Already now in late March 2008, BMW have released a new 2009 model. The 2009 G650 Xcountry Scrambler model have received a host of updates.
New colours, new suspension (220mm spring travel front and 165mm rear), new seat adjustable from 800-825mm rather than the old 840-870mm. The brake and clutch levers are also now adjustable.
The frame have now got the addition of pillion peg mounting and top box ready mounts.
In Germany, inclusive of 19%VAT, the 2009 Xcountry will cost 6.900 Euro. TS
Exclusive: Worlds first onboard video of BMW F 800 GS in South Africa!
In this video you'll get the first onboard look from this new Africa Twin from Germany. We taped cameras both to the front and back of the test bikes and rode on the roads and offroad into the bush and up a mountain. Watch the vid and then check out the big photo galleries in the links. TS
Updated! 2008 BMW F 800 GS and F 650 GS first test
I have now returned from South Africa after doing a comprehensive first ride on the F 800 GS and yesterday I rode the F 650 GS too. Through the South African countryside we rode the F 800 GS on roads before I opted to do the "black route" which was very challenging for a bike on dual road tyres! But the F 800 GS does work as an offroad bike and with some serious enduro tyres it would leave the R 1200 GS Adventure for dead trail riding. More very soon and plenty of video... TS
We have played around with BMW's F and R series. It is very hard to believe that manufacturers can continue with air-cooled engines into the not too distant future. I have asked BMW to comment several times on options to replace the iconic R 1200 GS. I have also asked whether the 1200cc air-cooled Boxer could be replaced by a large capacity parallel twin based on the F 800. In the past BMW have replied that this is one of a very few options should they be forced to give up the boxer. However, at present BMW states "We have no intention to develop a larger displacement parallel engine. The 800 cc two-cylinder is the ideal engine for our middle class motorcycles. We have, by no means, any intention to replace our very successful 1200 cc boxer engines (GS or other) by any other engine.".
So at the present day, we will not see a F 1200 GS. But if we did, perhaps it would look very similar to our designers F 1200 GS. By: Tor Sagen/CG: Luc1 Next BMW: 2008 F 800 GS & F 650 GS first test!
The wait for the F 800 GS and F 650 GS is getting shorter and shorter. We ride the both of them in less than a month. Now BMW have revealed how much of your hard earned you will have to part with to get one. The F 800 GS is: 9.640 Euro and the F 650 GS 7.800 Euro. The F 650 GS is sailing up to become almost a BMW bargain at that price only 900 Euro more expensive than the G 650 Xcountry (2008 price: 6.900 Euro) with 150cc less capacity and one cylinder less. The super boxer, HP2 Sport is just as exclusive as its price: 21.600 Euro. TS
The time was right for BMW to launch the future in the GS model range. BMW can't go on forever with the air-cooled Boxer and the 800cc parallel twin is the first sign of what might be the future for BMW riders. BMW are still sticking to the 800cc engine from the F 800 S and it's pretty much the same configuration on the F 800 GS. This involves a healthy 85bhp and 83Nm. The torque is slightly reduced (by 3Nm's) compared to the original F 800 S. On the new GS the belt drive and single-sided swingarm has been replaced by an offroad friendly long conventional swingarm and chain drive. Most importantly being a GS the new 800 have received some hefty suspension travel (240mm front, 215mm rear) and a new chassis. The dry weight of the F 800 GS is a claimed 178kg which is about 4 kilos lighter than the F 800 S. This should make the 800 GS a very responsive motorcycle. Again, the F 800 GS will not be a motorcycle for everyone as it features a 880mm seat height. This is a pure offroad feature and to accommodate more riders BMW also launched the F 650 GS with some moderation features such as a lower seat height, less horsepower and a slightly lower dry weight (more below). The new spoked wheels with aluminium rims are also made for some rough terrain. A 90/90-21 front and a 150/70-17 rear tells us that BMW are serious about the offroad capabilities on the F 800 GS. A few details such as under-body protection and a tall windscreen are standard on the 800 GS to further improve both offroad and touring capabilities. In February we ride both the F 800 GS and F 650 GS at the world launch in South Africa. Then we will tell you everything about these new additions to the GS range.
