F850Gs first ride

I don't know l have not rode one.

Have you ridden it then, can you give us your views on the bits the reviewer has wrong.

Nope I haven;t what gets me is the drivel about tank moved forward to its proper place

Heavier by 12 kg but never felt it etc etc

If you ride on soft ground or gravel I Was taught get your weight over the rear and keep the front light and no quick turns conversely he is saying the weight forward is a good thing for off road??

He seems to be talking for the sake of talking AND he has the MOST annoying fucking WHINE!!!

PLEASE Go right on ahead and have a test ride and buy one if you wish

Ride Safe Gentlemen! (and Ladies )
 
Nope I haven;t what gets me is the drivel about tank moved forward to its proper place

Heavier by 12 kg but never felt it etc etc

If you ride on soft ground or gravel I Was taught get your weight over the rear and keep the front light and no quick turns conversely he is saying the weight forward is a good thing for off road??

He seems to be talking for the sake of talking AND he has the MOST annoying fucking WHINE!!!

PLEASE Go right on ahead and have a test ride and buy one if you wish

Ride Safe Gentlemen! (and Ladies )

I think his reference to the fuel tank position is the fuel weight is better in the centre of the bike than at the rear, most purpose built motocross and enduro bikes don't have a rear fuel tank, if it is as you say an advantage I am sure they manufactures would be using it on their competition bikes.

I know that moving your weight back on soft ground works, I would think its more of an advantage to be able to move the rider weight back when needed than have it fixed by fuel in a tank.
 
I thought it was a good review as well, obviously the OP is far more knowledgable, that is why I was asking what was wrong with the review :)
 
I don't bother with Motogeo reviews because Jamie gushes over whichever bike he is talking about. The travel videos are good though.

As for the tank - I am no expert, but my view is that a part that varies in weight all the time is better off between the wheels instead of above the rear. I've never understood how there isn't a difference in weight distribution on the rear (and therefore the front) as you go from an empty tank to full. But, like I say, no expert on the matter.
 
I enjoyed the review, but moving the fuel tank forwards (and upwards) doesn't improve the low centre of gravity as the reviewer related. But not to worry, I prefer a top-heavy inherently unstable bike for off-tarmac as it means you are more agile.

I am concerned at the ever growing weight of bikes, this isn't far off the weight of the 2004 (lightest) R1200GS.

None adjustable front forks that are a bit soft for on-road use affect the cornering on tarmac? If the surface is smooth I'm not sure what he's on about. Perhaps I'm a dinosaur but I've never adjusted front suspension on bikes that have it.

I always stated the 650/800 had a poor (too narrow) range in the gearbox which was borrowed without mods from the F800S and ST. The lower ratio sprockets of the 800 were better for off-tarmac but then revvy on road, and visa versa for the higher ratio sprockets of the 650. So at last BMW has done the right thing and widened the gear box ratios.

The 650/700/800 lacked a decent way to mount auxiliary lighting which I like to fit on bigger adventure touring bikes to give more road presence. I do hope there's better provision on the 750/850. I imagine the horn will be as weedy as usual.

Very glad to see at long last a digital speedo. I spend more time outside the UK than in it and an analogue speedo that only shows mph or kph is a hinderance.

Major improvement for me is the tubeless tyres. Having struggled too many times in the middle of nowhere changing a tube on a tubed tyre I hate them with a vengeance (I run with mousses on my touring KTM 690 Enduro).

The non-adjustable screen is a PITA. When riding off-tarmac in hot weather you lose airflow whilst at the same time working harder, and need to be able to lower the screen to cool down.
 
The 750 is a much better road machine with a lower centre of gravity and less bouncy suspenders. There is a lighting bar as an accessory and the 750 screen is lower and has less buffering but more exposed. Once they are established the main brands will bring out accessories to customise how you want it.
 
Ex MotoGP rider, British 250 Champion and TT racer. I suspect he knows his shit to be honest :rob

250 gp rider - seen a few of his reviews on You Tube, Based in the US nowadays i believe .

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BMW already offer a short screen for the 850 but you have to change the screen mounting bracket as well so it comes in about £150. I've put a short screen on mine because at 60+ mph I was getting buffeting but with the short screen I'm sitting in clean air so it's much better for me being a short arse.
 


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