Other Bikes » 2018 BMW F750GS/F850GS reviews

The Spring 2018 issue of the BMW Motorcycle Magazine, ($6.95 US) contains a colorful and reasonably detailed 6-page article featuring the two new BMW models. A lot of specifications are provided, along with an engine cutaway, which shows that the engine design is very conventional and the wonderful and almost unique third connecting rod balancer and the not-quite dry sump are gone, along with the fuel tank moved back to the usual position, so as to provide an "improved center of gravity" - along with requiring the removal of a tank bag in order to gas-up. The bikes have a odd looking pressed-steel main frame that reminds me of one from a 1930's BMW. Both models are longer than the F700/800GS versions, at 61.4 and 62.7 inches, respectively. Base (before adding farkles) weight has been increased to 494 and 505 pounds. Fuel tank capacity has shrunk to 4 gallons and fuel mileage has dropped to 57 (US) mpg, according to the magazine. Top speed is 118 mph for the F750GS and 125 mph for the F850GS. 0-60 mph acceleration times are 4.1 seconds for the F750GS and 3.8 seconds for the F850GS. The article claims that both bikes will be available at dealers this March (so much for that prediction ) and an F850R roadster version is being predicted to arrive later as a 2019 model. Prices are given as "from $10,195" for the F750GS and "from $12,895" for the F850GS. Of course, we all know that the initial "launch models" will be loaded with factory accessories, such as the $600 TFT display, which will substantially increase the price for early adopters of the new bikes. No word about a GT version, though. In other news, the new engine is being manufactured in China by Loncin. So far there has been no mention of where the F750/850 models are being assembled. Interestingly, the cam shafts are rotated by a rubber toothed belt, which the rear drive is by chain.

The May issue of the UK publication Bike ($9.95 US), contains a three page spread on the F750GS and F850GS, which is definitely just a compiling of BMW press releases and photos of the two bikes. Availability in the UK is listed as being May 12. Prices are given as 7950 pounds for the "base" F750GS model and 9200 pounds for the "sport" model. Prices for the F850GS are 9400 pounds for the base model and 10,650 pounds for the "sport" version. The article is followed by a full-page ad for the 4,199 pound Royal Enfield Himalayan. (Sort of an interesting contrast in vehicles.)

Attached is an official BMW PDF describing the new F750GS and F850GS in excruciating detail, should you be interesting in reading more about these new models.

I just saw this comment posted on the F800Riders forum today. Shades of the WC R1200RT first year recall fiasco.

Here, in Europe, BMW recalls nearly all the F850 and the F750 already sold and stops the selling of those models because they have a "problem" with a component of the engine (but they doesn't explain which problem is). BMW offers a new bike for the entire period they will keep the bikes or a considerable offer in clothings or accessories (for more than a thousand of euros, 1,500 if I'm not wrong), this offer let us suppose that the problem is more serious than we might think.

I just read an article on the new F750/f850 in BMW motorcycle Magazine. Bottom line I am very disappointed in the "new" BMW middle weight. The article point our that the F850GS is ONLY 9 lbs less the R1200GS!!! This is outrageous! What is BMW thinking? What a porker!

I also notice that while the HP is very slightly better than the old F800, the more realistic roll on acceleration is FASTER with the old F800!

It seems the new F850 is all indian...including the motor...which means more $$$ margin for BMW. The old Rotax designed F800 is a better performer.

To my thinking, Unless the early info is wrong, BMW has a real dud with the new F750/F850.

Maybe they realize that and it is why the release dates keep moving out.

Zitat von Vtbob im Beitrag #4

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It seems the new F850 is all indian...including the motor...which means more $$$ margin for BMW.

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This weekend I stopped by a BMW dealership where I picked up a BMW technical brochure for the new F750GS and F850GS models. These brochures had some interesting information in them so I took pictures of the pages showing dyno curves, a transmission ratio/speed chart and a wiring diagram for the Canbus system. Attached are the photos of these sections. If anyone would like any other official information let me know and if it is available in the brochure I will whip out my camera again. Also me know if these pages are not readable enough for you and I will try again in natural light and will use something to press the pages flatter. I suppose I could also figure out how to remove the date imprint, too.

Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #6

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Also me know if these pages are not readable enough for you and I will try again in natural light and will use something to press the pages flatter. I suppose I could also figure out how to remove the date imprint, too.

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Here are the technical specifications for the new F750GS/F850GS models.

