Test: BMW F 850 ​​GS Adventure // Where is the engine?

Yes, it was a real engine, maybe in a hurry I didn't really pay attention to every detail, but the color, the huge side suitcase and the massive "tank" pulled me by the nose. A year ago I drove a brand new BMW F 850 ​​GS for the first time in Spain and that's when I was impressed - good engine, great torque, great electronics, lots of safety and comfort, and most importantly. Driving pleasure is offered both on the road and in the field. I seriously wondered why the R 1250 GS is still needed, because the usual F850GS is already an excellent... And the question is still relevant.

In fact, the biggest difference is that the F Series allows more driving for a wider range of riders in the field, and now, with the advent of the Adventure model, trip times have increased significantly.... The huge tank not only protects well from the wind, but above all provides an insane 550 kilometers of autonomy on a single charge, which is comparable to that of the large R 1250 GS Adventure. Consumption in the test was 5,2 liters, which is the result of mixed driving, but with dynamic driving it can increase to seven liters. I accept, I tell myself.

Unfortunately, the catastrophic May weather did not provide the best conditions for testing, but I still managed to at least empty the fuel tank so that I can confirm that it is wise for anyone thinking about driving a little more seriously, it is better halfway the amount of fuel. because the weight when you have 23 liters of gasoline while slowly maneuvering really cannot be completely neglected. Here I must warn everyone who is shorter, if you do not have the knowledge and confidence in how to drive an off-road motorcycle, you better not try this model, but look for a BMW F 850 ​​GS without Adventure. label.

The seat height from the ground, which is 875 mm and can be lowered with the original seat to 815 mm, is not small, and in the rally version with the seat raised, which otherwise allows good ground travel, is as much as 890 mm. Suspension travel is 230mm and rear travel is 213mm, which is already pretty decent for an off-road bike. Therefore, I argue that this is a motorcycle not for those who want to travel on the road, as well as off-road, but for the select few who know how to ride on the terrain or the road, and for them the fact that even if they do not reach to the ground with their feet, this does not mean stress.

Experience shows that only a small percentage of owners actually travel to the fields with these bikes. Ignorance or lack of experience to be gained is nothing to blame. Anyone who flirts with riding on rubble, I can say that they can rest easy on this motorcycle. The electronics and all the assistive systems that are available (and everything that exists is available) allows anyone who is afraid of opening the throttle too hard or applying the brakes too hard to drive safely. Unless you are too fast to drive over the rubble to the edge of the road, where traction is less due to the application of gravel, nothing can happen to you. And even if you rolled over so awkwardly when cornering slowly, there is a pipe guard, as well as an engine and hand guard, so you won't be able to seriously damage the bike.

However, since off-road driving is no stranger to me, and I really like it, I of course turned off everything that could be turned off and waved them on the road, where the suspension was supposed to show what material it was made of. Everything works together, works well, but this is not a racing bike. With the Rallye, I love both the look and the ride.... Well, on the road it is also known that this is a compromise in tire choice, if you only drive on the road, you will still choose another model that is intended for use only on the road, because BMW precisely because it will perform well in the field conditions with a 21-inch wheel mounted at the front and a 17-inch wheel at the rear. In any case, I can say that 95 horsepower and 92 Nm of torque is enough for a very dynamic ride.

The bike easily reaches 200 kilometers per hour without any problem and offers very good wind protection, so I can confirm that this is a real long-distance runner. The one that I dared to run on the forest roads turned out to be too expensive for such regular activities, with all (possible) equipment it costs 20 thousand.... Come to think of it, with a full "tank" from the border with Italy, I would refuel in Tunisia the next time I leave the ferry. Well, this is an adventure!

• Basic data

  Sales: BMW Motorrad Slovenia

  Test model cost: € 20.000 XNUMX €

• Technical information

  engine: 859 cm³, in-line two-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled

  Power: 70 kW (95 hp) at 8.250 rpm

  Torque: 80 Nm at 8.250 rpm

  Energy transfer: 6-speed gearbox, chain, oil bath clutch, shift assistant

  Frame: tubular steel

  brakes: front 1 disc 305 mm, rear 1 disc 265 mm, foldable ABS, ABS enduro

  Suspension: front telescopic fork, rear single shock, ESA

  Tires: before 90/90 R21, rear 150/70 R17

  Growth: 875 mm

  Fuel tank: 23 liters, consumption 5,4 100 / km

  Weight: 244 kg (ready to ride)

We praise and reproach

appearance

quality of equipment and workmanship

large and perfectly readable screen in any light

ergonomics

using switches and adjusting motorcycle operation

operation of auxiliary systems

engine sound (Akrapovič)

seat height from floor

maneuvering in place requires experience due to the weight and height of the seat

price

final grade

What's left of the big ones, what's left of the GS 1250? Driving comfort, excellent assistance systems, safety equipment, useful suitcases, power, handling and usability are all there. This is the most powerful high-tech enduro adventure yet.