A new BMW Concept F 450 GS adventure bike unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show in Italy is ‘near production ready’, according to the German manufacturer, and could go on sale in 2025.
Speaking at the bike’s reveal, BMW’s Vehicle Concept Manager Johann Simon, explained there would be “no compromises for sure” when it came to bringing the mini GS to dealerships.
He said: “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.”
So, what is the Concept F 450 GS all about, and should we be excited at the prospect of getting our hands on a production version in the near future?
BMW Concept F 450 GS
In terms of style, the new bike’s design clearly draws heavily upon the new R 1300 GS with its smooth, swooping lines and cross-shaped headlight giving the impression it’s a scale model of the large capacity adventurer. And from what we’ve seen, it’s a fine looking machine sporting the GS Trophy red, white, and blue colour scheme.
While BMW hasn’t provided us with the bike’s spec sheet, it’s clear that the F 450 GS is designed for trail riding action with its large amount of ground clearance, 19″ front and 17″ rear cross-spoked wheels, knobbly tyres, high slung exhaust, relatively light 175kg weight, and flat rally seat.
That said, this isn’t a dedicated trail bike, far from it. BMW’s lead engineer for the F 450 GS, Marc Weber, was keen to stress its road going credentials as well as the bike’s capability in the dirt.
He said: “The aim was to enable excellent off-road capability and, at the same time, a nimble and precise handling on the road. Accordingly, the BMW Concept F 450 GS is equipped with a fully adjustable upside-down fork and a shock absorber with load-dependent damping, drawing on technology from rally and enduro sport.”
Performace and technology
The Concept F 450 GS is powered by an all new twin cylinder inline engine that makes 48bhp, helping the bike achieve A2 licence compatibility. And, according to BMW, a new ignition offset system makes that compact and lightweight engine ‘particularly characterful and eager to rev’.
In terms of technology, the Concept F 450 GS, is packed with electronics including lean angle ABS Pro, a selection of riding modes, a 6.5″ TFT display, and smart phone connectivity, so we can safely assume the production model will be one of the most advanced small-capacity motorcycles on the market.
Should we be excited?
According to Sepp Mächler, BMW Production Manager, the aim of creating the concept machine was to offer a glimpse of a BMW GS for the A2 licence class and what a new series of bikes between the G310 and F900 could look like. This is a clear indiction we can expect the 450 engine to be used across a variety of styles of motorcycle.
Mr Mächler said: “What was particularly important to us in the development of the new BMW Concept F 450 GS was to achieve the best handling for this segment and combine it with strong performance and optimal accessibility. The riding pleasure on-road and off-road is a top priority for this A2 BMW GS.”
So, if the thought of a lightweight GS that’s as good on the road as is it off it gets your pulse racing, then it certainly is time to get excited, especially as it looks highly likely a production version of the bike will be unveiled in 2025.
Test ride all the latest bikes at the ABR Festival 2025
Do you want to test ride all the latest adventure, touring, and trail bikes in one magnificent location? Well, that’s exactly what you can do at the 2025 ABR Festival.
That’s right, the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers will gather at the Ragley Hall Estate in Warwickshire from 27-29 June with their entire test fleets ready and waiting to be ridden.
So, if you want to compare a GS to an Africa Twin, a Gold Wing to a Road Glide, or a Desert X to a Ténéré 700, come and join us for the greatest celebration of motorcycling ever held.
Get your tickets before November 15 and you’ll save £40 on the price of a weekend ticket, so don’t hang around.
You can find out more about the ABR Festival and buy your tickets HERE.
