The middleweight ADV segment is hot in Milan right now, with a bevy of models in this category debuting at this year’s EICMA show. For BMW Motorrad, its a two-pronged effort, showing the updated BMW F750GS and BMW 850GS models.
This space has always been a big crowded in the BMW motorcycle lineup, with the F700GS and F800GS having considerable overlaps. For 2018, the Germans explain how they see the F750GS and F850GS as differing.
Accordingly, the BMW F750GS is designed for riders who prefer a travel enduro that has a low seat height, good power, and plenty of bang for the buck.
Conversely, the new BMW F850GS boasts more power and torque, is more feature-heavy, and is designed with extensive off-roading in mind.
For the 2018 model year, both bikes have been punched out to 853cc. For the F750GS this means a very modest power increase to 77hp (up from 75hp), while for the F850GS the power increase is more substantial, 95hp (up from 85hp).
Both versions of BMW parallel-twin motor have a crankshaft with a 90 degree journal offset, a 270/450 degree firing interval, and two counterbalance shafts.
Straying from the weirdness of before, the countershaft sprocket is on the left-hand side of the bike now, which will make visually identifying the F750GS and F850GS very easy (the previous models have their chain drive on the right-hand side of the bike).
More subtle changes include a revised frame, which uses the bigger engine as a stressed part of the chassis. The fuel tank remains between the seat and the steering head, behind the cylinder head.
As usual, BMW Motorrad has an à la carte selection of electronics and features that one can package their bike with, however ABS, ASC plus ‘Rain’ and ‘Road’ riding modes are included as standard.
2018 BMW F750GS:
2018 BMW F850GS:
Source: BMW Motorrad
As always, Asphalt & Rubber will be covering all the new bikes debuting at EICMA this year. Be sure to follow our coverage for the most recent news and photos.
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