BMW has pulled the covers off its new F 450 GS, a lightweight adventure bike built around a brand new 420cc parallel-twin engine which will no doubt power a whole generation of BMW models in the increasingly popular A2 licence class.
Having been shown as a prototype at last year’s winter shows, the arrival of a production model is no surprise to anyone. Four spec levels will be available when it goes on sale next year, with the base model priced at £6,990 – pitching it right alongside Honda’s popular NX500.
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he bike has been engineered to be right on the regulations for the A2 category, meaning a peak power of 35kW (47bhp) in a package weighing 178kg. It features some innovative technology, which BMW no doubt hopes will help it stand out in a very competitive class.
Unusually, the oversquare engine features an 135° firing order which should give the F 450 GS a character of its own – with the manufacturer claiming that the single balancer shaft leads to a smooth and largely vibration free experience. Internally it is said to feature high-tech materials to reduce friction, which will no doubt futureproof the design and help meet future emissions targets while maintaining a 10,000km (6200 mile) service interval and a claimed fuel consumption figure of over 74mpg.
A big part of the F 450 GS’s appeal will no doubt be the styling and image, which is very distinctly a member of the GS family. Where BMW’s other A2-compatible GS, the G 310 GS, looks small and a touch weedy, the 450 is well proportioned and has a big bike look and feel to it thanks, in no small part, to the off-road style 19” front wheel and long travel suspension. The standard seat height sits at 845mm, with high and low options to create a window of between 830-865mm. There’s plenty of adjustability too, with footpegs, handlebars and levers all able to be moved to tailor the riding triangle to fit the rider’s own preferences. Like Kawasaki’s recently announced KLE500, the BMW is sure to appeal to experienced riders looking to downsize and find a more manageable motorcycle, as much as it will to younger riders restricted to an A2 licence.
There’s certainly no feeling that this is a ‘small’ motorcycle. Other than the giveaway single front brake disc, the trellis frame looks spot on, while cycle parts like suspension and brakes are all of a good spec and from recognised manufacturers, with KYB forks and Brembo brakes coming as standard.
Overall, the spec is beyond what would be expected at the price point, with a premium looking 6.5” TFT dashboard and three ride modes as standard. BMW’s ABS Pro, corner sensitive ABS system, is also standard along with dynamic traction control and various other adjustable electronic aids. For £300 more, the second-tier ‘Exclusive’ spec adds off-road style farkles like serrated footpegs, handguards and sump guard, as well as a different windscreen, an additional ride mode and Shift Assistant Pro, BMW’s lavishly named quickshifter. Another £150 bags the ‘Sport’ version, which offers pretty much the same as the Exclusive but swaps the base models’ black paint for red and adds adjustable front forks, while we’d expect the range-topping Trophy to be the best seller. Priced at £7760, it comes in BMW’s classic red, white and blue racing colours and gets a new centrifugal clutch system. Called Easy Ride Clutch, the system can eliminate the need to use the manual clutch and is an optional extra on lower spec variants. The system will mean riders don’t have to pull the clutch in at standstill, and will remove any chance of the rider stalling.
As is always the case with BMW, there will be a plethora of accessory parts to allow riders to customise the bike to their own tastes. Cast aluminum wheels are standard, but spoked items can be specified and really add to the GS’s off-road look and appeal. Different windscreens, luggage options and crash protectors are all available, but some of the usual extras for a bike in this sector, like a USB-C charging port and heated grips, are all standard.
These smaller capacity machines are proving very popular these days, offering just enough performance in a manageable package and more affordable prices. We fully expect the F 450 GS to be an instant hit for BMW when it arrives in showrooms next year.
