Adventure motorcycles aim to serve a wide range of riders, and the current market reflects that ambition. Today's selection of ADVs addresses nearly every type of buyer. Some riders are new to the segment and uncertain whether adventure touring suits them, so they prefer not to invest heavily upfront. Others prioritize reliability and value, seeking a machine capable of extended travel without mechanical issues or excessive cost. Then there are experienced enthusiasts with larger budgets who want powerful performance for long-distance journeys or spirited weekend rides.
Finding all these qualities in one motorcycle seems almost impossible, yet the industry occasionally delivers unexpected solutions. After considerable research, one ADV fromBMW Motorcycles stands out as capable of meeting diverse demands while appealing to riders across experience levels and budgets. This is the adventure bike that delivers on every front.
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The BMW F 900 GS Is The Adventure Bike That Checks Every Box For $14,275
The F 900 GS is a complete redesign of the F 850 GS, so there are incremental improvements. It gets lighter, a jump in performance, and more features: everything you would want from a generation update. There is an F 900 GS Adventure available as well, but its focus as a touring motorcycle makes it a little difficult to use in certain areas like commuting or technical off-road riding. That's why we’ve stuck with the F 900 GS and its optional packages that can prepare you for anything the road might have in store for you.
BMW F 900 GS Engine: More Of A Good Thing
Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Final Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
895cc | 105 HP | 68.6 LB-FT | Chain |
While theF 900 GS represents a modest evolution from the F 850 GS, BMW has increased engine displacement from 853 cc to 895 cc. This parallel-twin engine appears across several BMW models, including the F 800 GS, F 900 R, andF 900 XR. Torque output remains consistent throughout the lineup, though the F 800 GS produces less power at lower engine speeds. The motor features a 270-degree firing order and generates 105 horsepower at 8,500 rpm, sending power to the rear wheel through a six-speed transmission and chain final drive.
A quickshifter is not included as standard equipment but comes bundled in the $1,660 Premium Package. The motorcycle incorporates a six-axis inertial measurement unit that enables dynamic traction control and multiple ride modes. The exhaust system deserves attention for its Akrapovič muffler, which reduces overall weight by 3.8 pounds while adding visual appeal.
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BMW F 900 GS Chassis: Conventional, With Good Performance
The F 900 GS has a frame identical to the F 850 GS that it replaces, but BMW has optimized it to reduce weight wherever possible, just like it has with theR 1300 GS. The result is a frame that is equally strong but has shaved off 5 pounds with the rear subframe, nearly 10 pounds with the plastic fuel tank, and half a pound with the rear suspension. Speaking of suspension, the Showa inverted front fork has an extra inch of travel over the model it has replaced, and the rear shock has remote hydraulic preload adjustment and rebound damping adjustment.
You can have an exceptional upgrade with the Enduro Pro package ($1,495), which adds a fatter 45 mm Showa shock with a titanium nitride coating and a ZF Sachs monoshock with 20 percent more damping and adjustment steps. Dynamic ESA is not an option on the F 900 GS, though. Weirdly, the brakes don’t seem to keep up with the suspension. There are no radial calipers, and you get two 305 mm floating discs with two-piston floating calipers at the front. The rear has a 265 mm disc with a single-piston caliper at the rear. ABS Pro is standard fitment.
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BMW F 900 GS Optional Packages Are A Must
TheF 900 GS is a capable motorcycle, make no mistake about that. However, there isn’t a very long standard features list. It already has so much offered electronics-wise and with the quality adjustable suspension that it is difficult to demand a lot of extra features for the base price. A 6.5-inch TFT color display with Bluetooth connectivity is standard and has clear menus to access all the electronics available to the rider.
Both a 12V and USB charging socket are standard, as is an engine guard, heated grips, and hand protectors. You can add different looks to the F 900 GS with the Style GS Trophy ($545) or Style Passion ($275). The latter adds a bright yellow and scarlet paint scheme, with a lovely red sub-frame, and the former adds a white sub-frame and gold rims to the traditional BMW colors.
The optional Enduro Pro package ($1,495) adds better Showa suspension at the front, a Sachs rear monoshock with an expansion tank, 1-inch risers for the handlebars for better control, and the M endurance final drive chain. The Off-Highway Package ($2,500) adds off-road-biased tires to the elements of the Enduro Pro package. Finally, the Premium Package ($1,660) adds a two-way quickshifter, tire pressure monitoring, keyless ignition, cruise control, the GPS mount (but not the GPS unit itself), and the Ride Modes Pro. The Premium Package would be a no-brainer for the F 900 GS, with the value it adds.
