Cw First Ride 2014 Bmw F800gs Adventure
Ignition
THE RIDE STARTS HERE
BMW F800GS ADVENTURE -> HONDA CB500X -> CAN-AM SPYDER ST LIMITED -> 2014 SUZUKI V-STROM 1000 -> CARLIN DUNNE
CW FIRST RIDE 2014 BMW F800GS ADVENTURE
Better range, more comfort, burlier build
Blake Conner
BY THE NUMBERS
WEIGHT GAIN: The new Adventure, at 505 lb. wet, weighs 33 lb. more than a standard F800G5.
GO FARTHER: With its 6.3-gallon fuel tank, the Adventure has a claimed range of more than 300 miles.
ON THE SURFACE, the 2014 BMW F800GS Adventure might appear to be a simple restyle of the standard model, but important updates to the midsize parallelTwin make it a serious option for those who really like to travel into the wilds.
Buyers will appreciate the largercapac ity 6.3-gallon fuel tank (up from 4.2), improved wind protection, more comfortable seat and off-road guards for the engine, handlebar levers and underseat fuel tank. An Endurospecific ride mode for the ABS and ASC (traction control) systems is another key addition that allows far more aggressive dirt riding than the road-oriented parameters of the standard F800GS.
The press launch took place in and around Moab, Utah, on a 175-mile route, about two-thirds of which was off-highway with lots of loose sand, silt and even some rocky Jeep trails.
Of all the changes and additions that make the Adventure an Adventure, Enduro mode stands out as the most important. As I headed off the asphalt,
I ignored my desire to turn off ABS and ASC (the latter can be toggled on the fly), and put my faith in the computer. Good choice.
Not as sophisticated as the Ri200GS’s Enduro Pro (which shuts off ABS to the rear wheel), the F8ooGS’s Enduro mode is nonetheless quite effective. In silt and sand, I appreciated the F8ooGS’s newfound off-road chops, which were enhanced by the Continental TKC 80 tires fitted to my bike.
Another surprise was how much leash ASC allows in Enduro mode; the rear end could be stepped out into big, broad, controllable slides, without the bike ever snapping sideways too aggressively. I only shut the system off on loose, rocky uphill sections, where TC wouldn’t allow the rear tire to paddle through the dirt and keep the bike driving forward.
The Adventure is also far better traveler than the standard model. In addition to the extended range afforded by the larger fuel tank, the new seat feels like it will be substantially more comfortable on long rides.
Underneath the rugged new exterior, most of the Adventure’s core is unchanged. The same torquey 798CC Twin provides smooth, usable power for every type of condition. On-road engine performance is good, but the bike really shines off-highway.
Questions? Comments? Email us: intake@cycleworld.com
In spite of its not-insignificant 505-pound, fully fueled weight, the Adventure rarely feels topheavy and it becomes a handful only in deep sand and silt. The ESA electronically adjustable shock does a good job of dealing with all but the harshest terrain and its push-button adjustment convenience is always welcome.
While the F800GS Adventure can be ordered in base-model form for $13,550, the best values are found in the $14,350 Premium Package, which includes the Enduro Package (ASC, Enduro ABS/ASC modes) and the Comfort Package (heated grips, onboard computer and centerstand). A Fully Loaded package at $14,995 adds LED foglights and ESA to the hardware above. Like all BMWs, ABS is standard.
For anyone seeking a versatile ADV bike with better off-highway capabilities than most, the F800GS Adventure is a dramatic improvement over what was already a solid choice in the class.
DON'T GET LOST
BMW MOTORRAD NAVIGATOR ADVENTURE
This $799 optional CPS features a 4-inch-wide touchscreen, preinstalled North American road maps, lifetime free map updates, a customizable main menu and a waterproof housing. The easily detachable unit, which has a barometric altimeter and can be mounted in portrait or landscape fashion,logs journey data and can run for up to 22 hours when the rechargeable Li-ion battery is supplemented with conventional AAs.
