BMW Motorrad targets A2 licence holders with the F 450 GS concept

The GS family from BMW Motorrad is one of the most devoted trail bike followings across the world. It is rare not to set off on a ride and cross paths with a good number of GS models, especially in the 800 and 900 displacements, although the 1,300 is also widely used. Even if you follow an adventure YouTuber, it is unlikely they haven’t used a GS or at least started their adventures on one.

Its popularity, despite a price that is not exactly cheap, is due to the great product that BMW has refined over the years. Built on a solid foundation and tested over millions of kilometres, it has become a tough motorcycle capable of withstanding the harshest treatment without complaint, packed with solutions and increasingly modern equipment.

Its popularity has helped its range grow over the years, including models aimed at younger riders, A2 licence holders, or those who do not need greater power and capacity, such as the G 310 GS. The next step up from that model would be the F 800 GS, a jump that may be too big, and BMW will address this sooner rather than later with the concept they have just presented: the F 450 GS, which will sit at an intermediate step between the G 310 GS and the F 800 GS.

Inspired by the maxi-trail R 1300 GS, it arrives to set new standards in the mid-displacement trail segment, with the premium quality of every BMW motorcycle worth its name. Moreover, as you can see from the photographs, its visual impact is immediate, presented in the Trophy livery of the R 1300 GS, with a base colour of metallic Racing Blue combined with white and red, all colours representative of BMW.

The BMW F 450 GS comes with a twin-cylinder engine developed entirely from scratch producing 48 CV of power, making this motorcycle suitable for A2 licence holders. It features specific characteristics such as a special ignition offset that gives it a unique character and strong acceleration; in fact, torque will be available even at low revs. Thanks to its compact dimensions and the use of lightweight materials such as magnesium, its weight is reduced to approach the 175 kg limit set for the A2 licence, achieving an excellent power-to-weight ratio. It is fitted with a fully adjustable inverted fork and adaptive damping, inspired by technology used in enduro and rally racing.

Its equipment will be on a par with a premium BMW motorcycle, with elements such as a 6.5-inch TFT display to which we can connect our smartphone and other accessories thanks to BMW Connectivity, as well as selecting riding modes among other parameters. Safety systems include high-performance brakes and BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, optimised for lean angle. BMW also confirms it will be offered with spoked wheels, though lightweight cast aluminium wheels will also be available.

For now, these are the known details, and BMW states that the production version will be very similar to this prototype presented, a production version we will in fact see in 2025.