In a busy week for new bike reveals BMW announce the F 450 GS Concept, a 450cc in-line twin with “character” and claiming “best handling” in class...

BMW describe the F 450 GS as a “near-production-ready concept”, offering a glimpse of what a whole new model series between the BMW G 310 and F 800/900 could look like. Enduro21 doesn’t look at BMWs much, if ever to be honest, but if more looked like this then things could be different. 

An inline twin cylinder 450 is a rarity and that’s what caught our eyes scanning through the limited specifications for this machine. That and the rugged looks as BMW trade on their own vast heritage in colours and concept for this GS. It looks like a GS but smaller and you’d hope that’ll make it much sweeter to ride off-road, desptie the 19-inch, not 21-inch, front wheel size.

We take note also of the “best handling” and “strong performance” quotes from the BMW designer: “What was particularly important to us in the development of the new BMW Concept F 450 GS was to achieve the best handling for this segment and combine it with strong performance and optimal accessibility. The riding pleasure on-road and off-road is a top priority for this A2 BMW GS.” Says Sepp Mächler, Product Manager.

Unmistakable BMW GS design

“The BMW Concept F 450 GS carries the characteristic DNA of the GS family,” says Alexander Buckan, Head of BMW Motorrad Design. “We have succeeded in designing the Concept with the sporty dynamic appeal of our large off-road icon in a particularly compact form.”

There’s a lot of PR-speak in all this but skirt around that and you can see a kind of bike BMW hasn’t really developed since the infamous G450X.

New twin-cylinder engine

The BMW Concept F 450 GS houses a new twin-cylinder inline engine developed from scratch BMW say, using a “special, never-before-used ignition offset” which makes it “characterful and eager to rev” they add.

The engine conforms to the A2 requirements and delivers a claimed 48 hp “superior torque even at low revs”.

There’s a lot going on here and it certainly looks like a compact engine for a twin. The in-line configuration should back up the claim for character and also make it a fruity and useful off-road bike.

Displacement-to-power ratio and low weight are the result of lightweight materials such as magnesium they say.

Chassis

“We were able to start the development of this vehicle with a clean slate.” Says Marc Weber, lead engineer of the BMW Concept F 450 GS. “The aim was to enable excellent off-road capability and, at the same time, a nimble and precise handling on the road.

“The BMW Concept F 450 GS is equipped with a fully adjustable upside-down fork and a shock absorber with load-dependent damping, drawing on technology from rally and enduro sport. Through the targeted use of lightweight construction and other state-of-the-art solutions, we can create a sensationally light vehicle close to the minimum weight requirement in the A2 class of 175 kg.”

What could we expect in a production version?

Johann Simon, vehicle project manager of the Concept F 450 GS, explains: “No compromises for sure. Following the very sporty off-road focus of the Concept F 450 GS, we will implement the bike as close as possible to this concept. We will only adjust the seat height for better accessibility and easier handling. As an alternative to the cross-spoke wheels (19 inches front, 17 inches rear), lightweight but high-strength cast aluminium wheels in the same dimensions are also conceivable.”

The concept model also features BMW Motorrad ABS Pro (dependent on lean angle) brake system with what they call “freely configurable riding modes”. It also wears the BMW Connectivity 6.5-inch TFT display, meaning the networking of the bike and smartphone as well as other accessories are enabled.

BMW Motorrad plans to present the corresponding series vehicle in the style of the Concept F 450 GS in 2025.