BMW F900 GS: First Ride Review

The Visuals

Adventure bikes aren’t typically known for turning heads—but the BMW F900GS is an exception. It retains the familiar GS identity while adding sharp, purposeful enhancements. The moment you see it in person, you notice how much leaner and more purposeful it looks compared to the outgoing F850GS. It’s almost as if the bike has shed its touring suit and slipped into full rally gear.

One of the most striking design elements is the exposed red trellis subframe. It gives the bike a bold, aggressive visual character and pairs well with the slimmer bodywork. The pared-down rear and compact proportions communicate off-road readiness without saying a word.

The front end is also significantly revised. The LED headlamp is now more angular and minimalist, framed by sharp, winglet-style extensions that enhance the bike’s tall, commanding stance. The beak is slightly shorter but sits higher, giving it a more rally-inspired profile.

Move to the side, and you’ll see how BMW has tucked everything in tighter—from the radiator shrouds to the tank extensions. The tank itself has been redesigned to improve ergonomics when riding off-road in a standing position, and the side panels now flow smoothly into the tail section. This not only improves visual continuity but also reduces visual bulk.

Even the tail section feels more refined and lighter, with a sleek new LED tail light and a seat design that narrows toward the front—though this does come at the cost of pillion comfort, as we’ll discuss later.

The Package

The BMW F900GS comes equipped with a well-rounded set of features that strike a balance between everyday practicality and serious adventure intent. The 6.5-inch full-colour TFT display offers Bluetooth connectivity and navigation, while multiple riding modes—Road, Rain, and Enduro Pro—change the bike’s performance to suit various conditions. There’s cornering ABS and Dynamic Traction Control as standard.

All lighting is LED, including a sharper headlamp design with integrated DRLs. The bike misses out on fully adjustable suspension, which is quite sad. But it gets a USB charging port and backlit switchgear.

The Ride

The first thing that hits you when you start riding the BMW F900GS on the tarmac is how much more eager it feels compared to the older F850GS. This isn’t just a minor engine bump—it’s a proper transformation. BMW’s new 895cc, parallel-twin engine produces 105bhp and 93Nm, and the difference is immediately noticeable. The throttle response is sharper, mid-range is punchier, and there's a newfound urgency when you twist the wrist. On highways, it effortlessly cruises at triple-digit speeds with enough in reserve for quick overtakes. The engine pulls cleanly across the rev range, and vibrations are well controlled, even at higher RPMs.

Around corners, the lighter kerb weight helps a lot. The bike feels more nimble, changes direction quickly, and feels less top-heavy than its predecessor. Whether you’re flicking it through a set of fast sweepers or making quick U-turns in the city, there’s a level of agility that the F850GS never quite had.

The Karoo 4 tyres, while aggressive in appearance, hold their own remarkably well on the tarmac. You’d expect them to protest under hard braking or lean angles, but they deliver a surprising amount of grip and feedback. Braking, too, is sharp and progressive, with strong bite and good ABS calibration—especially in Road mode.

Take the F900GS off the tarmac, and that new engine continues to impress. In Enduro Pro mode, the throttle response is dialled back just enough to stay precise in low-grip conditions, while the rear ABS is deactivated to allow proper trail braking. The engine’s strong low-end torque and broad midrange give you the flexibility to tackle steep inclines, loose gravel, or rutted climbs without constantly shifting gears. What makes a huge difference off-road is how the engine delivers power. Unlike the F850GS, which sometimes felt a bit flat off idle, the F900GS gives you an immediate grunt when you need it—whether you're crawling through technical sections or powering up a muddy trail. It’s smooth but assertive.

The lighter chassis, along with the revised ergonomics and slimmer tank, also makes it easier to control the bike when you’re standing on the pegs. It feels less bulky between the legs and more balanced overall. The suspension soaks up rocks, dips, and undulations comfortably, while still offering enough support for spirited riding. It’s not enduro-bike plush, but for a 900cc ADV, it’s remarkably capable.

One area where the bike still struggles is with the seat comfort—especially when seated for long hours during trail transitions. As mentioned earlier, the padding feels thin, and the narrow design compromises pillion comfort too. But once you’re up on the pegs, that discomfort fades, and the bike comes alive.

Should You Buy it?

If you are in the market for an ADV that has good performance, versatility, and off-road capability, then BMW F900GS makes a very strong case for itself. It’s faster, lighter, and more engaging than the F850GS, thanks to that punchy new engine and revised chassis. On the road, it’s smooth and responsive. Off it, it’s agile, balanced, and genuinely capable. Yes, the seat comfort still needs work—especially for long-distance touring with a pillion—but that’s a minor trade-off in an otherwise well-rounded ADV. BMW has finally given the mid-weight GS the focus and firepower it deserves, and for riders who spend equal time on trails and tarmac, it’s one of the most exciting options out there right now. At Rs. 18.30 lakh on-road in Mumbai, this bike is a really good deal.

Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi