Mood Modifier

BMW launches its all-new, midsize adventure machine to a hungry market. Will they be satiated?

- Nicol Louw

HIDING behind the tiny screen of the F 850 GS, I try to pierce the thick, cool fog. The heated grips are welcome but was it really worthwhile swapping the warmth of my bed for this ordeal at 05h30? Suddenly the icy blanket lifts, revealing the turn-off to an inviting stretch of dirt road and all doubt evaporates. This is the essence of adventure riding: life-enriching experiences at every turn.

This all-new, midsize enduro motorcycle replaces the F 800 series and features a box-fresh 853 cm3 parallel-twin engine designed by BMW but manufactured under licence by Loncin in China (where the bike is also assembled). It features a 270-degree ring order mimicking the character of a V-twin.

Although torquey, the soundtrack is somewhat muted because of European legislation and I am sure an aftermarket exhaust tweak would revive the rumble. The 850 offers 70 kW compared to 57 kW of the F 750 (a detuned road-biased version with conventional front shocks). Even with twin-balancer shafts, a fair amount of vibration still reaches the rider.