BMW F 900 GS Adventure (2024) - Technical Review
By Ben Purvis
Has written for dozens of magazines and websites, including most of the world’s biggest bike titles, as well as dabbling in car and technology journalism.
07.09.2023
Price: £12,350 | Power: 105bhp | Weight: 246kg | Overall BikeSocial Rating: TBA
The ‘Adventure’ version of BMW’s F-series GS differs substantially to the standard model and for 2024 the gap between the two grows even further as both machines get styling updates to accompany the adoption of the bigger 895cc parallel twin engine.
That change means the old F 850 GS Adventure is gone, replaced for 2024 by the F 900 GS Adventure, and while its revisions aren’t as substantial as those applied to the base version of the F 900 GS it’s still a significant step forward compared to its predecessor.
An extra 10hp from heavily revamped, larger-capacity engine is a welcome change
Revised styling gives a look more aligned to the bigger R-series GS
New, fully-adjustable forks for 2024
Much heavier than the 2024 F 900 GS
Doesn’t get as many tech and styling updates as the base model
Price brings it closer to the R-series GS
2024 BMW F 900 GS ADVENTURE Price
BMW will be launching the all-new R 1300 GS later this month (September 28th 2023 is its due-date) and with it we can expect the big daddy of BMW’s adventure line-up to become even more powerful and pricy than the current R 1250 GS. That means the F 900 GS Adventure, despite costing more than the base F 900 GS, should be well positioned to pick up customers who find the cost of the bigger R-series boxer to be a little too much to bear.
Although the ‘Adventure’ name suggests better off-road chops than the standard F-series GS, that’s not really the case anymore – both share the same suspension – and for 2024 the price gap between the two models has been slashed to just £355. The difference between the 2023 F 850 GS and the F 850 GS Adventure was £1000. The extra money gets you a much larger fuel tank and longer range than the F 900 GS, but the 2024 F 900 GS Adventure misses out on other upgrades applied to the standard machine, including its much-reduced weight.
For 2024, there’s the choice of the base model in ‘Blackstorm Metallic’ paint or a ‘Ride Pro’ version in ‘White Aluminium’ paint that includes the optional Ride Pro package of extras, made up of electronic suspension adjustment, a quickshifter, cruise control, keyless start and additional riding modes.
2024 BMW F 900 GS ADVENTURE Engine & Performance
The ‘900’ in its name is the clue to the biggest change to the F 900 GS in 2024. Gone is the old 853cc parallel twin, which made 95hp, and in its place comes an 895cc version with 105hp on tap. Based on the engine already used in the F 900 R and F 900 XR, the new version has a 2mm bigger bore than the old 850, filled with forged alloy pistons where there used to be cast ones, and a higher compression ratio of 13.1:1. The result is an extra 10hp at its 8,500rpm peak and a fatter torque curve, now maxing out at 68.6 lb-ft and 6.750rpm.
A lower final drive ratio than the base F 900 GS means that the Adventure’s top speed is reduced, but also that despite being a substantially heavier bike it actually gets off the line faster – hitting 62mph in 3.7 seconds, compared to 3.8 seconds for the standard model. BMW will only say the top speed is ‘over’ 124mph, and that’s probably more than enough for anyone on a bike this size and weight.
‘Rain’ and ‘Road’ modes come as standard, along with BMW’s Dynamic Traction Control system, but you can also add the Riding Modes Pro package that includes a trio of additional settings (Dynamic, Enduro and Enduro Pro) and lets you pre-select up to four modes and assign them to a button on the bars.
2024 BMW F 900 GS ADVENTURE Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight & Brakes)
BMW hasn’t messed with the welded, sheet steel frame of the GS Adventure, but it gets the same new Showa forks as the 2024 F 900 GS. These are 43mm units with 230mm of travel (a distance that’s an upgrade for the base bike, but unchanged for the Adventure). They’re fully adjustable for compression and rebound damping as well as preload, and matched by a rear shock that also offers preload and rebound adjustment, along with 215mm of travel.
Where the Adventure misses out is on the weight-saving measures applied to the base 2024 F 900 GS. It doesn’t get the plastic fuel tank or redesigned rear subframe, nor the lighter swingarm or Akrapovic exhaust, and as a result it’s no lighter than its predecessor. In fact it’s 2kg heftier than the F 850 GS Adventure, rising from 244kg including fuel to 246kg in the same state. That fuel makes up a big part of that, though, thanks to the big, 23-litre tank – 8.5 litres bigger than the standard GS’s.
The brakes are physically unchanged for 2024, with the same combo of discs and calipers, but there’s BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, optimised for cornering, instead of the old bike’s standard, switchable ABS.
Optionally, you can add BMW’s Dynamic ESA electronically-adjustable suspension to the F 900 GS Adventure – a piece of kit that isn’t available on the base F 900 GS.
2024 BMW F 900 GS ADVENTURE Comfort & Economy
In terms of comfort, there aren’t any changes to make the 2024 F 900 GS Adventure a substantially different proposition to the F 850 GS Adventure it replaces – the bike’s structure and most of the bodywork is unchanged, so from the rider’s perspective it will feel very similar.
The more powerful engine means fuel economy decreases a touch, from 67mpg to 64mpg according to BMW’s figures (the same as the F 900 GS). The huge fuel tank of the Adventure means you’ll still get as much as 340 miles of range between refills, though.
2024 BMW F 900 GS ADVENTURE Equipment
In terms of kit, the 2024 F 900 GS Adventure’s features are much the same as its predecessor’s – but that’s no bad thing as it was already loaded with features including a 6.5in TFT dash, LED lights and phone connectivity. BMW’s options range is also stacked with extra-cost components and packs to tailor the bike to your tastes and needs.
2024 BMW F 900 GS ADVENTURE Rivals
The 105hp output of the new F 900 GS Adventure puts it into the firing line for some larger-capacity rivals, including the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports and Suzuki’s V-Strom 1050DE, although if the appeal is its big fuel tank and long range, then Yamaha’s Tenere 700 World Raid might also be on your radar.
Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport | Price: £14,749
Power/Torque: 100bhp/77lb-ft | Weight: 250kg
Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE | Price: £13,699
Power/Torque: 106bhp/74lb-ft | Weight: 252kg
Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid | Price: £11,910
Power/Torque: 72bhp/50lb-ft | Weight: 220kg
2024 BMW F 900 GS ADVENTURE Verdict
We’ll let you know when we’ve ridden it.
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2024 BMW F 900 GS ADVENTURE Technical Specification
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