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BMW has unveiled the F450R, a naked A2‑licence bike that promises near‑midrange power, S1000R‑style looks and an optional clutchless system. Priced from £6,395, it arrives into a crowded segment led by the KTM 390 Duke, Yamaha MT‑03 and Triumph Speed 400.
Engine and claimed performance
The new F450R uses a 420cc parallel‑twin — the same unit found in BMW’s F450GS and built by TVS in India — rated at 35 kW (46.9 bhp) at 8,750 rpm and 43 Nm (31.7 lb.ft) at 6,750 rpm. BMW says about 80% of peak torque is available from 3,000 rpm, which should help low‑end tractability.
That output positions the F450R as the class leader in peak power, nudging ahead of the KTM 390 Duke’s 399cc single (around 44 bhp and 29 lb.ft). The Triumph Speed 400 is listed at 40 bhp and 27.7 lb.ft, though a dyno test referenced by the source recorded closer to 33.7 bhp and 23.5 lb.ft. Yamaha’s 321cc MT‑03 claims 41 bhp and 21.8 lb.ft.
Small differences in horsepower matter in this category: a few bhp can noticeably affect acceleration and overtaking performance. BMW quotes fuel consumption of about 74 mpg for the F450R — the same figure given for the MT‑03 but short of the KTM 390 Duke’s reported real‑world figure of around 83 mpg.
Chassis, suspension and ergonomics
The F450R rides on a welded tubular steel spaceframe that uses the engine as a stressed member. Fork duties are handled by a 43 mm KYB upside‑down unit with 140 mm of travel, and the rear features a KYB shock mounted to an aluminium swingarm.
Spec varies by trim: Sport Suspension models gain adjustable rebound and compression on the fork, while preload and rebound adjustment are available across the range on the rear shock. That level of tuning puts the F450R in line with the KTM 390 Duke, which comes with WP Apex suspension offering both rebound and compression/preload adjustments as standard.
By comparison, the Triumph Speed 400 and Yamaha MT‑03 use simpler, non‑adjustable front forks and only offer preload adjustment at the rear.
Measured seat heights: the F450R sits at 790 mm, identical to the Speed 400. The KTM is taller at 820 mm, while the MT‑03 is the most accessible at 780 mm.
Braking hardware and electronics
Front braking on the F450R pairs a Brembo four‑piston monobloc caliper with a 310 mm disc and BMW Motorrad ABS Pro — a lean‑angle optimised system. That setup is competitive with the KTM 390 Duke, which uses a four‑piston radial caliper on a 320 mm disc and includes cornering ABS plus cornering traction control as standard.
Triumph fits a four‑piston radial caliper on a 300 mm disc and offers switchable traction control, but its ABS is described as more basic and is not lean‑sensitive. The Yamaha MT‑03 is the most modest arrangement here, with a two‑piston non‑radial caliper and a standard ABS system and no traction control option.
On the rider‑aids side, the F450R arrives with Rain, Road and Dynamic riding modes, Dynamic Brake Control and engine drag torque control (MSR). A 6.5‑inch TFT display includes USB‑C charging and smartphone connectivity via the BMW Motorrad Connected App.
KTM’s 390 Duke counters with a 5‑inch colour TFT, Bluetooth, turn‑by‑turn navigation, Street/Rain/Track modes and launch control; its quickshifter is a paid extra. BMW offers its Shift Assistant Pro quickshifter as standard on all but the entry‑level F450R Base model.
The Speed 400 and MT‑03 are notably more basic on electronics: Triumph uses a hybrid analogue/LCD dash without Bluetooth (but with USB‑C), while Yamaha’s MT‑03 has an LCD unit with no connectivity features. None of the rivals provide anything directly comparable to BMW’s optional Easy Ride Clutch clutchless system.
Weight and pricing
The F450R is the heaviest of the group at 175 kg ready to ride (176 kg if equipped with Easy Ride Clutch). For comparison: KTM 390 Duke 165 kg, Yamaha MT‑03 168 kg and Triumph Speed 400 170 kg.
| Model | Current price | MCN rating |
|---|---|---|
| Triumph Speed 400 | £5,245 | 5/5 |
| KTM 390 Duke | £5,399 | 4/5 |
| Yamaha MT‑03 | £6,202 | 3/5 |
| BMW F450R (Base) | £6,395 | Not yet tested |
At the listed prices the F450R Base costs about £996 more than the KTM 390 Duke and roughly £1,150 more than the Triumph Speed 400 — a noticeable premium. The Yamaha MT‑03’s price rise to £6,202 leaves it only £193 cheaper than the BMW on paper, making it the closest‑priced rival at entry level.
Higher F450R trims widen the gap: the Exclusive is £6,645, the M Sport £6,770 and the top M Sport with Innovation Package reaches £6,995.
How it stacks up
Based on the figures, BMW’s F450R leads for claimed peak power and torque and offers one of the most complete electronics packages in the segment. The KTM 390 Duke remains the closest competitor in terms of overall equipment and adjustable suspension, while the Triumph Speed 400 scores strongly on value and the Yamaha MT‑03 trades lower sophistication for a competitive fuel figure and a marginally lower entry price.
Ultimately, the F450R asks buyers to pay extra for its higher spec, optional clutchless system and S1000R‑inspired styling. Whether those points justify the premium will depend on how much riders value the added electronics, shifting convenience and marginally higher performance.
