BMW F800GS Adventure (2013-current)
| New price | £9,650 |
|---|---|
| Used price range | View BMW F800GS bikes for sale to see current asking prices |
| Engine size | 798 cc |
| Power | 85 bhp |
| Top speed | mph |
| Insurance group | of 17 |
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MCN overall verdict
BMW set out to turn its 800GS into an authentic adventure bike and
on this first showing have certainly achieved just that. Basically it’s
an 800GS with a bigger (underseat) tank, extended bodywork and a host of
options. Think of it as a ‘3/4 version of the 1200 Adventure’ (even
though, at 800cc, it’s actually 2/3) and you should get the idea. Or, to
put it another way, a Range Rover Sport compared to the 1200’s full
blown Range Rover. That car has all of the style, accoutrements and,
virtually, ability of the bigger original but at a far more affordable
price and has proved a huge success as a result. Exactly the same is
true of BMW’s new 800 Adventure: it’s credible, effective and more
affordable. As I said at the beginning: if only they’d done it earlier…Engine
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The basic parallel twin motor and rolling
chassis are unchanged from the standard F800GS (which itself has been
updated for 2013), being a proven 85bhp @ 7500rpm, and 61ft-lb @ 5750rpm
balance-shaft equipped unit. The thrummy, useful, parallel twin is
exactly as remembered from other models – flexible, practical, with a
fat, effective midrange and yet enough curdly character and top end vim
to entertain. There’s nothing intimidating or wanting here.
Ride and Handling
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The ride, though in this guise surrounded by
all sorts of Adventure paraphernalia, is equally unintimidating and
effective yet with enough poise to please. While inevitably a touch tall
and squishy, like any off-roader, with the benefit of ESA and firmed-up
front and rear damping in ‘Sport’ mode via a couple of dabs of a
button, the 800A steers as sharp and yet stays as stable as any trailie
has a right to.
Equipment
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The 1200 Adventure always gave the impression
(usually through optional factory extras, admittedly) of being blinged
up with goodies and, to be credible, the 800 simply had to do the same.
BMW has achieved that by cleverly offering the 800A in two
specifications – the standard, basic if you like, £9650 Enduro and the
posher £10,535 ‘Travel Edition’, which comes with ASC traction control
(including Enduro mode), heated grips, LED riding lights, on-board
computer, centre stand and optional of-road tyres.
Quality and Reliability
| MCN rating | |
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| Owners' rating | |
Difficult to be too judgemental at this stage,
but on first impressions, quality seems up to the usual, high BMW
standard while in terms of reliability, with the engine and chassis
being unchanged, proven 800GS items, there seems little reason to worry.
Value
| MCN rating | |
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| Owners' rating | |
Just shy of £10K for the basic version isn’t
exactly cheap, but does offer an entry into the true ‘Adventure’ segment
for a full £3K less than its 1200cc bigger brother. The one to go for,
though, is the Travel Pack which is bristling with all the adventure
style goodies you’d expect – for nearly £2K less than even a basic 1200.
Insurance
Insurance group: n/a
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Model History
2013: Model launched
Other Versions
‘Travel Edition’ which comes with ASC traction
control (including Enduro mode), heated grips, LED riding lights,
on-board computer, centre stand and optional of-road tyres.
Specifications
| Top speed | mph |
|---|---|
| 1/4-mile acceleration | secs |
| Max power | 85 bhp |
| Max torque | 61 ft-lb |
| Weight | 229 kg |
| Seat height | 890 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 24 litres |
| Average fuel consumption | mpg |
| Tank range | miles |
| Annual road tax | |
| Insurance group | of 17 |
| Engine size | 798 cc |
|---|---|
| Engine specification | Liquid-cooled, dohc, 8v parallel twin. 6 gears, chain drive |
| Frame | Tubular steel trellis, cast aluminium swing arm |
| Front suspension adjustment | 43mm inverted telescopic forks |
| Rear suspension adjustment | Monoshock with preload and rebound damping adjust, optional ESA |
| Front brakes | 2 x 300mm discs with twin-piston caliper and ABS |
| Rear brake | 265mm disc with single-piston caliper and ABS |
| Front tyre size | 90/90 x 21 |
| Rear tyre size | 150/70 x 17 |