[TusharK]

BMW F 900 GS launched at Rs 13.75 lakh

BMW Motorrad has launched the F 900 GS and F 900 GS Adventure in India. The ADVs are priced at Rs 13.75 lakh and Rs 14.75 lakh (ex-showroom) respectively. The bikes will be imported via the CBU route, and deliveries will begin next month.



The BMW F 900 GS replaces the F 850 GS and will be positioned below BMW’s flagship ADV, the R 1300 GS. The new model is lighter and gets a few modifications and improvements. It has a redesigned plastic fuel tank, a shorter front beak and a flatter LED headlamp. It has a single-piece seat, wire-spoke wheels and a rugged skid plate.

The F 900 GS Adventure comes with a larger fuel tank and a slightly larger seat. Both variants get LED lighting, a 6.5-inch digital instrument console, riding modes, power modes, traction control, ABS and a bi-directional quick-shifter.



The F 900 GS is powered by an 895cc twin-cylinder engine that delivers 103 BHP @ 8,500 rpm and 93 Nm @ 6,750 rpm. It is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The bike comes with an upside-down fork at the front and an aluminium dual swing arm with an adjustable mono-shock at the rear. Braking is handled by dual discs at the front and a single disc at the rear.

Link to Team-BHP News

Mod Note: Our BMW F900 GS Review has been taken live at this link. Please continue the discussion over on the new thread. Thanks!

[MileCruncher]

I saw late last night that the 2024 edition of F900GS and F900GSA has been launched.

F900 GS - 13.75 Lakhs
F900 GSA - 14.75 Lakhs

News source

Compared to other middle weight ADVs available in India, I think this is a very good pricing especially considering that BMW GS comes equipped with a lot of basic accessories that others don't.

Personally really like how the GS version looks and can't wait to get the test ride.

[Axe77]

This is very good pricing. I’ve always maintained that the Tiger 900 RP rules its segment but with the new BMW 900 I’m not so sure anymore. It's supposed to be absolutely brilliant and I can't wait to see some head on comparo reviews between the two.

With the Tiger becoming needlessly pricey with its move from CKD to CBU, at this price the BMW is really taking the fight to the current segment king.

On a more general note, I'm excited at how this broader segment is developing. If anticipated rumours come through as well, buyers will have a range of options depending on their riding preferences from the Yamaha T7; KTM 790 ADV (lets wait until these two materialise though and hopefully this will pave the path for the 890 in due course), the Transalp at the lower end of the price range, moving up two excellent all rounders in the BMW and Triumph 900s and finally a more exotic but very accomplished Desert X at the highest end of the price band.

Which brings me to Honda. Please wake up. While I'm delighted they brought the beautiful Transalp, there are enough Africa Twin fans for the bike to literally sell itself even among this intense competition. It's a travesty that its been two years since they landed even a single new AT for sale here.

[nitro.1000bhp]

I am so jealous of that Showa front forks. Damn you BMW, you could have brought this a couple of years early!!

But yes, good pricing and they haven't gone greedy like the other manufacturers. Only gripe is the increased compression ratio. It may need high octane fuel all the time. I hope they have adjusted it for our brilliant fuel quality.

Also, I don't see much love for the mid-weight GS over here, wonder why? People either flock to the Triumph dealers in-spite of their poor sales/service or dole out an additional 10 lacs for the 1250/1300s, or wait indefinitely for the Africa twins. Seriously, the 850 GS was an eye opener for me when I took it off-road for the first time. It simply flattened rocks and shredded gravel and the fuelling, electronics and ergonomics are spot on. Those in the market for a mid-capacity bike should definitely test ride these once before ruling them out. If your only criteria is road-highway touring then this isn’t for you but for those that like going off the beaten path this surely is a viable candidate.

Cheers.

[MileCruncher]

Just checked and Germany prices are not too far off from the ex-showroom prices in India. They are around Euro 12500 and upwards. However the taxation is what takes the cake.

In Maharashtra its 20% Road Tax for CBU bikes!

And the dealer wants 3.4% of ex-showroom as Depot Charges !

