BMW F850GS (2018 - on) Review

Good ride quality, very plush and soaks up the bumps, but front end on the soft side for spirited riding and dives under heavy braking.

Power delivery is very good, smooth and linear, but feels a bit underpowered.

Feels very solid. Never failed to start. No issues so far (5000 miles)

Screen, electronics and controls all work seamlessly and easy to use.

Easy to ride for 2 or 3 hours before short stops. Suspension is superb as is the front brake. I would prefer a stronger back brake, but it’s adequate

The engine is probably my favourite thing about the bike, beautiful power delivery with wonderful sound and “feel”

6K service is around £250, 12k service around £480

My extras include centre stand, heated grips and taller screen, I believe a centre stand should be standard on an adventure bike

The sport has extra ride modes and mine had the auto suspension, I dont think you need them as long as you can use Rain in the wet which just softens the throttle and power arriving

I've had two of the Gs's the first one had to be returned due to Cam lobe wear, there is a recall but the only tell you if you complain. Its normally upto 2019, they had my bike for a few weeks to get the parts, quietens engine back down as they did the cam chain at the same time. The second one went back with yet another cam chain noise, I thought it was me but Im of an age normally Everything sounds fine. so post 2019 have the uprated cam lobes but still the rattly cam chain. you can buy kits to adjust them but why should you on a 14k bike.

If you are used to real biek dealers, motarad is certainly different. The oh you have to speak to service about that, is not what you get from terry tibbs honda dealers and takes a bit of getting used to

TFT screen is a must, BMW told dealers to sell NON TFT clocked versions just after covid, I would avoid as the screen makes the bike and is a neccesity.

V v good ride , hard cornering is only limited by tyre choice for thin front wheel , contact patch is only small so I won’t go out with my sportbike mates , me n mrs love it for all day comfort and quality ride.

Fantastic engine , sounds ace , just get rid of cat👍🏼

Been ridden hard at times and has remained bulletproof

Service myself ( worked on bikes 45 yrs) nice and easy to maintain

I only want and asked for the most basic model , personally I think electronics spoil a bike and I think they can be 100% reliable easily if not for electronics to leave you stranded in middle of nowhere! But I am an old fossil lol.. 19 when I’m in bike sadle tho🚀🚀🚀

It is a brilliant all round bike but the rear brake traction control comes in quite early, but i this this is because I never had traction control before and in reality although i noticed it at first I never notice it now so have obviously adapted

People talk about the engine been the soul of a bike and I love this engine, it has all the power I need with pretty good low down power, although doesn’t like to be opened up below 3,000rpm , I never ride below 3,500, so not really an issue

Not had any problems at all with build quality and I had no warranty issues

In terms of initial value for money I don’t think it can be beaten, as with any BMW, you have to be careful not to get carried away with options you don’t need, but select carefully and it’s brilliant value for money. 6,000 mile service is £230 , 12,000 is £480, so annually depends on milage but i this £350 is an average

The bike is very good as standard, but you have to specify some extras, mine was sport colours plus centre stand and heated grips. I believe centre stand and heated grips should be standard on a big trail bike

The brakes feel a little soft to start with but once you get used to them they are plenty

Smooth and has all you need for riding on tarmac

Servicing is a little on the high side as most of the independents near me don’t have the electronics to deal with all the resets needed after a full service

The sport version has everything you could want and is easy to ride and live with as a daily bike

Super comfy ride, brakes are good.Suspension is a little soft if really pushing it off-road, but good if keeping speeds more respectable.

Engine is brilliant when ridden in Dynamic (Road) or Enduro Pro (Off-road) modes!

A leaking radiator was replaced at no cost (under warranty), otherwise, 30 000km's hassle-free to date.A slight engine rattle at start-up, otherwise good.

Costs per 10 000km are about R4000, or 200 British pounds.

This bike has everything I need, except a built-in GPS to the brilliant TFT screen ... now that would be awesome!

Front brake is incredible, rear brake is vague. No complaints really. I'm a big heavy bloke and the stock suspension is adequate for myself and two up riding IF you take it easy. The 21" Front Wheel takes a bit of getting used to.

Absolutely love the airbox growl and the power rush when you use the Quick-shifter. For overtakes is brilliant. So much better than my old 59 Plate 800 GS

My bike is an ex-BMW employee bike and was on 6k miles when purchased. Now done 10K and the engine paint is starting to flake. Really disappointed about that as I have not ridden it through the winter.

I have to pay £245 for an oil and filter and brake fluid change this year to keep the warranty going. Next year it will need the £400+ valve check service. But that said, it is a BMW from a main dealer and I knew this when I bought it. I happen to think it is worth sucking it up after years of riding older bikes and having a few reliability issues.

Has everything I could ever need and a bit more. TFT is brilliant and easy to use. Quick-shifter is a game changer.

The seat hurts after a few hours..

The engine works really well but dose rattle. taking away from a quality product.

Goes well s d everthing works..

Costly to run..

quick shifter pro.. brilliant..

The ride is predictable and can be fun when in the mood. I have used the bike all year round with no qualms. The ride is comfortable for two hours, after which a break will be required to stretch legs and relieve aches.

The engine is punchy with plenty of power for every day use on the roads. 3rd and 4th will be used the most for back road fun.

The bike is built to a high standard with the only sign of corrosion/wear on the front of the engine casings where some of the paint has started to come off, probaly due to using the bike all year round with no fender extender installed and being over zealous with the pressure washer.

Insurance cost was high compared to my previous bike, Versys 650 but is probaly due to the age and value of the BMW.

The heated grips are excellent for all year use and the riding modes work well in differing weather conditions and particularly inspire confidence in the wet. The quick shifter is a good addition after you get used to it. BMW expandable hard luggage was purchased with the bike which works very well and has so far kept everything dry. The luggage hooks onto the bike with no carrier frame required, which means the bike looks tidy with the luggage removed. I have so far ridden 18000 miles in 18 months and am on my second set of Annakee tyres, which have worked well in all weather conditions. The switch for high beam and heated grips has started sticking but will be dealt with on the next service. The quick shifter has also picked up an intermittent fault and does not always work, which will hopefully be dealt with at the next service, as the model has a 3 year warranty.