Rethinking preconceived notions...BMW F 750 GS

EricV · Jul 12, 2020

When I test rode the Ducati 1200 Multistrada Enduro when they first came out, it felt very Tenere like, except for buckets more power. I did some parking lot drills in the dealer lot before taking off to get a feel for how it handled, No issues with slow lock to lock turns on that bike. Then I romped a mix of secondary roads with some mild twisties and some dirt lot action that I scored in the area and finished it off with a freeway run of a couple exits. It was in Salt Lake City, so limited options, but the thing was certainly a rocket on the freeway on ramp. In the end, price and the chain drive just wouldn't let me pull the trigger, even if I had been in the market.

My friends F800GS, back when they were just out, felt like you describe your experience on the F850. Not a bike I liked, but I couldn't really put my finger on why at the time. He loved the Super Ten when we swapped bikes. If he hadn't been 140 lbs soaking wet in gear, he'd likely have bought one.

ballisticexchris · Jul 12, 2020

The Ducati Enduro had very sick power!! My ride was short lived. It just felt strange. Even flipping the brake lever did not help.

Dirt_Dad · Jul 12, 2020

I also once test rode the Ducati 1200 Multistrada Enduro. Amazing bike...insane price...and a chain.

I've been watching Triumph 900 and KTM 1290 reviews all day. But I have to say, that 1250 really impressed me. But that price.... I'm planning to ride the Triumph next weekend. Looks very interesting.

ballisticexchris · Jul 12, 2020

I will tell you if you can just get past the chain and are willing to do some heat management modifications, the KTM is an amazing machine. They are needy but the performance if phenomenal. And honestly, the suspension on the KTM adventure bikes is hands down the best out of the box.

If you really like the GS 1250 and can afford it go for it!! I have never ridden a Triumph triple before. Keep us posted on how you like it. I feel for you. bike shopping is such a personalized decision.

Checkswrecks · Jul 12, 2020

The triple's motor is addictive.

HeliMark · Jul 13, 2020

I have the 900 Rally Pro, and even with the different firing order on the triple, when you let it loose, wholly h*ll it likes to go, and with the quick shift, it brings a smile to ones face.

Dirt_Dad · Jul 13, 2020

HeliMark said:
I have the 900 Rally Pro, and even with the different firing order on the triple, when you let it loose, wholly h*ll it likes to go, and with the quick shift, it brings a smile to ones face.

Interesting...sounds like that bike is making a big splash this year. It definitely has my attention.

Have you done any long distance on it? Wondering about the touring comfort on the Rally Pro, and if you find any issue with the vibration at touring speeds. I'm looking forward to giving that bike a try.

HeliMark · Jul 13, 2020

Dirt_Dad said:
Interesting...sounds like that bike is making a big splash this year. It definitely has my attention.

Have you done any long distance on it? Wondering about the touring comfort on the Rally Pro, and if you find any issue with the vibration at touring speeds. I'm looking forward to giving that bike a try.

So far, the longest I have done is 300 miles in one day, and almost all of it is on back/secondary roads. First off, it is a viby bike above 80 mph, how much it bothers you, like any bike, is a personal thing. I have grip puppies on it, and it is not bad for me. I still need to put bar risers on it, like I do on any bike. As far as cruising, I think it does very well, it is getting use to it being 150 lbs lighter then the S10, it took a little time for me to make the adjustment due to that. The S10 takes her time, the Rally doesn't. Cruising on the freeway, it surprisingly does very well with high winds and trucks, just about the same as the S10. This is the first bike since my big Harley, that I can go down the road with my hands off the bars for miles at a time, it is that well balanced.

With the different firing order on the triple (1-3-2), it is not a smooth engine like the other triples, but due to it, it has a lot of low end torque. The engine really feels like it is imitating the S10, or GS engine in a way, until you get above 4K RPM, then it acts like a triple, although not as smooth.

Off road, with the lighter weight, the 21" front, and longer suspension, it loves to go fast in the dirt. I still have the stock Bridgestone tires on it, and they do pretty well, a lot better then one would expect. There is a guy on advrider that is saying he is taking his Rally Pro everywhere he did with his 790R with no problems.

When you ride it, on the modes, the "road" is somewhere between the "S" and "T" on the S10. The "sport" mode is the fun mode. Not as snatchy, but once you start getting RPM's, she will react pretty quickly.

Dirt_Dad · Jul 13, 2020

Great review. Helps me calibrate all the pro reviews I've been watching.

