BMW F 850 GS 2018 — Specifications

When Munich decides to completely overhaul its mid-size trail bike, it’s not for cosmetic changes. The BMW F 850 GS inherits a seriously revised technical specification, and the context demanded it: since the Honda Africa Twin has reconquered the segment with remarkable efficiency, the Bavarians could no longer simply field the old 800 against such a sharp competition.

The parallel twin at the heart of it all grows to 853 cm3, a gain of 55 cm3 over the previous engine. This isn't a superficial facelift: the bore and stroke are redesigned, the compression ratio climbs to 12.7:1, and the result is clearly reflected in the BMW F 850 GS’s technical specification. Ninety-five horsepower at 8,250 rpm, 92 Nm at 6,250 rpm, representing a dozen horsepower and nearly 1 mkg more than the previous generation. Restrictable to A2, this engine coexists with the twin of the F 750 GS, but the mapping and settings diverge significantly between the two machines. Notable logistical detail: the final drive chain shifts to the left, the exhaust pipe migrates to the right, an arrangement that BMW had already adopted on the R 1200 GS during the transition to the water-cooled boxer, to avoid burns during maneuvers with the left foot on the ground.

The chassis breaks with the tubular trellis frame of the 800. The new steel monocoque structure gains rigidity and allows the 15-liter fuel tank to be repositioned in its natural place, between the handlebar and the rider, where it was trapped under the seat on the previous version. Suspension travel is generous: 204 mm at the front on an inverted 43 mm fork, 219 mm at the rear on a mono-shock with hydraulic preload and adjustable rebound. The 19-inch front wheel shod with a 110/80 tire speaks for itself regarding off-road ambitions. The seat height remains high at 860 mm, and the 229 kg fully fueled represent the main weakness of the machine: twelve kilos more than the F 800 GS, which is felt as soon as you leave the asphalt for technical trails.

On the electronics front, BMW plays the card of progressive equipment. As standard, two riding modes Rain and Road, the ASC traction control system and ABS cover the essentials. Then, the list of options quickly lengthens: ESA electronic suspension, DTC traction control, quickshifter, Pro modes with the Enduro and Dynamic profiles, ABS Pro active in corners, Keyless Ride keyless start, and above all a 6.5-inch color TFT screen that genuinely modernizes the interface. On a used or new BMW F 850 GS Adventure, this connected dashboard changes the relationship to travel, with integrated music and phone management. The base bill of €12,250 can therefore quickly soar depending on the level of equipment chosen.

What the BMW F 850 GS technical specification reveals is a machine designed for the versatile touring rider who wants to be able to venture onto trails without sacrificing highway comfort. It doesn't have the power or size of the R 1200 GS, but that's not its ambition. It targets the rider who wants a real off-road capability in an accessible format, potentially restrictable for recent license holders. The white and blue emblem remains a powerful marketing argument in this segment, where successive BMW F 850 GS 2020, 2021, 2023 iterations have each refined the base proposition. The main drawback remains this excess weight which penalizes handling as soon as the terrain becomes serious, where Japanese competition sometimes weighs twenty kilos less.