2024 BMW F 900 GS Technical Review

Price: £11,995 | Power: 105bhp | Weight: 219kg | Overall BikeSocial Rating: TBA

Ever since BMW launched the F 900 XR and F 900 R with an 895cc version of the company’s parallel twin engine back in 2020 it’s been clear the F 850 GS would be following suit eventually. For 2024 that’s precisely what’s happened – but as well as the new engine the renamed F 900 GS gets a completely new look and a substantial reduction in weight as well as revamped suspension and electronics.

Review – In Detail

2024 BMW F 900 GS Price

BMW’s R-series GS – which grows to become the R 1300 GS in 2024 – might still be the dominant beast in the adventure bike class but there’s no denying it’s become a genuinely expensive bike over the years. With the new F 900 GS BMW is offering something with a power output that matches the old R 1200 GS from 2007 but is also priced like the big GS was 15 years ago. Although the £11,995 starting price is a £1245 premium over the outgoing F 850 GS, the additional power and performance offered by the bigger engine, allied to the weight reduction, new styling and improved equipment, mean it still looks more than competitive.

2024 BMW F 900 GS Engine & Performance

The headline change for the F 900 GS is right there in its name: instead of the 853cc parallel twin of the F 850 GS there’s the 895cc version that was previously in the F 900 R and XR.

In fact, it’s even more powerful in the F 900 GS, putting out a claimed 105hp, 10hp more than the old 850 GS could manage. The peak arrives at 8500rpm, 250rpm higher than before and reflecting the sportier state of tune. Despite the extra cubes there isn’t such a big increase in torque, which rises from 67.9 lb-ft to 68.6 lb-ft and arrives at 6750rpm instead of 6250rpm. Although the peak only rises slightly, BMW says the F 900 GS has more torque across the rev range, giving a notable improvement in acceleration compared to the 850.

The extra capacity comes from a 2mm increase in bore, up from 84mm to 86mm, while retaining the same 77mm stroke as before. A revised cylinder head, new forged pistons to replace the old cast alloy ones, and an increased 13.1:1 compression ratio – up from 12.7:1 – are aided by a standard-fit Akrapovic exhaust silencer in the pursuit of power.

There are two riding modes as standard – Road and Rain – that perform the usual job of altering power delivery to suit conditions, and the GS gets BMW’s Dynamic Traction Control as standard to keep a rein on the power. Optionally, you can add Riding Modes Pro, which introduces three more riding modes – Dynamic, Enduro and Enduro Pro – as well as the ability to pre-select up to four of the modes to be instantly applied by a button on the right-hand bar. It also adds engine brake control to the armoury.

2024 BMW F 900 GS Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight & Brakes)

While BMW hasn’t changed the essence of the welded, sheet steel frame that the F 900 GS inherits from its predecessor, the new bike gets a redesigned rear subframe that helps cut 2.4kg from its weight, as well as a new luggage carrier.

At the front, the Showa forks are new as well. Like the old model, they’re 43mm upside-downers, but now there’s 230mm of travel instead of 204mm, promising a substantial boost in off-road ability. Preload, compression and rebound are all adjustable.

Even more important than the updated suspension, though, is the F 900 GS’s weight loss. Altogether, the bike is 14kg lighter than its predecessor at 219kg. Much of that comes from the new, plastic fuel tank that replaces the old metal one. It’s also more compact and half a litre smaller than before with a 14.5 litre capacity.

That weight loss doesn’t just promise improved performance and handling but also takes a load off the brakes, which are largely the same as the previous model with two 305mm discs at the front and two-pot floating calipers, aided by a 265mm rear disc and single-piston caliper. What does change is the addition of BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, which is BMW’s cornering ABS system.

2024 BMW F 900 GS Comfort & Economy

Onboard, the 2024 F 900 GS gets a reworked riding position compared to the old 850, with 15mm taller bars (increased by another 24mm with the Enduro Pro package) and 20mm lower ‘Enduro’ footpegs, along with the new fuel tank making for a more spacious position.

As before, the gear lever is adjustable and can be switched between two positions – one for standing up when riding off-road, the other for when you’re seated. The 2024 bike also gets a new rear brake lever, 5mm higher than before and with a folding section to change its height by 20mm to switch between on and off-road riding.

With the new suspension and styling, the standard seat height rises by 10mm compared to the old model, going to 870mm, but there are multiple options to help accommodate riders of different sizes in the form of lowered suspension and taller or lower seats. In its lowest form, the F 900 GS can be spec’d to have a seat height of only 815mm, while the high Rallye seat can raise it to 890mm.

In terms of economy, BMW claims 64mpg – a fraction down on the 67mpg of the old 850 – and along with the 500ml reduction in fuel capacity that means the theoretical range drops from 221 miles to 204 miles between fill-ups.

2024 BMW F 900 GS Equipment

With its all-new styling, the F 900 GS gains a new LED headlight – promising a better spread of illumination than before – and there’s a standard-fit ‘multifunction holder’ added above the dash that can be used as a bracket for phones, nav systems or action cams.

The display itself is carried over from the previous model but is still a modern, large, 6.5-inch TFT that incorporates phone connectivity and can be operated by a multi-controller on the left-hand bar. The Bluetooth connectivity works without the need to download any apps, but to add turn-by-turn navigation you’ll need to have the BMW Motorrad Connected app on your phone.

Keyless go is an option, operating the ignition, steering lock and fuel filler as well as the alarm based on the proximity of the key, so you can leave it in your pocket.

The F 900 GS itself comes in three trims. The basic model, in ‘Blackstorm Metallic’ paint, features black fork tubes and a grey tank cover, with black wheels and red trim elements. There’s also a ‘Passion’ model in Sao Paulo Yellow, with a red subframe and radiator trims, and a ‘GS Trophy’ version with white/blue paint, which also gets hand guards, an alloy engine guard, tinted screen and gold wheel rims as standard.

2024 BMW F 900 GS Rivals

With more than 100hp for the first time, BMW’s parallel twin GS is elevated into a class that not long ago would have been the preserve of only litre-plus ‘big’ adventure bikes. Today, its’ closest rivals include Honda’s CRF1100 Africa Twin – also due an upgrade for 2024 – and KTM’s 890 Adventure, while the three-cylinder Triumph Tiger 900 must also be on most buyers’ shortlists.

Honda Africa Twin | Price: £13,049

Power/Torque: 100bhp/77lb-ft | Weight: 226kg (wet)

KTM 890 Adventure | Price: £11,999

Power/Torque: 105bhp/74lb-ft | Weight: 210kg (wet)

Triumph Tiger 900 Rally | Price: £12,795

Power/Torque: 94bhp/64lb-ft | Weight: 196kg (dry)

2024 BMW F 900 GS Verdict

We’ll tell you our verdict once we’ve ridden the F 900 GS.

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2024 BMW F 900 GS Technical Specification

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MCIA Secured gives bike buyers the chance to see just how much work a manufacturer has put into making their new investment as resistant to theft as possible.

As we all know, the more security you use, the less chance there is of your bike being stolen. In fact, based on research by Bennetts, using a disc lock makes your machine three times less likely to be stolen, while heavy duty kit can make it less likely to be stolen than a car. For reviews of the best security products, click here.

MCIA Secured gives motorcycles a rating out of five stars (three stars for bikes of 125cc or less), based on the following being fitted to a new bike as standard:

• A steering lock that meets the UNECE 62 standard
• An ignition immobiliser system
• A vehicle marking system
• An alarm system
• A vehicle tracking system with subscription

The higher the star rating, the better the security, so always ask your dealer what rating your bike has and compare it to other machines on your shortlist.