I'm intrigued. Outside of that vibe at high speed its hard to find a negative word about the Tiger.

The Adventure marketplace has exploded since I last considered my next bike.

ballisticexchris · Jul 13, 2020

And the beauty of that 900 is you can do simple changes to the gearing to manage the vibes. The Gearing Commander makes it simple:

Gearing Commander - Motorcycle Speed and Drive Train Calculator v7

Motorcycle speed and sprocket calculator with bike database for gearing, sprockets, tires and chains of over 1750 bikes. Request yours to be added as well.

www.gearingcommander.com

HeliMark · Jul 14, 2020

ballisticexchris said:
And the beauty of that 900 is you can do simple changes to the gearing to manage the vibes. The Gearing Commander makes it simple:

Gearing Commander - Motorcycle Speed and Drive Train Calculator v7

Motorcycle speed and sprocket calculator with bike database for gearing, sprockets, tires and chains of over 1750 bikes. Request yours to be added as well.

www.gearingcommander.com

I know what you are thinking, but I just don't think knocking the RPM down at the higher speed will have much affect, and be worth the loose of some of the low end torque. If you want that, just find an 800, because that is what you would be trying (unsuccessfully) to make it. Also, most people are not complaining about it.

ballisticexchris · Jul 14, 2020

It's all about personal preference for sure. I'm really big on gearing changes and suspension adjustments to get the bikes to suit different riding conditions.

HeliMark · Jul 14, 2020

I should add, there is a road version of the bike (GT), that I believe, has different sprockets, less suspension travel, and shorter rake. It also has cast wheels, and the pro version has electronic suspension.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

ballisticexchris · Jul 14, 2020

Just looking at the specs it’s impressive. Those Triumphs are really nice machines. I miss my dads 500. I loved that bike!!!

Dirt_Dad · Jul 14, 2020

I spend less than 5% of my time riding over 75MPH. Mostly just when I get west of the Mississippi. No chance I'd be willing to make a gearing change for those rare time. Much rather have the torque.

It's an interesting thought to have a 21" wheel on my travel bike. Curious to see how that feels. I'm not definitely against the GT version. I'm hoping they have one of those as a demo bike as well. I'd like to try both.

On the KTM. I like the idea of the R, but if I'm honest with myself and how I'm really going to ride it, the S makes more sense.

I love that the world has changed a lot since I was last looking at big bike replacements. Back then you had to have a factory truck to get a demo ride. This weekend I rode two BMWs. I spoke with the Triumph dealer in MD and anticipate riding a 900 this weekend. I just left the KTM dealer and I know I'll be able to ride both the S and the R. And there's a Honda dealer near home that will let me ride the new redesigned 2020 Africa Twin. Hell, at this rate I may be willing to make the 2 hour ride to try the V85TT. That kind of demo riding was impossible a few years ago.

HeliMark · Jul 15, 2020

I have to admit, hopefully sometime in the future, I want to ride the AT with the DCT. Most of my riding is on roads that can be a quarter mile long, to 20 miles, and usually turn after turn, road to another road for several hundred miles. All great fun, and a way to see an area, but dang, I do a lot of shifting. A LOT, and my biker manhood ain't in jeopardy by riding a DCT. After only having stick shift cars for 40 years, and the bikes, I am over the shifting...

ballisticexchris · Jul 15, 2020

I'll tell you I was one of the first to install a Rekluse when they were first available. It was a game changer in nasty KOM type of terrain. And it really helped on dead engine starts for the bomb run. My Beta has both the Rekluse Core and the LHRB. Being able to do aggressive right hand brake slides is a great feature.

I almost considered the AT Sport with DCT. My deciding factor for the Super Tenere was the 19" wheel and it being more street oriented. The AT is nothing more than a super heavy version of my Beta. And nowhere near the off road capability of the lighter bike.

bmac · Jul 15, 2020

Dirt_Dad said:
She has not come close to dropping the bike. That's a record, although to be fair, all her other bikes have been way too big for her. Dropping was inevitable. I know we all do it, but she's not going to be happy when it finally happens.

Dropping a bike should not be any owners expectation. Being careful and intentional about how and where it is parked will prevent drops. I haven't dropped a bike in over 30 years and don't EXPECT to ever drop one again.

bmac · Jul 15, 2020

Dirt_Dad said:
In keeping with the theme of this thread "rethinking preconceived notions" ...

