BMW Motorrad USA introduced the 2024 BMW F 800 GS, F 900 GS and F 900 GS Adventure in late January 2024. They redesigned these F models to take on the mid-range ADV bike segment, saying they’re doing so by focusing on the riders’ needs with more features and equipment.
The F 800 GS is the entry-level bike, featuring a downtuned version of the new, more powerful motor and new standard equipment. The main platform—the F 900 GS—sports more focus on off-road experiences as well as weight reduction, higher output and more standard equipment. The F 900 GS Adventure is aimed at short and long- distance touring riders, whether they venture off-road or not.
BMW expects the bikes to land at dealers in early Q2 2024, and it’s a safe bet many fans of the marque are hoping to get their hands on one in April or May, just ahead of the prime summer riding season in North America. The F 800 GS will have an MSRP of $10,495; the 900’s MSRP will be $13,495 and the Adventure will go for $14,195—all prices are without BMW’s destination fees.
Central to the platform is the new 895cc parallel twin, which BMW says produces 105 crank horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 68.6 pound-feet or torque at 6,750 rpm. Those figures drop to 87 hp at 6,750 rpm and 67 lb-ft at 6,750 for the F 800 GS. This is the same engine used in the F 900 R and XR models. The F 900 GS comes in more than 30 pounds lighter than the previous F 850 GS, which for many riders seeking middleweight ADV bikes will be a huge benefit.
As far as the new engine goes, Christian Geis, Project Manager for the F-series GSes, said, “In addition to significantly higher peak output and more torque, the new engine in the GS models of the F series provides noticeably more pulling power and acceleration. This benefits the rider not only on the road, but also off the road.” The cylinder’s bore grew by 2mm, and with updated heads and new forged pistons, BMW achieved a compression ratio of 13.1:1 to benefit the 270/450 degree firing order. Despite the higher compression, BMW says the F 900 GS uses Active Knock Control to be able to use a wider variety of gasoline, making the platform more conducive to off-the-beaten-path travel. Add to that counterweight shaft in front of and behind the crankshaft, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and an anti-hopping wet clutch connected to the six-speed transmission, and riders are looking at what could be the smoothest-feeling GS bikes ever. Gear Shift Assist Pro is available as an option to further streamline the riding experience.
The new bikes sport a trellis-style steel frame using the engine as a stressed member, as well as full LED lighting and a 6.5-inch TFT Bluetooth-capable dash display. An adjustable shift lever makes off-road riding a little easier, and of course all the bikes come standard with heated grips, hand protection and the ability to connect a variety of luggage. The standard Rain and Road riding modes are present and take advantage of Dynamic Traction Control, and otionally available Riding Modes Pro gives the rider access to Dynamic, Enduro and Enduro Pro riding modes, all with configurable Engine Drag Torque Control possibilities.
The F 900 GS and GS Adventure get upgraded suspension components, including fully adjustable 43mm upside-down Showa forks to achieve 9.1 inches of suspension travel. The F 800 GS has 41mm forks for 6.7 inches of travel up front. All the bikes are equipped with rear monoshocks with preload and rebound damping adjustability for 8.5 (900s) or 6.7 (800) inches of travel. An optional Enduro Package Pro for the F 900 GS upgrades the suspension to include 45mm forks and a fully adjustable ZF Sachs rear shock along with other niceties for off-road riding. Any of the new bikes can be equipped with factory-lowered suspensions to drop the seat height by 2.2 or 2.8 inches, and all the bikes are equipped with cornering-optimized ABS Pro.
At the ends of the suspension are the wheels and tires, and while all the bikes share the same rear wheel/tire combo (150/70 R 17), the F 800 GS uses a 110/80 R 19 front on a cast aluminum wheel while the 900s get a 90/90 R 21 front tire on a slightly narrower cross-spoke wheel.
BMW is rightly proud of reducing the weight of the F 900 GS by over 30 pounds; the 2024 iteration’s wet weight is 483 pounds. The 800 weighs 500 pounds—thanks in part to its slightly larger fuel tank—and the Adventure comes in at 542 pounds. As for load-bearing capacity, BMW specs the bikes at 461 (Adventure), 470 (800) and 498 (900 GS) pounds’ worth of rider, luggage and gear.
Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design for BMW Motorrad, said, “With the new F 900 GS, we have not only achieved a very good result with regard to functionality, but also in terms of designing an athletic and sporty BMW GS. Pure GS, so to speak, and reduced to the original genes with powerful off-road qualities.” The press release also touted numerous upgrades, updates and changes aimed at improving the riders’ off-road experience.
The F 800 GS will be available in Light White paint with black and blue highlights. A “Style Sport” option changes that to Racing Blue with Light White highlights plus silver, black and red touches. A “Triple Black” version looks much like what you’ve come to expect, plus some Mineral Grey Matte Metallic highlights. For the F 900 GS, color choices will be Black Storm Metallic (Mineral Grey Matte Metallic highlights), “Style Passion” (São Paolo Yellow with red highlights) and “Style GS Trophy” (Light White, Racing Blue Matte Metallic and Racing Red). The Adventure version starts with Black Storm Metallic (White Aluminum highlights) and ends with “Style Ride Pro” (White Aluminum Matte with black and grey highlights).
