BMW F 900 GS (2024+) Complete Maintenance Schedule

This is the complete maintenance schedule for the BMW F 900 GS and F 900 GS Adventure, released in late 2023 (see official press release) for the 2024 model year.

The BMW F 900 GS and GS Adventure models are updates to the 2018-2023 BMW F 850 GS / Adventure. They’re the same bike, conceptually — a “middleweight” adventure motorcycle, a little sibling to the BMW R 1300 GS released shortly afterwards.

The F 900 GS, like its predecessor, is powered by a parallel twin with a 270-degree crankshaft. The engine in the F 900 GS has the same specifications as the BMW F 900 XR released a few years prior — with a bore and stroke of 86 x 77 and compression ratio of 13.1:1, the 895 cc parallel twin makes peak power of 77 kW (105 hp) at 8 500 rpm.

The final drive is via a six-speed box and a chain, and the wheels are a 21 x 17 setup, more geared for off-road adventuring than its bigger boxer sibling.

BMW contemporaneously released a 2024+ BMW F 800 GS with lower-spec components, intended to be more road-going.

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BMW F 900 GS Service Intervals

Overall, like its predecessor, the BMW F 900 GS and F 900 GS Adventure have 6 000 mile / 10 000 km service intervals. At every service, change the oil and filter, and do a once-over of the bike, checking it for leaks, worn parts, and loose components.

The major valve service interval is every 12 000 miles / 20 000 km. At that point, also change the spark plugs, and the air filter.

The BMW F 900 GS has a cable clutch, so make sure you keep it in good condition. Also, regularly replace the brake fluid, and check the coolant level and condition.

As the BMW F 900 GS has a chain drive, make sure you service it regularly, cleaning it and checking/adjusting the tension.

What you need to service the BMW F 900 GS — Consumables and Special Tools

For the BMW F 900 GS / F 900 GS Adventure, the manual recommends the following specific consumables.

Consider whether you also need any motorcycle maintenance tools — things like an oil catch pan, a paddock stand, and so on.

As the F 900 GS is a new motorcycle, this table will be updated as more parts become available.

Part	BMW F 900 GS / Adventure
Engine oil	Per the manual for all S bikes, 3.5L of SAE 5W-40, API SJ/JASO MA2. Additives (for instance, molybdenum-based substances) are prohibited, because they would attack the coatings on engine components, BMW Motorrad recommends BMW Motorrad ADVANTEC Ultimate 5W-40 oil.
Oil filter	The oil filter for a F 900 GS is a Mahle type and is equivalent to part number HF164.
Engine coolant	BMW recommends BMW Antifreeze/Coolant, with minimum 50% mixed with pure demineralised (not tap, not mineral) water. It’s based on ethylene glycol.
Spark plugs	The manual for the F 900 GS calls for an NGK LMAR9J-9E spark plug, which is specific to BMW Motorrad and a bit hard to find online.
Brake fluid	BMW recommends BMW DOT 4 brake fluid.

BMW F 900 GS consumables

BMW F 900 GS / Adventure Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the BMW F 900 GS as per the manual on page 239, but made clearer so that you can understand what needs to happen more easily, and without all the repetition (it’s the same every 30 000 km / 18 000 mi).

Notes on the maintenance schedule

Continue the schedule in the pattern shown after the end of it.
The running-in check is omitted (it’s usually done by a dealer as part of the warranty period, and requires some dealer-specific tools)

km x 1000	10	20	30	40	50	60
mi x 1000	6	12	18	24	30	36	Every
BMW Service standard scope (see below)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Change engine oil (BMW Motorrad ADVANTEC Ultimate 5W-40 oil)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Change oil filter (BMW/Mahle oil filter, part number 11 42 7 721 779)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Check valve clearances		✓		✓		✓
Replace spark plugs (NGK LMAR9J-9E)		✓		✓		✓
Replace air filter element (*: Off-roading)	✓*	✓	✓*	✓	✓*	✓	More often when off-roading
Change oil in the telescopic forks			✓			✓
Change brake fluid, entire system (Castrol DOT 4)							After 1 year, then every 2 years

Maintenance schedule for the BMW F 900 GS / Adventure

BMW Motorrad Service, standard scope (BMW F 900 GS)

Below is the list of tests to do on the BMW F 900 GS / Adventure, per the manual, at the annual service.

[D] Some of the below tests, including those that need the BMW Motorrad diagnostic system or re-setting the service due date, require BMW-specific equipment.

[D] Perform vehicle test with BMW Motorrad diagnostic system
Check the coolant level. Top up if necessary (BMW Coolant), and inspect for leaks / worn lines
Check/adjust the clutch play
Check the front brake pads and brake discs for wear
Check the rear brake pads and brake disc for wear
Check the brake fluid level, front and rear (fluid level drops with pad wear)
Visually inspect the brake lines, brake hoses and connections
Check the tyre pressures and tread depth (see below for pressure spec)
Check the tension of the spokes. Adjust if necessary
Check and lubricate the chain drive (see below for guidance)
Check the side stand’s ease of movement
Check the centre stand’s ease of movement
Check steering head bearing. Adjust as necessary
Check lighting and signalling system
Check engine start suppression for correct function (kill switch, side stand microswitch)
Perform final inspection and roadworthiness check
[D] Perform vehicle test with BMW Motorrad diagnostic system
[D] Set service-due date and countdown distance with BMW Motorrad diagnostic system
Check battery state of charge
[D] Confirm the BMW Motorrad service in the on-board literature

Checking Chain Tension on the F 900 GS

As the BMW F 900 GS (even in non-Adventure trim) is an adventure motorcycle that you’ll regularly ride off-road, you need to regularly clean the chain, and check it for tension.

