BMW F 850 GS

The BMW F 850 GS is based on the touring-oriented F 750 GS, which is why it shares its overall stance and body panels with the latter. However, there are a few bits like high ground clearance, spoke wheels with more off-road oriented tyres, more detailed front fascia and different graphics, which make the BMW F 850 GS more hardcore and adventure-oriented in its visual appeal.

The BMW F 850 GS shares its asymmetric all-LED headlamp with the F 750 GS, which has become a norm for many recent adventure tourers from BMW Motorrad. The buyers of the motorcycle can also opt for daytime running LEDs at an added cost. The BMW F 850 GS also comes with a taller windscreen above the headlamp, with the housing of the headlamp coming fixed with sleek LED turn indicators on both sides. The GS Trophy paint shade of the motorcycle gets a few more add-ons like a larger adjustable windscreen, enduro footrests and a navigator holder above the instrument console.

From the side, the BMW F 850 GS looks identical to the F 750 GS, with the former also getting a large and muscular-looking fuel tank with aggressive-looking tank extensions that merge with the beak below the headlamp to give the motorcycle a semi-faired look. The BMW F 850 GS further looks more purposeful with its fully exposed silver-themed powertrain and the subframe below the long and curved dual-tone seat. Like the F 750 GS, the BMW F 850 GS also has a two-into-one side-mounted exhaust pipe placed at a height, which complements and goes well with the rugged look of the rest of the motorcycle.

At the back, the BMW F 850 GS has a tiny LED tail lamp and a broad pillion grab rail, which also serves as the mount for the top box and side panniers. The spoke wheels do come standard with the motorcycle, and so does the 6.5-inch full-TFT instrument console with multiple display modes. Other features offered in the BMW F 850 GS as standard are an engine guard, a 12V auxiliary power socket and a USB charger.

While the BMW F 850 GS shares its bridge-type steel frame and cast aluminium dual swing-arm with a central spring strut at the rear with the F 750 GS, the former gets more advanced 43mm upside-down telescopic forks at the front. However, here too, the rear suspension offers both preload and rebound adjustability. While the front suspension here offers 230mm travel, the rear suspension has 215mm travel.

The BMW F 850 GS comes with two riding modes – Road and Rain – as standard, with the option of having two additional riding modes – Dynamic and Enduro – for an added cost. Other optional features for the BMW F 850 GS include electronic suspension adjustment and Gear Shift Assistant Pro. The BMW F 850 GS has 90/90-21 front and 150/70 R17 rear tyres, accompanied by a braking setup of dual 305mm discs at the front and a 265mm disc at the rear.

The BMW F 850 GS shares its four-stroke, liquid-cooled, inline-twin, 853cc engine with the F 750 GS, but here, the engine is in a higher state of tune, making it significantly more powerful than the latter. Paired with a 6-speed transmission, the engine here produces 95 bhp of maximum power and 92 Nm of maximum torque. Compared to the F 750 GS, the BMW F 850 GS has a higher top speed of 200 kmph, while claiming the same fuel economy of 23.8 kmpl.

For safety, the BMW F 850 GS has dual-channel ABS and dynamic traction control offered as standard equipment, with keyless ignition and tyre pressure control also offered at added costs.

With a more advanced front suspension, off-road-spec wheels and tyres, added power from the same engine and slightly more features, the BMW F 850 GS is a worthier option over the F 750 GS for those who love hardcore off-road riding, while having the same technical finesse of the F 750 GS.