Review: 2024 BMW F 900 GS

I’ve been riding the BMW F series since they were introduced in 2008. In fact, I owned the F 650 GS Dakar for several years, and have put many miles not only on the early F 800s, but every iteration of these models since then. Although I have fun on pretty much any motorcycle, the middle-weight F series has always seemed to have something…. Missing.

They have always felt a little flimsy, underpowered, under-suspended, and generally just not as good—yet with a heftier price tag both for the bike and replacement parts. I’ve never been a huge fan of the F series, if I’m totally honest, but has that now changed with the 2024 F 900 GS? Did BMW finally find a winning recipe, or at least a competitive one?

The all-new F 900 GS is based on the 2023 F 850 GS, as you might imagine. It’s still a similar bike, but BMW has taken steps to make the machine more purposeful than ever before. It’s slimmer and sportier than the R series adventure bikes, and the price tag is a bit more palatable for most people as well.

Easy and Comfortable

I only spent one day riding the F 900 GS, but as soon as we hit the road, I could tell this bike wasn’t quite like its ancestors. It handles much like a big dirt bike, which means the motorcycle is finally starting to feel like some of its competition. The handling is sharp, turning into the corners on pavement is easy, and the bike feels planted off-road.

This motorcycle is not for small riders, however. With a 34.3-inch seat height, it requires long legs. On the plus side, the ground clearance and seat-to-peg distance make it a comfortable and easy ride.