[MileCruncher]

I sat on the F900 GS today. At 835mm seat height, I was tip toeing the bike. And mind you, this is the low seat version. I also sat on the 1300 GS and it was somehow better manageable.

But what I didn't like was the lean angle on side stand. It was almost similar to Himi450. Which means a bike loaded with luggage will become hard to get to get to centre for short people.

But it looks like a lean and mean machine.

[MileCruncher]

I had a test ride on the F900 yesterday and few things I noticed:

1. I ride the Tiger 800 which is in the same weight range of the F900 GS i.e. 215-225 Kgs. The GS feels lighter.
2. The bike pulls. My Tiger gives a linear pull from about 5000 rpm. This pulls faster, stronger and much lower. I was taken aback on the pull.
3. I test rode the low seat option which is the 835mm version. Single rally seat version. Even then the bike feels tall while riding. And it feels narrow.

Because of the tall seat, I was tip toeing barely on both sides. I learned this earlier from a motoX instructor, shifting the hips to land 1 foot firmly. I practiced this technique a few times before taking the bike out. Surprisingly due to sparse traffic on Sunday, didn't encounter stop starts. And on u turn, the bike was surprisingly nimble which meant I didn't need to put foot down.

Overall am impressed!

[sf-24]

Finally took delivery of my F900 GS in the GS Trophy variant.

I've been eyeing the middleweight adventure motorcycle category for quite a while now, although I wasn't entirely sure if I could afford one all this time.

My top choice in this segment was definitely the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L. However, as is often the case with Honda in India, they seem reluctant to sell models that are in high demand. After the bike's launch, and despite a few lucky early buyers, the folks at Honda BigWing couldn't provide a clear answer on when it would be available again. They continued offering an outdated variant for test drives, despite the bike's strong following in India. I know at least a dozen people ready to purchase this beauty whenever it's available. This situation persisted throughout 2024.

The closest I came to owning one was when a friend went abroad and let me use his—happy times indeed. The pre-owned market also provided very little options.

My next choice was the Tiger 900 Rally Pro. As a current owner of a Triumph Bonneville T100, it seemed like a logical upgrade, and I absolutely adore it in Khaki. The Matt Khaki Green colour option gives the bike a rugged and adventurous appearance, perfectly suited for its off-road capabilities. The khaki shade complements the bike's overall design, enhancing its visual appeal and making it stand out both on the road and the trail. I nearly picked this one up after an extensive (150 km) test ride where I was almost convinced. However, the rising prices since its launch, along with alternatives like the F850 GS that offered more value for money, and the much-talked-about Bangalore dealership service experience, kept me from owning this beauty.

BMW F850 GS - Although on paper it seemed like great value for money, priced a few lakhs below the other contenders mentioned above, it just didn't bring a smile to my face. It felt top-heavy, and I was never able to connect with it like I did with the other two bikes I mentioned.

So, what's the next step? Waiting. During this period, there were reports about the anticipated launches of the Yamaha Tenere 700, Aprilia Tuareg 660, KTM 890 Adventure R, and BMW F900 GS. There was optimism that Aprilia would introduce the Tuareg at an attractive price point, and that KTM would leverage their experience in India to offer competitive pricing, given their success in the market.

In between there was a slight urge to settle for Transalp. I love that too but for 14L on road + 1.5 tubeless conversion (fit from Africa Twin)seemed a bit higher priced.

The wait continued till I heard about the launch of F900 GS, when the news came I made a friendly call to a not so responsive BMW sales executive. He confirmed the launch event in few weeks. I couldn’t attend the launch event but did a casual visit a week later.

First Impressions:

The 900 GS looked even better in person than in the pictures—I absolutely loved it. I enquired and was immediately offered a test drive, since it being a weekday it was relatively free. During the short spin, I felt the same connection I had when I first rode my Bonnie—it felt perfect. The same feeling that this is it! However, it was just a 5 km ride, so I didn't want to jump to conclusions. I went back home but couldn’t shake the feeling that I missed checking several things I usually would during a test ride.