Decided to take a test ride on at F 850 GS today. The dealer guy asked me before I took off, 'is there anything else you want to ride while you're here?' I thought for a moment and nothing came to mind. He asked what about the 1250 GS? Oh, sure, I've never ridden the big BMW, why not. I'll give that a spin while I'm here.

Within the first 1/4 mile of the F 850 GS, I knew beyond any shadow of a doubt, it was not the bike for me. Felt terrible, unbalanced, unpleasant...just did not mesh with it in any way. I cut the ride short, no reason to prolong the experience. I thought it would be just a faster, taller version of the wife's 750. It was not. Did not like it at all. Told the dealer guy that it's just not right for me. Don't know why, but not to my taste.

Jumped on the big 1250, which did not feel as big as my Tenere, and definitely felt lighter than the Tenere. First 1/4 mile...damn, this is pretty nice. Switch from the mandated "rain" mode, to "dynamic" mode. Thing is trying to lift the front wheel on the gear shifts...encouraging. Damn, this rides nice, and feels really comfy. Ride for a bit, then head to the highway portion of the route. Traffic did not want to let me in, so I hammered it...damn, this thing really scoots...and is amazingly cushy and stable. Damn, this thing rides nice.

Pull into the dealer, take off my helmet and dealer guy is there. I just nodded my head and said, 'oh, I get it.' He smiled and said after the 850 he was really curious what I would think. I said, 'I understand now.' What a sweet bike.

On to KTM to test sit on a KTM 1290 Adventure R. Maybe... then to Triumph for a sit on the Tiger 900. Very interesting. Will be going back to test ride that one soon. Very nice. I think it was the exact same one that CW sat on in his photo of the 900. Has potential.

I'm shocked at my reaction to the 1250. It's the reaction I had anticipated for the 850, but definitely didn't get. Don't think I'm willing to drop that much money for the 1250, but my god...that's a nice bike.

I had the exact same reaction with the 850 as well as the 1250.

After 2 miles on the 850 I knew the rest of the rest ride was pointless. It was nothing to get excited about. The 1250 was a WAY different story. It was impressive enough to get me to sell my Tenere and pick one up. After putting 16,000 miles on a 2019 I am even more impressed. I just got back from a ride out west and thought several times during the trip that this could be my only bike and I would not feel like I was being shortchanged. It does everything I need it to do and does it extremely well. The weight difference with the Tenere is noticeable all the time. The Tenere always felt heavy while the 1250 feels fine. The more nimble handling and additional power of the 1250 really sets it apart.

I still wish it was made by Yamaha for the reliability, peace of mind, and reasonable parts prices. My bike has been trouble free but I don't know how long it will remain that way.

Dirt_Dad · Jul 15, 2020

HeliMark said:
I have to admit, hopefully sometime in the future, I want to ride the AT with the DCT.

I rode one. Absolutely, positively hated it. If you like spirited riding, it's horrible. If you like having the bike get into 5 gear before you get to 25MPH, then DCT is awesome. After 2 days and nearly 200 miles, I hope to never ever ride one again.

I'm not against automatic stuff. The greatest toy I've ever owned was a Kawasaki V-Force ATV. Automatic and always in the in the right gear to spin the tires a take off at any time. Thing will likely always be my favorite motorsport vehicle ever. Miss that beast...even if it did put me in the hospital for 4 days.

bmac said:
I had the exact same reaction with the 850 as well as the 1250.

After 2 miles on the 850 I knew the rest of the rest ride was pointless. It was nothing to get excited about. The 1250 was a WAY different story. It was impressive enough to get me to sell my Tenere and pick one up. After putting 16,000 miles on a 2019 I am even more impressed. I just got back from a ride out west and thought several times during the trip that this could be my only bike and I would not feel like I was being shortchanged. It does everything I need it to do and does it extremely well. The weight difference with the Tenere is noticeable all the time. The Tenere always felt heavy while the 1250 feels fine. The more nimble handling and additional power of the 1250 really sets it apart.

I still wish it was made by Yamaha for the reliability, peace of mind, and reasonable parts prices. My bike has been trouble free but I don't know how long it will remain that way.

Thanks for the info. I'm still smitten, but testing everything out there before I make any decisions. Good to have your take on it after a year.

I'm not sure if it's the 850's 19" front that made it so dramatically different from my wife's 750. But there's something not right about that 850. They weren't selling well last year, and I think I know why.

Rethinking preconceived notions...BMW F 750 GS

Riding, farkling, riding...

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