When BMW Motorrad updated the middleweight GS lineup in 2017, they refined what many long-distance riders considered the ultimate sweet spot in dual-sport adventure touring. Shortly before the Munich factory shifted toward the heavier, 270-degree crankshaft F850GS platform, the 2017 F800GS represented the absolute pinnacle of BMW’s 360-degree parallel-twin engineering.
To truly understand how this machine behaves in its element, I took out a factory-fresh 2017 BMW F800GS during a touring trip across Australia. With a mere 1 kilometer on the odometer at pickup—straight from the rental fleet after a quick fuel top-up—this test was an unfiltered, out-of-the-crate evaluation on both high-speed open highways and coarse regional backcountry.
1. Powertrain Architecture: The Rotax 798cc Parallel-Twin
At the heart of the F800GS is a liquid-cooled 798cc DOHC parallel-twin, co-developed with Rotax. Unlike modern parallel twins that rely on 270-degree firing orders to imitate a V-twin rumble, BMW chose a 360-degree firing order—meaning both pistons rise and fall simultaneously, firing on alternating rotations.
BMW 360° Parallel-Twin Firing Layout
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Cylinder 1: [FIRE] ────► [EXHAUST] ──► [INTAKE] ──► [COMP]│
│ Cylinder 2: [INTAKE] ──► [COMP] ────► [FIRE] ───► [EXHAUST]│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Result: Evenly spaced 360° power strokes mimic a classic boxer's firing interval.
To counteract the primary mass forces inherent to a 360-degree layout without adding heavy, power-sapping dual counter-balancer shafts, BMW implemented a swivel-arm balancing system featuring an additional dummy connecting rod positioned centrally below the crankshaft.
Electronic Throttle Control (Ride-by-Wire)
The 2017 update introduced Ride-by-Wire throttle management, replacing the mechanical cable setup of earlier iterations. In testing, the throttle mapping was exceptionally linear and snatch-free:
- Off-Idle Transition: Roll-on power is gradual without the abrupt low-gear jerkiness common on older fuel-injected middleweights.
- Highway Cruising: Third gear easily pulls up to 120 km/h with massive headroom remaining. In 6th gear, the 85 hp output pushes the bike comfortably to a top speed near 185–190 km/h according to BMW Motorrad Technical Documentation.
- Riding Modes: Switching between Road, Rain (softened throttle mapping to prevent rear-wheel slip), and Enduro mode adjusts traction control thresholds dynamically for loose surfaces.
2. Mass Centralization & Frame Dynamics
One of the F800GS’s most brilliant design choices is the under-seat 16-liter fuel cell. By moving fuel storage beneath the rider’s saddle rather than placing it high over the frame’s headstock, BMW achieved two major dynamic advantages:
- Lower Center of Gravity (CG): Filling the tank adds weight low and rearward, which actually increases chassis stability at slow speeds instead of making the handlebars top-heavy.
- Narrow Stand-Up Ergonomics: Replacing the traditional fuel tank area with the airbox and battery housing allows for an extraordinarily slim midsection.
TRADITIONAL TANK BMW F800GS UNDER-SEAT TANK
┌─────────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────────┐
High CG ────► │ [Fuel Tank] 16L │ │ [Airbox & Battery] │ ◄── Slim Knee Grip
├─────────────────────┤ ├─────────────────────┤
│ Engine Core │ │ Engine Core │
└─────────────────────┘ └─────────────────────┘
Low CG ────► │ [Fuel Tank] 16L │ ◄── Under Seat
Urban Lane Filtering & Trail Navigation
Compared to the wide cylinder heads of the flat-twin R1200GS, the narrow profile of the parallel-twin makes lane-filtering through tight urban traffic or squeezing through dense tree-lined trails effortless. You never have to worry about clipping cylinder head guards or adding heavy engine crash bars just to protect exposed valvetrains—though adding aftermarket protection like SW-Motech Crash Bars provides complete peace of mind for the side fairings.
3. Cockpit, Controls & Navigation Interface
The cockpit balances traditional analog legibility with essential digital telemetry. The vertical instrument stack places an analog speedometer on top, an analog tachometer below, and an LCD multi-information display on the right.
Dashboard & Switchgear Features
- Analog Gauges: The sweeping needle tachometer is easy to read at a glance, though digital speed readings are generally quicker to digest on highway stretches.
- LCD Information Panel: Displays fuel level, engine coolant temperature, selected gear indicator, odometer, dual trip meters, ambient air temperature, and real-time clock.
- Factory Heated Grips: Features a two-stage handlebar heating system controlled via a dedicated button on the right switchgear block—essential for cold morning highway stints.
- Headlight Protection: The asymmetrical twin headlight cluster comes equipped with a clear acrylic stone guard to deflect flying gravel on unpaved roads.
