BMW reveals F 450 R street-naked motorcycle built on TVS-made platform

BMW Motorrad has unveiled the F 450 R street-naked motorcycle, creating a compact roadster alternative to the adventure-focused F 450 GS.

Specifications and Features

The motorcycle shares its 420cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine with the GS, producing 48 hp at 8,750 rpm and 43 Nm of torque at 6,750 rpm. Autocar India reports that 80 percent of peak torque is available from 3,000 rpm. The chassis uses a tubular steel frame where the engine acts as a stressed member, paired with a 43mm KYB upside-down front fork, a KYB monoshock, and an aluminium double-sided swingarm. Braking relies on a 310mm front disc with a Brembo four-piston monobloc caliper and a 240mm rear disc. The ready-to-ride weight stands at 175 kg, while the fuel tank holds 14 liters with a claimed mileage of 26.3 kmpl.

Variants and Electronics

Buyers can choose from Base, Exclusive, M Sport, and M Sport with Innovation Package configurations. The base model features Cosmic Black paint, a standard 790 mm seat height, an optional 775 mm low seat, and an 810 mm high seat. Standard equipment includes heated grips and a 6.5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and music control. Rain, Road, and Dynamic riding modes are standard, alongside electronic aids like cornering ABS Pro, Dynamic Brake Control, Dynamic Traction Control, and engine drag torque control. The Exclusive variant adds a bidirectional quickshifter and sport suspension with adjustable rebound and compression damping. M Sport variants introduce an individually configurable Dynamic Pro ride mode and a specialized TFT layout displaying traction control, braking force, lean angle, and lap timer data. The top-tier M Sport with Innovation Package features the Easy Ride Clutch system, which works alongside the quickshifter to let riders stop, move off, and change gears without using the clutch lever manually.

Launch and Pricing

Autocar India notes that the new roadster effectively replaces the discontinued G 310 R as the brand's entry-level model in the Roadster lineup. While official India pricing and launch dates remain unannounced, the F 450 GS currently costs between Rs 4.95 lakh and Rs 5.60 lakh, and the F 450 R is expected to be priced lower, potentially around the Rs 4.5 lakh range.

Context

Automakers often develop multiple body styles on a single shared engine platform to save manufacturing costs while targeting different types of riders. Because TVS already manufactures the related F 450 GS model in India, bringing a sister street-naked model to the local market becomes significantly easier for the company.