Cycle News

Cycle News Issue 46 November 20

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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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.

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