4. Chassis Geometry, Suspension & Braking
While the lower-spec F700GS was tailored for road-biased light touring, the F800GS was built specifically for true dual-sport adventure tasks.
| Hardware Feature | 2017 BMW F800GS | BMW F700GS (Comparison) | Performance Impact |
| Front Fork | 43mm Inverted WP Fork (230mm travel) | 41mm Right-Side Up Fork (170mm travel) | High flex resistance over heavy bumps & washboards |
| Wheel Construction | Wire-Spoked Rims (Aluminum) | Cast Alloy Rims | High impact absorption on rocky off-road terrain |
| Wheel Sizes | 21″ Front / 17″ Rear | 19″ Front / 17″ Rear | Superior rollover angle over obstacles |
| Stock Tires | Metzeler Tourance Next | Touring Dual-Sport | Excellent wet grip; replaceable with TKC80 for dirt |
| Brake Assemblies | Twin 300mm Floating Discs, 2-Piston Brembo | Twin 300mm Discs | High thermal resistance and strong initial bite |
WHEEL ROLLOVER ANGLE COMPARISON
21-inch Spoked Wheel (F800GS) 19-inch Cast Wheel (F700GS)
┌──────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐
.-' \ / '-. .-' \ / '-.
/ \ 21" / \ / \ 19" / \
| \ / | | \ / |
\ Shallow Attack Angle / \ Steeper Attack Angle /
'-.____ \ / ____.-' '-.____ \ / ____.-'
───────────┴──┴─────────── ───────────┴──┴───────────
Obstacle Clearance: EXCELLENT Obstacle Clearance: MODERATE
Off-Road Tip: The dual-channel Brembo ABS can be completely disabled on the fly via a single button hold on the left handlebar pod. Disabling rear ABS allows you to trail-brake and lock the rear wheel to steer through soft gravel or dirt corners.
5. Comprehensive Technical Specifications
For readers evaluating the 2017 F800GS on the secondary market or comparing it against rival middleweights, here are the official engineering metrics:
| Technical Category | Parameter Specifications |
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled, DOHC 4-valve per cylinder, 360° Parallel-Twin |
| Displacement | 798 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 82.0 mm x 75.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12.0:1 |
| Max Power Output | 85 hp (63 kW) @ 7,500 RPM |
| Max Torque Output | 83 Nm (61 lb-ft) @ 5,700 RPM |
| Clutch / Gearbox | Multi-plate wet clutch, 6-speed constant mesh gearbox |
| Frame Type | Tubular steel space frame, load-bearing engine structure |
| Rake / Trail | 26° / 117 mm |
| Seat Height | 880 mm (Standard) / 850 mm (Low Seat option) |
| Wet Weight (Ready to Ride) | 214 kg (472 lbs) |
| Fuel Capacity / Reserve | 16.0 Liters (~2.7 Liter Reserve) |
| Average Fuel Range | ~320 km–360 km depending on riding style |
6. Real-World Ownership & Maintenance Considerations
Owning and servicing an F800GS requires awareness of a few unique BMW engineering characteristics:
- Torx Fastener Standardization: Almost every bolt on the chassis—from the fairing panels and brake reservoir mounts to the handlebar clamps and footpeg brackets—uses Torx hardware (T25, T30, T45, T50). Carrying a dedicated Torx trail toolkit is mandatory if you plan on remote touring.
- Under-Cover Battery Maintenance: Because the real fuel tank is under the seat, the battery sits directly behind the headstock underneath the center plastics cover. Accessing it for charging or replacement requires removing just four Torx screws, making winter battery maintenance remarkably simple.
- Off-Road Footpegs: The stock footpegs feature thick rubber inserts for highway vibration damping. On unpaved trails, these rubber pads unclip without tools to reveal aggressive, wide serrated steel teeth for boot grip in mud.
- Side-Stand Safety Lock Mechanism: The side-stand includes a mechanical lock feature that prevents the stand from being flicked up unless the bike is held upright by the rider, preventing accidental drops during stationary mounting.
Final Verdict: Is the 2017 BMW F800GS Still Worth It?
The 2017 BMW F800GS remains an absolute benchmark in the middleweight adventure category. It bridges the gap between lightweight single-cylinder dual-sports and heavy 1200cc class behemoths without forcing major compromises.
With its bulletproof Rotax parallel-twin, switchable ABS, 21-inch front spoked wheel, and mass-centralized under-seat fuel cell, it offers an authentic adventure package that handles cross-country highway runs at 120 km/h as effortlessly as it tackles corrugated dirt tracks. If you are looking for a tried-and-tested middleweight tourer with simple mechanical reliability and superb road manners, this final-generation F800GS is hard to beat.