The BMW F 450 GS, which the German brand premiered as a concept bike at EICMA in 2024, is making it to the US market as a 2027 model. BMW has set US pricing, starting at $6995 for the base model, $7795 for the Style Sport version, and $8195 gets you the Style GS Trophy. Trophy buyers can also add the Enduro Package for another $800. Now that you know the tab, let’s talk about what you get for those hard-earned dollars.
The F 450 GS comes to the US in three versions. The base model is Cosmic Black. The Style Sport, an $800 package in Racing Red, adds the Sport Suspension with an adjustable fork, the Gear Shift Assist Pro quickshifter, Riding Modes Pro, and hand guards. The Style GS Trophy, a $1200 package in Racing Blue Metallic, keeps the Sport’s suspension, quickshifter, ride modes, and hand guards, then adds an aluminum skid plate and the Easy Ride Clutch, which we’ll discuss later. All US models come with a clear windshield.
BMW is not chasing the 21-inch front wheel crowd. The F 450 GS is a road-first adventure bike with a 19-inch front and 7.1 inches of travel. The $6995 base bike includes standard features such as ABS Pro, a connected TFT, heated grips, and the engine’s gear-driven counterbalancer. BMW Product Manager Astrid Neudecker ties the bike to the trend of riders “switching from heavy motorcycles to compact and versatile machines.”
At $6995, the base model costs a little more than its 19-inch-front rivals. Competitors include the Honda NX500 twin ($6899), KTM 390 Adventure X ($6499), and Beta Alp X ($6499). With the G 310 GS not in the 2027 lineup, the F 450 GS is the least expensive GS BMW offers. The next step up at BMW is the 2027 F 800 GS, which starts at $10,995.
The 420cc parallel twin is new, and BMW says its 135-degree crankpin offset is unique among motorcycles. The offset gives an uneven firing interval, and a gear-driven counterbalancer ahead of the crankshaft cuts vibration. Bore and stroke are 72mm by 51.6mm, and the compression ratio is 13.0:1. The liquid-cooled engine has double overhead cams working four valves per cylinder through rocker arms. Peak output is 48 horsepower at 8750 rpm, with 32 lb-ft of torque at 6750 rpm. “Low weight, ample torque, and exceptional smoothness thanks to the unique 135-degree crankpin offset make it a perfect partner for a wide range of applications typical of a GS,” says F 450 GS Project Manager Johann Simon.
BMW’s BMS-Z engine management runs the fuel injection through 38mm throttle bodies, with a ride-by-wire throttle. The stainless steel exhaust carries two catalytic converters and exits on the right side. BMW says this keeps the hot muffler away from a rider pushing the bike from the left. An Akrapovič stainless steel muffler is on the accessory list. BMW claims a top speed of 102 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 5.9 seconds.
Road, Enduro, and Rain riding modes are standard, linked to Dynamic Traction Control and MSR engine drag torque control. Road takes care of you on the street, and Rain is there for wet conditions. Enduro mode is tuned for dirt on the stock road tires, utilizing the softer Rain-mode throttle response. The Sport and Trophy models add Riding Modes Pro and Enduro Pro mode, designed for off-road tires. Enduro Pro turns off rear-wheel ABS and wheelie control, and lets the rider set ABS Pro, traction control, and throttle response.
The six-speed gearbox drives the rear wheel via a left-side X-ring chain. Gear Shift Assist Pro, standard on the Sport and Trophy, handles upshifts and downshifts without the clutch. The standard and Sport models come with a traditional manual clutch. The Trophy gets something extra that is an accessory on the lower-cost spreads.
The Easy Ride Clutch is standard on the Trophy. It is a centrifugal clutch that engages by engine speed. The rider pulls away by opening the throttle in gear, and it keeps the engine from stalling at idle. Unlike conventional centrifugal designs, it stays engaged when the rider rolls off the throttle, so engine braking holds until the bike is nearly stopped. The clutch disengages only when the engine drops to idle. A warning appears on the display if the rider tries to pull away in too high a gear. The clutch lever stays on the handlebar, and pulling it overrides the system at any time. This is useful for lifting the front wheel over an obstacle or controlling a slippery descent. Paired with the Trophy’s quickshifter, the clutch lever becomes optional from a standstill through every gear change.
