2024-on BMW F900GS review: BMW adds rugged appeal to its middleweight adventure tourer

BMW F900GS overall rating

BMW have gone down a muddy new path with its new £11,999 F900GS adventure bike and it couldn’t be more different to the F850GS it replaces. With its bigger parallel twin cylinder engine, taken from the BMW F900R/XR and a new steel chassis, it’s lighter and more powerful, but crucially it’s evolved into a genuine, big BMW-badged enduro bike.  

That said, it’s still a 219kg, 104bhp machine and you need to have your wits about you, but the F900GS is always enjoyable and never intimidating.  

With an extra 10bhp on tap the F900GS is more willing on the throttle than the F850GS. There’s a nice bark from the new standard-issue Akrapovic exhaust can and the power delivery is smooth, manageable and controllable, especially in the off-road riding modes. 

Switch to the tarmac and the F900GS is every inch a GS with its big colour dash, familiar switchgear, wide bars and an even more spacious riding position thanks to 15mm higher bars and 20mm lower pegs.  

However, if you want a luxurious, adventure shaped BMW tourer to effortlessly gobble up the miles, the old R1250GS or the latest R1300GS is still the one to go for, especially to carry a pillion and lots of added luggage. 

The F900GS is perfectly capable of doing it all should you prefer a smaller, more manageable machine, but it never quite lit my fire. Whilst dynamically capable, it lacks the character of its boxer brother and indeed some of its middleweight rivals. 

With the many manufacturers all vying for the top adventure bike position, the F900GS is up against stiff competition that sometimes surpasses it in terms of outright fun factor.

Watch our BMW F900GS video review here:

BMW F900GS at a glance

Reasons to buy:

+ Now comes with better off road handling, crash bars, and slimmer seat
+ Sharp road handling
+ Fully adjustable 45mm Showa forks

Reasons to avoid:

– Limited luggage mounting points on the new slimmed down tail section
– Stiff rear shock, good fully loaded, but requires some dialling in
– Dynamic throttle is abrupt, and takes some getting used to

Jump to

• Ride and handling
• Engine and performance
• Reliability and build quality
• Value vs rivals
• Group test
• Standard and optional equipment

---

---

BMW F900GS handling, ride quality and brakes

Comfort aside, it’s hard to fault on the road. With over 100bhp it doesn’t hang around, it’s neutral steering, stable and confidence inspiring through corners, despite running a 21in front wheel.  

Brakes are full of feel and power, too. But it lacks drama, handling predictably and perfectly admirably for a mud-plugger, but without but without any sense of excitement or rider involvement. 

Owing to a lighter swingarm, new aluminium side stand, exhaust can, tail section, battery, headlight and a slimmer fuel tank the BMW now weighs 14kg less than its former incarnation, making it noticeably urgent on and off-road, if lacking a character somewhat. 

• Related: Get the look! Read Neevesy’s Arai Tour-X 4 review

---

BMW F900GS engine and performance

BMW have lifted their 895cc liquid cooled parallel twin motor straight from their F900XR/R. The new engine, up from 853cc thanks to 2mm bigger bores, new cylinder heads and forged pistons 2mm, gains 10 additional bhp. With14kg less heft to shift, the new motor offers greater grunt than the F850GS it replaces.  

Now lighter and more powerful than the likes of Honda’s Africa Twin models, you’d expect more urgency from the Beemer than you get. BMW have given their F900 parallel-twin motor a 270-degree firing order with 90-degree offset crank journals to replicate a V-twin feel. As such the engine has such a flat power delivery it’s easy to bang into its limiter when you’re not looking. It’s not underwhelming, but it is uninspiring.

• Related: Check out MCN’s list of tried and tested motorcycle cleaners

---

BMW F900GS reliability and build quality

Quality is typically BMW. Finish is excellent throughout and there is an air of premium about the bike. Chassis parts, switchgear and dash are widely used already throughout BMW’s range, and should give few issues.  

The 895cc motor is a proven unit, with most owners reporting strong mechanical reliability. The few horror stories that are circulating, with the odd one mostly relating to oil leaks. It would be a good idea to take a look at our F900XR owners reviews to get an idea of how the GS will perform over time.  

What goes wrong?

• It’s too soon to tell for any major mechanical issues. The F900R and F900XR that share the same 895cc parallel twin engine get solid reviews without any issues raised.
• The Voge DS900X uses the same Loncin built 895cc parallel twin and again, we are yet to hear any substantial issues. The Loncin engine build is a partnership with BMW and for the F series the bikes are assembled in Germany.
• Owners have mentioned the screen and wind noise can be uncomfortable and its worth sourcing an alternative aftermarket solution.

---

BMW F900GS value vs rivals

BMW claim the F900GS should be good for 60mpg. With its 14.5 litre tank that should allow for a theoretical 204-mile range or around 323 miles from the 23-litre tanked F900GS Adventure.  

At 104bhp and 219kg, the mid-sized GS should hardly be a tyre eater, so expect good wear life from consumable parts. We tested the BMW F900GS Adventure against Triumph’s Tiger 900 Rally Pro, in a head to head comparison you can see value of the BMW and how well it fairs in the test. 

• Related: Check out MCN’s guide to the best adventure motorcycle tyres

Quick rival comparison:

• Ducati Desert X  – All new ground for Ducati using an evolution of the 937cc Testastretta engine making 110bhp, with Dakar style traillie looks
• Honda XL750 Transalp – Classy affordable all-rounder, now with revised internal suspension for sharper handling
• Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro – Smooth both on and off road, with that newly revised characterful triple engine 106bhp, 66ft-lb bark

---

Group test: BMW F900GS Adventure vs Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro – The best of 
both worlds

See how the F900GS in Adventure guise with its increased 23-litre fuel tank fairs against Triumph’s Tiger 900 Rally Pro, in a head to head comparison test. Both have stacks of presence and look physically big and purposeful. With an increased spec like each bike’s larger brethren, the middleweight adventure category does not leave you feeling you have had to compromise with one of the smaller capacity models.

---

BMW F900GS standard and optional equipment

BMW have bestowed their mid-capacity adventurer with more goodies than ever. These include heated grips, a manually adjustable screen, hand guards, LED lights, 12v charger, phone/sat nav holder, two-way length/height adjustable gear lever, two riding modes, traction control and cornering ABS.  

BMW have still managed to slide in some extras on our test bike with a £480 Dynamic Package and even more toys, bringing the cost up to £14,180.  

Also available as an option is the £1430 Enduro Pack that includes a fully adjustable shock and chunkier forks, 24mm handlebar risers and wear-resistant chain, plus a handful of extras, bringing the cost up to £15,080. 

• Related: Check out MCN’s list of best sat navs and their alternatives