Jimmy Lewis can talk to motorcycles....
Jimmy Lewis can talk to motorcycles. The BMW F800GS said it was in the mood for sand. Jimmy let it eat.
After nearly ten days in the saddle of BMW's newest GS, I can say that I have a pretty good feel for the bike. As a BMW1200 GSA owner and having ridden just about every version of the GS (from old PD airheads to 650 singles and even a few factory rally bikes in between) I'm pretty sure I know where this one fits in the fold. And yes, you are getting this information from a dirt bike rider who does a fair amount of commuting on the street. I'm the kind of guy who drives a 4x4 truck because I never know where I'm going to end up driving (likely off-road) and I need the capability.
My experience was not on a totally stock machine. It was a bike outfitted for the BMW GS Trophy, an adventure event set in the Tunisian desert of Africa where the US team (including me) won the competition (see blogs on www.dirtrider.com or forum threads on www.advrider.com)
The 2009 F800GS was outfitted with a lot of Touratech goodies to protect stuff that was going to get damaged, most thoughtful was the additional crash bars raising up and protecting the vulnerable radiator. Metzeler Karoo II tires were fitted to help the off-road capability and they do quite well. I would never consider riding off-road with any "round and slick" looking tire, just too dangerous.
 Wheelies make long days in...  Wheelies make long days in the seat shorter |  Dunes on a 400+ pound street...  Dunes on a 400+ pound street bike are not easy to navigate |  The GS Trophy was a team event...  The GS Trophy was a team event with individual stages, or challenges, which put riding skill, navigation techniques and teamwork in general on the line. |
Our ride consisted of about 1000-plus miles and I'd say it was 50/50 pavement and dirt. We had everything from perfect European highway to North African death road (giant wheel-eating potholes lines with bigger holes off the sides!) and everything in-between. As for the off-road, well, it was everything too, but mostly sand.
First, this is a great street bike. On the road I found the dirt bike-like seating and riding position comfortable and the machine felt much less girthy than the 1200 GSA I'm used to navigating. Sure, this thing is a wide load coming from my dirt bike world but compared to anything like it the F800GS is actually narrow. Everything is where it should be save for the low brake pedal, nothing a few minutes with a file didn't fix (there is no built in adjustment system).
I was concerned that the lack of wind protection would bother me, but in reality, it didn't generate a big complaint. BMW is channeling the front blast well and I was riding with a visor-equipped dirt-specific Arai helmet the whole time. For long days in the seat, I don't now of anything I've liked better. And we did some long days in the seat, just not moving real fast! The motor is full of BMW-typical parallel twin attitude in that it is quick revving and not so torquey right off of idle, the bike likes a little rpm to get moving.
Figure 8's in the sand never...
Figure 8's in the sand never get old. Especially when your team wins.
Once going the 800 is incredibly responsive and actually spunky from the first crack all the way through the power curve. I'd describe the delivery as linear and exciting. It revs smooth and goes on for a long time before a notable sign-off just before you bang the rev limiter, but it was time to shift 1000 RPM ago anyways. Not much vibration, great hookup, plenty fast. Shifting is smooth and the spread of the transmission is just right but I'd have liked a little bigger gap to sixth to let the motor rev a little less up top, I know how to downshift to fifth to make a pass.
On road the bike's handling is on track with the current BMW bikes I've ridden. It had a very light feeling nature, much lighter than the claimed weight would suggest. And that feeling is complimented with a light steering feel as well. In fact, it is almost too light and some riders think they are feeling some instability when it is just the bike reacting to their input to the steering. Just let go of the bars if you really want to find out! The bike flicks from side-to-side as well as a machine this tall could be expected to do, much more flip-flop-able than any 1100-1200 GS and, yes, even more agile than a KTM 950 Adventure (I own and ride one of these too). The steering is very responsive, maybe too responsive (that light feeling coming around) for a lot of riders. I was on the border with it.
The suspension was taut enough to let you feel the road but not stiff enough to bother me.
Momentum: in the sand, it's...
Momentum: in the sand, it's your friend and your enemy.
It seems a lot of riders who are claiming they ride a lot slower than me (Please believe me, I ride these huge bikes pretty slowly off-road, I just don't make mistakes when I ride them or get tired.) are feeling the suspension is harsh. I personally feel it is more of the chassis rigidity they are feeling and more of how a lighter feeling bike transmits bumps to the rider. The seat is really good and is helping the package. The ABS brakes had great feel and were plenty strong.