‘Concept’ really will hit showrooms next year and start a whole new model line-up

BMW may claim its new Concept F 450 GS is still a work in progress but, make no mistake, it will become a showroom F 450 GS late in 2025 and be the start of a whole new model range.

It’s a logical route to take as sales of sub-500cc bikes are booming in markets from Europe to Asia, even tempting customers who would previously have bought big boxer GS models.

The all-new 450cc parallel twin engine, which puts out 35kW (47hp) and has an unusual firing interval to get a distinctive character of its own, is surely going to power road models as well.

We’re going to have to wait before BMW reveals more details of that, and the rest of the bike’s technology, but it’s instantly clear that the
F 450 GS follows a reasonably traditional route when it comes to the chassis – a steel trellis frame that looks rather KTM-ish, mated to an upside-down fork, single radial Brembo front caliper, cast aluminium swingarm and adjustable rear monoshock. The seat subframe is bolt-on, making it easy both to repair and to develop additional models around the same main chassis section. The bike’s project manager, Johan Simon, has already said that while the ‘Concept’ version has wire wheels, 19in front and 17in rear, a variant with cast alloy rims of the same dimensions is “conceivable”. Translate that to “definite”.

On board there’s a large, 6.5in TFT dash. BMW says the bike uses its cornering ABS Pro system, so it has an IMU.

Weight is promised to be ‘close’ to the 175kg minimum that would be allowed with the machine’s 35kW output within Europe’s ‘A2’ licence category, which allows a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.2kW-per-kg.

In regard to the production version, Simon said: “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.”

The styling is already very close to the big R 1300 GS (see our full review on p50). “It looks like a true BMW GS at first glance,” said Head of Design Alexander Buckan.

That new engine is a major investment and BMW certainly won’t be limiting it to the GS model alone. We anticipate future variants are likely to include a F 450 R roadster, an F 450 XR sport-tourer and maybe even an
F 450 RR sportsbike.

It’s obvious BMW has high hopes for a platform that replicates its larger models.