Dirtiest Beemers

DIRTIEST BEEMERS

IN EUROPE, BMW’S best-selling model-and by no small margin-is the

R1200GS adventure bike, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that a new stablemate, the F800GS, was shown in Milan. This is no simple re-skinning of the F800S roadster. In fact, the GS completely parts company from the S by having a tubular trellis-type frame instead of a twin-spar aluminum setup. The engine features more vertically oriented cylinders, only 8 degrees off vertical instead of the 30 degrees of the F800 unit. Final drive is by chain, not toothed

belt. Despite the out-

ward differences, the engine is unchanged and produces the same 85 horsepower and 61.2 footpounds of torque. The new chas-

sis spans a generous 62.1-inch wheelbase. Styling is typical GS, with a “beak”-type false top fender and a smaller real fender hugging the 90/90-21 front tire.

A Marzocchi 45mm inverted fork is borrowed from the Boxer-powered HP2 Enduro/

Megamoto. The standard seat height of 34.6 inches can be dropped to 33.5 inches. Brembo supplies the brakes in the form of twin 300mm rotors up front teamed to four-piston calipers. Claimed dry weight is 392 pounds. Confusingly, there is a detuned, more pavementoriented version of this bike called the F650GS, with a 71horse version of the 800cc Twin, shorter-travel suspension and a lower seat height. This model is not slated to come to the U.S.

The G450X enduro racer, meanwhile, is still under development, thus no final technical specifications have been

released, except for the expected output (50 horsepower) and the anticipated weight (265 pounds). Now that BMW owns Husqvama, those highly experienced off-road specialists might assist their German colleagues in honing the last details of the G450X, although the parent company made clear that Husky is to remain a separate entity over the long term.

Bruno dePrato