2019 BMW F 850 GSA launch review

It wasn’t hard to work out who the orphan was on the recent BMW Motorrad launch to showcase its updated range of Boxer-engined hardware – the F 850 GS Adventure.

With a parallel-twin engine configuration, the machine stood out like a sore thumb compared to the hulking Boxer engines in the R 1250 RT, R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure – but certainly not in a bad way like a misbehaving uncle at a family wedding.

In fact, the 850’s body of work was impeccable, which we expected after sampling the updated F 850 GS at the of 2018.

Like the Boxers, BMW’s middleweight adventure bikes have also come in for a capacity hike in their latest guises, which has certainly been a boon for performance – but the 850 equation is now much more than that.

In terms of spec, the 850s are now on the same wave and technology length as the Boxers, so the difference these days comes down to if you want to go down the lither route of the 850s and the more muscle and brawn of the Boxers.

So how does the F 850 GS Adventure (or 850 GSA) take the F 850 GS just that little bit further? BMW’s new – and excellent – 6.5-inch full connectivity TFT screen is standard, for a start, and it’s also fitted with a monster 23-litre fuel tank which will get you round 500km between fuel stops. It also has a taller, height-adjustable touring screen, as well as stainless steel luggage rack.

The TFT screen gives the rider quick access to vehicle and connectivity functions, and you can also make telephone calls or listen to music while on the road. BMW also has a multi-platform App that offers arrow navigation directly via the TFT display – not the full navigator experience, but certainly a viable second option if you haven’t got the real thing.

There are five versions of the model:
1. F 850 GSA in Ice Grey, priced at $19,290;
2. F 850 GSA Rallye in Lupin Blue Metallic with sport windshield and rallye seat, priced at $19,765;
3. F 850 GSA Rallye X, which includes the Dynamic Package and Lights Package as well as Dynamic ESA, HP Exhaust, navigation preparation, tyre pressure monitoring and off-road tyres, priced at $24,165;
4. F 850 GSA Tour, which includes the Dynamic Package and Lights Package, and the Comfort Package and Touring Package, as well as the Granite Grey Metallic colour, priced at $24.164; and
5. F 850 GSA Low Suspension, which includes keyless ride, navigation preparation, suspension lowering kit, tyre pressure monitoring, and the luggage grid with pannier fastenings. It can be optioned up with the Dynamic Package and Lights Package. Priced at $21,040.

For more information on all the new F 850 GSA range has to offer, including features, options and accessories, click here.

Bikesales rode the Rallye X version of the F 850 GSA at the initial Boxer launch, and then an optioned-up base F 850 GSA at the just completed 25th anniversary BMW Safari. So we’re talking features like ‘Pro’ riding modes – highlighted as ‘Dynamic’ and Enduro Pro’ on the TFT screen – as well as the bi-directional quickshifter and full LED lighting.

Let’s get riding, then… First and foremost, you will have to find an extra spring in your step to climb aboard the 850 GSA compared to the 850 GS: the seat height is 15mm higher at 875mm, although suspension travel remains the same.

The larger fuel tank on the F 850 GSA also makes it feel more bulbous than the F 850 GS, but otherwise they feel and behave very much the same. Sure, there’s an extra 15kg to contend with – and you’d probably feel that if you started the day off with some tight, tree-hugging singe trail – but that soon dissipates as the speeds rise.

BMW’s refrain is that the new 850s are the most off-road focussed machines in its adventure arsenal, and they really are. The blend of weight, performance, handling, all-round useability and an enhanced suite of features make sure of that. And that’s not an indictment on the R 1250 GSs, but instead a direct reflection of how much the 850s have improved from the old F 800 GS range. A paradigm shift, as BMW calls it.

The sit-in feel of the new F 850 GSs is a real winner in my books – while still allowing plenty of fore and aft movement – and the cockpit just feels comfortable from the get-go.

Our ride on the Rallye X was predominantly off-road, so it was more about making use of the engine’s lower basement as we chugged along in the Enduro Pro setting which automatically deactivates ABS from the rear and also allows the rider to individually tailor the throttle response and traction control.

Power delivery from the ride-by-wire throttle is crisp without being snatchy, the fuelling is spot on, and short-shifting is a great way of keeping things tidy. And if you want to punch out lots of kays in the bush, poise, traction and confidence are everything – and the F 850 GSA provides that, with the new 43mm upside-down fork the standout.

The F 850 GS has a monocoque frame, replacing the old tubular steel design. The fuel tank has also been repositioned from beneath the seat to a more traditional spot between the seat and the steering head.

The engine is also vibe-free, thanks to two balance shafts, while the quickshifter came in very handy on the Rallye X, especially in tighter terrain. It’s not too sensitive either – great with sturdier motocross boots.

BMW claims peaks of 95hp at 8250rpm and 92Nm at 6250rpm for the F 850 GSs. That torque figure is class leading – ahead of the Tiger 800 XC and the new KTM 790 Adventure.

The BMW Safari was my second opportunity to sample the F 850 GSA, as over 250 riders and support personnel made their way from just outside of Newcastle to Port Macquarie. It was a 400km ride, with plenty of tarmac.

As mentioned, I was riding an optioned-up base model – so in other words Rallye X spec save for the livery.

I enjoyed the blacktop as much as the dirt, so I’ll make it official: the F 850 GSA is my new favourite BMW adventure bike!

Sure, the power hit from the Boxers on a nice piece of bitumen is still a massive thrill, but throwing the F 850 GSA from side to side was a lot more fun. And all with a 21-inch front tyre…

BMW’s advancement of its middleweight adventure range has probably been it’s biggest success story in the last 12 months – I say ‘probably as I’m yet to ride the 2019 S 1000 RR…

However, in a wanderlust tyre of way the F 850 GSs are definitely wearing the halos, and the GSA model is the model that could prove to be the most popular.

A bike that’s dynamic to ride – in all situations, as you could commute on it, too – and takes you 500km between fuel stops can’t be a bad thing, and all from a manufacturer which has adventure hard-wired into its DNA.

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, eight-valve, parallel-twin
Capacity: 853cc
Bore x stroke: 84mm x 77mm
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 95hp at 8250rpm (77hp at 7500rpm)
Claimed maximum torque: 92Nm at 6250rpm (83Nm at 6000rpm)

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Monocoque steel frame, engine as a stressed member
Front suspension: 43mm upside-down fork (41mm conventional fork), non-adjustable, 230mm travel
Rear suspension: Monoshock, adjustable for preload and rebound, ESA optional, 215mm travel
Front brakes: Dual 300mm discs with twin-piston calipers
Rear brake: Single 265mm disc with single-piston caliper
Tyres: 90/90-21 front, 150/70-17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 244kg
Standard seat height: 875mm (taller and lower options available)
Wheelbase: 1593mm
Fuel capacity: 23 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: from $19,290
Warranty: Three years, unlimited kilometres
Bike supplied by: BMW Motorrad Australia