BMW shows off new small-capacity GS concept machine at Milan show
Bavarian bike maker BMW often shows off new bikes in ‘concept’ form a while before it officially releases them. And that’s what it’s done here with this new small-bore A2-compliant GS machine, called the BMW F450 GS Concept.
The 400-500cc class is a sector with a lot of potential for BMW: it’s already a master of the big-bore classes, with its R1300 Boxer and S/M1000 inline-four ranges sitting at the top of many sales charts. It’s gone extra-large with the K1600 sixes and R18 mega-boxer. And it’s moved down into the upper-middleweight sector with its F850/900 parallel twin models.
Add in the entry-level lightweight single cylinder G310 models, and you have an almost-complete range. Which is completed by this – a new 450-class twin, seen here in GS on/offroad bike form.
BMW’s not given us too much to go on with this initial teaser release: it says the bike will be an A2-class model, with a 48bhp maximum power (though in theory it could offer two versions, one with unrestricted higher output). The press release also talks about the minimum mass for an A2 bike – 175kg – so expect raw figures in those ballparks.
The engine is an all-new parallel twin, developed from scratch, rather than a rehashed version of some other model from one of the firm’s Indian or Chinese partners. And BMW says it’s particularly compact and light, with the use of “innovative solutions and lightweight materials such as magnesium”.
There’s no more info on the motor, except that it uses a “special, never-before-used ignition offset”, which suggests some cunning engine management technique to improve emissions and performance. More to come on that when we hear it.
The chassis looks to be fairly conventional BMW fare: the pics show a steel trellis main frame with bolt-on subframe and cast aluminium rear swingarm. Long-travel suspension, tubeless wire-spoked offroad wheels and a single Brembo disc brake each end rounds off what we can see on the chassis front.
BMW says the suspension is fully adjustable at both ends, and that it’s worked hard to keep mass down to that 175kg figure, thanks to lightweight construction and other cunning design. It does look like quite a tall beastie in concept form – ideal for off-road work, but maybe not as good for the A2-class, where new riders generally prefer a more manageable seat height.
Part of BMW’s attraction is its on-board technology, and the new 450 twin will come with a solid set of electronics: the release mentions BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, lean-sensitive IMU-assisted riding aids, rider modes, BMW connectivity and the firm’s excellent 6.5” TFT colour LCD dashboard.
Luggage, heated grips and seat, taller screens and the like will all no doubt be available – but more advanced kit like electronic suspension and radar cruise control might be a step too far.
So that’s how the new F450 concept shakes down – but what might we expect in a production version? BMW helpfully provides some thoughts from Johann Simon, project manager for the new Concept F 450 GS: “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 for better accessibility and easier handling. As an alternative to the cross-spoke wheels (19 inches front, 17 inches rear), lightweight but high-strength cast aluminium wheels in the same dimensions are also conceivable.”
What they don’t say, but you’d have to expect, is a wider range of machines using this same new motor. Developing a brand-new powerplant is an expensive job, and the accountants will want to offer it in more than just one format.
An F450 R roadster would seem inevitable, with an F450 S sportster and maybe even an F450 C mini-cruiser making a lot of sense.
BMW Motorrad says it will release the production version of the new Concept F 450 GS in 2025. More when we get it!