I picked up a copy of the Fall 2018 issue of the BMW Motorcycle Magazine the other day at the Barnes and Noble book store, mostly because it had an “in-depth” review of the new F850GS and also compares it with the older F800GS and the R1200GS. I found the review to be quite interesting and not all that complementary to the new model. (Just keep in mind that this review was likely written two or three months ago.)

First of all when reading the magazine, I ran across the editorial by Sandy Cohen, who mentions that the new F750/850GS models were originally “introduced in late 2017, then their delivery start date was first moved to mid-May and now the factory has imposed a 'delivery lock' after shipping only a small number in Europe.” The bikes are being manufactured by Loncin in China (the older F800 engines are being manufactured by Rotax in Austria) and she says “that – allegedly – a component in the engine was found defective, which is feared could potentially cause damage to the engine over the long term.” What is being done by BMW to address this issue is not known, however the few bikes currently in circulation should be returned to the factory for repair. The first F850GS models are currently scheduled to reach U.S. dealerships during the fourth quarter of 2018.

Moving on to the actual review: There doesn't seem to be much of an improvement between the F800 and the F850. In fact the F850 is a real lead-puss. It weighed in on their scales at 534 pounds (242 kg) with a 90% full (3.6 liters) tank of fuel, while the F800 weighed 492 pounds (224 kg) and has a slightly larger (.4 liters more) fuel tank. An increase of 40 pounds compared with the previous model! This compares with the R1200GS that they tested at the same time which weighed 543.4 pounds (246.5 kg), only 10 pounds more than the F850! Plus, the wheelbase of the new bike is a long 63” and has a 28 degree rake, which both make for very stable but slow steering.

Interestingly, while the F850 was slightly faster to 100 kph, at 3.9 seconds, than the F800 at 4.1 seconds from 0 to 100 kph, the F800GS had the faster passing speed 37 to 87 mph (60-140 kph) of 9.9 seconds, compared with the F850's 10.7 seconds. (Likely the result of its lighter weight.) However, the new bike got better fuel mileage of 53 mpg, compared with the F800's 46 mpg. Both bikes need premium fuel.

Something that really caught my eye was the complaint that the F850 typically required three pushes of the starter button before it would start and keep running, even when warm. They also complained about a loud clacking from the cam chain adjuster for a “long second” until the engine's oil pressure built up and reset the cam chain tensioner.

Their 850 was equipped with the optional key-less ignition (like is offered on BMW's larger models) and also had the optional Sachs Dynamic ESA “semi-active” rear shock which locks up when the ignition is off. The front suspension is a standard, non-adjustable Showa fork and not integrated with the ESA system.

The vibration of the new bike is low until the engine speed reaches 5K rpm, when there is a tingling sensation at the handlebars and foot-pegs. This engine speed is reached at 80 mph in top gear. Their bike had the “Shift Assistant Pro” speed-shifter, which they felt was “relatively hard and sometimes rubbery” when using this clutch-less shifting system.

Both bikes were dyno-tested and found to have almost exactly the same power and torque curves. While the 850 had a max of 94 hp, compared with the 800's 90 hp, this was at a spike that occurred at 8,700 rpm, otherwise the curves were almost identical, as was the 66 ft-lbs of torque produced by both engines. They tested the R1200GS at the same time and it made 129 hp at 7,800 rpm and 93.7 ft-lbs at 6,400 rpm.

The review article concludes with the following statement: “At this time, if you own a F800GS, just keep riding it or buy an R1200GS.”

I might also add that another article in the magazine detailing changes to the BMW lineup for 2019 indicates that the F800GT and F800R will be returning next year with only color and graphic changes and will not have the new “850cc” engine.

Photos of portions of the magazine article and the magzine's cover are attached.

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Nothing like that is my local BMW dealerships showroom as of last Saturday and no mention of the arrival of the F850GS when I spoke to both the shop owner and the sales manager. I guess they haven't made their way to the West Coast yet.

I’m really skeptical of the price point for the bikes too, especially given the tepid reviews. Add bags and you’ll be at $19k before tax.

Spy shot of F 850 XR GT

https://www.morebikes.co.uk/53734/gotcha...ur-spy-snapper/

Zitat von Bub im Beitrag #12

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I’m really skeptical of the price point for the bikes too, especially given the tepid reviews. Add bags and you’ll be at $19k before tax.

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I can see that being a really good option for a lot of people