BMW F 450 GS Review: The GS Everyone’s Been Waiting For

At EICMA 2024 in Milan, Italy, BMW Motorrad took the covers off the Concept F 450 GS, and gave notice to the middleweight adventure tourer segment of the motorcycle word that new GS was on the way. 12 months later, the Germans delivered on the promise and the concept made way for the BMW F 450 GS. Created in partnership with TVS, it is the new entry point into the world of GS adventuring with the demise of the G 310 GS.

Now six months after it arrived in Milan and a few weeks after its global launch the F 450 GS has finally been launched in India with prices ranging from ₹4.70 lakh to ₹5.30 lakh (ex-showroom) for the three variant lineup. We recently got to ride the new F 450 GS in Goa and here are our thoughts after a day in the saddle...

BMW F 450 GS Review - Design & Features

The F 450 GS carries BMW Motorrad's familiar GS design language, blending a rugged stance with clean, purposeful surfaces. Up front, an 'X'-shaped LED DRL frames a vertically stacked LED headlamp, while the signature beak and flowing body panels give it an unmistakable adventure-ready character. A slim rear section and a well-sculpted 14-litre fuel tank complete the look, designed with both seated and standing riding in mind.

Three variants are on offer - Base, Exclusive and GS Trophy - each with subtle visual differences. The Base and Exclusive are finished exclusively in Cosmic Black, while the GS Trophy gets BMW's iconic tri-colour scheme of Red, White and Blue. The three variants also differ in terms of the equipment list.

Across all variants, the F 450 GS comes well-equipped for the segment. The standard kit includes a 6.5-inch TFT display with connectivity, heated grips, adjustable clutch and brake levers, all-LED lighting, a height-adjustable rear brake lever, ABS Pro, traction control and engine drag torque control. BMW's Easy Ride Clutch is standard on the Trophy variant and can be retrofitted to the Base and Exclusive.

The Base is the entry-level offering and gets all the features mentioned above - making it a reasonably well-specced package at its price point. Step up to the Exclusive and you additionally get off-road foot pegs, hand guards, an engine guard, Riding Modes Pro, Shift Assistant Pro and a clear windshield.

The GS Trophy sits at the top of the range and comes with its own distinct feature set. It gets off-road foot pegs, white hand guards, an aluminium engine guard, Riding Modes Pro, Shift Assistant Pro, a tinted Rallye windshield, sport suspension and the Easy Ride Clutch as standard.

BMW F 450 GS Review - Powertrain & Specifications

Powering the F 450 GS is a newly developed 420cc parallel-twin engine, co-developed with TVS Motor Company. The new engine puts out 48hp at 8,750 rpm and 43Nm of torque at 6,750 rpm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The engine features a 135-degree crankshaft offset - aimed at improving refinement while giving it a characterful exhaust note.

Aiding rideability are Shift Assistant Pro for clutchless up and down shifts, and the Easy Ride Clutch, standard on the Trophy variant, which assists with low-speed manoeuvres and reduces rider fatigue on longer stints.

The F 450 GS is built around a tubular steel frame, designed to balance rigidity with kerb weight. Suspension is handled by KYB upside-down front forks and a rear monoshock with preload and rebound adjustability. The Trophy gets sport-tuned units as standard.

Braking hardware includes a single 310mm front disc with Brembo 4-piston callipers and a 240mm rear disc clamped by Bybre single-piston floating calliper, both supported by ABS Pro. The F 450 GS rolls on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels shod with dual-purpose tyres (100/90-19 at the front and 130/80-17 at the rear). Key dimensions include an 845 mm seat height, a 1,465 mm wheelbase, 220 mm of ground clearance and a kerb weight of 178 kg.

BMW F 450 GS Review - Riding Impressions

Climb aboard the F 450 GS and the first thing that strikes you is how light it feels. At 178 kg, it inspires confidence immediately, whether you're filtering through city traffic, executing a tight U-turn on a broken trail, or picking your way through a rocky section standing on the pegs.

The narrow chassis and upright GS ergonomics, with wide bars, neutral footpeg position and a commanding seat height, make it feel immediately natural, and long stints in the saddle aren't a problem either.

The new 450cc parallel-twin, co-developed with TVS, produces 48 hp and 43 Nm of torque. In the city, it feels smooth and refined at lower revs with barely any vibration, giving it a genuinely premium character that feels true to BMW's DNA.

Twist the throttle harder and the punchy mid-range kicks in with real enthusiasm, overtakes are effortless, and on loose surfaces, that accessible torque makes off-road riding exciting rather than intimidating. However, there is a bit of a buzz when you take the engine into the higher rpms especially around the 7,500rom mark.

The Easy Ride Clutch is one of the standout additions. Working like a centrifugal clutch at low speeds, it disengages at idle and engages as you open the throttle, making stop-go traffic significantly less tiring.

It's a genuine advantage for beginners, but experienced riders will appreciate it just as much in technical off-road sections where clutch control usually demands constant attention. The quickshifter takes care of the rest on the move, and it has a positive, quality feel through the gears.

The suspension, with long-travel USD forks up front and an adjustable rear monoshock, does a commendable job on Indian roads, soaking up potholes and broken tarmac with composure while remaining stable through corners.

The brakes inspire confidence too, with sharp stopping power on both tarmac and rough descents. Multiple riding modes, Rain, Road, Enduro and Enduro Pro, add genuine versatility across conditions.

The 6.5-inch TFT display is sharp, sunlight-readable and packed with functionality including turn-by-turn navigation, ride data and smartphone connectivity, reducing the need for a phone mount on longer tours. The switchgear quality feels premium throughout, though the BMW scroll wheel takes some getting used to for new riders.

There are a few things worth noting that we wish could have been better: engine heat builds noticeably in slow city traffic and it can slightly buzzy at high rpms, and the absence of cruise control is a genuine miss for a motorcycle clearly built with long-distance touring in mind. We also wish the wind protection was a bit better.

BMW F 450 GS Review - Verdict

The F 450 GS is a genuine statement of intent from BMW Motorrad. Where the G 310 GS always felt like a GS in appearance alone, the F 450 GS backs up the badge with real substance. The parallel-twin engine, the long-travel suspension, the proper off-road capability and the Easy Ride Clutch all add up to a motorcycle that feels significantly more accomplished than its predecessor in every measurable way.

At Rs 4.70 lakh for the basevariant, The F 450 GS sits at a premium over most rivals in the segment, and that gap is hard to ignore. But what BMW is selling here is not just a spec sheet, it is the GS experience, the badge, the build quality and the dealer network, all in a more accessible and lighter package than the larger GS models.

Yes, the engine heats up in traffic and can get buzy at higher rpms and the absent cruise control is a frustration on long highway runs, but these are minor gripes on an otherwise well-rounded machine.
For riders willing to stretch their budget for genuine GS DNA in a lighter, friendlier package, the BMW F 450 GS makes a strong case for itself. It is fun, capable, practical and unmistakably BMW.

(Reporting by Mufeed Qasim; Words by Dennis James; Photos By Mufeed Qasim & BMW Motorrad)