We’ve seen spy shots of prototypes in the past, and now we’ve got an image of the 2019 BMW F850GS Adventure that shows it minus any disguise.

It reveals that, while it shares the same chassis, engine and swingarm as the F850GS launched late last year, it moves closer to its big brother, the R1200GS boxer.

The parallel-twin F850GS Adventure gains a significantly wider and larger fuel tank, which is capable of holding around
25 litres compared to the stock GS’s 15 litres. This brings weight up to 244kg – exactly the same as a R1200GS – whereas the basic F850GS is 229kg ready-to-ride.

Like the R1200GS, the F850GS Adventure boasts a much more rugged-looking rear luggage rack, appearing to be tubular steel rather than the aluminium of the normal GS. A heavy metal crash bar surrounds the front of the engine and deep panels feature circular cooling vents.

Our black-and-white shot is clearly a less-than-perfect photocopy, but it shows enough to confirm that the pressed-steel frame that debuted on this year’s F850GS is carried across to the Adventure, along with the swingarm and forks.

Leaked engine specifications have revealed no change in tune for the Adventure, which makes the same 70kW at 8250rpm as the normal F850GS.

That drops to 66kW at 8000rpm when the bike automatically detects low-octane 91 RON fuel.

The headlight carries over from the normal GS but sits above a new ‘beak’ that’s shorter and wider. Above it is a taller, wider, adjustable screen, along with new bodywork that deflects air around the wider handlebars. 

By Ben Purvis