A new tubular steel frame uses the engine as a load-bearing member. The frame combines welded steel tubes with forged sections, while the swingarm is a closed, hollow-cast aluminum piece. “The focus of development was on compact packaging for optimal accessibility, high riding precision, and agile handling on and off-road,” explains F 450 GS engineer Marc Weber. “The short wheelbase and balanced chassis geometry enabled us to achieve particularly agile yet stable handling.” The wheelbase is 57.7 inches, with 28.1 degrees of rake and 4.5 inches of trail. BMW lists the F 450 GS’s curb weight at 392 pounds. The seat height is 33.3 inches with the standard seat, with accessory seats sitting 32.7 and 34.0 inches above the ground. The fuel tank holds 3.6 gallons; BMW estimates 62 mpg, which works out to about 220 miles per tank.
KYB supplies the suspension, with 7.1 inches of travel at each end. On the Sport and GS Trophy, BMW’s Sport Suspension makes the fork adjustable for compression and rebound damping; BMW lists no fork adjustment on the base model. The linkage-less shock uses BMW’s WAD travel-dependent damping. All three versions get a shock that adjusts for spring preload and rebound damping.
The F 450 GS rolls on cast aluminum wheels with 100/90-19 and 130/80-17 tubeless tires. BMW says the new wheels are 2.2 pounds lighter than those on the G 310 GS. The $800 Enduro Package, offered only on the Trophy, swaps in BMW’s wire-spoke wheels.
Brembo supplies the front brake caliper. A 4-piston monobloc caliper grips a 310mm floating disc, and the rear runs a 240mm disc with a single-piston floating caliper from Bybre. Cornering-aware BMW Motorrad ABS Pro is standard. Dynamic Brake Control is also standard; under hard braking, it ignores any throttle input the rider adds inadvertently or intentionally.
The 2027 BMW F 450 GS offers generous standard equipment across the line. Included are heated grips, adjustable hand levers, a USB-C port, and all-LED lighting led by an X-shaped headlight signature taken from the R 1300 GS. “With the BMW GS-typical flyline, the recognizable radiator grille, signature lighting, and sleek rear end, the design language of the new BMW F 450 GS deliberately draws close attention to the iconic design of its big sister, the R 1300 GS,” says BMW Motorrad Head of Design Alexander Buckan. The 6.5-inch color TFT display connects by Bluetooth to a smartphone and a BMW Motorrad Communication System for calls and music without an app. The free BMW Motorrad Connected app adds turn-by-turn arrow navigation. Map navigation needs the accessory ConnectedRide Navigator or ConnectedRide Smartphone Cradle.
Look for the 2027 BMW F 450 GS to hit showroom floors after the calendar clicks over. You’ll have to wait until the summer of 2027 to get the Trophy with the Enduro Package.
Our bike review this episode is the Yamaha MT-03. Do not underestimate this bike; you get a lot of motorcycle for your money! Associate Editor Kelly Callan rode the smallest MT for several weeks, and that included commuting on it. One of the things that impressed her, was how the MT-03 acted like a larger motorcycle. Kelly also spent some time chasing Editor Don Williams through the canyons when he was on the Yamaha MT-07—obviously a much larger machine. She tells us about how it all went.
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We’re closing in fast on the 34th annual Biketoberfest, October 15–18, when all roads will lead to Teddy Morse’s Destination Daytona—the more than 100-acre motorcycle playground in Ormond Beach Florida. This week we get to hear all about it from Teddy Morse himself. With his trademark high energy and enthusiasm, he tells us all about his recently established Triketoberfest that happens the week before, and how the Destination Daytona complex turns into a full-throttle hub of demo rides, vendors, custom builds, live music, food trucks, shops, and nonstop pavilion energy. So, whether you’re on two wheels or three, whether you’re hunting parts or lining up a test ride; grab a cold one and soak up the energy and gorgeous Florida fall weather. This is one of the many Daytona Beach places where Biketoberfest feels like home. So don’t forget: make sure you download the Biketoberfest mobile App from Apple or Google Play or visit www.biketoberfest.org and we’ll see you there!
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Our guest this episode is Greg Arnold, Mecum’s motorcycle auction director. He bought his first bike at eleven, joined the company in 2011, and has spent more than a decade helping turn this incredible event into the place collectors, consignors, and dreamers all show up. Next February 3rd through 6th, Mecum will—for the 36th time, bring the world’s largest vintage motorcycle auction back to South Point, Las Vegas. That’s over two thousand bikes over four days. Board-track racers, barn finds, customs, race iron, and especially, those incredible machines that make the room go quiet. Greg gives us insight into what it takes to make this event work so incredibly well, and if you’re interested in selling your pride and joy, what steps you have to take to make it happen.
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Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
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