After teasing us for the past couple of weeks BMW Motorrad has officially revealed the all-new BMW F 450 RR, expanding its F 450 platform into the entry-level supersport category. The F 450 RR delivers a lightweight, race-inspired feel for both winding country roads and the track. Taking clear styling cues from the flagship S 1000 RR—including a nose-down, tail-up stance, signature RR fly line, aerodynamic winglets, asymmetrical side fairings, and split-face LED lighting—the bike packs 48 HP with a ready-to-ride weight of just 177 kg.
Engine and Powertrain Specifications
- Parallel-Twin Motor: Powered by a fuel-injected 420 cc parallel-twin engine tuned specifically for supersport performance, paired with a stainless-steel underfloor exhaust system.
- Power & Torque: Produces 35 kW (48 hp) at 8,750 rpm and 43 Nm of peak torque at 6,750 rpm. Up to 80 percent of the torque is accessible from as low as 3,000 rpm.
- Crankshaft Setup: Features a 135-degree crankpin offset with a counter-rotating balance shaft to deliver distinct firing intervals, refined power delivery, and low vibrations.
- Fuel Efficiency & Range: Complies with Euro 5+ norms while burning just 3.8 litres per 100 km. Its 14-litre fuel tank provides a riding range of over 350 km. Service intervals are set at 10,000 km.
Advanced Transmission and Easy Ride Clutch (ERC)
- Easy Ride Clutch (ERC): Uses a centrifugal mechanism that automatically engages or disengages the clutch based on engine RPM. Combined with Shift Assistant Pro, riders can ride and shift without manually using the clutch lever, while the lever remains functional for deliberate inputs. ERC prevents stalls at idle and keeps engine braking active during deceleration. It adds just 1 kg, bringing ready-to-ride weight to 178 kg.
- Six-Speed Gearbox: Standard six-speed unit with a left-side secondary drive via an X-ring chain.
- Reversible Shift Pattern: Allows quick, easy reversal of the gear shift pattern for racetrack duty.
Chassis, Suspension, and Braking Hardware
- Tubular Frame: Uses a welded tubular steel space frame using the engine as a load-bearing element.
- Front Suspension: Torsionally rigid 43 mm KYB upside-down telescopic fork. The Sport suspension setup adds adjustable rebound and compression damping.
- Rear Suspension: Hollow-cast aluminum double-sided swingarm with a directly mounted KYB central spring strut featuring adjustable preload and rebound damping.
- Wheels & Tyres: Rides on 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels wrapped in 110/70-17 front and 150/60-17 rear tubeless tyres.
- Braking System: Front stopping power comes from a single 310 mm disc with a Brembo four-piston monobloc radial calliper. The rear uses a 240 mm disc clamped by a floating ByBre single-piston calipee.
Electronics and Ergonomics
- Standard Rider Assistance: Comes standard with “Rain,” “Road,” and “Race” riding modes, BMW Motorrad ABS Pro (lean-sensitive ABS), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), and engine drag torque control (MSR).
- Cockpit Display & Tech: Features a 6.5-inch TFT display with connectivity, a Pure Ride Screen, and a cockpit USB-C port. M Sport trims add “RACE PRO” mode, Sport telemetry screens, and a lap timer.
- Ergonomics & Seat Height: Features clip-on handlebars, forged aluminium foot controls, heated grips as standard, and a two-piece seat set at 790 mm. Optional Sport (810 mm) and Low (775 mm) seats are available. Bolted passenger foot peg brackets allow easy removal.
Equipment Variants and Color Schemes
- BMW F 450 RR Base: Finished in Cosmic Black.
- BMW F 450 RR Sport: Finished in Racing Red, adding Shift Assistant Pro and Sport suspension.
- BMW F 450 RR M Sport: Finished in Snaefell White / M Motorsport livery, adding Riding Modes Pro, Shift Assistant Pro, Sport suspension, white frame, and M rim stickers.
- BMW F 450 RR M Sport with Innovation Package: Includes all M Sport features plus the factory-installed Easy Ride Clutch (ERC).
My Thoughts
“The official unveil of the BMW F 450 RR is huge news for motorcycling enthusiasts worldwide, especially in the Indian market where the bike is built in partnership with TVS. Weighing just 177 kg and pushing 48 hp from a sweet 420 cc parallel-twin motor and a rather comfortable riding position, it should offer the perfect balance of manageable power and razor-sharp handling. The only tricky part is the huge premium BMW demands for these smaller capacity motorcycles, be it in terms of up front costs or its maintenance costs in India.”
— Avin Richards
