The MAM Journals -BMW F 850 GS , A Bike for All Reasons?

[@davidcarter6737]

something that's not mentioned too much, is sure the 850 feels lighter than the 1250, but the 850 lies flat when dropped as is harder to pick up. Good review, thanks.

[@marcfalardeau6058]

A review on the F 900 GS would be interesting! Thank you sir! Marc, Quebec, Canada 🇨🇦🎄🏍

[@michaelmam]

I will see what North Oxford Garage , my local and very helpful BMW dealer, wants to do next year 👍

[@jamesnelson843]

Excellent review, Sir. Just bought one, and other viewpoints are always interesting to me. Gotta, say, too… love the tone and delivery. Welcome departure from the typical fanboy content with the bombastic soundtrack. Well played.

[@michaelmam]

Thank you . Sorry for the slow response . I missed your comment whilst we were away ..

[@SouthWest-jj8yu]

Just one more comment Michael, like you I usually keep my bikes clean, couple of them are ceramic coated but that doesn’t make the engine any easier at this time of year. I watched an Australian detailer using a no touch method with a totnador and a jet wash. I’ve been using the tornador on those difficult to reach engine areas and it works really well.

[@michaelmam]

that is interesting .. thank you .

[@mikerider58]

Excellent review 👏

[@julianroberts9757]

Another great video review of a fantastic bike. Crap weather too but it didn't dampen your spirits. Well done. 🫡

[@michaelmam]

Thanks Julian . Weather was a good test for the bike . It passed 👍

[@scottporter0069]

Was curious if you did a review on the F 750 GS as well. Do appreciate honesty and you hold nothing back.

[@michaelmam]

Hi Scott , sadly I haven’t ridden the 750 version . Sorry . I do try and call it , as I see it , but in a balanced way . Every bike made has good points and bad points 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@lancerbiker5263]

Once again, nicely done. I could never understand why someone would want to take a 1250 off road. Dropping a bike off road is after all, very common. An 850 is still rather large, but with its design and tech, is as you said, likely quite capable. Cheers

[@michaelmam]

Always good to hear from you ! Thanks for commenting 👍

[@occyman]

Nice video, I’ve had 7 x 1200/1250 GS over the years and I now have this exact 850GS. I’ve given mine quite a thrashing and it’s a good road bike easily keeping up with my mates V4 Multistrada on twisty bitumen. It’s better than the 1250 in traffic and better in the dirt too but it’s not as comfortable as the big GS and the brakes aren’t as good either. Nothing is perfect.

[@michaelmam]

Thank you . Good to hear you are enjoying yours . Nice bike 👍

[@roadwarrior8560]

Great video, thanks Michael.

[@michaelmam]

Glad you enjoyed it ! Thanks for taking the time to comment .. 👍

[@whitneyestate1402]

Thanks for the videos this year! Merry Christmas

[@michaelmam]

Very Welcome ! Have a great Christmas . Year end review comes out on the 26th … if we manage to record it next week 🤞😂

[@TheChrysler56]

Great video Michael. Very informative. I’ve never had an adventure bike. Who knows, maybe one day. Stay safe, stay well. 👍🏍️

[@michaelmam]

Thanks Gary . They are very capable in the sort of weather I filmed in . Wouldn’t fancy that on a RS ..

[@iivaridark6850]

A very good video again! Thank You!

[@michaelmam]

Thank you too!

[@solelmi]

top reviw thank you

[@michaelmam]

Very welcome! Thanks for watching !

[@christianweller4288]

Indeed, who could forget 1970’s era Yokohama tyres, or Cheng Shin Rubber Industries offerings. Fine in the dry but on cold wet, greasy winter roads, introduced fear, uncertainty and doubt in to every ride.

[@michaelmam]

😂Tyre Technology has come a long way in 50 years .. thankfully !

[@andypandy9931]

Yes you are right about 1970's Japanese tyres, I ended up on my ar se a few times, they were terrible and I still am nervous on wet roads.I have never noticed theses spoked wheels before they are laced to the rim presumably for tubeless tyres and there is no spoke nuts.

