The 2002 MY BMW R 850 R is suitable for those riders who want a machine that can tackle both busy city traffic, as well as weekend strolls across the countryside and sinuous mountain roads. It has, at its heart, an air/oil-cooled, four-stroke, 848cc, boxer twin cylinder powerplant paired to a five-speed manual transmission that can produce a claimed 73 horsepower and 77 Nm of torque.
In addition, it comes with standard fittings borrowed from BMW's flagship R 1150 R, such as a BMW Motorrad Telelever front suspension coupled to a Paralever rear unit, dual front disc brakes and a single disc in the rear, die-cast aluminium wheels, a spacious, 21-liter (5.5-gallon) fuel tank, analogue instrumentation dials, a round headlight, a dual seat and pillion grab rails.