The BMW F 450 R is here to challenge the KTM Duke 390, Aprilia Tuono 457 and Kawasaki Z500. The lightweight, agile naked motorcycle engineered specifically for the 48-hp (A2 license) segment. Sharing its underlying technical foundation with the F 450 GS, the bike features road-focused chassis tuning, a short 1,405 mm wheelbase, and a distinctive design language derived from the high-performance S 1000 R, marked by a low front profile, high rear tail, and stylized “R” side paneling.
Powering the motorcycle is a liquid-cooled 420 cc fuel-injected parallel-twin engine with a 135-degree crankpin offset, dual overhead camshafts, and four valves per cylinder. The engine delivers an output of 35 kW (48 hp) at 8,750 rpm and 43 Nm of torque at 6,750 rpm, with 80 percent of the torque accessible from 3,000 rpm. Designed to comply with Euro 5+ emissions standards via a stainless-steel underfloor exhaust system, the powertrain achieves a fuel consumption rate of 3.8 liters per 100 km, giving its 14-liter fuel tank an estimated range exceeding 350 km. Vibration is minimized using a counter-rotating balance shaft, while power is delivered through a six-speed transmission to a chain drive. The motorcycle has an overall road-ready unladen weight of 175 kg (176 kg when equipped with the optional clutch system).
The vehicle utilizes a tubular steel space frame with the engine serving as a load-bearing component. Up front, it features a 43 mm KYB upside-down front fork providing 140 mm of travel, while the rear consists of a hollow-cast aluminum double-sided swingarm paired with a directly mounted KYB central spring strut. The bike rides on 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels fitted with a 110/70-17 front tire and a 150/60-17 rear tire. Stopping power is supplied by a single 310 mm front disc with a Brembo four-piston monobloc caliper and a 240 mm rear disc with a ByBre single-piston floating caliper.
Standard rider equipment includes heated grips, full LED lighting with daytime running lights, a 6.5-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity, and a USB-C cockpit port. Electronic safety systems feature standard ABS Pro (lean-angle optimized), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Engine Drag Torque Control (MSR), and three riding modes: “Rain,” “Road,” and “Dynamic”. Shift Assistant Pro, which allows clutchless gear changes, is standard on most trims. Additionally, the motorcycle supports a reversible gearshift pattern for track use.
BMW offers the model across four main equipment configurations: Base (Cosmic Black), Exclusive (adds Shift Assistant Pro and adjustable Sport Suspension), M Sport (adds Riding Modes Pro with a configurable “Dynamic Pro” mode and Snaefell White/M Motorsport livery), and M Sport with Innovation Package. The Innovation Package introduces the Easy Ride Clutch (ERC), an automated centrifugal clutch system that enables pulling away, stopping, and shifting without manual clutch lever engagement while preserving engine braking and preventing engine stalls. A wide array of original accessories—including different seat heights (775 mm to 810 mm), luggage systems, navigation cradles, and protection components—is also available.
