BMW F 750 GS Vs F 700 GS: What Changed for the Better?

On paper, BMW's new F 750 GS can come off as a head-scratcher. Numerically, it is obviously the successor to the F 700 GS.

Look further into the numbers, and you find something else that's strange: it shares the same 853cc Parallel-Twin engine as BMW's other middleweight adventure bike, the F 850 GS, making the 750 in its name seem a bit misleading.

So what gives?

BMW heads will know the shared engine between the 7 and 8 is nothing new, as the previous F 700 and F 800 also shared engines. The reality goes beyond the engine sizes. While true, they both share the same displacement, the two are meant for different functions, and are tuned that way.

Where the F 850 is more off-road biased, the F 750 GS is slightly more oriented to road riding. With that in mind, let's take a closer look at the F 750 GS and see where it varies from the 700 version it replaces.

A Closer Look At The Engines

For starters, the 750 is vastly different from the 700 due to its firing order. The 700 had a 360-degree firing order with a zero-degree offset in the crankpins. With the 750, the Parallel-Twin now sees a 270-degree firing order, with crankpins offset by 90 degrees.

This provides a smoother throttle response, in addition to the added power the 853 cc Twin puts out; 77 horsepower, to be exact, and 61 ft/lbs of torque (at least according to BMW).

Bore and stroke measure 84 mm x 77 mm, respectively. Maybe the most noticeable difference will be the exhaust note you'll hear from the GS, as the new firing order makes for a distinct bark.

Like most engine configurations, there’s a constant battle to keep engine vibrations from reaching the rider. In BMW’s case, the offset crankpins and not one, but two, counterbalance shafts work in harmony to keep vibrations to a minimum.

Combined with numerous other tweaks BMW engineers were able to implement, not only is power increased, but fuel efficiency is also better than before. Talk about a win/win!

So to recap, here are the main points to remember about the F 750 GS engine:

• 853cc Parallel-Twin
• 270-degree firing order
• Two counterbalancers
• 77 hp and 61 lb-ft of torque
• >Better fuel economy

The GS For The Roads

There's no reason why the F 750 GS couldn't do some light off-roading, but its 19-inch front and 17-inch cast wheels should be the first sign it prefers to be on the pavement.

he F 850 GS comes equipped with a 21-inch front and 19-inch rear wire wheels. That's where you want to be if dirt roads are where you plan to spend more time. In the street-focused category, there are two players that come to mind when it comes to the middleweight adventure bikes with similar power or displacement: the Suzuki V-Strom 650 and the Kawasaki Versys 650.

Clearly, both have smaller engines, but their intent is on par with the 750 GS. Others make motorcycles in a similar engine and weight slots (KTM and Yamaha come to mind), but those are more dirt-focused and better compared to the 850 GS.

Besides the engine, the level of electronics is what sets the 750 apart from the 700 it replaces, and it's all to make riding as easy and enjoyable as possible, while also letting the rider stay connected to their electronic devices. If you choose to.

BMW has long had the best TFT displays in the business, and if you've looked at the screen from the R 1250 GS, you'll know precisely the level of refinement BMW has achieved with the bright, colorful, and informative display.

Finally, that carries over to the F 750 GS, assuming you pick one of the options below, which BMW says most people do. Once you do, you can choose to connect it to your phone via Bluetooth. You can view certain things from your phone directly on the TFT display using the BMW scroll wheel on the left handlebar.

In typical BMW style, however, the F 750 GS can be had in two package options: Select and Premium, which, respectively, add $2400 and $3450 to the price. Below is a rundown of what each option comes with:

Select:

• Shift Assist Pro (for quick, clutchless upshifts AND downshifts)
• Larger luggage rack
• Cruise Control
• Heated Grips
• GPS mount
• Full-color TFT display
• Ride modes

Premium:

• Everything from the Select package, plus:
• LED element in the headlamp
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Keyless
• Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment, which allows the rider to change suspension settings at the push of a button) or the low suspension option (these two features can’t be combined).

Concluding Thoughts

Earlier, we mentioned two rivals for the BMW were the Suzuki V-Strom 650 and Kawasaki Versys 650. At $14,095 for the fully-outfitted F 750 GS, the BMW is substantially more expensive than either of those models.

But then again, think about what you're getting for the money: a bigger engine and a lot more technology, both in the form of rider aids and rider connectivity. With that in mind, it's easy to make a case for the F 750 GS. It's a fantastic update to the line that's now a favorite for top honors in the class.

2019 BMW F 750 GS Specs:

Engine

• Displacement: 853cc
• Type: air/ liquid-cooled, DOHC parallel twin
• Bore X Stroke: 84.0 X 77.0mm
• Compression ratio: 12.7:1
• Transmission: 6-speed
• Final Drive: Chain
• Fueling: Electronic fuel injection w/ ride-by-wire
• Claimed power output: 77 horsepower @ 7,500 rpm
• Claimed torque output: 61 pound-feet @ 6,000 rpm

Chassis/Dimensions

• Frame: Steel monocoque frame w/ engine as stressed member
• Front suspension: 41mm telescopic fork, 5.9 inches of travel
• Rear suspension: Monoshock, spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable (continuously variable) at handwheel, rebound damping adjustable, 6.9 inches of travel
• Front wheel: 2.50 x 21″ cast aluminum wheel
• Rear wheel: 4.25 x 17″ cast aluminum wheel
• Front tire: 110/80 – 19
• Rear tire: 150/70 – 17
• Front brakes: Dual floating 305mm discs w/ 2-piston calipers
• Rear brake: 265mm disc, with single-piston floating caliper
• Rake/trail: 28°/4.1-in.
• Wheelbase: 61.4-in.
• Curb weight: 493 lbs.
• Fuel capacity: 4 gallons