The next morning, I called the sales executive to request a longer ride. He agreed, but the timing didn’t work out because they had a weekend event with the bike, and the early morning slots for the following days were booked. So, we fixed a time for the following week. True to his word, the executive called and honored the commitment. I took the bike for a test drive over 100 km, covering highways, crawling through Bangalore traffic, and navigating some not-so-great roads where this bike truly belongs. The result? Sleepless nights—I just fell in love with it.

Now I just needed reasons to convince my wifey and myself that this was the right decision. Fortunately, the launch prices for the KTM 890 Adventure R and Tuareg 660 were released. The KTM was almost 2 lakhs more expensive than the 900GS, and I think the Aprilia India team was out of touch with reality—they priced it higher than all the competition. (More than desert X - common what are you smoking ??)

Other reasons I used to convince self , compared the prices of all the above in UK and India.
BMW F900 GS India spec version seems actually cheaper in India than UK.
Similar spec version in UK is £14k - India Price 14L
Africa Twin £14k - India Price - Not yet Available (Older models - 16-17L)
Tiger 900 Rally Pro - £14.5k - India Price 15.95L
KTM 890 Adventure R- £14k - India Price 15.8L launch price
Tuareg 660- £10k (£750 discount currently) - India Price 19L launch price


So now the decision and booking was made. No complaints with dealership experience. It’s a BMW and they attempt to elevate the experience. One small complaint is that I couldn’t be there for the un-boxing as the truck driver was not reachable but I reached a few hours later and could see the motorcycle for a PDI just out of the box.

Now I’m in a phase I take it to work, rides and even for a tea in the near by shop. Wherever I take it brings that smile and joy. Priceless!!!

Here are some pics of the memorable day!

3 Priceless.HEIC

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by sf-24

Finally took delivery of my F900 GS in the GS Trophy variant.

Hearty congratulations on an excellent choice. I had the chance to just play around with the 900 GS in an open space and it seems like an excellent machine - possibly my top pick in this segment for now.

I tried my hand at the low chassis (yellow colorway) variant. It is just so incredible light, nimble and flickable that you don’t really feel the 835 mm seat height. Slid it around a bit on some loose gravel and it moves effortlessly in off road conditions. I’m sure it has more than enough grunt for highway riding and will be much more fun handling when off tarmac.

I’m hoping to get a much longer test ride on an F900 soon. Will post my detailed thoughts on it then.

[adi_sun]

Congratulations, indeed a great choice. Did do a short spin and as an ex Tiger 900 RP owner definitely felt its lighter and much more nimble. This is when Tiger 900 is fairly light to begin with. Stock Akra sounds sweet too !

Stock 900GS comes with knobby tires means its on the noisy side when used on tarmac and has a max speed limit of 160 kmph (thats also mentioned in the sticker BMW has placed).

The engine has a lot of grunt and in this super light weight avatar this is the perfect bike to tour and go hard core off road in. Wish you all the best, cheers !

[sf-24]

Originally Posted by Axe77

Hearty congratulations on an excellent choice. I had the chance to just play around with the 900 GS in an open space and it seems like an excellent machine - possibly my top pick in this segment for now.

I tried my hand at the low chassis (yellow colorway) variant. It is just so incredible light, nimble and flickable that you don’t really feel the 835 mm seat height. Slid it around a bit on some loose gravel and it moves effortlessly in off road conditions. I’m sure it has more than enough grunt for highway riding and will be much more fun handling when off tarmac.

I’m hoping to get a much longer test ride on an F900 soon. Will post my detailed thoughts on it then.

Thank you so much! It’s re-assuring to know that you had a chance to experience and that too it’s your top pick in this segment.

My test ride also was the style passion (yellow) the low rally seat version and all my riding gears were a perfect match to that colour. My better half liked the colour too. For me though the GS comes live in the trophy style. Moreover for a minimal price difference you get the front suspension adjustability (missing in the low seat variant) and you also get the metal sump guard and metal brackets in the hand protectors.

