The BMW F 450 R is BMW’s new street-naked that effectively replaces the discontinued G 310 R as the entry point into the brand's roadster lineup. Built on the same platform as the F 450 GS, it brings that engine and chassis into a road-focused naked format. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about it.
How much power does the BMW F 450 R make?
The BMW F 450 R is powered by the same 420cc parallel-twin engine as the GS, producing an identical 48hp at 8,750rpm and 43Nm at 6,750rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox. BMW has mentioned that fuel consumption is rated at 3.8 litres per 100km (or 26.3kpl) based on the European WLTP test cycle, and we’ll have to wait until we test the bike to see what real-world range in our riding conditions is.
What variants is the BMW F 450 R available in?
The F 450 R is available in four variants – Base, Exclusive, M Sport and M Sport with Innovation Package. The base model comes with the standard feature set. The Exclusive adds a bidirectional quickshifter and Sport suspension with adjustable rebound and compression damping. Both M Sport variants add an individually configurable Dynamic Pro riding mode and an exclusive TFT layout showing traction control, braking force, lean angle and lap timer data. Lastly, the range-topping M Sport with Innovation Package adds the Easy Ride Clutch.
What is the seat height and weight of the BMW F 450 R?
The BMW F 450 R has a standard seat height of 790mm. A low seat accessory brings this down to 775mm, while a high Sport seat raises it to 810mm. BMW also notes that the slim contour below the seat helps most riders reach the ground more easily than the seat height figure alone might suggest. Ready-to-ride weight is 175kg, which is 3kg lighter than the F 450 GS.
What features does the BMW F 450 R have?
All variants of the F 450 R get a 6.5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity for navigation, music and phone calls, along with a USB-C port, heated grips and full-LED lighting. Three riding modes – Rain, Road and Dynamic – are standard, as are ABS Pro, Dynamic Brake Control, Dynamic Traction Control and engine drag torque control. Shift Assistant Pro (BMW's bidirectional quickshifter) is also standard on all variants except the base model, where it is available as a retrofit accessory.
What are the differences between the BMW F 450 R and F 450 GS?
Both share the same 420cc parallel-twin engine producing 48hp and 43Nm, the same tubular steel frame and the same KYB suspension hardware. The key differences are in intent and setup. The F 450 GS uses longer-travel suspension with 180mm of travel at both ends, alongside a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel. The F 450 R features road-specific suspension tuning with 140mm of travel and rides on 17-inch wheels at both ends. The F 450 R also uses an underbelly exhaust instead of the GS's high-mounted unit.
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Stephen Raj Antony
