BMW F 900 GS
It's weird to think the new middleweight F 900 GS produces more power than the legendary 1200 GS when it was launched back in 2007. Proof, if it were needed, that middleweight adventure bikes have come a long way. For 2024, the F 900 GS promises to deliver both on- and off-road so we headed to southern Spain to try two different models: first, the standard GS fitted with the Enduro Package Pro; and the second, a more road-focused model, which also started life as a standard bike, now fitted with the Dynamic Package.
It's unfamiliar to see an Akrapovic exhaust silencer fitted as standard on a BMW adventure bike, adding both a bit of bark and aesthetic appeal. The 900 GS has a distinctive sound, acoustically pleasing for a standard bike, which is obviously compliant to Euro 5 plus.
BMW has made substantial improvements in performance over the outgoing 850 model, which was beginning to feel dated compared to recent competitors entering this highly competitive market. With a quoted 105bhp, the new 900 GS surpasses the Africa Twin in power and matches the Triumph Tiger 900 and KTM 890.
Nevertheless, it's not just about peak power numbers, as BMW has focused on developing torque output and throttle delivery. There's now a wider spread of torque throughout the rpm range, with added punchiness in the midrange. Peak torque isn't a massive step over the old 850 (just 0.7lb-ft higher) but it's wider. At the outset, I found myself downshifting unnecessarily when searching for power but soon discovered that wasn't essential. Even at higher speeds, the GS delivers smooth and torquey performance without needing constant gear changes, a definite increase from the previous model.
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