The F 650 GS is the F 800 GS's little sister, but only in the name. The 650 is in fact a 800, but detuned slightly (71bhp). The F 650 GS also features a much lower seat height, conventional fork and street wheels. The F 650 GS is the only of the two that can be detuned to a learner legal 34bhp. All to make the F 650 GS a better bike for beginners and for those that don't offroad.
NEC 2007: The babes are out, Charley Boorman interviewed, 250 pictures!
It's all out there now, the news from KTM, BMW, Ducati, CCM, Royal Enfield, Megelli, Triumph, Hyosung, Benelli and Vectrix. The 990 Supermoto, The Woodsman, CMX, Gorgeous Triumph show specials, 08 BMW's, Charley Boorman and a lot of babes! See it all here!
2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
BMW will launch five new models in Milan. That includes the reworked R 1200 GS and the F 800 GS!
BMW have just launched a new colour scheme for its F 800 S midrange sportsbike. The motorcycle itself is nowhere near capable of 186mph, but the paint scheme has been inspired by the colour of pyroclastic flows, extremely fast moving and destructive hot ash from bursting volcanoes. So you could say that the shadow of the new F 800 S is faster than the bike... It will be available from June. TS
BMW to compete with new high spec 450cc Enduro April 28th!
Raptors & Rockets said that BMW would launch a 450cc serious Enduro motorcycle more than one year ago. First we thought the new bike would feature a 450cc V-twin just like Aprilia RXV 4.5, but now it looks likely to be a more conventional one cylinder four-stroke. Our BMW factory source told us that BMW would not involve itself in MX just now, but in serious Enduro (competition) and possibly Supermoto. BMW have a long and successful past in Enduro and rally and it looks like BMW now wishes to revive this. It's all a part of the new and sporty BMW image.
The full statement From BMW's Markus Biebricher about the 450:
"The thing is purely experimental right now, data only exist very roughly and differ from race to race. On April 28th there will be a world-championship-race in Puerto Lombreras in southern Spain. There the bike will try to gain good results and this will be the first time BMW will officially declare its claim in the field of serious enduro-sports. The bike will be limited to that, cross is not in our focus so far, supermoto is thinkable, but not decided on yet. Any further developments will depend on the performance and the results of the bike."
Pictures: F 450 GS HP1 CG and G 650 Xchallenge
For the love of the beautiful Boxer!
Poor old Bayerische Motoren Werk is right now in its biggest struggle both internally and externally. The Boxer engine is perhaps an even more characteristic trademark than Harley's V45. After a long and exclusive conversation with Markus Biebricher at the BMW-Motorrad factory we know that BMW have several options to replace the air-cooled Boxer engine. But inside the 100.000 motorcycles a year firm, the opinion is divided. To make the current 1200cc Boxer engine compliant with future emission and noise regulations it will have to be dropped from the line-up for a completely new design. If BMW are to continue with its traditional Boxer design there are several problems. The major problem is that a liquid cooled DOHC version of the Boxer engine would simply be too wide! You wouldn't be able to corner such a motorcycle without ploughing up the tarmac with the cylinder heads. 'It would be too wide and would not corner properly', Markus said. BMW also stated in our phone interview that without the Boxer engine BMW are afraid it will loose some of its uniqueness and be left with engines that are more similar to other manufacturers.
As we all know BMW have their in-line four, parallell twin and single cylinder engines in addition to the Boxer. So one of the alternatives to replace the Boxer line-up would be to use parallell twin engines rather than the Boxer. But then again, that would change dramatically how a BMW GS would look like for instance. Can you imagine a BMW R1200GS without the two cylinder heads sticking out on each side? No, neither can we and this is a big dilemma for the BMW engineers at the moment. The Boxer engine is the jewel in the crown and center of attention for BMW. Biebricher said that 1 or 2 years is not enough for BMW to find a solution and that there are not even drawings of such a replacement for the R-series.
At the same time, BMW is a company in growth and a huge changing process is taking place right now. BMW are sharpening its image with more and more sporty models. But the company is still finding its way in a market bound to change dramatically. Harley-Davidson, Buell, Moto Guzzi and Ducati are in the same situation. Who will find the best solutions?
BMW will participate in the Le Mans endurance race again with a race prepped R1200S. BMW told us that this bike could make the basis for a new HP2 model. BMW are also at the very end of development on the current 1200cc Boxer engine and openly admits that there are not much more to get from the engine. This might be an argument against such a HP2 model. The R1200S is powerful enough, but perhaps it can be lightened?
