Australasian Dirt Bike – June 2019

76 |JUNE 2019 http://www.adbmag.com.au

Make no mistake, you can destroy a
tyre in a few days and the Dynamic
Traction Control (DTC) is a good
substitute for those with a ham fist or
lack of self-control.
If I could make a request to the
software engineers at BMW HQ it
would be to have at least three custom
options, especially for Enduro Pro.
There are just so many varieties of
dirt! Currently you have to stop and
dive through menus to make the
changes. I would like to be able to
make selections on my custom pre-sets
on the move. I’m sorry, did you say
‘just ride the dam thing’? I hear ya,
and agree, but why restrict the tech
available? It’s very, very good but could
be used more effectively.

KEPT IN CHECK
I left the suspension in Dynamic mode.
This automatically adjusts the damping
on the run and it was fine for the riding
we did. I did bottom out gently a few
times. Nothing wrong with that. The
front and rear suspension travel,
230/215mm, was certainly okay in the
dirt but travel needs to be kept in check
to keep it as great on the bitumen.
Too much travel can make a bike
wallow and dive under braking. I found
out how impressive it was on the
blacktop down to Tom Groggin from
Thredbo. I was on an R 1250 GSA and
Gareth Jones, from sister mag AMCN,

FIRST RIDE I BMW F850GSA RALLYE

was on an 850 leading a pack of 1250s

all itching to get past him but in the

tight alpine corners the 850 GSA, even

with its 21-inch front wheel slowing

down its steering, and 23 litres of fuel

sloshing around in the now-

conventionally-mounted tank, none

could get past. I was actually struggling

to keep up. Sure, he did race in the

World Endurance Championship but, I

think, despite feeling tall and more top

heavy than a road bike it is certainly

equal in handling for road and dirt.

Overall it’s hard to fault. I would

prefer a wider handlebar.

I did have some trouble

reconnecting my phone and Sena

Bluetooth comms, the BMW comms

seemed to have no trouble. The power

is really nice but, after riding the

1250s, some more bottom-end torque

would be amazing. It’s more top heavy

than I prefer but I’m nit picking

because a bigger tank and non-boxer

engine will do that.

So what happened at the

embankment? The journos were clearly

disappointed as the 850 helped me sail

into Nitro Circus territory. Dean got the

shot too early and missed the full

height and graceful landing; well,

ahem,at leastI didn’tcrash!

Gotsomethingtosayaboutthisyarn?

[email protected]

More images and info at adbmag.com.au

Looks skinny from the back with luggage

Wet weight is up about 15kg from the 800 GSA

It is possible to wreck at set of Karoos in days

Tubeless

Flats are a pain. Pulling out a

tube is worse, unless you’ve

got a sweep rider. The 850

has gone tubeless. They’re

easy to fi x and quick too.

Give me

a brake

Adjustable brake levers have been

around for a while. So why can’t BMW

design a proper adjustable brake pedal

rather than that awkward fl ip-over thing?

Actually a two-tiered pedal would be

great, one for standing and one for

sitting, but with fi ne adjustment. Miles

Davis sorted me out with his famous

rock and cable-tie trick (below).

Worked perfectly.