2019 BMW F 850 GS
($13,195 BASE)
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: ..... 43mm inverted
fork, non-adjustable
REAR SUSPENSION: ............ Monoshock,
preload adjustable
FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ..................8.0 in.
REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ....................8.6 in.
FRONT BRAKE: .............2 x 305mm disc,
2-piston calipers, ABS
REAR BRAKE: ...... 265mm disc, 1-piston,
floating caliper, ABS
FRONT TIRE: ..................... 90 / 90 21 in.
REAR TIRE: ....................... 150/70 R17 in.
WHEELBASE: .................................62.7 in.
SEAT HEIGHT: .............................. 33.8 in.
FUEL CAPACITY: .............................. 4 gal.
WEIGHT (WET, CLAIMED):.......... 504 lbs.
COLORS: ..... Light White / Racing Red /
Lupin Blue
S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
VOL. 55 ISSUE 46 NOVEMBER 20, 2018 P81
as you deal with compact dirt,
river crossings or the inevitable
tarmac tours between trails. After
an hour switching between vari-
ous modes, I settled on Dynamic
mode as that gave the most
direct throttle response to access
the claimed 90 horsepower at
8000 rpm and 63 lb-ft of torque
at 6250 rpm. That's more than
enough for one rider and luggage
to play with, as the spread of us-
able torque starts as low as 2000
rpm and pulls nicely right through
the rev range.
Having that shorter first and
second gear was a bonus for the
tight, rocky hills we encountered
on the Moab ride, conversely the
tall fourth, fifth and sixth gears
meant cruising above (ahem) the
posted speed sign of 65 mph
was a breeze for the 850.
Although the front suspension
lacks adjustment, the 850 tracks
beautifully over rough canyon
roads, so long as you've got it
pointed in the right direction. The
ride is soft, possibly too soft for
my 192 pounds, as I'd hit the bot-
tom of the front stroke occasion-
ally, but the ride is, for the most
part, very comfortable.
BMW's created a bike that is
the perfect transition machine
for someone looking to get on
a proper ADV weapon. It's also
a bike that will make a worthy
addition to the shed of a seasoned
rider, as the combination of motor,
chassis and electronics should
satisfy even the fussiest of riders.
In the spec we tested it, the F
850 GS is certainly expensive, but
worth it when you add up all the
extras. CN
Yes, we really did ride through snow.
