BMW F 450 R naked sports bike unveiled
The BMW F 450 R is available in 4 variants and features the same engine as the F 450 GS, retuned for the road
BMW Motorrad has unveiled the F 450 R, a lightweight naked bike for the 48 hp A2 licence class, and it sits alongside the F 450 GS in the new F 450 family.
BMW F 450 R Design and ergonomics
The F 450 R features a familiar stance with a low front end and a high rear. The family cues from the bigger nakeds are all here, including the LED headlight with its bracket-shaped daytime running lights, the flyline, and side panels shaped like a stylised "R".
The F 450 R comes in two colour options. Cosmic Black is used on the Base and Exclusive variants and Snaefell white is an exclusive colourway available on the M Sport and M Sport with Innovation Package variants. Colour is tied to the variant, so you cannot pick one independently of the other.The standard two-piece seat sits at 790 mm. BMW's accessory catalogue offers a high Sport seat (+20 mm) and a low seat (-15 mm)
The standard two-piece seat sits at 790 mm can be adjusted 15mm lower or 20mm higher via BMW's accessory catalouge
The standard two-piece seat sits at 790 mm. BMW's accessory catalogue offers a high Sport seat (+20 mm) and a low seat (-15 mm). A tapered aluminium handlebar is positioned high and close to the rider, and the 14-litre fuel tank is shaped for better knee griping.
Standard equipment includes all LED lighting, a 6.5-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity, a USB-C port, and heated grips.
BMW F 450 R Engine and chassis
The engine is a parallel-twin that was first seen on the F 450 GS, re-tuned for road use. It displaces 420 cc, and has a compression ratio of 13:1. It makes 47bhp at 8,750 rpm and 43 Nm at 6,750 rpm. BMW claims 80 per cent of peak torque is available at 3,000 rpm.
The crankpins are offset by 135 degrees, which gives it an uneven firing interval, with a balance shaft keeping vibration in check. Magnesium clutch and gearbox covers help keep weight down. The bike features a stainless-steel underbody exhaust that handles Euro 5+ emissions.
BMW claims a 0-100kmph time of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 169kmph. Power goes through a six-speed gearbox that can be optioned with Shift Assistant Pro, which comes on every variant except the Base but can be retrofitted to it. The optional Easy Ride Clutch is a centrifugal unit that engages with engine speed. Paired with Shift Assistant Pro, it allows riding and shifting without using the clutch lever, though the lever stays fitted.
The frame is a welded tubular steel space frame with the engine as a stressed member. The wheelbase is 1,405 mm and it weighs in at 175kg.
Suspension duties are handled by KYB with a 43 mm upside-down fork with 140 mm of travel and a rear mono-shock on an aluminium swingarm. Preload and rebound are adjustable at both ends on the Sport suspension. Braking is a Brembo four-piston monobloc calliper on a 310 mm front disc and ByBre single-piston callipers on a 240 mm rear disc. The 17-inch cast wheels wear 110/70 and 150/60 tyres.
ABS Pro, Dynamic Brake Control, Dynamic Traction Control and engine drag torque control are standard, along with Rain, Road and Dynamic riding modes. The M Sport variants add Pro Riding Modes and its configurable "Dynamic Pro" mode.
BMW F 450 R Pricing and rivals
BMW has not revealed the pricing yet. The F 450 R comes in four variants: Base, Exclusive, M Sport, and M Sport with Innovation Package (which adds the Easy Ride Clutch). It also remains to be what variants will be available when BMW Motorrad launches this bike in India.