BMW recommends using any chain spray / lube. Motul chain lubricant is a good choice that’s generally well-regarded. Motul chain paste is a portable alternative.

Check and adjust the tension at every service. To check the slack on the BMW F 900 GS, put the motorcycle in neutral, onto its kickstand, and on a level surface.

Check the slack on the lower part of the chain, midway between the sprockets, and check it in multiple places (move the motorcycle forwards and backwards to find tight spots on the chain) as chains wear unevenly.

Slack on the BMW F 900 GS is defined as the free vertical movement of the chain.

Target chain slack for the BMW F 900 GS / Adventure: 40 – 50 mm (1.6 – 2.0 in)

If the chain slack is out of spec, you need to adjust it.

Check and adjust chain tension on the BMW F 900 GS

Adjusting chain slack

To adjust the chain slack on the BMW F 900 GS, follow the steps below. Make sure that the motorcycle is on a level surface on its kickstand, in neutral, with no weight on it (no saddlebags / luggage). Refer to the diagram above.

Loosen the rear axle nut.
Turn the adjusting nuts on the left and right to adjust the chain tension. Keep checking the chain tension to see if it has come within spec.
Look at the scale readings to make sure that the chain is aligned on the left and right.
tighten the quick-release axle to 125 Nm / 92 lb-ft.
Makes sure the washer is seated correctly all round the chain adjuster. Fix if necessary.

Once you’ve adjusted chain slack, check chain wear. If the third marker on the adjuster is visible, check the chain length.

Put the bike in 1st gear.
Turn the rear wheel forwards until the chain is tensioned.
Measure the length of 10 rivets below the rear wheel of the swinging arm.
Check the length in a few different spots.

Maximum chain length (10 rivets): 144 mm

If the chain is too stretched, you need to replace it.

BMW F 900 GS / Adventure Tire size and pressures

The following are tire sizes and tire pressures for the BMW F 900 GS / Adventure.

Of course adjust the pressures according to conditions, your weight, and style of riding.

Wheel/Tire	Rim size	Size	Pressure (cold) (Dependent on load)
Front	2.15″ x 21″	90/90-21	32-36 psi / 2.2-2.5 bar
Rear	4.25″ x 17″	150/70 R 17	36-42 psi 2.5-2.9 bar

BMW F 900 GS / Adventure Tire size and pressure

About the BMW F 900 GS / Adventure

In late 2023, BMW updated the F 850 GS for the 2024 model year, re-releasing it as the BMW F 900 GS.

The BMW F 900 GS is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, which was already very capable.

The heart of the BMW F 900 GS is its parallel-twin engine, initially introduced in its 270-degree crankshaft format for the F 850 GS in 2018.

The engine’s displacement has been bumped up from 853cc to 895cc, with a claimed 105 horsepower — same as the BMW F 900 XR, released a few years prior. Aside from slightly more power, the F 900 GS’s motor has a fuller torque curve, for more acceleration all over the rev range.

Like the F 850 GS, the BMW F 900 GS comes with two riding modes as standard. The F 900 GS comes with ABS Pro and DTC as standard, for cornering ABS. There’s still an optional “Pro” riding mode package, which gives more ride modes, plus a few more configurable elements.

BMW focused on reducing weight for the F 900 GS, in spite of the larger displacement engine. One example is the redesigned plastic fuel tank which is slimmer and more ergonomically favorable, albeit with a slight reduction in capacity to 14.5 litres or 3.8 gallons.

This redesign, along with a completely reimagined rear section and a rear silencer by Akrapovič, plus a few other changes to the engine, has resulted in a weight reduction of around 14 kg or 31 lb across the entire motorcycle.

BMW also upgraded the suspension of the F 900 GS. The F 900 GS has a fully adjustable Showa 43mm inverted fork, with the option of upgrading it to a titanium nitride-coated fork. The base model shock is adjustable for preload and rebound damping, but you can upgrade the rear shock to a fully adjustable ZF Sachs unit.

Another upgrade is Dynamic ESA rear suspension adjustment. This is available on both models of the F 900 GS, as well as entry-level F 800 GS.

Suspension travel on the F 900 GS and F 900 GS Adventure is 215 mm or 8.5 inches.

BMW enhanced the off-road capability of the F 900 GS in a few ways. Firstly, BMW moved the handlebars 15mm higher than the previous model. They can be increased a further 24 mm (around an inch) higher.

Secondly, the Enduro footrests (which are standard) are 20mm lower. The combination of the higher handlebars and lower footrests mean that standing up on the BMW F 900 GS is easier than before.

The primary difference between the F 900 GS and F 900 GS Adventure is the fuel tank: The F 900 GS Adventure has a ~60% larger fuel tank with 23 litres of capacity.

The differences are below.

Item	F 900 GS	F 900 GS Adventure
Fuel tank capacity	14.5 L (3.8 US Ga)	23 L (6.1 US Ga)
Dynamic ESA	No	Optional
Final drive sprocket ratio	2.765	2.588 (~10% lower)
DIN Unladen weight (full tank)	219 kg	246 kg

F 900 GS vs F 900 GS Adventure differences

Reference — Manual for the BMW F 900 GS / Adventure

The above information was gleaned from the owner’s manual for the F 900 GS, which it shares with the F 900 GS Adventure. We also consulted the press docs, forums, and parts fiches.