Ever since BMW introduced its F850 parallel twin platform, we’ve been waiting for it to be applied to machines outside the GS lineup. Now, it appears that’s happening.
Motor1 Brazil has published these patent drawings for a new F850R naked bike, using the updated engine that’s already been in the GS and GS Adventure for months.
The drawings certainly look legit, and if they’re for real, then we could see BMW’s lower-priced naked bike take an interesting turn. The previous F800 engine was definitely long in the tooth, and its unpleasant vibes at higher RPM made it feel like a budget bike, not a sophisticated Euro machine.
However, now that the F850 has been significantly upgraded, the R may become a much more viable option in the lower-priced European naked bike segment. Of course, it still has to overcome strong competition from the 790 Duke. However, you can expect the F850R will at least have a strong electronics package, even if it lacks some of the other perks of the KTM competition.