[@michaelmam]

If you rode in the 70’s and early 80’s , and it rained ….😂

[@BORDIKCB]

Hello, thank you very much for your reviews, they are very nice. I'm considering a V strom 800 DE or a BMW F 850 GS. I drive 70% back roads and 30% field and forest roads. Which one would you recommend? Thank you Ales

[@michaelmam]

If you can , try both ? They are both good and have genuine light, off road capability . The DE is a big bike and suits a taller rider ?

[@zzrjj1154]

GS. Love mine!

[@IanLawrie-l9q]

😂😂😂amusing, informative and comprehensive 👍👌👏

[@michaelmam]

Thank you Ian . Glad you enjoyed it . 👍

[@leoburns9674]

I was looking for a “road touring” bike that I can install rear panniers… What concerns with the chain drive versus the shaft drive on the GS1300 trigger?

[@michaelmam]

The heavy duty chains are very good . In my experience adjustment , after the first service , is actually less regular than some perceive. Cleaning and lubrication is required but we have toured on my Suzuki 1000GT ( chain drive ) without need to adjust the chain in 2000 miles ?

[@MikeK6046]

Hello Michael, is the quick shifter better/ smoother on this F-850 GS or the new Suzuki Vstrom 800 you reviewed as well? I'd like your thoughts/ opinion

[@michaelmam]

The 850 gearbox is better than my R1250 GS but Personally , and just an opinion , I have found the Suzuki gearbox the best I have tried . Lots of bikes I haven’t ridden though . Apparently the gearbox on the new 900 GS is better again than the 850 . I hope to try one next year . 👍

[@MikeK6046]

Thank you, Michael, much appreciated!!! "For me" I love a good QS and enjoyed the very good QS on my previous S1000XR, but was greatly let down by the QS on the F-750GS (I assume the 850 would be the same). Thanks again, and keep up your good reviews @@michaelmam

[@onerugrat]

cool vid, Im going to try to pick up the new 900 in spring, if I cannot get one Ill probably see if I can get a leftover 850

[@michaelmam]

Have fun !

[@ogasi1798]

what are these things like for owners? are they reliable ? are service costs out of this world?

[@BeyondIntention]

Great video!

[@michaelmam]

@@BeyondIntention Thank you . Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@SouthWest-jj8yu]

I have a 750, 2nd one after testing both and preferring the 750 (don’t do off road), I do have 1250, 1200 air cooled and a C400GT scooter. I love the 750 and the new model that’s about a year old now is better than my previous model that didn’t ride well in anything but dynamic. Done tours two up and not really found any real difference between this and any of the others. Although the 750 is down on power it doesn’t feel too different on the road and according to BMW website it’s only 0.6 seconds slower to 60mph than the 1250. With you on 70’s tyres recall that square shape hard plastic tyre that was truly scary in the wet. I did eventually get some Pirelli phantoms and they were a revelation.

[@michaelmam]

Great to hear from you and thanks for sharing your real world experiences . Hope to test some of the 24 models in the spring . Have a good Christmas 👍

[@rodneybarcus2233]

I am very interested in the 750 but I'm concerned about its two capabilities. If you don't mind can you give a few details on your two up experience?

[@SouthWest-jj8yu]

@@rodneybarcus2233 we find it excellent two up never had a problem. It pulls well, handles well and never feels too cramped. I suppose many of these things depend on size and weight as well I weigh about 70kg and my wife is around 55kg. We took it out on a test first to see what it was like two up, the other thing was having the luggage for the 1250 it fits straight on. As I said originally we have done long tours and have a planned tour of Orkney and Shetland coming this year. I did add the bigger screen from the 850 adventure along with the emergency services sat nav mount that needs the 850 screen to fit it takes the sat nav from the handlebars to above the TFT.

[@rodneybarcus2233]

@@SouthWest-jj8yu thank you for the info.

[@carmoto7939]

No radar/cruise control, right? Or i just missed it. Thanks for this informative video.

[@michaelmam]

You didn’t miss it . Or we both did 😂… No radar on this one 👍 Thanks for watching ..

[@auscurrymaster]

Love your reviews, Michael: no "hey, what's up guys", just great, no nonsense information. A quick question on your lowered-suspension 1250 (sorry the question's not about the 850): I've owned both a standard and lowered GS - the latter being the 1250 - and I found the handling on the lowered version to be very different, as in much slower and lazy-feeling (I eliminated the tyres as being the culprit.) So much so that I ended up selling it and buying a Tiger 900. What has your experience been?

