BMW F750GS and F850GS, the new models told by Mattia Dodi – Aftersales Manager of BMW Motorrad Italia [VIDEO INTERVIEW]

We went to the Piacenza area, to the GS Academy headquarters, for the presentation of the new medium-sized enduro bikes from the German manufacturer BMW. We tested the F750GS and the F850GS. Today they are two bikes perhaps a little more separate than in the past. Certainly from the point of view of power, with 8 horsepower more difference between one and the other, but also with a more marked connotation towards the road of the 750 (which then has the same displacement of 853 as the 850), while the 850 on the other hand has a more off-road vocation.

Exactly, with the new F models, totally revised and let's remember that there isn't even a bolt from the old series that has been repurposed on the new one, we have two new medium bikes for BMW. The 750, as you well said, with a much more touring vocation, also the whole new luggage system allows for much more load capacity and a new engine setting, completely new even in the cylinder timing, which is completely different to have a Very smooth delivery and a docile bike, very very simple to handle. On the 850 we have a much more off-road connotation, it can be further accentuated with the Rallye version and with the dedicated fittings, such as the footrests, the Rallye saddle and so on, protections etc.

We rode it today and really appreciated the step forward, the leaps forward that these bikes have made. We also appreciated the fact that, while we are used to seeing continuous updates of the motorbikes that are offered on the market, in this case we are faced, as mentioned, with a truly completely new motorbike. For example, the engine, while maintaining the same architecture, therefore a parallel twin-cylinder, has a completely different character. In the past it resembled that of its older sister on a smaller scale, therefore with a boxer-like character, now the character is a little different, similar to a 90° V, even if in reality, from a sound point of view, it has other different characteristics , with a delivery that we truly appreciated. Very fluid and, in any passage, there is no on-off, there is absolutely no type of "lack".

Yes, research and the desire to make a motorbike that was very simple to manage, but also high-performance, that complied with anti-pollution requirements and regulations, as well as had low consumption, were the guidelines that led to the development of this new engine from zero. The cylinder timing is 90°, therefore the explosions are at 270° and 450°. Why did it change from the old 360? It was changed for various reasons, primarily to have an engine that was more compact and lighter than the previous one. The sound similar to that of the boxer has been given up, but to have a greater breadth of the delivery curve, greater usability, as you well said earlier, it is characteristic of this engine to have no uncertainties, no holes and to have the maximum possible linearity. This was achieved thanks to very advanced fluid dynamics and also completely innovative management via the throttle body. Like that of idle management, which prevents, for example, accidental shutdowns, typical of large-displacement twin-cylinder engines.

And the result was appreciated during our test. Let's remember that the power is 77 horsepower for the 750, even if it is a name because the displacement is still that, as mentioned, of 853, 95, therefore 10 more than in the past for the F850GS. We also appreciated the quality, the equipment, remember that by spending some money, because obviously nothing is free, you can have optional packages which lead to having elements and a very rich equipment, making a leap towards the higher segment.

Of course, all the equipment that can be had on the medium-displacement GS is practically the same that can be had on the 1200. Emergency Call also makes its debut on these models, so a great eye on safety. With the emergency button and the emergency call, which can be activated even after a crash, the intensity of which is actually assessed by the motorcycle's electronic system. The call goes out automatically for help. The TFT is new for the entire connectivity package, which is offered both for the 1200 and is proposed exactly the same for the "F" models.

There are many other things, which you can see in the dedicated video, but above all in the complete article (here is our article with video) of our test, such as the inertial platform, which also serves as ABS and traction control to function optimally when cornering and much more, for example, on the 850, this time as standard, the spoked rims with tubeless tyres, but the list is certainly very long, so definitely go and read our road test.