Sliding it around on loose gravel and finding it effortlessly capable off-road just reinforces how versatile this bike is. I agree, it’s got plenty of grunt for the highway and is loads of fun off the tarmac. I’m looking forward to your detailed thoughts after you get that longer test ride. Happy riding

Originally Posted by adi_sun

Congratulations, indeed a great choice. Did do a short spin and as an ex Tiger 900 RP owner definitely felt its lighter and much more nimble. This is when Tiger 900 is fairly light to begin with. Stock Akra sounds sweet too !

Stock 900GS comes with knobby tires means its on the noisy side when used on tarmac and has a max speed limit of 160 kmph (thats also mentioned in the sticker BMW has placed).

The engine has a lot of grunt and in this super light weight avatar this is the perfect bike to tour and go hard core off road in. Wish you all the best, cheers !

Appreciate your feedback, especially given your experience with the 900 RP, which is considered a benchmark in this segment by many.

Regarding the knobby tires, Metzeler claims that their Karoo 4 tires feature a multi-pitch knob layout (Apparently patented by Metzeler) that reduces tire noise and provides a smooth roll. I haven't had the chance to observe this in detail, but I must say that the tires perform much better than I expected for a 50/50 tire, especially on-road. However, I do agree that the knobby tires can be a bit noisy on tarmac.

Thanks again for your well wishes! Cheers!

[Turbosailor]

Originally Posted by sf-24

Finally took delivery of my F900 GS in the GS Trophy variant.

Congratulations for acquiring that Beautiful machine. I think 2024 was a great year for BWM motorrad India. Need to keep an eye on their sales charts. I think they would have outsold overpriced Triumphs & Hondas in premium bikes segment. Looking forward to see regular updates and travelogues on this beast. Wishing you safe miles ahead SF 24.

[sf-24]

First Service Update:

I've quickly clocked 1000km, and here's my experience so far.

Things I Like -

Looks and Ergonomics
While looks are subjective, I absolutely love the design. The handlebar, footrest, and seat setup is spot on, and the slimmer profile gives it a much-desired enduro look. The fully-adjustable 43mm Showa fork is a blessing, though I haven't tested it off-road or in detail yet.

Weight
It no longer feels as top-heavy as its predecessor. The 10kg weight reduction is noticeable, and once you get the hang of riding it, it feels incredibly nimble and easy to manoeuver, greatly enhancing the riding and handling experience.

Akrapovic Muffler
The sound, especially in the higher RPM range, is superb (particularly in Dynamic mode) due to the lighter and more attractive Akrapovic muffler. This certainly adds a high-performance feel to the overall ride. Kudos to BMW for including this as standard.

Quick Shifter
I haven't used quick shifters much on other motorcycles, but the one on the F900 GS feels super refined and responsive. It's very intuitive and fun to use.

Metzeler Karoo 4 Tires
Though they're 50/50 tires, their on-road performance far exceeds my expectations. These tires have a speed limit restriction of 160km/h, which is well beyond what I would attempt even on an empty freeway, so no complaints there. They look gorgeous!

Connectivity
If you use a helmet comms unit, you can take calls and manage music via the multi-controller/rocker buttons with the display on the TFT screen. They are super useful.

Below are some items that were not too clear from the BMW Motorrad website and their brochure

What you get in the India-Based GS Trophy Variant - Most of the items from Enduro Pro Package, Dynamic package are included by default; they include

• Additional Shift and Ride Modes: Dynamic, Enduro, and Enduro Pro
• Engine Protection: Metal sump guard
• Enduro Hand Protectors
• Aggressive Off-Road Tires
• Easier Suspension Adjustment: This part is a bit confusing. The pre-load adjustment on the rear comes from the enduro package, but the damping/compression adjustment in the rear is from the standard model. For pre-load adjustment, it’s a simple scroll via a knob.
• M-Endurance Chain: Although not mentioned in the India specifications, my bike has a gold-coated chain, which is maintenance-free and requires attention mostly only during annual services, as noted in the manual.

