- 420cc parallel-twin produces 48hp and 43Nm
- Just 175kg ready-to-ride with 17-inch wheels
- F 450 GS-based engine and chassis reworked for road riding
BMW has taken the engine from the new F 450 GS, dropped it into a 175kg naked bike with 17-inch wheels and given it a bit of S 1000 R attitude. And having recently ridden the GS, we reckon the new F 450 R could be a bit of fun.
We’ve only just climbed off BMW’s new F 450 GS and came away pretty impressed with it. One of the highlights was the new 420cc parallel-twin, which is smooth, flexible and has a bit more character than you might expect from a 48hp twin.
So the news that BMW has taken the same basic engine and put it into a lighter, road-focused naked bike certainly got our attention.
The new F 450 R makes 35kW (48hp) at 8750rpm and 43Nm at 6750rpm, with BMW claiming 80 percent of the available torque is already there at 3000rpm.
With a ready-to-ride weight of just 175kg, those 48 horses probably don’t need to work too hard.
Those aren’t huge numbers, obviously, but with a ready-to-ride weight of just 175kg they probably don’t need to be. Add a short wheelbase, 17-inch wheels and road-focused suspension and the F 450 R looks like it should be an easy bike to get along with – and one you can actually use a decent amount of the performance on a Kiwi backroad.
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Same Engine, Different Job
While there’s plenty of F 450 GS underneath it, BMW says the R has been developed as a proper naked bike rather than simply sticking road wheels on the adventure model.
The tubular steel frame still uses the engine as a stressed member, but the geometry, suspension set-up and ergonomics have been changed for road use. Wheelbase is a compact 1405mm and it rolls on 17-inch cast wheels wearing 110/70 rubber at the front and a 150/60 at the rear.
That’s probably the part we’re most interested in. The F 450 GS already feels light and easy to throw around, so it’ll be interesting to see what that basic platform is like with road-focused geometry, smaller wheels and a lower centre of gravity.
The F 450 GS already feels light and easy to throw around, so it’ll be interesting to see what that platform can do on 17-inch road rubber.
Suspension is from KYB, with a 43mm upside-down fork and directly mounted rear shock giving 140mm of travel at both ends. The Sport suspension adds adjustable compression and rebound damping to the fork, while the rear offers preload and rebound adjustment.
The braking is a bit of a mix, with a single 310mm disc and four-piston Brembo monobloc caliper at the front, with a 240mm disc and ByBre caliper taking care of things at the rear.
Plenty Of Kit
For a smaller-capacity naked bike, BMW hasn’t exactly been stingy with the electronics, and this is what we found with the GS – it felt like a proper BMW rather than a cheap bike with a BMW badge stuck on the side.
Rain, Road and Dynamic riding modes are standard, along with ABS Pro, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Brake Control and engine drag torque control. Riding Modes Pro adds a configurable Dynamic Pro mode on suitably equipped versions.
You also get a 6.5-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity and navigation through the BMW Motorrad Connected app, LED lighting, USB-C charging and heated grips as standard.
Seat height is a fairly approachable 790mm, with accessory seats available to drop that by 15mm or raise it by 20mm.
Easy Ride Clutch Available
BMW’s Easy Ride Clutch (ERC), which we’ve already sampled on the F 450 GS, will also be offered on the R.
It’s essentially a centrifugal clutch that automatically takes care of clutch engagement according to engine speed. Combine it with Shift Assistant Pro and you can pull away, stop and change gear without using the clutch lever.
BMW has sensibly left the lever in place, though, so you can still use the clutch normally whenever you want to, and with a few of the official photos from BMW showing the 450R rider pulling wheelies, having the clutch lever there is going to be useful…
There are four versions of the F 450 R – Base, Exclusive, M Sport and M Sport with Innovation Package. The Exclusive gets Shift Assistant Pro and Sport suspension, while M Sport adds Riding Modes Pro and the familiar M Motorsport treatment. The Innovation Package adds the Easy Ride Clutch (we’re yet to hear which we’ll get in NZ).
Styling takes a fairly obvious lead from the bigger S 1000 R, with the same general nose-down, tail-up stance and a suitably angry-looking LED headlight.
Could Be A Good Thing
The F 450 R isn’t about headline horsepower, and that’s probably no bad thing.
BMW claims 175kg ready-to-ride, or 176kg with the Easy Ride Clutch, along with a 5.7-second 0–100km/h time and 169km/h top speed. The 14-litre tank and claimed 3.8L/100km fuel consumption should also give it a useful range.
Having recently ridden the F 450 GS, we already know we like the engine.
Having recently ridden the F 450 GS, we already know we like the engine. It’s got enough shove to be entertaining, it’s easy to use and there’s a nice bit of character to it.
Putting that motor into a lighter, lower, road-focused package makes plenty of sense.
We’d quite like a go. New Zealand pricing and availability are still to be confirmed, but BMW’s local distributor has confirmed the F 450 R will be priced below the F 450 GS.
What do you reckon? Would a lightweight twin like this suit your riding?
Quick Facts
| BRM Quick Facts | BMW F 450 R |
|---|---|
| Engine | 420cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin |
| Power | 35kW (48hp) @ 8750rpm |
| Torque | 43Nm @ 6750rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Weight | 175kg ready-to-ride |
| Seat height | 790mm |
| Fuel capacity | 14 litres |
| Front suspension | 43mm KYB USD fork, 140mm travel |
| Rear suspension | KYB monoshock, 140mm travel |
| Front brake | 310mm disc, four-piston Brembo monobloc |
| Wheels | 17-inch cast aluminium |
| Tyres | 110/70-17 front; 150/60-17 rear |
| Top speed | 169km/h |
| 0–100km/h | 5.7sec |
| Fuel consumption | 3.8L/100km |
| NZ price | TBC |
BMW F 450 R Gallery
