“There’s a stray African dog that looks dead (but only resting) just metres in front of me on my trail. I lift the front slightly using the throttle and change to the right hand trail avoiding the dog. I noticed a lazy yawn just as I passed. Better watch out doggie, there’s more GS coming from behind.” BMW F 800 GS is the new Africa Twin!
Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Arnold Debus & Daniel Kraus
Once upon a time, back when the big Adventure tourer market had its feeble birth (late eighties-early nineties) BMW had the GS, Cagiva the Elefant and Honda the Africa Twin. All derived from Paris-Dakar racing successes. With the introduction of mammoth 1000-1200cc soft adventure touring motorcycles the midrange bikes have disappeared from the market. Honda and Cagiva stopped making its 750cc twins a long time ago and the BMW GS have just grown bigger and bigger into the premium section of the market.
The first indication of a revival in the mid-displacement adventure segment came in 2006 when BMW introduced its new F 800 range for the first time. Then the F 800 S and ST, but BMW have since then been fairly open about the fact that there would be an F 800 GS. A lighter more agile GS was a mouth watering prospect and here it is! I had the privilege of being in the first group of journalists testing the new GS in various terrains in South Africa.
Last night upon my arrival in South Africa, lively Zulu music accompanied by the smell of grilled lobster was interrupted by some torrential rain. We all feared that what promised to be the most exciting experience on the GS, the offroad part, could be jeopardized. All the F 800 GS test bikes were fitted with the standard Bridgestone Battle Wings. I guarantee you that they are no good in deep mud or on wet grass!
Luckily for me, the next day was cloudy but dry. I chose to do the more challenging “black route” for a proper enduro experience on the F 800 GS. Slightly daunting it was as I understood that the route really was challenging and particularly on a Battle Wing shod F 800 GS. ONLY EXCERPTS of the full article for now...
