BMW F800GS, G for Gelande [ROAD TEST VIDEO]

We almost always see it on asphalt, here it is on dirt

di Matteo Pozzi 8 July 2016

Photo BMW F800GS - Road test 2016

Photoshoot: ENGINEER
Collaborators: Alessio Sanavio and Tomas Del Campo

BMW F800GS – Returns to the editorial office after a couple of years ago we tested it in the Adventure version (here is the link to the test). A setup that changes the characteristics quite a bit, but basically the bike is the same, as it is the same F800GS that has been on the market for a good number of years, with the appropriate modifications and refinements that allow it to remain a favorite of a good number of motorcyclists. With 2016 is renewed in colours, that of the sample under test is also new (racing blue / metallic matt), with some tweaks to the aesthetics, for example the new aluminum conveyors are beautiful. She remains true to herself in the rest, but as we were saying, the little GS didn't need to be overturned. The engine electronics are refined, with optimized delivery both when driving on the road with the Road mode and when off-road with the Enduro.

The F800GS is firmly in the top ten positions in the sales rankings, thanks to its ease of driving, as well as its propensity to be used even for long journeys. The rigid side bags, now a classic from BMW, with a mechanism that allows them to be widened to increase their capacity, is just an example of the many conveniences it shows off. You are very comfortable in the saddle, with an almost perfect position and the 85 horsepower, combined with a nice chassis, allow you to have a lot of fun. It hides its 214 kg in running order very well and its handling is among its best qualities. Perfect for the city and for the home-office commute, fun on a weekend ride, an excellent companion for a long trip, the GS 800 is truly a 360-degree motorcycle, capable of satisfying the needs of a very high percentage of bikers .

Not only Strasse, but also and above all Gelande

GS stands for Gelande Strasse, translated in Italian dirt road, precisely to identify thedual purpose soul of motorbikes with this acronym. So after testing it on the road, we modify the configuration, from Road taking it to Enduro, and let's see what it is capable of when it leaves the asphalt. To help us in this context a tire also with a dual vocation, with Metzeler Karoo3 knobby tires, a good compromise between on and off. In Enduro mode, with a simple command, you act both on the engine management electronics, making it smoother, and on the traction control, allowing the rear wheel to "plow" the ground, especially if the tire is knobby as in our case. The main difference, however, concerns the configuration of the ABS, which in Enduro only acts on the front, in a less invasive way, while the rear is free to lock, which is essential when driving off-road. If even this is not enough for you, it is possible to achieve a more complete exclusion by holding down the ABS button on the left block for a long time.

Don't call it the little GS, rather the specialist off road one

The F800GS is often preferred to its bigger sister, not only for economic reasons or personal taste, but rather because those who love off road know that it is the GS most specialized in this. Credit also goes to the 360° timing of the engine, which gives it an almost single-cylinder connotation, with very regular, but always full delivery even at very low revs, perfect in conditions of low grip and low speeds, where switching off the engine can often result in an assured fall. Confirmation that the small GS is not just an easy bike for everyone comes from the 21" front wheel and a more contained and well-balanced weight. Even before driving it, it is clear that it is the BMW most suitable for this type of use, we were then able to see it in our participation in the GS Academy (here is the link to the article).

If on asphalt the weight seems much lighter than the scale says, when you have the handlebars in your hands off-road this characteristic becomes even more evident. With the addition of the very pleasant sensation of a well-planted front tire that is difficult to undermine. On slippery surfaces, the high stability and nature of the forward-facing inline twin-cylinder are appreciated. Top electronics in fact it gives him a perfect character, which ensures that confidence comes almost immediately. He starts to have fun driving, without too many fears, because you can always count on the progressive pull and his readiness. The BMW F800GS therefore confirms itself as a perfect travel companion for every occasion, even for those who find an unpaved road during the holidays and decide to dismantle their bags and have some fun.

Will the off road vocation really be useful?

Some will argue that few of its buyers will actually do it, but often the taste of freedom that a motorbike gives can also be this: knowing that you are able to do it. Leaving on a journey with the awareness that, if for the sake of exploring we end up on challenging routes, you will transform a potentially negative situation into an opportunity to tackle a bit of off road without fear and enjoy some nice traverses. Of course, as long as you have decided to put the right shoes on her, because without the Metzeler Karoo3 we wouldn't have had so much fun today. A tire that still provides good grip on asphalt, only with a slightly more pronounced rolling noise. The only real flaw we noticed was a discreet lengthening of stopping distances in particular conditions, where the ABS went into a slight crisis. If mounted optionally, as in our case, the ESA suspensions allow you to manage calibration with a button, switching from Normal to Sport or Comfort. The only small limitations of the F800GS relate to some vibration of the forward-facing twin-cylinder and fairly limited aerodynamic protection, given that the windshield is also designed for off-road use, where if it were high it would only be a nuisance. On the economic front however the F800GS is economical in consumption, which is close to the 5 liters per 100 km area (20 km with one liter if you prefer), while the price is 11.900 euros, to which any must be added optional packages, such as the 600 euro Comfort (which includes, among other things, the suitcase supports and the central stand), or the 650 Dynamic with ESA, ASC and Enduro mode.

Test clothing: