The new BMW F 450 R: A best small naked bike for the start.
BMW Motorrad takes the F 450 family to the road: after the F 450 GS comes the F 450 R, a true naked bike for the A2 class. 48 hp, 175 kg ready to ride, a twin with a 135-degree crankpin offset and looks that are unmistakably borrowed from the S 1000 R.
From GS to roadster
Last year, the F 450 GS showed where BMW Motorrad is heading with its new middleweight range below the F 900 models. Now comes the logical next step: the BMW F 450 R takes over the engine and frame concept of the GS but was developed as a standalone naked bike for road use. Chassis geometry and setup, ergonomics, wheels, tyres, packaging and, of course, the design have all been changed.
The target group is clear: A2 licence holders, returning riders, but also experienced bikers looking for a light, compact motorcycle for everyday use, city riding and twisty country roads. With exactly 35 kW (48 hp), the F 450 R is A2-compliant straight from the factory, no restriction kit required.
BMW Motorrad CEO Markus Flasch sums it up: the F 450 R brings the brand's decades-long naked bike tradition into a compact, particularly accessible format.
Design: "tail up – nose down"
The F 450 R makes no secret of its family ties. A low front, a high tail, the typical flyline following the "tail up – nose down" principle, an LED headlight with bracket-shaped daytime running light and side panels shaped like a stylised "R": this is S 1000 R DNA in A2 format. Head of Design Alexander Buckan stresses that the bike deliberately quotes its big sister without copying it one-to-one.
The tapered aluminium handlebar sits high and close to the rider, and the seat height is 790 mm. Riders who prefer something different can turn to accessories: the Sport high rider seat adds 20 mm, the low rider seat takes away 15 mm. Gear and footbrake levers as well as the side stand are made of forged aluminium, and the pillion footrest hangers are bolted to the rear frame rather than welded on. Far from a given in this class.
Engine: 420 cc, 48 hp and a distinctive sound
At its heart is the liquid-cooled inline twin from the F 450 GS, specifically tuned for road use in the R. The key figures:
Displacement: 420 cc (bore × stroke: 72 × 51.6 mm)
Output: 35 kW (48 hp) at 8,750 rpm
Torque: 43 Nm at 6,750 rpm
Compression ratio: 13:1
Valvetrain: DOHC, four valves per cylinder, actuated via finger followers
Mixture preparation: port injection, BMS-Z engine management, ride-by-wire, 38 mm throttle bodies
Around 80 percent of peak torque is already available at 3,000 rpm. The real highlight, however, is the crankshaft: with a 135-degree crankpin offset and uneven firing interval, BMW says the engine is unique on the motorcycle market. Together with the new stainless steel underfloor silencer (two catalytic converters), this creates a characterful sound, while a gear-driven balancer shaft keeps vibrations in check.
BMW didn't hold back on lightweight construction either: clutch and gearbox covers are made of magnesium. The result is one of the most compact and powerful engines in the A2 twin-cylinder segment, meeting Euro 5+ and returning 3.8 l/100 km in the WMTC cycle. With the 14-litre tank, a range of more than 350 km is possible. The service interval is the usual BMW 10,000 km.
Easy Ride Clutch: riding without the clutch lever
The most exciting equipment detail is the optional Easy Ride Clutch (ERC). It is an evolved centrifugal clutch that engages depending on engine speed. Combined with Shift Assistant Pro, the F 450 R can be pulled away and shifted entirely without touching the clutch lever.
The clever part: unlike conventional centrifugal clutches, the ERC stays closed on overrun. Engine braking therefore works until just before standstill; only at idle speed does the system open and prevent stalling. The clutch lever remains in place for precise manoeuvres or sporty riding. The ERC adds just one kilogram (176 instead of 175 kg).
Ex works, the ERC is only available for the M Sport variant as part of the Innovation Package. For all other variants, it can be retrofitted as Original BMW Motorrad Accessory.
Gearbox: six speeds and reversible shift pattern
The dog-shifted six-speed gearbox transfers power to an X-ring chain on the left. Shift Assistant Pro is standard from the Exclusive variant upwards and can be retrofitted to the base model. For track day fans, the shift pattern can be reversed to race shift without much effort.
