BMW F 750/850 GS 2019 launch review

BMW has been a long-time champion of the middleweight adventure scene with a succession of wildly popular single- and twin-cylinder machines.

In the multi-cylinder bracket, the F 700 GS and F 800 GS have been mainstays for a number of years, but it finally got to the stage where piecemeal updates to the duo were falling short. Still very solid offerings, mind you, but without a massive gravitational pull – but that’s all now changed with the arrival of the updated F 750 GS and F 850 GS.

The two models (and their many variants, including low seat and suspension) are now on sale in Australia, boasting major engine, chassis and electronic upgrades over the superseded models, in what BMW Australia is calling a real “paradigm shift”.

We’ll take a deep dive into what the F 750 GS and F 850 GS deliver in terms of specifications shortly, but you’ll probably already recognise most of the terms and acronyms we’ll use – that’s because they are straight from the R big-bore Boxer adventure handbook.

That means, in terms of spec and options, the once cavernous gap between the F and R model range has all but evaporated, which really gives discerning adventure buyers more choice under the BMW umbrella.

And if more hardcore riding is your caper, the F 850 GS might just be your ticket – and that’s the first bike we rode on the launch through the labyrinthine of trails in the Wombat State Forest north of Melbourne.

BMW says the F 850 GS is the most off-road focussed adventure bike it’s ever built – and we got to put those enduro claims to the test almost immediately as the Wombat delivered a rut and bog hole feast! So much fun…

However, during the short road hop to get there we’d already gained an appreciation for the larger capacity engine, with the extra 55cc coming by way of both increased bore and stroke over the F 800 GS.

In raw terms, that translates to an extra 10hp and 9Nm for the F 850 GS, with a large chunk of those gains coming in the 5000-7000rpm bracket.

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

It really is a fantastic powerplant: the fuelling’s crisp, it’s vibe-free thanks to the two balance shafts, and it builds into a really strong mid-range where short-shifting is a ready-made proposition. And that’s what I did for most of the day: just the right amount of power delivery to maintain brisk momentum, but without fighting for traction all the time. And on demanding trails, poise is everything.

BMW Australia unveiled the F 850 GS in a number of configurations, from a base model ($17,590 plus on-road costs) through to iterations fitted with optional packages and accessories such as luggage.

F 850 GS ACCESSORIES

There are two main optional packages on the F 850 GS, priced at $1900 each:

• Comfort and Touring (keyless ride, navigation preparation, tyre pressure monitoring, centrestand and Dynamic electronic suspension adjustment); and
• Dynamic and Lights (Dynamic Traction Control, bi-directional quickshifter, Riding Modes Pro, ABS Pro, LED headlight, daytime running lights and LED indicators).

Stand-alone options include the TFT display ($950), anti-theft alarm system ($330), low seat (no cost, 835mm) and comfort seat: (875mm, $190). The standard set height is 860mm.

Bikesales rode the ‘burger with the lot’, and we were particularly big wraps for the quickshifter and Riding Modes Pro. A quickshifter in the bush, especially on challenging trails, is worth its weight in gold, and the setup on the F 850 GS is superb in that it’s not too sensitive – great when you’re wearing sturdy motocross boots.

The Riding Modes Pro not only adds the sharper ‘Dynamic’ road setting, but when a specially coded plug Enduro Pro is activated it also removes ABS from the rear – just like the Boxer adventure bikes, which widens the bike’s enduro remit. Enduro Pro also allows the rider to individually tailor the throttle response, traction control and ABS Pro settings.

ABS and traction control can also be switched off in all riding modes, and with the swish 6.5-inch TFT display you are never left in the dark about what setting you’re in. It’s an excellent piece of kit and, as well as the on-board computer, the TFT screen gives the rider quick access to vehicle and connectivity functions. It is also an easy way to make telephone calls or listen to music while on the road, with all the information appearing on the screen.

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.

Toggling through the TFT menu is via a menu button and jog dial; the latter a feature on a number of other BMW models for a while now.

The F 850GS may not have the absolute power hit of the Boxers, but with a wet weight of 229kg it’s actually not that far behind the big berthas in the power- and torque-to-weight stakes.

And as we moved into the heart of the Wombat State Forest, a setting where 450cc enduro bikes normally dominate the landscape, I was certainly happy to be F 850 GS mounted. With the preload jacked up slightly at the rear, courtesy of the electronic suspension, the bike handled the terrain extremely well: no bottoming out (it does have a plastic bash plate if that does occur) and a level of trail bike-like finesse that just wasn’t in the F 800 GS’s DNA.

Suspension travel remains the same as the F 800 GS – 230mm at the front and 215mm at the rear – but the F 850 GS has a new 43mm upside-down fork, which is a definite improvement over the old albeit still on the soft-ish side.

The 21-inch front wheel felt sure-footed over some extremely sketchy surfaces – Wombat must be the clay capital of Victoria! – which was a confidence-booster in itself. Both spoked wheels are tubeless on the F 850 GS, and our launch bikes were also fitted with non-standard road-legal knobbies.

