VOLUME ISSUE JULY , P97
The base F 900 GS
performs well on the dirt.
BMW offers upgrade
packages that improve
performance off-road
even further.
The 900 features upgraded suspen-
sion, including a fully adjustable 43mm
Showa fork. The rear shock, paired with a
lighter aluminum swingarm has adjust-
able preload and rebound damping, but,
unfortunately, no compression damping
adjustability. The forks offer a generous
9.1 inches of travel, while the rear shock
offers 8.5 inches. The bike has 21-inch
and 17-inch spoked tubeless wheels fit
-
ted with Metzeler Karoo 4 tires.
The F 900 GS is equipped with two-pis-
ton floating Brembo calipers at the front,
which squeeze small-ish 305mm discs,
and a one-piston floating rear caliper,
which squeezes a 265mm disc.
Electronics-wise, the F 900 GS comes
well-equipped in its standard form. It
includes a six-axis IMU, two riding modes
(Rain and Road), ABS Pro, and Dynamic
Traction Control. Additionally, it has a 6.5-
inch TFT display with smartphone connec
-
tivity, a USB socket, handguards, heated
grips, and self-canceling turn signals. For
more off-road adventures, the Enduro Pro
package is available, which adds Riding
Modes Pro, which has three additional
modes: Dynamic, Enduro, and Enduro Pro.
Speaking of packages, beyond Riding
Modes Pro, there is also the Premium
Package, which costs an additional
$1750 and includes Riding Modes Pro,
keyless ignition, a quickshifter, tire-
pressure monitoring, cruise control, and
the durable M Endurance chain. The next
step up is the $1495 Enduro Pro pack
-
age, which includes the additional ride
modes, upgraded suspension—includ-
ing a 45mm Showa fork—M Endurance
chain, and one-inch bar risers. The En-
duro Pro package can be combined with
the Premium package. BMW calls this
the Off-Road Package, which adds $2500
to the base MSRP, and the GS Trophy
color (red, white and blue) model. Whew!
I know, it's confusing and is a lot to soak
in; your BMW dealer can fill you in better
than I can, but that's the gist. The bottom
