BMW F 900 R versus BMW R 1200 GS Adventure K255

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW F 900 R

Naked
BMW

BMW R 1200 GS Adventure K255

Adventure

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2019 bis 2024~
Built von 2006 bis 2013
RRP 9.400 €
RRP
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Pros:
  • Engine
  • Basic price
  • Comfort
Pros:
  • Load donkey
  • good-natured driving behaviour
  • long range
  • comfortable seating position
  • very good wind protection
  • also suitable for long and fast motorway passages
Cons:
  • Windbreak
  • Pillion comfort
Cons:
  • heavy, manoeuvring problematic
  • vulnerable ABS

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.518 mm
Length :
2.140 mm Height : 1.130 mm
Seat :
815 mm
Weight :
211 (max: 430 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.510 mm
Length :
2.250 mm Height : 1.470 mm
Seat :
890 mm until : 910 mm
Weight :
256 (max: 475 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: In-line motor 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 895 ccm
Hub: 77 mm
Hole: 86 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: O-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: Boxer 4-stroke 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.170 ccm
Cooling: Luft/Ölgekühlt
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 216 km/h
Performance: 105 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 13 Litre
Consumption:
4 l
Reach:
310 km
Maximum speed: 200 km/h
Performance: 98 HP at 7.000 U/Min
Torque: 115 NM bei 5.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 33 Litre
Reach:
600 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Bridge frame in shell construction (steel)
Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm (travel 135 mm)
Rear suspension:
Directly hinged central strut, spring base hydraulically adjustable, rebound damping adjustable (travel 142 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR 17
Frame type:
Three-part frame concept consisting of front and rear frame with supporting engine (steel)
Front suspension:
Telelever 41mm central strut (travel 210 mm)
Rear suspension:
WAD strut (travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum cast single-arm swingarm Paralever
Tyres at the front: 110/80 R19
Rear tyres: 150/70 R17

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc brake, floating brake discs, 4-piston radial caliper ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, 1-piston floating caliper ( 265 mm)
Front brake
Double disc ( 305 mm) Rear brake
Single disc ( 265 mm)

Ideal for a sporty short trip

If things go the way they did with their predecessor, BMW has a potential bestseller in its range with the F 900 R. Why not: The machine is quite cheap for BMW ratios and at the same time quite good.

You just have to know what you want. This bike is ideal for a sporty excursion without great travel ambitions. Whose wish this was always: Test drive please!

The test bike was provided to us by Bergmann and Söhne in Pinneberg near Hamburg.

Price / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: 8.800€
  • Years of construction: since 2020
  • Colours: red-silver, blue, black

Conclusion - what gets stuck

"Excellent off-road capability with even increased road characteristics" was the press release for BMW's new adventure. By offroad, the scribes probably didn't mean the cross-piste with jumps and deep sand at that time - the GS 1200 Adventure is simply too heavy for that. Nevertheless, this motorcycle is the ideal bike for the gaaaanz long journey. Charly Boorman and Ewan McGregor provided the proof in 2007 on their "Long Way Down" journey, in which they covered 23,500 kilometers through Africa precisely on these machines.
 
Unfortunately, even used and older GS Adventure bikes are not quite cheap. Depending on age, mileage, condition and equipment, up to 13,000 euros are required. However, it is doubtful that such prices are actually paid, but for a good GSA K255 one has to reckon with 8,000 euros. Back to the initial question: Is it worth it? Clear "YES!" on our part, because these machines last forever and still bring a lot of joy after 15 years.

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of Construction

  • New price: 13.500 € (naked)
  • Used: 6,000 to 13,000 € (depending on age and condition)
  • Years built: 2006-2013
  • Colours: various