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BMW has added a fully-faired supersport to its lightweight family with the new F450RR, a model aimed at A2 licence riders that completes a trio built around the same 420cc twin. UK pricing begins at £6,730 for the entry-level bike and reaches £7,250 for the M Sport ERC version.
Engine and performance
The F450RR is powered by the same liquid-cooled, 420cc parallel-twin used across BMW’s compact range. Key dimensions include a 72mm bore and a 51.6mm stroke, while an uncommon 135-degree crankpin offset gives the motor uneven firing intervals and a recognisable exhaust note. A counter-rotating balance shaft reduces vibration.
Output is capped for the A2 licence band at 46.9bhp at 8,750rpm, with 31.7lb.ft of torque arriving at 6,750rpm. BMW says around 80% of that torque is accessible from 3,000rpm, a trait intended to improve everyday responsiveness. The firm quotes a 0–62mph time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed near 110mph, along with a claimed economy figure of 74mpg from the 14-litre fuel tank.
Chassis and running gear
Structurally the bike shares a welded tubular steel spaceframe with its GS and naked R siblings, using the engine as a stressed member. Geometry is tuned toward sporty handling: a 1,405mm wheelbase, a 23.4-degree steering-head angle and 110mm of trail form the basis of the chassis.
Front suspension is a 43mm KYB upside-down fork; Sport-suspension variants add adjustability for rebound and compression damping. At the rear an aluminium double-sided swingarm works with a directly mounted KYB shock adjustable for preload and rebound. Both ends provide 140mm of travel.
Stopping power comes from a single 310mm front disc gripped by a Brembo four-piston monobloc caliper and a 240mm rear disc with a ByBre single-piston caliper. The bike is fitted with lean-sensitive BMW Motorrad ABS Pro as standard.
Wheels are 17-inch cast aluminium items wearing 110/70‑17 front and 150/60‑17 rear tyres. Claimed wet weight is 177kg, rising to 178kg when the optional centifugal clutch option is fitted. Seat height is a relatively low 790mm.
Electronics and the Easy Ride Clutch
Standard electronic aids include three ride modes — Rain, Road and Race — plus Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and engine drag torque control (MSR). An optional Riding Modes Pro pack unlocks a configurable “Race Pro” mode and additional TFT pages showing DTC, braking force, lean angle and a lap timer.
The optional Easy Ride Clutch (ERC) is a centrifugal unit that engages automatically according to engine speed. Paired with the Shift Assistant Pro quickshifter, it permits gear changes without using the clutch lever, although the lever remains available for conventional use.
BMW explains the ERC keeps the clutch engaged during overrun to maintain engine braking and only opens automatically once the engine reaches idle speed, a measure intended to prevent stalling. A reversible shift pattern is offered for riders who plan track days.
Other convenience and comfort features include a 6.5-inch TFT display, LED lighting throughout, heated grips as standard and a USB-C charging port.
Variants and pricing
The F450RR will be sold in four trim levels in the UK market:
- Base — £6,730, finished in Cosmic Black.
- Sport — £6,875, finished in Racing Red; adds Shift Assistant Pro and Sport suspension.
- M Sport — £6,995, finished in Snaefell White/M Motorsport; includes Riding Modes Pro.
- M Sport ERC — £7,250, which adds the Easy Ride Clutch as standard.
How it fits the market
The F450RR arrives into a busy small-capacity supersport segment. Competitors include the Aprilia RS457, KTM RC390, Yamaha R3 and Honda CBR500R, alongside an increasing number of lower-cost models from Chinese manufacturers. Kawasaki’s ZX-4RR sits at the upper end of the class with greater power.
BMW’s new RR aims to blend sporting geometry with a feature set that emphasises rider aids and usability. Whether that package will persuade buyers away from established rivals remains a question for the market to answer.
