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BMW has unveiled the F450R, a new entry-level naked motorcycle aimed at A2 licence riders that replaces the discontinued G310R. The bike pairs S1000R-inspired styling with a 420cc twin engine tuned for road use and offers an optional clutchless system called the Easy Ride Clutch.
Engine and platform
The F450R is built on the same platform as BMW’s recently introduced F450GS. Its liquid-cooled 420cc parallel-twin is manufactured by TVS in India and has been reworked for on-road performance rather than off-road duty.
BMW lists output at 46.9bhp at 8,750rpm and 31.7 lb.ft of torque at 6,750rpm, with around 80% of torque available from 3,000rpm. The engine keeps a 135-degree crankpin offset and uses a stainless-steel underfloor exhaust that meets Euro 5+ emissions rules.
Riders familiar with the GS’s motor should note testers described it as lively but occasionally buzzy at sustained motorway speeds. BMW says the R’s road-specific tuning aims to smooth those traits, but that remains to be confirmed in road tests.
Chassis, suspension and brakes
Drying the details: the F450R weighs 175kg ready to ride and 176kg when fitted with the Easy Ride Clutch. The bike uses a tubular steel frame with the engine as a stressed member, a layout shared with the GS but revised for on-road handling. Geometry figures include a 1,405mm wheelbase, a 23.4-degree steering-head angle and 110mm of trail.
Suspension is by KYB: a 43mm upside-down front fork with 140mm travel and a rear shock mounted on an aluminium swingarm. Sport Suspension variants gain adjustable rebound and compression at the front; preload and rebound adjustments are available at the rear across the line-up.
Stopping power comes from a Brembo four-piston monobloc up front on a 310mm disc, with a ByBre single-piston caliper and 240mm disc out back. The F450R carries 17-inch wheels front and rear shod in 110/70-17 and 150/60-17 tyres, and BMW fits BMW Motorrad ABS Pro—including lean-sensitive ABS—as standard.
The clutchless option and shift system
One of the headline items is the optional Easy Ride Clutch. The centrifugal system engages automatically based on engine speed, allowing clutch-free starts and stops when combined with the Shift Assistant Pro quickshifter. That quickshifter is included on all trims except the Base model, and the manual clutch lever remains available for riders who want it.
MCN’s experience with the same system on the GS found it broadly effective, with behaviour similar to Rekluse setups used in off-road bikes or MV Agusta’s SCS. Reviewers did note the system can feel a touch abrupt when pulling away in first gear, with smoother operation in higher ratios. How the F450R’s road-specific ERC calibration performs will be an important test point.
Electronics, display and rider features
Standard electronics include Rain, Road and Dynamic riding modes, Dynamic Brake Control, Dynamic Traction Control and engine drag torque control (MSR). Lighting is LED throughout.
The cockpit uses a 6.5-inch TFT display with USB‑C and smartphone connectivity through the BMW Motorrad Connected App. M Sport versions add Riding Modes Pro, which introduces a configurable Dynamic Pro mode and three additional display pages showing traction control, braking force, lean angle and a lap timer. A reversible shift pattern is offered for track use.
Ergonomics and claimed figures
Seat height is 790mm, with accessory options including a Sport seat (+20mm) and a lower seat (-15mm). The 14-litre fuel tank is claimed to deliver more than 217 miles of range, based on a quoted fuel consumption of 74mpg. Performance figures provided by BMW list 0–62mph in 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 105mph.
Trim levels and pricing
- Base — £6,395. Finished in Cosmic Black.
- Exclusive — £6,645. Also in Cosmic Black; adds Shift Assistant Pro and Sport Suspension over the Base model.
- M Sport — £6,770. Snaefell white with M Motorsport livery; adds Riding Modes Pro on top of the Exclusive spec.
- M Sport with Innovation Package — £6,995. Same as M Sport but includes the Easy Ride Clutch.
Those prices undercut the F450GS, which launched at £7,760, reflecting the R’s simpler bodywork and road-focused suspension. By comparison, BMW’s previous A2-friendly naked, the G310R, finished production priced at £5,290 and used a 313cc single making 34bhp—illustrating how much more equipment and power the new F450R brings.
Early impressions
With the F450GS already in reviewers’ hands, much of the mechanical character of the new F450R is already known. The engine and clutchless system are familiar, though BMW’s road tuning may change the balance between refinement and character.
Overall the F450R represents a clear step up from the old G310R in technology, performance and presentation. For riders seeking an A2-compliant naked with modern electronics and optional clutchless operation, it looks like a strong contender—pending independent road tests to confirm BMW’s claims.
