2019 BMW F850GS/Adventure

BMW wowed the world with the R80G/S and for nearly 40 years since it has continued to build on the go-anywhere, do-anything reputation of that market-changing dual-sport—née “adventure”—motorcycle. Considered a big bike for its time, the air-cooled G/S displaced 798cc, weighed a claimed 410 pounds, had a seat height of 34 inches, and carried 5.1 gallons of fuel. Today’s F850GS (a middleweight by current standards) has a 55cc larger engine (with its liquid-cooled cylinders in parallel, not opposed), weighs 125 pounds more, holds an additional gallon of gas, and locates the rider slightly closer to the ground.

Electronic rider aids is an area where the two machines radically differ. Stability and traction control weren’t on riders’ radars in 1980, yet the F850GS comes from the factory with those features. There are two standard Rain and Road modes, and optional Ride Modes Pro adds Enduro, Dynamic, and Enduro Pro, plus cornering-enhancing ABS Pro and Dynamic Traction Control. With Dynamic ESA, the rear suspension is adjustable with a touch of a handlebar-mounted button. The Adventure model adds a height-adjustable windscreen, engine guards, and a stainless steel luggage rack.

Likes: Larger, more powerful twin-cylinder engine; multiple seat-height options

Dislikes: Packages and options can up out-the-door price by thousands of dollars

Verdict: BMW steps up to fight for the middleweight ADV crown

When it spec’d the next-gen F850GS/Adventure, BMW chose a new crankshaft with 90-degree-offset throws, dual balance shafts, and a 270/450-degree firing interval. Compression is up (12.7:1), as is claimed power—from 85 to 95 hp. A new transmission includes an anti-hop clutch and Gear Shift Assist Pro.

2019 BMW Adventure Model Details Uncovered

Gelände/Straße is German for off-road/road, and that category of middleweight motorcycles will soon be bursting at the seams, what with the addition of the KTM 790 Adventure/R, Yamaha 700 Ténéré, and two Triumphs, the long-legged Scrambler 1200 XE and, for the more inseam-challenged, the shorter-travel 1200 XC.

KTM 790 Adventure And 790 Adventure R First Look

Yamaha 700 Ténéré Confirmed For Production In 2020

2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC And Scrambler 1200 XE First Look

Tippy-toes or boots flat on the ground? BMW ups comfort with saddles that raise or lower seat height over a range of more than 2 inches: Low (32.9 inches); Standard (33.9); Comfort (34.4); and Rallye (35.0). Low Suspension kit drops seat height to 32.1 inches.