Chassis: short wheelbase, KYB all round
The basis is a welded tubular steel frame with forged parts, with the engine integrated as a load-bearing element. The geometry is clearly designed for agility:
Wheelbase: 1,405 mm
Steering head angle: 23.4°
Trail: 110 mm
Suspension travel: 140 mm front and rear
Up front is a KYB upside-down fork with 43 mm inner tubes and gold anodised stanchions, held by a forged aluminium triple clamp. With the so-called Sport suspension, it is adjustable for rebound and compression. At the rear, a hollow-cast aluminium double-sided swingarm works with a directly linked KYB shock, adjustable for spring preload and rebound.
The bike rolls on 17-inch cast aluminium wheels with 110/70-17 front and 150/60-17 rear tyres.
Brakes and electronics: everything important as standard
At the front, a floating 310 mm disc with a Brembo four-piston monobloc caliper does the stopping, at the rear a 240 mm disc with a ByBre single-piston caliper. Standard equipment includes:
ABS Pro (lean-angle optimised)
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC): prevents unintended throttle input while braking
Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)
Engine drag torque control (MSR)
Dynamic brake light with two-stage warning
Riding modes Rain, Road and Dynamic
Heated grips
With Riding Modes Pro (standard on M Sport, otherwise an accessory), the freely configurable "Dynamic Pro" mode is added, allowing throttle response, DTC and ABS to be individually tuned.
Cockpit: 6.5-inch TFT with Sport Screens
The standard 6.5-inch TFT display is operated via the Multi-Controller on the left. In addition to the Pure Ride Screen, the M Sport variants with Riding Modes Pro offer three additional Sport Screens with information on DTC, braking force and lean angle, plus a lap timer. Phone and music run via Bluetooth without an app, while the free BMW Motorrad Connected App adds arrow navigation. Riders who want map navigation can use the navigation preparation with the ConnectedRide Navigator or Smartphone Cradle. A USB-C socket in the cockpit is standard, and the lighting is full LED.
The four variants at a glance
F 450 R Basis (Cosmic Black): standard equipment
F 450 R Exclusive (Cosmic Black): plus Shift Assistant Pro and Sport suspension
F 450 R M Sport (Snaefell White / M Motorsport): plus Riding Modes Pro, Shift Assistant Pro and Sport suspension
F 450 R M Sport with Innovation Package (Snaefell White / M Motorsport): as M Sport, plus Easy Ride Clutch
The M Sport models make the boldest statement with their white frame and rim stickers in M Motorsport colours.
Accessories
Original BMW Motorrad Accessories range from soft cases (16.5 l each) and the strapless Black Collection tank bag (5–8 l) to a gold aluminium handlebar and bar-end mirrors, through to M lever guards, engine protection bars, axle and engine protectors and sport footrests.
Technical data BMW F 450 R
Engine: Liquid-cooled inline twin, 135° crankpin offset
Displacement: 420 cc
Output: 35 kW (48 hp) at 8,750 rpm
Torque: 43 Nm at 6,750 rpm
Gearbox: 6-speed, chain
Frame: Tubular steel frame, engine load-bearing
Suspension travel f/r: 140 / 140 mm
Wheelbase: 1,405 mm
Seat height: 790 mm
Weight ready to ride: 175 kg (176 kg with ERC)
Tank capacity: 14 l
Fuel consumption (WMTC): 3.8 l/100 km
CO₂: 88 g/km
0–100 km/h: 5.7 s
Top speed: 169 km/h
With the F 450 R, BMW Motorrad closes a gap many have seen for a long time: a high-quality, lightweight A2 naked bike with genuine BMW character. The 135-degree twin, KYB suspension, Brembo brakes and full electronics package as standard clearly set it apart from the budget segment. With the Easy Ride Clutch, it also offers a feature that should be a real argument for beginners and city commuters. BMW Motorrad has not yet announced prices and market launch for Switzerland; we'll keep you posted.
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