[@michaelmam]

Thank you . Glad you enjoy them . It has taken me a while (6500 + miles) to “tune into” the low chassis GS . The combination of the different engine and suspension modes , the lowered suspension and the telelever front end , make it very different from anything else I ride and my old R1200GS . I definitely have had to teach myself to ride differently to suit its characteristics . Ridden my “normal” way , I find it lacks precision and feels floaty . I ride in dynamic , and in the heart of the torque , if I want to make some progress . Getting there now but suspect I will benefit by riding it more regularly although 6000 is a third of my mileage this year so it is certainly getting its share ! Looking forward to trying the New 1300 next year . How are you finding the Tiger ? All the ones I have sat on have felt quite tall and the weight quite high up ?

[@auscurrymaster]

Thank you for the reply,@@michaelmam Yes, the Tiger weight is definitely carried higher up but I have the GT Pro model and, height-wise, it's fine with seat in its low position. Very manageable, but the higher-up weight distribution makes its presence felt when carrying a pillion. But overall, I prefer the lower weight of the Tiger.

[@auscurrymaster]

Just a final thing: I found the handling of my non-lowered 1200GS to be little short of sensational - nimble and light-footed; that evaporated on the lowered 1250.

[@michaelmam]

Mine were very different but the 1250 has quite a lot more power, tech and torque . I expected it to ride differently . Have fun on the Triumph 👍

[@Nigriff]

Cheers

[@joedudz]

After test riding a GS1200 and finding it an uninspiring blimp, I had a F800GS for a few years and found it a pretty good bike. Since then BMW have fallen into the bigger is better (not) trap with ridiculous prices. Plenty of better value and capable alternatives out there.

[@michaelmam]

A lot of bikes to choose from in the market today, which is good . Value and to a lesser degree , capability are fairly subjective . What suits one of us , doesn’t suit another . I always think KTM make some very good , on/off road bikes but not everyone is a fan ..

[@marcofacile5118]

Good evening, how many Kilometers dose your motorbike have ? I have the same bike and after 800/900 km it showed up an annoying ticking noise appeared coming from cylinders. Does yours do it too ? It is normal? Thank you

[@michaelmam]

Sorry I can’t really help you . As I mention in the video I borrowed the bike from North Oxford BMW , for the review , handing it back after filming . Have you had your first service ? It sounds like valve adjustment ?

[@marcofacile5118]

Yes , I’ve already had the first service done. The dealer says it is normal and bmw gs 1200 , 1250 does it too….valve noise🤷🏼‍♂️

[@denisg4288]

Steady on Michael. Faffing around with Buttons in pantomime season could be risky. 😂😱

[@michaelmam]

😂 thats all behind me …

[@denisg4288]

@@michaelmam oh no it isn’t!

[@denisg4288]

Classic

[@MikeK6046]

I like your style of reviewing (ya pretty much cover everything, which is great!!). IMO the F-850 is a pretty darn good "do-it-all" motorcycle, that soon will be replaced with the new F-900GS, (and based on its different look, will be MORE "off-road" focused). Also, I'm glad BMW is coming out with the new F-800GS (the same looks as the current road-focused F-750GS, but with a bit more power and "supposed" better/ smoother quick-shifter ?!?

[@michaelmam]

As you say , a few changes for the 2024 BMW range . Hopefully I will get a chance to ride/ try a few in the New Year 👍

[@solelmi]

we need you to on UK TV

[@michaelmam]

😂 that sounds like work 😮

[@leightodd7335]

Yes I made it! I'm in the 54%. Just barely. lol 64 for a few more months!!!!!

[@michaelmam]

😂 What are you like !

