BMW Motorrad unveiled the F 450 GS at the EICMA motorcycle show, the baby GS set to answer all those “adventure bikes are too big” problems with smooth parallel twin engine, agile handling and four model options.

Adventure bikes are a perfect example of where manufacturers have been too busy chasing the bucks in the wallets of middle-aged men and not thinking about the next generation.

Hugely capable and just as adept at globe-trotting as they are local shopping, the majority of these massive-selling machines are, in reality, physically big, heavy, expensive, and powerful. They have been among the biggest-selling bikes in the world year after year, but generally to the same customers.

The BMW F 450 GS is BMW’s answer to that, and in reality, a bike they should have made years ago. Previewed a year ago at the bike shows, the new F 450 GS is now a reality and took centre stage at BMW’s on-stand press conference at EICMA this year.

“With the BMW F 450 GS, we are addressing a particularly broad target audience,” says Astrid Neudecker, Product Manager for the new model. “The F 450 GS offers the ideal combination of playful handling, manoeuvrability, riding dynamics, and high-quality equipment – without compromising on quality or technical performance.”

The highlights of the new BMW F 450 GS:

• 48 hp with a ready-to-ride weight of just 178 kg
• Sporty adventure bike with conventional telescopic forks
• “Extremely smooth” 420cc parallel twin-cylinder engine with a balancer shaft and 135-degree crankpin offset producing 35 kW (48 hp) at 8,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 43 Nm at 6,750 rpm

Four models to choose from:

• BMW F 450 GS Basic
• BMW F 450 GS Exclusive (incl. off-road foot pegs, hand guards, engine guard, Riding Modes Pro, Shift Assistant Pro, and clear windshield)
• BMW F 450 GS Sport (incl. off-road foot pegs, hand guards, engine guard, Riding Modes Pro, Shift Assistant Pro, clear windshield, and sport suspension)
• BMW F 450 GS Trophy (incl. off-road foot pegs, white hand guards, Riding Modes Pro, Shift Assistant Pro, tinted Rallye windshield, sport suspension, aluminium engine guard, and Easy Ride Clutch)

BMW F 450 GS Technical highlights:

• Easy Ride Clutch (ERC) for significantly improved operating and riding comfort, as well as dynamics, as standard in the GS Trophy trim level; it can be retrofitted to all other F 450 GS model variants
• Six-speed transmission and left-mounted secondary drive. Shift Assistant Pro for quick upshifts and downshifts without using the clutch
• Right-side stainless steel exhaust system with two catalytic converters
• "Rain," "Road," and "Enduro" riding modes, as well as ABS Pro, DBC, DTC, and MSR, are standard features for a high level of riding enjoyment and safety. An additional "Enduro Pro" riding mode is available starting with the Exclusive trim level
• Newly developed chassis with a tubular steel frame for optimal rigidity, robustness, and handling precision. Short wheelbase and compact packaging
• Wheel control at the front via a KYB upside-down telescopic fork and at the rear via a hollow-cast aluminium double-sided swing arm with a KYB central spring strut, adjustable for spring preload and rebound, and with travel-dependent damping
• Wheels and tyres tailored to the typical BMW GS applications
• Powerful Brembo (front) and ByBre (rear) braking system in conjunction with BMW Motorrad ABS Pro for safe braking, even when leaning. Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) and Dynamic Brake Light are additional safety features
• Optimum ergonomics and equipment for relaxed yet dynamic motorcycling on and off-road
• High-performance touring and travel capabilities
• Footrests with adjustable gearshift and footbrake levers for optimal grip on and off-road
• Adjustable hand levers as standard
• Heated grips as standard
• Powerful LED headlights and lights as standard
• Connectivity with extensive options and exemplary functionality in the form of a large, perfectly legible 6.5-inch TFT display
• USB-C socket in the cockpit area

Original BMW Motorrad Accessories range:

• Cross-spoke wheels
• Comprehensive wind and weather protection with various windshield variants
• Luggage systems
• Handlebar risers
• Various seat variants (Rally seat, low seat)
• Aluminium engine guard

Optional extras:

A range of attractive options will be added at the time of market launch (Spring 2026): The F 450 GS can be equipped with an Akrapovič end muffler and original BMW Motorrad cross-spoke wheels.

Longer read – the new F 450 GS in more detail

At the heart of the new BMW F 450 GS is a completely newly developed two-cylinder in-line engine with fuel injection and a stainless steel exhaust system on the right-hand side. The F 450 GS claims a power output of 35 kW (48 hp) at 8,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 43 Nm at 6,750 rpm.

These claims from BMW make the engine one of the most compact and powerful in the A2 two-cylinder segment. It meets the EU5+ requirements but is also economical, consuming just 3.8 litres per 100 km, which BMW says means a range of over 350 km from the 14-litre tank.

The maintenance interval is the standard 10,000 km for BMW motorcycles. Unique on the motorcycle market, the engine features a crankshaft with crankpins offset by 135 degrees and, with a single balance shaft, promises a smooth but lively ride.

