Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1051196
2019 BMW F 750 GS FIRST IMPRESSION P80 either max out individual gears or simply lug along from corner to corner with the revs never see- ing north of 5000. Our test bike was fitted with the optional Gear Shift Assist Pro, which is one of the best quickshift systems available. It makes for buttery smooth gear- shifts, although it doesn't love shifting back through the gears if the revs are below 1500. The ride position is ideal for the street. The bar and peg placement is a little tight for my 6'1" frame but after our little ride I could easily have done that distance again with no dramas. Braking via the ABS-equipped system is good without being outstanding—there's enough power to haul you up from most speeds but really start to push the system hard and you'll begin to get a touch of fade at the lever—something no span-adjust- able lever can dial out. On road and at sensible speeds, the suspension is near faultless. Although the front is non-adjustable and the rear only has preload, the chassis remains poised in corners and the ride is extremely comfortable. But this street factor is one of the reasons the F 750 GS is not going to cut it on anything other than relatively smooth dirt roads in the adventure department. Take the 750 off road and the ergonomics of the ride become a hindrance. The bar position and bend are too close to the rider, the tiny footpegs and ultra -soft suspension make you sec- ond guess riding over anything that isn't a speed bump, and the fitment of Bridgestone A41 tires— while still a decent dirt road tire—will make you become a lot more cautious than with proper knobby tires. These are issues that can largely be fixed with new handle- bars, tires, and a different seat, but in standard form, the 750 is not very confidence-inspiring in the dirt. Hopefully, this won't put first-time ADV riders off hitting the dirt too much and might even allow them to whet their appetite enough to invest in a real ADV machine, like the F 850 GS we tested later. To keep the 750 in the happy zone, stick primarily to the tar- mac. This is where the motor- cycle shines the best, and will provide an excellent platform for big- mile days. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2019 BMW F 750 GS ($10,395) ENGINE: . Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-stroke, Parallel-twin DISPLACEMENT: ............................. 853cc BORE X STROKE: ....................84 x 77mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ..................... 12.7:1 CLUTCH: ........................... Wet multi-plate TRANSMISSION: ...........................6-speed CHASSIS: ...................... Steel monocoque FRONT SUSPENSION: ...................... 41mm conventional fork, non-adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: ............. Monoshock, preload adjustable FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ...................5.9 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: .................... 6.9 in. FRONT BRAKE: ..............2 x 305mm disc, 2-piston calipers, ABS REAR BRAKE: ....... 265mm disc, 1-piston, floating caliper, ABS FRONT TIRE: ..................... 110/80 R19 in. REAR TIRE: ........................ 150/70 R17 in. WHEELBASE: .................................. 61.4 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ................................ 32.1 in. FUEL CAPACITY: ............................... 4 gal. WEIGHT (DRY, CLAIMED): ........... 493 lbs. COLORS: ............... Stereo Metallic Matte, Light White, Austin Yellow Metallic This is about as hard an off-road trail as you'll want to take the 750.