Swinging the parallel twin from side to side on single trail near the end of launch proceedings certainly wasn’t as onerous as I thought it would be, and highlighted the off-road credentials of the Beemer.

The gearing is quite tall, though, and I had to feather the clutch to maintain momentum on a few occasions – but at least the clutch action is soft and supple.

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.

Once I removed my accessory tank bag, which wasn’t quite letting me quite get enough forward lean, I felt really comfortable standing up on the F 850 GS, especially tucking the knees into the tank. The handlebars felt a bit low, but that can be easily fixed with risers.

The bike’s one-piece seat offers quite a bit of fore and aft movement, and it has quite a sit-in feel. It is also one of the most comfortable seats I’ve experienced in an adventure bike setting.

Fuel capacity has dropped to 15 litres (down from 16) on the F 850 GS, but if mileage is a big factor in your adventure riding the upcoming F 850 GS Adventure will put you at ease: a 25-litre tank and range above 500km. That model will go on sale in January 2019 and will also differ from the F 850 GS with the ability to carry eight extra litres of fuel, a taller adjustable screen, a stainless steel luggage rack as the full-colour TFT screen as standard.

The F 850 GS umbrella extends to the F 850 GS Rallye ($18,390), F 850 GS Rallye X ($22,305), F 850 GS Tour ($21,805), F 850 GS Low Suspension ($18,240), F 850 GS Rallye Low Suspension ($18,640) and F 850 GS Tour Low Suspension ($21,505).

Without complicating matters too much, the Rallye models dedicated livery (Light White, seat in black/red) as well as hand protection over the F 850 GS, and the Rallye X comes with that same livery as well as Dynamic ESA, navigation preparation, HP exhaust, tyre pressure monitoring, off-road tyres and the abovementioned Dynamic and Lights options package as standard.

The Tour has hand protection and both options packages (Comfort and Touring and Dynamic and Lights) as standard.

If the F 850 GS is an off-roader that handles the tarmac well, the F 750 GS is the antitheses: a road warrior that can also get its feet dirty with the 19-inch front wheel.

That was the key take out from a day in the saddle of the F 750 GS, which shares the same fundamental architecture as the F 850 GS, but with points of differentiation from its sibling focussed on wheel size and composition, suspension travel, seat height, weight and performance figures – exactly what you’d expect from a more entry-level adventure machine.

Starting in price from $13,590, the F 750 GS produces its power (77hp) and torque (83Nm) peaks at lower revs than the F 850 GS, while it has cast wheels instead of spoked, an 815mm seat height, and suspension travel of 151/177mm. It also weighs in at 224kg (wet) – five less than the F 850 GS.

Entirely in tune with the bike’s core strengths and more road-focussed rubber, the F 750 GS route was a less taxing, more tarmac-focussed affair – but with some off-road thrown into the mix.

The standard features such as multiple riding modes, heated grips and cruise control already make for solid underpinnings, but the $17,305 Tour version really sets out a compelling case. It includes the two optional packages available on the F 850 GS, and you’d also have to add the TFT screen to the shopping list as well – after using the old analogue and LCD clocks it’s simply too hard to go back…

There are also low suspension options for both models, priced at $13,840 (F 750 GS) and $17,005 (F 750 GS Tour) respectively.

Everything about the F 750 GS is thoroughly unintimidating, and if the bike is the first step in BMW adventure ownership – or perhaps number two as we can’t forget the G 310 GS these days… – you’ll spend many happy days in the saddle. It’s comfortable, and with a 34mm shorter wheelbase than the F 850 GS it’s a hoot through the bends.

The F 750 GS has 41mm conventional forks rather than upside-down, and you can really feel the drop in class from the F 850 GS in terms of ride quality. That gap’s most felt off-road – but no surprise based on the F 850 GS’s gravel prowess.

F 750 GS ACCESSORIES

However, the more appropriate comparison should be against the old F 700 GS, and in those parameters the F 750 GS has taken a big leap forward.

The F series adventure range is an important one for BMW, and the updated F 750 GS and F 850 GS are representative of that.

They are simply far more dynamic offerings across the board, from the engine to the chassis, suspension, electronics, base settings and ex-works options.

We’d take the F 850 GS based on its trail prowess alone – its ability to get navigate even the snottiest tracks is impressive – while the F 750 GS is more content with its all-rounder tag. Throw some luggage on the F 750 GS and activate the cruise control, and the country is yours…

That’s what adventure riding is all about: offering choice, and BMW is the king of the castle in that regards.

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 (151mm travel)
Rear suspension: Monoshock, adjustable for preload and rebound, ESA optional, 215mm travel (177mm 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 (110/80-19 front, 150/70-17 rear)

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 229kg (224kg)
Standard seat height: 860mm (815mm), taller and lower options available)
Wheelbase: 1593mm (1559mm)
Fuel capacity: 15 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: from $17,990 (from $13,590)
Warranty: Three years, unlimited kilometres
Bike supplied by: BMW Motorrad Australia