After months of waiting, one of the most anticipated motorcycle launches in recent times has finally taken place with the introduction of the BMW F 450 GS in India. Positioned as the brand’s most affordable adventure motorcycle, it goes up against the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and the KTM 390 Adventure S in what is arguably one of the most exciting segments in the Indian two-wheeler market. Here’s how the three stack up on paper.
BMW F 450 GS vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 vs KTM 390 Adventure S: engine and output
The Himalayan has the largest engine, but the BMW makes the most power
The BMW F 450 GS stands out here as the only motorcycle to feature a parallel-twin engine. Despite having a smaller displacement than the Royal Enfield, it produces the highest peak power and torque figures of the lot. That said, the KTM isn’t far behind, and even the Himalayan isn’t too far off in the grand scheme of things. The BMW’s twin-cylinder configuration should also translate to lower vibrations and a distinctly different riding character compared to the larger single-cylinder engines in the other two bikes.
BMW F 450 GS vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 vs KTM 390 Adventure S: weight and dimensions
The BMW is the lightest
At 178kg, the BMW F 450 GS is the lightest bike here, undercutting the KTM by 4kg and the Himalayan by a significant 18kg. Combined with its power advantage, this gives it a notably stronger power-to-weight ratio than both rivals.
On paper, the BMW also has the tallest seat height, which could make it slightly less accessible for shorter riders. The Himalayan, while also tall, offers adjustability and even a lower seat option, making it more accommodating. It also gets the largest fuel tank here, which should translate to better touring range.
BMW F 450 GS vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 vs KTM 390 Adventure S: suspension, brakes and tyres
The KTM offers the most suspension travel and adjustability
All three motorcycles use a similar setup on paper, with a USD fork and rear monoshock. However, there are key differences in execution.
The BMW, especially in its higher variants, offers more sophisticated suspension with adjustability. The KTM 390 Adventure S, on the other hand, provides the most suspension travel here, and if you want even more off-road capability, there’s also the recently launched 390 Adventure R. The Himalayan offers more travel than the BMW but comes with limited adjustability, with only rear preload adjustment available.
Wheel sizes also set them apart. The Himalayan and KTM stick to a more traditional ADV setup with a 21-inch front and 17-inch rear, while the BMW opts for a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear configuration.
BMW F 450 GS vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 vs KTM 390 Adventure S: features
All three bikes offer distinct feature sets
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 footpegs, knuckle guards, an engine guard, and BMW’s Shift Assistant Pro for clutchless upshifts and downshifts. The GS Trophy builds on this further with higher-spec suspension.
In international markets, the GS Trophy comes with spoked wheels as standard, but BMW Motorrad India will offer them only as an optional accessory. The F 450 GS also features the largest display here, with a 6.5-inch TFT console.
The KTM 390 Adventure S also comes well-equipped, featuring tubeless spoke wheels, an IMU-based electronics package, and fully adjustable suspension. In comparison, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 takes a simpler approach. It doesn’t offer as many electronic aids as the other two, but gets a circular TFT display with smartphone-based navigation support.
BMW F 450 GS vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 vs KTM 390 Adventure S: price
The Himalayan undercuts both rivals significantly
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is the most affordable motorcycle here by a fair margin. Even the top-spec variant costs around Rs 60,000 less than the KTM 390 Adventure S and a substantial Rs 1.33 lakh less than the BMW F 450 GS.
That said, on paper, the BMW F 450 GS promises a distinctly different experience with its parallel-twin engine, stronger performance figures, lower weight, and a comprehensive feature set. The KTM 390 Adventure S holds its own with strong performance and a well-rounded electronics package. Ultimately, while all three fall into the same category, they approach it quite differently – so the final choice will likely come down to real-world riding needs and personal preference.
Ved Janve
