The BMW F750 GS and the F850 GS were unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show, in Italy. These new models feature sharper styling, new technology, a monocoque frame and a bigger 853cc engine – an upgrade to their 798cc predecessors, the F700 GS and F800 GS. BMW Motorrad will launch these two motorcycles in India at the Auto Expo in February 2018.
The new 853cc parallel-twin engine is tuned to make different power figures in both bikes – 77hp and 83Nm of torque in the F750, and 85hp and 92Nm of torque in the F850. BMW suggests that the engine’s new 270-degree firing order makes it produce a ‘powerful’ sound. Another big change comes in the form of a new monocoque frame with new suspension geometry and fuel tank position which has moved from the previous under-seat position to a conventional location behind the bars.
The F750 GS and F850 GS get a new fork (an upside-down 43mm one in the case of the F850 and a 41mm telescopic unit for the F750). Rear suspension duties are handled by an aluminium double-sided swing-arm and a monoshock. BMW’s electronic suspension adjustment (ESA) is optional. Both come with ABS, ASC, and ‘Rain’ and ‘Road’ riding modes, as standard. Other optional equipment includes full-LED lighting and a multi-functional instrument cluster.
BMW will launch both these bikes at the Auto Expo 2018 in February. Both bikes will come to India via the CBU route but they will be the most affordable bikes in the German manufacturers current line-up for India and should be priced competitively against the Triumph Tiger 800 range – which is also due for replacement in India, next year. We expect there to be a price difference of around Rs 1.5 lakh between the two models.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
