The BMW F 450 GS gives buyers in the lower midsize adventure motorcycle category a promising new option. While we’ve already looked at how this bike measures up against more obvious rivals like the KTM 390 Adventure S and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, it also competes with the Honda NX500, sharing several similarities on paper. Here’s how they compare.
BMW F 450 GS vs Honda NX500: Engine and output
Both bikes feature parallel-twin engines with nearly identical output
Both motorcycles feature parallel-twin engines, making this a like-for-like comparison in terms of configuration. While the Honda has the displacement advantage, the BMW produces slightly more power and matches it on torque. Interestingly, both bikes deliver their peak output at similar points in the rev range and even use a 6-speed gearbox.
Both motorcycles use technology that operates the clutch automatically but in different ways. The Honda uses an E-Clutch system with actuators that engage the clutch for the rider, while the BMW uses a centrifugal clutch that allows the bike to move off and come to a stop without manual clutch input, engaging drive from 2,700rpm onward. The Honda’s system can be turned off, whereas the only way around the centrifugal clutch is to buy the lower Base and Exclusive variants that get a conventional clutch setup.
BMW F 450 GS vs Honda NX500: Weight and dimensions
The BMW is significantly lighter with a higher seat
At 178kg, the BMW F 450 GS is 21kg lighter than the Honda NX500, which weighs 199kg. Earlier, the NX500 tipped the scales at 196kg, but with the E-Clutch, its weight has risen by 3kg. The lower weight, combined with a marginal power advantage, gives the BMW a notably stronger power-to-weight ratio of 269.66hp per tonne. The Honda’s power-to-weight figure works out to around 242.86hp per tonne.
The BMW has a taller seat height of 845mm compared to the Honda’s 830mm, which could make it slightly less accessible for shorter riders. As for the fuel tank, the Honda gets a larger 17.5-litre unit – 3.5 litres more capacity than the BMW’s – giving it an advantage in long-distance touring.
BMW F 450 GS vs Honda NX500: Suspension, brakes and tyres
The BMW gets higher-spec braking hardware
Both motorcycles use a similar suspension setup on paper, with USD forks up front and a rear monoshock. However, the top-spec GS Trophy variant of the BMW offers adjustable suspension, which the Honda doesn’t offer at all. Both bikes run a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel combination, with alloys as standard. That said, the BMW can also be optioned with spoked wheels.
BMW F 450 GS vs Honda NX500: Features
The BMW offers more variant options and a larger display
In our market, the BMW F 450 GS is available in three variants – Basic, Exclusive and GS Trophy – each offering a different level of equipment. The Exclusive variant adds off-road foot pegs, knuckle guards, an engine guard and BMW’s Shift Assistant Pro for clutchless upshifts and downshifts. The GS Trophy builds on this with a higher-spec suspension. The F 450 GS also features a 6.5-inch TFT console.
The Honda NX500 comes in a single variant with a more straightforward feature set. It gets a 5-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity via Honda’s RoadSync app, LED lighting and dual-channel ABS. As mentioned earlier, Honda recently launched the variant with its E-Clutch, which is quite different from the ERC (centrifugal clutch) featured on the F 450 GS. Honda’s E-Clutch uses a pair of electronic actuators to operate the clutch automatically when shifting gears, coming to a standstill or setting off. The user can take manual control whenever they like, and the bike comes with a conventional clutch lever and gear pedal.
BMW F 450 GS vs Honda NX500: Price
The Honda is priced notably higher than the BMW
In terms of engine performance, there’s little separating the two. Beyond that, however, the differences become more apparent. The Honda is based on a well-established platform and, in our experience, is a smooth and capable machine. With the E-Clutch variant now on sale, the NX500’s price has risen by Rs 1.11 lakh; earlier, it cost Rs 6.33 lakh. The BMW, on the other hand, stands out for being lighter, better equipped and more competitively priced.
Anshuman Singh
Ved Janve