You cannot stall it

A technical highlight of the new BMW F 450 GS is the Easy Ride Clutch (ERC). Its core is a precision centrifugal unit in the clutch, which engages the clutch depending on engine speed. This system is standard on the GS Trophy model and available as an optional accessory for all other model variants.

In combination with the Shift Assistant Pro, manual operation of the clutch lever is completely eliminated – from starting off and gear changes to tricky manoeuvres. The clutch lever remains in place and allows the rider to intervene manually at any time if necessary – for example, to lift the front wheel over an obstacle or to improve control when descending on slippery surfaces.

Technically, the ERC is based on an advanced centrifugal clutch. Unlike conventional systems, it remains closed during overrun. This creates natural, familiar, and predictable handling at all times – comparable to a conventional clutch. The engine brake remains fully active until just before a stop; only when the idle speed is reached does the ERC automatically open, preventing the engine from stalling.

"Rain," "Road," and "Enduro" riding modes, as well as ABS Pro, DBC, DTC, and MSR (engine drag control), and quick shift are standard features for a high level of riding enjoyment and safety. An additional "Enduro Pro" riding mode is available starting with the Exclusive trim model. The additional “Enduro Pro” mode, which is used from the Exclusive equipment variant onwards, is designed for off-road use and allows the ABS on the rear wheel to be deactivated.

Agile chassis

A newly developed chassis with a tubular steel frame offers optimal rigidity, robustness, and riding precision with a short wheelbase for agile handling. The new BMW F 450 GS also features a completely new chassis with a specially developed lattice-tube frame consisting of welded steel tubes and forged parts.

The frame integrates the two-cylinder in-line engine as a supporting element. 43mm KYB upside-down telescopic forks are a feature, in case you were thinking this bike might have the GS’s iconic telelever system up front. Along with a KYB rear shock, the handling is conventional.

The Sport and GS Trophy variants feature “sports suspension” adjustable for rebound and compression damping. Rear wheel control is provided by a closed, torsionally rigid, yet lightweight hollow-cast aluminium double-sided swing arm, coupled with a directly connected KYB central spring strut (adjustable spring preload and rebound damping) with travel-dependent damping derived from rally racing – a unique feature in this segment.

Wheels and tyres tailored to the typical BMW GS applications. The bike comes with cast aluminium wheels fitted with tubeless tyres for road and off-road use, sized 100/90-19 at the front and 130/80-17 at the rear. Additionally, the Original BMW Motorrad Accessories range offers cross-spoke wheels.

BMW Motorrad ABS Pro brakes ensure safe braking even when leaning. Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) and Dynamic Brake Light are additional safety features.

The front wheel of the new BMW F 450 GS features a floating single-disc brake with a Brembo four-piston fixed calliper and a 310mm brake disc. A single-disc brake with a single-piston floating calliper and 240mm diameter is fitted to the rear wheel.

The new BMW F 450 GS comes standard with BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, which increases safety when braking in corners by enabling ABS-assisted braking while leaning. Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) prevents unintentional throttle application while braking, and the dynamic brake light alerts following vehicles to the braking motorcycle ahead.

Ergonomics and equipment

The new BMW F 450 GS features an LED headlight with an iconic "X" daytime riding light signature as standard. The turn indicator and control lamps of the F 450 GS also use LED technology.

A large 6.5-inch TFT display is also standard on the new BMW F 450 GS along with a USB socket in the cockpit. It comes standard with screen displays tailored to the BMW GS world: the Pure Ride Screen and the Sport Screen with detailed information on DTC, braking force, and lean angle, plus you can take phone calls, listen to music, and navigate while riding.

The shape of the bodywork and the 14-litre fuel tank are designed to support and offer good knee contact, both when seated and while standing off-road.

A wide range of accessories is available to meet the individual needs of riders, including a handlebar riser, a rally seat, and the option of a low seat. It comes with a two-part seat (845 mm) as standard. The low black rider's seat (830 mm) and the high Rallye seat in black/white/red (865 mm), available as part of the Original BMW Motorrad Accessories, can be adapted.

The standard adjustable handlebar levers and the optional 20 mm handlebar risers made of high-strength anodised silver aluminium offer further adjustment options.

The new BMW F 450 GS comes standard with a footrest system with removable rubber grips for off-road use. A very practical feature is the easy height adjustment of the footbrake lever by 20 mm in two positions to suit individual needs for on- and off-road riding. The gearshift lever is also height-adjustable. Wider enduro footrests are included starting with the Exclusive version or are available as optional accessories.

The modular design of the available windshields (optional accessories) allows for individual customisation. Depending on the intended use and personal preference, you can choose between the high Tour windshield (height-adjustable) and the clear or tinted Rally windshield. This allows the comfort, wind, and weather protection of the new BMW F 450 GS to be tailored specifically to individual needs.

Original BMW Motorrad Accessories

A huge range of options is already available, including bigger adjustable windshields, a rally-style option, engine guards, engine protection bars, front axle protectors, and other protective components, plus more luggage than we can list here.

UK Prices

Base - £6,990
Exclusive - £7,290
Sport - £7,440
GS Trophy - £7,760

Market launch: Spring 2026.

More information: www.bmw-motorrad.com