[@leightodd7335]

@@michaelmam lol your 54% of viewers 40-64 but I bet you don’t have many 64 year old Oklahomans that use to teach Ag kids, likes Japanese Maples and British motorcycle reviews? 🤓😂

[@michaelmam]

@@leightodd7335 you are definitely unique Leigh 😂 Apparently , currently 16% of views are from the States 🤔

[@stephenmcqueen4029]

I've just taken one of these out on a test ride. A used, lovely Sport model, all the options ticked. Im absolutely torn. Im at the end of my pcp with my street triple RS, and there's £1000 in px value for the triumph against the bmw. I do like to have a hoon as well as tour, so my other bike is a gsxs1000gt which is bloody great. The thing is, though, a lot of the roads i like to hoon about are rough as hell. The peak district is an hour away, and the gs would be so much better than the street. Cons, i found the gs too tall as I've only 29" legs, a bit of a handful at junctions, but i could get used to it, i think. It's not as tall as a T7 world raid. The le ers had been set for standing up, which was a pain on the road. Brakes take a lot of stopping when hammering into a corner, but i could get used to that too. Tall screen, top position still noisy unless you lean forward, on low setting even worse. The engine was really entertaining, lively and punchy, and sounded good too as it has an akrapovic can. It's also a bit of a stretch as I'd need to find £7000 to buy it against just over £5000 to buy the street. What should I do?

[@michaelmam]

Nice problem to have Stephen 👍 Personally I always find most bikes are a compromise , as indeed you suggest . The standard GS is quite tall for a 29 inch inside leg and I went for a “low chassis” model on my 1250 because of it . It was fantastic on the NC500 last year . The 850 is more agile / lighter . Buying is often a mixture of logic and emotion . I try to end up with a bike that ticks as many of my sensible criteria as I can but it has to do something for me emotionally as well . Hope this helps🤔

[@AdyRider]

Good review again thank you. Try GT85 spray on the wheels. Ideal for cleaning and protecting those rims I’ve found.

[@michaelmam]

Thanks Ady . Will do . Hope you get your bike back soon 👍

[@AdyRider]

@@michaelmam Ironically I have a new 850 GS on loan which I really should have used a lot more !

[@michaelmam]

@@AdyRiderYes ! I think they are good but how have you found it ?

[@AdyRider]

@@michaelmam Fun light & very lively. I’ve had the 750 in the past & the 850 predictably has a bit more ‘go’ I suspect it is a bike that many ignore, which is a pity. I rate it very highly.

[@kwik2008]

😊👍🙏

[@onerugrat]

do you think the low suspension would be ok off road with the proper protection?

[@michaelmam]

Depends on the severity of the terrain ? Low suspension reduces travel meaning you run out of scope earlier . “Proper” off road bikes ( motocross and enduro ) have significant travel and height and much more than dual purpose bikes . I think you could ride a low suspension version but choose your routes carefully ? It is after all , a compromise .. I hope this helps ..

[@MH-xd2nd]

The low suspension model has the worst rear shock I have ever had on a bike. Ridiculously soft and under damped. You can rock the whole bike up and down like a yo-yo. It’s also quite heavy and top-heavy. For any kind of decent off-roading there are many better alternatives.

how does it compare with the Zuki 800 RE you tested also recently?

[@michaelmam]

Sorry Joao . I saw this come in but forget to go back to it ! I like the 800 engine and gearbox but found the DE version very tall and top heavy for me .. at 1.72 m . The BMW was well built , nicely equipped and rode well. Slightly heavy but felt like a bike you could trail ride . The RE is the road only version and rides nicely . It is a lot less money than the F850 but as a road bike, the BMW has more power , torque and specification .

[@splodge5714]

The more I look at this type of bike the more I realise I don't like them. Thankfully there's something out there for all tastes.

[@michaelmam]

There is 👍

[@MH-xd2nd]

The 750 (now 800) is the better road bike. Lower, lighter, cheaper and better handling. I had both bikes at one point and I couldn’t tell any power difference, plus the higher tuned engine felt harsher and the big 21” front wheel just understeers on tight cornering. Yes, the suspension is a little more budget on the 750 but it’s the better choice for the vast majority of riders. Don’t get sucked into the rufty-tufty off road image of the 850. It’s just taller and more of a handful on or off road. Ironically BMW seems to have agreed as the new 900 is much more of an off road bike.

[@michaelmam]

👍 looking forward to trying the 900 in the new year .

[@podunkman2709]

Both are "lighter" 😂

[@podunkman2709]

Not so impressive part of technology. Heavy as hell

[@michaelmam]

Yes. Cats certainly add to weight , as does liquid cooling , bigger forks etc ..

[@ToddGlasier]

Well. You also don't hear about the frame cracking in two either, a la KTM trellis. So there's that.