Things that are missing from the Enduro Pro Package listed globally

• Gorgeous gold Showa forks in front with 3mm additional travel
• Handlebar risers
• Easier suspension damping/compression adjustment in the rear

Upgrades/Accessories Planned

I didn’t get the standard engine guard as I preferred the one offered by Givi, which offers better protection to the tank in addition to the engine. I have budgeted for it and will be placing an order soon.

I also liked the pannier rails and soft luggage options from Givi. They are expensive, so I will need to budget for them soon.

The F900 GS makes a solid case for a one-bike garage. It’s no longer just a baby GS alternative to the 1300; it has its own character. In terms of looks, I prefer it over the 1300, but that’s subjective and no offense to 1300 fans.

First Service or Running-in Check as BMW call it

According to the manual, the first service involves checking the following:

• Performing vehicle test with BMW Motorrad diagnostic system
• Adjusting steering-head bearing
• Oil change in engine with filter conversion (long oil filter)
• Check the coolant level
• Checking brake-fluid level, front brakes
• Checking brake-fluid level, rear brakes
• Check/adjust the clutch play
• Checking chain tension and lubricating chain
• Check the tension of the spokes, adjust if necessary
• Checking tire pressures
• Checking lighting and signaling system
• Function test, engine start suppression
• Final inspection and check of roadworthiness
• Performing vehicle test with BMW Motorrad diagnostic system
• Setting service due date and countdown distance with BMW Motorrad diagnosis system
• Confirm the BMW service in the on-board literature

I went over every item on the list with the service advisor. He wondered what I was up to, but the good news is they also had this checklist for all first service schedules. The first service is fully chargeable—no freebies with a BMW. It cost me ₹9.5k.

What Could Be Better Based on My Experience So Far

The Range: With the 14.5 L tank, it was known that the range would be within 250-300 km. On Indian highways, this isn’t a problem, but I’m a bit apprehensive about filling up at an unknown fuel station, something I need to get used to.

Below is the mileage log so far



Aftermarket Accessories: Since it's a new launch in India, all aftermarket accessories are from global brands like Givi, Hepco Becker, Wunderlich, and nothing is cheap.

Other than the above, I don’t have any other complaints.

I have a longer ride coming up in a few days and will share more details based on that experience. Now I’m quite excited as the running-in is done, there are no more throttle limits, I can use the cruise control, and it now has synthetic oil filled in.

Signing off with a pic on my favourite NH75 route.

[narayan]

Indeed a very good upgrade over the previous generation and closes the gap or even betters competition in many ways. Good choice of colour as well. I am pleasantly surprised with BMW pricing in India which is very fair compared to where I ride now. Coupled with good service experience that most buyers report, it’s an no brainer.

Any reason why you did not prefer the GSA version since it was just a lakh more? Especially given your concerns on fuel quality.

[sf-24]

Originally Posted by narayan

Indeed a very good upgrade over the previous generation and closes the gap or even betters competition in many ways. Good choice of colour as well. I am pleasantly surprised with BMW pricing in India which is very fair compared to where I ride now. Coupled with good service experience that most buyers report, it’s an no brainer.

Thanks very much! And yes BMW indeed seem to take India seriously. No other manufacturer has the pricing so close to their other international markets.

Originally Posted by narayan

Any reason why you did not prefer the GSA version since it was just a lakh more? Especially given your concerns on fuel quality.

The F 900 GS is a completely reimagined motorcycle, with BMW claiming that only 20 percent of the parts from the F 850 GS have been carried over. This transformation is evident in its more compact, sharper, and elegant design. The bike has shed weight from nearly every component, including the fuel tank, subframe, and silencer. This is what truly captured my heart, as I was not a huge fan of the 850.

On the other hand, the F 900 GSA is essentially the F 850 GSA with a new engine. While it might be an excellent companion for those who primarily tour on roads, for me, the choice was clear. The F 900 GS stood out as the better option.

Just to provide a basic stat, the Kerb weight of 900 GSA is 246 kg vs 219 kg for the GS.

Mod Note: Our BMW F900 GS Review has been taken live at this link. Please continue the discussion over on the new thread. Thanks!