BMW F850 GS/Adventure Bike

BMW F850 GS/Adventure Bike Overview

BMW always offered a small version of its GS adventure machines – indeed, the first ever GS was an 800 – the R80 G/S of 1980, with a 798cc air-cooled Boxer twin in a crude off-road chassis.

So the F850 GS has some heritage – though it’s completely different in every possible way. It uses the latest variation on BMW’s parallel twin engine, putting out around 95bhp, with ride-by-wire fuel injection and a slew of useful rider aids.

It’s aimed at adventure riding fans, so has decent-ish off-road abilities, despite its not-skinny mass (229kg wet). You get a large 21” front wheel, chunky adjustable suspension units, loads of ground clearance and wide bars. If you need even more, then the Adventure version adds a bigger 23 litre fuel tank, more protective bodywork, crash bars and even more dirt-style attitude.

Like all modern BMWs, the 850 GS can be fitted with all sorts of excellent gadgetry, including electronic suspension adjustment, advanced Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)-based traction and ABS control, hard luggage, sat-nav, quickshifter and much more. Check if a used bike has what you want, since some features like the IMU setup can’t really be retrofitted to a standard bike after manufacture.