BMW F - 700 - GS 2017

If you’re not familiar with the BMW F 700 GS, prepare for confusion. It’s actually the same capacity as the F 800 GS but offers a slightly mellower engine, designed to ease the step from a LAMS machine onto the bigger and more powerful motorcycle. Hence the 700 tag… and the ongoing confusion. To ride the 700 though, it feels just as sprightly as the 800 machine, only lacking a whisker of top end by comparison and is still plenty quick enough for most riding. While the 700 is a GS adventure machine, by name at least, it is really a road bike with adventure style ergonomics and riding position. It has cast alloy wheels with Michelin Anakee 3, 140/80-17 and 110/80-19 tyres. Of course, that does not preclude it from gravel roads or very light off-road work, and it can be fitted with knobbly tyres of course. But in reality, it is predominately a road bike with comfy ergos. It has a short, relatively ugly, square-cut non-adjustable screen above the signature GS asymmetrical headlights. I must say, the screen actually works okay as long as you’re not looking for total weather protection. The wind-blast hit me high-ish on the chest and kept much of the winter chill at bay. It was also quiet with zero buffeting for me – it is a decent screen. The seat turns out to be comfortable, but not height adjustable. The standard height is 820mm; however there are four optional seats available that offer a potential seat height range from 765mm to 860mm – that should ensure a comfy height for most, if not all. Heated grips come standard with two options. Nice and warm, to fully toasty – excellent. Maybe I’ve gone soft… but I’m beginning to truly embrace heated grips. The dash’ has an analogue speedometer mounted above an analogue tachometer that is clear and easy to read. An LCD is mounted to the side with all the usual info such as fuel level, trip, time and warning lights. Happily, for easy maintenance in the garage at home a centre stand comes standard on the 700 as well as the normal kick stand. In general all controls are easy to operate, the ergos are comfortable and relaxed with a sensible, logical and commanding riding position. Riding the 700 is actually very pleasant. The 798cc engine is engaging, responsive and, in the main, smooth. A few vibes do show up at high revs, but because the DOHC eight-valve, liquid-cooled parallel twin is decently torquey there is no real need to go all the way up in the rev range. Torque peaks at 5300rpm with 77Nm, but most of that seems available much lower down in the reve range, making for a flexible, easy power delivery. Short-shifting below 5000rpm makes for decently rapid progress, yet the engine still feels very smooth and relaxed. Peak power of 75hp is reached at 7300rpm, but as mentioned it is not really necessary, or desirable, to rev the engine that hard… if you must go that much faster perhaps the big daddy GS, the 1200, would be a better choice. I like this motor; it gets the job done with ease and no fuss. The only slight issue I have with the engine is the six-speed gearbox has a high first gear – it will run up to about 100km/h in first gear at the redline. This tall gear means when manoeuvring on a very soft surface, such as sand, the engine is inclined to stall at near idle revs because the ASC (Automatic Stability Control) cuts in… That’s traction control to most people and, like other TC systems, it simply cannot compute soft sand and low revs. It goes like this – you go to take off, the rear tyre slips in the sand a little, the power is cut, the engine stalls – it’s a pain in the arse and all brands and models with TC have the same issue. Switch the traction control off and the bike takes off perfectly. But I guess not too many riders will ride one on the sand, and on hard surfaces the problem does not exist. The 700 is a very neutral handling machine on the road, almost in spite of its quick-ish 26-degree steering head angle; it’s agile and stable in equal measure. This makes for an effortless confidence inspiring ride that few would fault at all but totally unreasonable speeds. The ESA single shock rear suspension is at the basic end of the electronic suspenders spectrum. It has 165mm wheel travel and while easily adjustable on the fly for damping, it does not adjust spring preload too. This is still readily done by the hand operated wheel though. So, the ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) modes only alter the damping for sport, normal and comfort. On the road normal was fine, but I actually used the comfort setting most and only sport a few times because it was there. Comfort really is comfortable and while sport does stiffen things up, it is not really in keeping with how the rest of the bike operates. It is not a race bike and does not really like to be ridden as such. That is not to say it can’t be ridden quite briskly though. It is more the fact that the 700 operates beautifully within reasonable bounds and is not designed or that happy when pushed extremely hard. An indication of this is the conventional leading axle 41mm forks with 170mm travel that are not adjustable. However the action is great, a decent compromise between a confident, comfortable ride at reasonable speeds, and up to maintaining good control when the speeds rise while pressing on. At 209kg wet with the under-seat 16-litre fuel tank topped up, it is at the lighter end of the spectrum for multi-cylinder adventure-style machines and it feels reasonably light to ride too. The brakes have no real issues bringing the machine to a quick stop when required, and offer decent feel but in no way could they be confused with stunning superbike style brakes. The twin 300mm floating front discs and floating twin piston Brembo calipers are certainly adequate without being over kill. Fit for purpose springs to mind. Out back a solid mounted 265mm disc with single piston Brembo floating caliper does the business. Both ends have switchable ABS that functions very well and can be deactivated for off-road use. Despite what the factories try to tell you, it is still essential to be able to turn the ABS off for genuine off-road work… whether this bike ever sees that usage is another story. To sum up, BMW’s F700GS is a genuinely nice bike and great to ride. While it may not really get the blood pumping fast for an expert rider it is more than enough for what most riders need in all reality. And it makes a great first adventure-style machine for less experienced or smaller riders. It is fast enough, very comfortable, handles well, frugal on the gas and has some great creature comforts. Be it touring, commuting or general exploring it is a very likeable, comfortable and capable machine. Source : mcnews.com.au