First Ride: 2008 BMW F800GS

I’m writing you from Durban, South Africa, where I just spent the day on the BMW F800GS, the newest in the German company’s line of parallel Twins. Last year we rode the F800S and ST and wondered when Munich was going to shove the torquey powerplant into a GS model. They did it just one year later and it was worth the wait.

Don’t think of this mid-sized GS as small or underpowered; the 800GS is easily the most capable off-road bike in the GS range. What gives it a huge advantage over the bigger R1200GS is 50 pounds less (claimed) weight, although I think the bigger bike is substantially heavier than BMW states in their specs. This made riding on dirt roads and gnarly off-road trails much easier than on the 1200.

The bike I rode was fitted with Bridgestone dual-sport tires (with a curious 17-inch rear) that are much better suited to highway and dirt road use. But we did take a guided ride over about three miles of very steep, technical terrain. I dropped the tire pressure down to around 20 psi front and rear and was very impressed with how easily it climbed. Our aggressive route took us up through a couple of rocky, rutted areas that I definitely wouldn’t consider trying on a big GS, but the 800 grunted its way to the top with little hesitation. Some of the trails were covered in wet, long grass that made the trail difficult to see; when in doubt, gas it! The suspension did a good job of dealing with all of the unseen rocks and ruts.

On road the GS is very good as well. The riding position and seat are excellent, but you won’t be able to spend quite as much time in the saddle as on the big GS, as the seat is a bit firmer. One thing that I instantly noticed on the 800 while doing photo passes was the amazing steering-lock range on the bike. I was able to make feet-up U-turns anywhere I wanted. It has to have about the tightest turning radius of any bike I can remember riding.

One item I heard a few of the European journalists complain about was the bike’s Brembo brakes. I thought they were perfect. BMW has positioned this bike as a more off-road friendly bike and if the brakes were any more grabby you would be on your head trying to get stopped on loose surfaces. I got into a few corners too hot on the dirt roads and was able to modulate the front brake to perfection with the ABS turned off. I rode in Sidi off-road boots and found that the foot controls were perfectly placed for serious dirt riding, as were the tapered handle bars.

I really hope that consumers don’t look at this bike as the kid brother of the big bike, because they really serve two different purposes. The rider that wants a longer-range touring Enduro and rides 90 percent on asphalt will be better off with the 1200. However, those who actually want to ride their GS off-highway more often will prefer the lighter, more maneuverable 800. I think commuters will like the bike a lot as well.

I’m excited to get back home and get a test unit to ride around our Southern California, base and see what she’ll do. I even have started to ponder if I should ask BMW for a long-term test unit, so we can see how off-road capable it really is. Stay tuned.