2020 BMW F 850 GS Adventure Review | MC Commute

BMW GS motorcycles are synonymous with adventure. But not everyone wants to wield 1,254cc of Bavarian-made muscle. While we adore the character of big brother R 1250’s horizontally opposed twin, there’s no denying how substantial it is. Enter Motorrad’s F 850 GS, a more compact, but still capable adventure-touring steed. We tested it in up-spec Adventure trim with added range, suspension travel, and creature comforts versus the standard model. -- In typical GS Adventure form, the F 850 is still a sizable motorcycle. It takes up more space in the garage as compared to other middleweight adventure bikes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing—especially if you plan on logging mileage, which we did. Over the course of three days, we covered more than 600 miles across the Baja peninsula. The wide saddle and broad forward fairing were especially appreciated, however the position of the rearsets (further back in relation to the seat) make for a bit of a squeeze for 6-foot and taller riders. The manual two-position adjustable windscreen could also be a tad higher in its tall position. We did appreciate its low setting when kicking up dust increasing airflow on the rider’s head and torso. Oddly enough, our F 850 wasn’t outfitted with cruise control, nor heated grips, however both features are available as an option. And you’ll certainly want to pony up for these goodies. Plus plastic hand guards offer some protection for the mitts from chilly air. As opposed to the R 1250, the...