BMW F750GS review: Little off-roading, lots of adventure

NEW DELHI: Last 18 months have been blockbuster for BMW Motorrad India, introducing an array of motorcycles here, right from the 300-cc sporty outfit to the mastery 1250-cc adventure tourer.
Something common about all the motorcycles is their unique sense of premium feel, built with an intent to excel in in respective domain. The one we will talk about is a middle-weight adventure-tourer - the BMW F750GS.

What is it?
At the outset, I must inform you that this one is a road-biased, however, that doesn’t cut short the adventure bit. In fact, take the long route, stuff your weekend backpack and enjoy the unplanned countryside trip. The F750GS' performance will leave you equally spellbound in adverse and unknown roads much like the F850 GS, which shares the same 853-cc parallel-twin engine but with different wheels, suspension set up, and state of tuning.

While looks are subjective, the F750GS doesn't fail to impresses. The F750GS is unmissable on the road, whether parked or on the move. The bike comes loaded with the typical GS beak at the front, asymmetrical headlamps, a front-heavy fairing and from distance can pass off like a 1000-cc adventure tourer from a distance.

And the best part is that despite being heavy on built, the F750GS is a motorcycle that you can live with every day. It gets a sufficiently long and wide seat, mid-swept exhaust and an all-black engine compartment, which is naked.
Who would choose F750GS?
To begin with, the BMW F750 GS is no pushover when pitted against the F850 GS, and has been globally accepted with poise. Yes, the power delivery is fairly linear, however, the output is slightly toned down.

Electronically-restricted, the 853-cc parallel-twin motor pumps out 77 hp power and 83 Nm of torque, and honestly it never felt underpowered or intimidating. Quick of the block, the BMW F750 GS happily revs to cruise you at over 150 kmph with a claimed top speed of 190 kmph. Clutch action on the lever is moderately heavy and vibrations are aplenty, both on the footpegs and handlebars.

Mileage is not something you would be proud of. The 15-litre fuel tank provides a healthy range of 300 kilometers on the highway at full capacity, which surely takes a beating in the bumper-to-bumper traffic. The considerable large grabrail and optional pannier act as appropriate hinges to tie your touring luggage.

Cycle parts:
Not just riding, swinging your leg over the saddle is equally simple. The seat height is adjustable. From 770 mm to 815 mm, fix the perch according to your need and you are bound to feel the comfort. Well-cushioned, the seat bolsters well to put long hours. The 224-kilo bike is well-planted even at three-digits, and it's extra fun to ride on the twisties. The ride quality is comfortable in all the riding modes. The handlebar is wide, seating posture upright and slightly rear-set footpegs contribute to laid back riding. Filtering through the traffic isn’t an issue either.

The 151 mm suspension travel at the front and 177 mm at the rear aren't exactly soft, yet sporty and encourages you to take mild off-roading stretches. The 110/R19 upfront and 150/R17 rear tyres along with the suspension set up make light work of road imperfections. The F750GS gets ABS, rain and road come as standard, automatic stability control, quick shifter and more in the exhaustive list of electronics onboard. However, few of them are optional like the dynamic traction control and pro riding modes – dynamic and enduro. Unless you switch off the ABS and plan to go rowdy and rash, the motorcycle gets your back.

The bike misses out on a few basic essentials for off-roading. Bash plate for the engine, knuckle guards, bigger windscreen among the list could have spiced things up for BMW to position F750GS as the bolder-mud-and-gravel machine, at least on the safety front.

Who would buy?
BMW sells two variants of F750GS - standard bike at Rs 11.95 lakh (ex-showroom), and our the Pro package at Rs 13.4 lakh (ex-showroom). The latter includes two riding modes - Dynamic and Enduro, TFT instrument panel, LED lighting ad electronic rear suspension. You may always choose to accessorise the F750GS (well, that's pretty expensive though). The bike by any means can't be termed affordable, however, if you're willing to venture into mid-weight off-roading motorcycle, BMW F750GS finds itself in the midst of Honda Africa Twin, Triumph Tiger 800 XCx and Suzuki V-Storm.