Rallye style variations
Combined with the capable new 853cc powertrain, the GS Adventure’s performance-enhancing spec and awesome looks could earn the bike the top spot in the middleweight adventure market. However, with the likes of Yamaha’s Tenere World Raid, and KTM’s 790 Adventure R also debuting at EICMA, the competition is tough.
