BMW F 800 GS Adventure 2015 Review - Brake Magazine
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- Опубліковано 3 тра 2015
- Brake Magazines Features Editor Jonathan Pearson put the F 800 GSA through it's paces for over a month. Riding it for two weeks in southern Portugal and a further two weeks around the hills of South Wales, we pushed the F 800 GSA to see just what the strengths, weaknesses and travel capabilities of the GSA really are.
For the full report and all the images visit; www.brake-magazine.com/rated-bmw-f-800-gs-adventure/ - Авто та транспорт
In adventure spec the f800gs is a very nice long distance tourer. The upgraded seat is exceptionally comfortable over longer distances, even trumping the R1200gs’. The fuel consumption is fantastic, especially after the 20,000 km valve service when I recon it’s only then fully run in. Add a puig, givi or similar screen extension and wind protection is great. On the down side, the suspension is comfortable for longer touring, but too soft for really bad roads. The gearbox is also clunky and you keep getting worried it won’t last long as a result (doubt this should be a concern though). The fuel tank placement I think is also a huge problem causing the weight to be too far back making the bike feel even heavier than it is and unresponsive. Glad they addressed this on the new 850. The speedo is also rather difficult to read. Having said all this, still a great bike for the price second hand.
Great review hoping to pick one up soon.
Awesome fun video! I love my GS i cant wait to get out there and rip this summer!!
good review straight to the point
+vnohelix It's not our opinion that what you've described is the cause of the issue. The handling of the standard F 800 GS, especially off-road is extremely good. It's an extremely capable motorcycle, that like all big bikes has limitations. The biggest blight of the bike is the lack of valving in the fork and springs that are two soft. Both of those problems are solvable by a suspension specialist or a cartridge kit and then there no qualms with the bikes handling.
The geometrical positioning of the engine affecting the handling like the other review describes is something we don't agree with. There are so many factors in bike geometry that comparing the relation of one component relevant to another, without understanding that factors of all component positioning, from handlebars to fuel, engine angle, footage position swing arm length, sub-frame angles, fork height through the clamps and so on you simply can't make that judgment.
The problem with the adventure is a little different. The fork has more lacklustre performance, it's simply massively under sprung and the added weight causes huge amounts of fork movement. This results in the fork to wallow and hit the stiff part of the stroke at bad times, creating poor turning and front end confidence. Again, it's not difficult to solve really.
Ohlins, Touratech and a few other all do parts to help with this, and then you'd have a lovely bike!
+Brake Magazine Thank you for your explanation and time.
good honest review, thanks :-)
This is the legend 🎉
This is one of the best reviews of F800GSA. I myself ride one and I agree with the points that were raised.
I was not pleased with the way, how the bike handled offroad in the first place and hence I installed Öhlins fork cartridges, Wilbers rear shock (ESA compatible) and Rekluse clutch (just to name few of the farkles) and these have transformed the bike. It is still heavy as hell, but one just must remember to stay on single tracks, keep up the speed and avoid places where you might get stuck and it's all good.
turns a 15K bike into a 20K bike with all those upgrades.
Does it have a quick shifter? I have a 2015 GSA back home and I finally get to pick it up and ride it for the first time in a few weeks
Does the bike feel heavy offroad? If you had a choice out of the 800 or the 1200 adventure which would you choose as a all round bike?
I enjoyed it since it was from a rider's perspective of the bike handling... we all can read specs... I like the honest seat time comments.
Good review. I'd clock a fair few miles on the 800GS and 800GSA as a tour guide currently owning both models. I prefer the standard 800GS off road (less weight) but the 800GSA makes for a great long distance tourer with a bit of trail riding thrown into the mix. To be honest though I use an AirHawk seat for long days as the stock seat sucks on both. The 15k buy in is a bit much for the 800GSA, but if you intend to clock up some proper miles it works out a fair bit cheaper (fuel, maintaince, tyres, servicing) than the 1200's, and the extra fairing and fuel range makes it better than the standard 800GS. I'd agree for the most part with the soft forks which is a long running complaint for most 800GS riders. Did you try the ESA Sport setting though? Putting it into Sport makes a fair difference firming up the suspention for the twisties comparing to the standard setup of a 800GS without the ESA - which would likely see you parking in a tree before long. I also find the pre-load adjuster should be set a little stiffer than the manual says to compensate for the extra weight on a full tank - 24ltr. The two bikes are very different, both will do just about anything you want, the GSA with ESA makes for a better big distance mile muncher and good for the likes of me needing to get across France or Spain in a day. For everyday riding though I usually end up on the lighter standard model.
