We've been waiting for more information on BMW's F450GS since we learned about the concept model earlier this year, and now we have it. The latest lightweight adventure bike from the Bavarian manufacturer will be on dealership floors before the end of 2025, and we've finally got more information about what shape it'll take.
This model will already be entering a fairly stacked field, with the likes of Triumph's Scrambler 400 XC, Royal Enfield's Himalayan, and plenty of models from KTM filling the niche. But BMW has ensured the F450GS will come out swinging.
Powering the F450GS will be an all-new 450cc parallel twin-cylinder engine, which puts out a claimed 47.4 hp, and the bike will weigh around 385 lbs, although whether that's wet or dry is unknown. Either way, it'll have a healthy(ish) power-to-weight ratio for the class.
Earlier this month, Motorcycle News was able to get a little bit more perspective on the F450GS from one of BMW's Project Leaders, “For some customers, bigger isn’t always better and we wanted to give the option to have the same GS quality and style, in a much smaller package. It’s true that a lot of riders are downsizing, and this is the perfect bike for the job – and we will be releasing the production version at the end of this year.”
Although it seems like this bike's stature will match its engine size, putting it on the smaller end of the spectrum, it doesn't sound like it'll miss out on any of the features you'd expect from a premium BMW.
“There will be rider modes, the option to have a quickshifter, and more, as even though the capacity is small, it will still offer everything that a rider will need to have the best experience on and off-road. In-keeping with the R1300GS, we’ll also only be offering it with a 19-inch/17-inch wheel combination too.”
The most interesting feature, or possible feature, is that the F450GS will potentially come with an option of a semi-automatic gearbox. No doubt BMW hopes this will attract more new riders to the F450GS and lower the barrier of entry. I imagine the semi-automatic gearbox will be a premium option, and this model will likely come with a conventional gearbox in its base form.
The only question I have, and it'll largely determine this model's success, is how much will it cost?
