Kiwi Rider October 2023 Vol.1 | Page 15

F900GS sees a comprehensive redesign for an improved focus on off-road performance rather than touring - that area has been left to the GSA variant to handle while the 800GS rounds out the range and the more accessible entry-point . Along with all-new aesthetics which , in the case of the F900GS , drops the asymmetric headlight in favour of a more conventionallooking LED unit to offer better illumination directly in front of the motorcycle according to BMW . The 900GS also receives a lighter chassis that sees the bike dropping 14kg with a ready to ride weight listed at 219kg . Part of the large drop in weight for the F900GS comes from the adoption of a plastic fuel tank
lower crash bars offering decent protection for the larger plastics of the new model . In the suspension department , the F800GS keeps things simple as always , but both the GS and GSA score fully adjustable Showa upsidedown telescopic forks with a 43mm fixed fork tube diameter and 230mm of travel . As before , the F800GS uses telescopic forks with a 41mm fixed fork tube diameter and 170mm suspension travel . At the rear , the monoshock offers up 215mm and 170mm respectively . The F900GS can be given even more off-road prowess with the optional equipment Enduro Pro package featuring fully adjustable titanium nitride-coated upside-down telescopic forks , measuring 14.5 litres , weighing 4.5kg less than the previous tank . Further weight loss comes in the redesign of the subframe which is now noticeably leaner , indicating the F900GS is leaning more towards off-road performance than its predecessors . As always , the F900GS Adventure adds extra long-distance touring ability with more bodywork , luggage carrying ability and fuel capacity with a 23-litre tank . Visually the GSA has plenty of hints of the flagship R1250GS with fully adjustable rear shock as well as handlebar risers and M Endurance chain . BMW will be offering Dynamic ESA for the 900GS and GSA as an ex-works option , however , with BMW Motorrad New Zealand speccing our bikes to the nines , this will likely be factory fitment for the local market . BMW Motorrad New Zealand expects the first examples of the new mid-capacity GS range to arrive locally in late Q1 2024 , with pricing to be announced closer to launch .
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