+RoadTrooper I'd say we're on the same page there. The model we've had on test was not including ESA.
Found this in another review: "(F800GS) “Doesn’t matter if it’s in regular or Adventure guise, the 800 GS is a bit of a dog. Compare a side profile shot of it to the Super Ten and you’ll see why. Both use parallel-twin engines, but the Yamaha’s is pushed as close to the front wheel as possible, planting all its weight over the front end. That massive gap between the BMW’s wheel and motor means there just isn’t enough weight over its front wheel to instill much confidence or cornering performance, which is then exacerbated by the too high center of gravity and its asthmatic motor. On paper, this should be the Africa Twin’s closest rival, but in the real world, this bike just sucks. Did I mention the total lack of comfort?”
Was considering a 800GS but this review made me hold of. Seems like you are talking about the same fundamental design flaw. Any thoughts?
Cant believe this bike doesnt have cruise control. So many years making them, nearly 15K euros and they dont put cruise control. Cmon BMW, you can better than that!
+Lazar Djurovic (H8) It's very difficult to do with having fly by wire throttle. It's pretty much expected that when the bike is remodelled in the next couple of years it'll have cruise.
Does it have heard position indicator ?
Should i buy it?
KTM 1050 Adventure or BMW F 800 GS Adventure?
Do you think this would be a good fit for someone that wants to do about 80% touring and 20% off road?
+Jim Scott You'll not have much issue with it for that purpose, although there are probably better bikes for that balance. The R 1200 GS is a better road bike for example.
Love this bike but some people mention that it has vibration issues driving on road, is this true? Only when going very fast or only on old models?
+Robert Stensones- It isn't something we've ever noticed in out testing of the bikes. If you want, have a read of the full review on our magazine here - www.brake-magazine.com/rated-bmw-f-800-gs-adventure/
Ok, great , thank you for the quick response:)
good review, well produced with relevant content and good videography but around 1:40 the presenter's voice dropped and became difficult to hear and the background music while nice didnt help the issue.
looking forward to more videos with hopefully better audio
he needs a lav mic. holding the h1 isn't going to cut it because his hand is moving.
+Fahad M We're sorry about the audio here, not too sure what happened. It appears the interview switched to only coming out of the left channel. Won't happen again!
+stockton350 We use a ME2 lab mic for the interviews. It was an error in editing that wasn't picked up.
Excelent review.. How does it call the song?
Honestly, no-one in the office knows. Apologies!
mpiable Little Love by Riley and the Roxies
Damn, can't find them on iTunes.
Brake Magazine, F 800 GS or Tiger 800 XCx?
+Lazar Djurovic (H8) What a question! It depends on your preference of riding really.
The general handling of the standard F 800 GS is the best off road in our opinion. BUT, the triumph is very good on tarmac and has better suspension all round.
Both are very close in most aspects, so it depends on personal preference and height. The Triumphs biggest draw back the slightly more cumbersome handling off road and poor turning circle, which makes it odd at slow speed. :)
Both are good bikes however and you'd not be disappointed in either!
Why does the break flash
Because the shutter speed of the camera is different to the refresh rate of the light.
anda muito
Is it original sticker?
The last part of the video is not cool . Why do this man damage the bike with that trees . Its really sad and makes me angry when people do that stuff with bikes just damage
Boring
I cant stand this annoying music either
Soft forks, understeer, duh, that's a review??
Glenn Hamburger Hi Glenn, We're sorry you didn't enjoy it. What constitutes a 'review'?