Revision Done Right

The BMW F 900 GS marks a major improvement on its predecessor and this is not even the off-road-focused model

- Joshua Varghese

BMW'S F RANGE OF GS MOTORCYCLES are typically not as big or as heavy as the R family. That immediately places them in the wish list of those who want a motorcycle that can cover long distances in comfort while also offering enduro-level fun in the dirt. The BMW F 900 GS replaces the F 850 GS and, having spent a few days with it, I understand why “touring enduro” describes this motorcycle better than “adventure tourer”.

With a 21-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear one, the F 900 GS strikes a pose that accentuates its purpose. Plus, it does not have the muscular bulk of its predecessor. Instead, it adopts a leaner and more athletic look that feels most appropriate for the in-line-twin engine platform. What begins as a slim and sculpted front end only gets slimmer towards the tail, where a titanium Akrapovic silencer awaits one's admiring gaze. Furthermore, with a fresh design for the light-emitting diode (LED) lights, it has almost nothing in common with its predecessor. It looks like a machine that considers grippy tarmac merely a means of connecting one trail to another. While that is not far from the truth, one should note that of all the F 900 GS models available, the motorcycle seen in these pages is the least orientated towards off-roading. This is the base model equipped with the Dynamics package which could be all that most riders would need. Personally, the Enduro Pro kit in Trophy colours is what I am looking forward to.