- Could be introduced by 2026
- Likely to use the same 450cc engine as F450 GS
- Has heavy competition in the 300- 500cc space
BMW Motorrad has had quite a good year selling motorcycles in 2024. It even went on to bring in the new R1300 GS and GSA (the review of which will be up on BRM soon!). But the highlight of last year was the F450 GS Concept- a motorcycle that garnered heaps of interest for its off-road ability and resemblance of BMW’s sleek new design of its adventure-motorcycles.
The BMW F450 GS shone a light on the future of the Bavarian brand’s focus on small-capacity motorcycles. And now, things have gained even more clarity. Recent reports reveal that BMW Motorrad has discontinued the G310 R and G310 GS- its smallest ever offerings- in India, the country where they were manufactured in partnership with TVS Motor Company. It only gets interesting from here.
TVS is also going to be manufacturing the F450 GS in India before it is exported to international markets. And the adventure motorcycle is expected to make its debut in the next few months. While BMW is tight-lipped about it, the discontinuation of its 310 range can only mean one thing- a new roadster is in the making, and it could be called the F450 R. BMW had taken a different approach with the 310s by launching the R before the GS. But given the popularity of ADVs in recent times, it only makes sense for a GS version to come first.
The new naked motorcycle could be based on the F450 GS and come with the obvious changes to suit its character in terms of chassis, 17-inch wheels with road-focused rubber and an accessible seat height. It could also derive its design inspiration from one of its many bigger siblings- the R1250 R, S1000R or the F900 R.
Although if it becomes a reality, we know that the F450 R will use the 450cc, twin-cylinder engine as the GS. While the output is likely to remain the same at 48bhp, it could offer a different state of tune. And given the feature list on the F450 GS Concept, we can expect the same with the roadster. This would include ride modes, lean-sensitive ABS and a 6.5-inch TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity.
We can expect the new F450 R to make its debut later in 2025 or early 2026. With the new 450 roadster, BMW Motorrad could compete with a boatload of motorcycles like the Kawasaki Z500, Honda CB500 Hornet, Yamaha MT-03 and CFMoto 450NK. It would also go head-on with the KTM 390 Duke, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, Triumph Speed 400 and the Husqvarna Vitpilen 401.
Coming back to the G310 R and G310 GS, both motorcycles continue to be available in New Zealand as of now priced at $6,690 and $8,990 respectively. But with that said, we’re excited to see what BMW comes up with, so stay tuned to this space on Bike Rider Magazine for more!
