WHEN I first swung a leg over the all-new BMW F 900 GS Adventure, I knew straight away this wasn’t
going to be a casual test ride.
This is a serious adventure motorcycle, tall and imposing, with its 23-litre tank, spoked wheels and broad shoulders.
From the start, I felt it in my bones that I am gonna have a good time and over the past few days,
I’ve done exactly that, taking it across the highways, B-roads, and the hills to see if it really lives up to its GS badge.
The bike looks every bit the adventurer.
It sits tall, with wide handlebars and that trademark GS stance.
At parking lot speeds, though, I immediately noticed its weight.
At over 230kg, and with the weight carried high, it does feel a bit top-heavy.
I had to pay attention whenever I stopped on uneven ground or made a tight U-turn.
But once the wheels started rolling, the weight disappeared.
The balance and stability kicked in, and I felt in control.
The 895cc parallel-twin engine puts out 105hp and 93Nm of torque, and I could feel that punch straight away.
On the North-South Expressway, the bike cruised effortlessly at legal speeds and still had plenty in reserve left for overtaking.
I never once felt it was straining, even when I pushed harder.
On smaller B-roads, I appreciated the smooth roll-on power, but it’s predictable and reassuring, especially when the road surface got unfriendly after a downpour.
Heat management is always something I worry about in Kuala Lumpur’s stop-and-go city traffic.
The F 900 GS Adventure handled it reasonably well.
I felt some warmth on my legs when crawling, but it was never unbearable.
I spent a good stretch on the highway heading north, and this is where I felt the bike shine.
The upright riding position, wide handlebar, and tall windscreen made long-distance travel surprisingly relaxed.
Even when crosswinds hit on open stretches, the bike felt stable and composed.
With its 23-litre fuel tank, I didn’t need to stop often, and I reckon 400km between fill-ups is easily achievable.
For Malaysia, that’s a big plus point especially when riding through rural stretches where petrol stations are difficult to come by.
The suspension setup really impressed me.
The long-travel forks and adjustable rear shock gave the bike the ability to smooth out uneven Malaysian roads, whether they were potholes on B-roads or rough patches heading into hill climbs.
On highways, the suspension felt bit stiff and composed, keeping the bike stable at speed but on uneven surfaces it soaked up the tarmac imperfections without hurting my tail bone.
I did try it on a gravel stretch, and while the weight was noticeable, the suspension gave me confidence to push on without worrying about losing control.
It feels like BMW has struck a good balance here between on-road comfort and off-road capability.
On B-roads, the F900 GS Adventure surprised me.
For such a big machine, it leaned into corners more naturally than I expected.
The suspension soaked up bumps and potholes without ever feeling wallowy.
I enjoyed how predictable the bike felt , it gave me confidence to push a bit harder into bends, knowing it wasn’t going to do anything unexpected.
I had to take it up into the hills, of course.
The climb towards Fraser's Hill is always a good test for a bike’s balance of torque and handling.
The F 900 GS Adventure pulled strongly all the way up, with smooth torque delivery and traction control that kept things tidy when the surface got damp.
The bike carried itself with ease through the corners, more confidence-inspiring than intimidating.
I felt like I could sit back and just enjoy the ride instead of wrestling the bike through corners.
The braking setup on the F 900 GS Adventure deserves credit.
Twin discs up front with radial callipers and a single disc at the rear delivered strong stopping power without being grabby.
On highways, I could cut off speed smoothly before sweeping corners.
While on the hilly roads, the brakes felt sharp and responsive when I needed more urgent stops.
The cornering ABS worked seamlessly and it didn’t intrude unless absolutely necessary.
Even on wet B-roads, I never felt the bike was unsettled under braking.
I liked the riding triangle immediately.
The bars are wide and easy to reach, the seat is firm but supportive, and the upright posture makes long hours less tiring.
The TFT display is lean, and with riding modes, ABS Pro, and traction control, I felt well looked after.
I particularly enjoyed being able to switch modes when I hit different roads.
Rain mode gave me peace of mind in sudden showers, while Road mode was perfect for everyday riding.
I won’t pretend the seat height is for everyone.
At just over 870mm high, shorter riders may find it a challenge.
For me, it was fine but I had to be mindful when stopping on uneven ground.
The highlight of the F 900 GS Adventure was its balance as it was rock solid on highways.
On B-roads, it was composed.
On the hills, it was surprisingly agile.
I never once felt out of my league, even when the size of the bike could have been intimidating.
That, to me, is the mark of a great adventure motorcycle as it makes you feel like you can go anywhere.
If you dream of blasting down the highways, riding through winding kampung roads, and
climbing up Fraser's Hill in one trip, the F900 GS Adventure, priced at RM95,055, will get you there with confidence.
SPECIFICATIONS
BMW F 900 GS Adventure
Engine: 895cc, 4-stroke, parallel-twin engine, water-cooled
Maximum power: 105hp at 8,500rpm
Maximum torque: 93Nm at 6,750rpm
Transmission: Six-speed
Suspension: Front 43mm adjustable upside-down fork, 230mm travel; rear dual swing arm with progressive damping system, 215mm travel
Brakes: Front twin 305mm discs with two-piston floating callipers, ABS; rear single 265mm disc with a one-piston floating calliper, ABS
Features: Cruise control, Keyless ride, navigation system, LED additional headlights, Riding Modes Pro (Rain, Road, Dynamic, Enduro and Enduro Pro), Shift Assistant Pro and Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA)
Fuel capacity: 23 litres
Wet weight: 246kg
Price: RM95,055 (excluding insurance, road tax)
