BMW F 450 GS 2026
BMW finally builds a GS for the A2 licence, and prices it like it means it.
63.4/ 100
Scored within adventure, methodology here
€7,220
list price
- power
- 48 hp
- wet weight
- 178 kg
- tank range
- 368 km
The short version
The F 450 GS is BMW's first small adventure bike: a new 420 cc twin making the full 48 hp the A2 rules allow, 178 kg wet, a 6.5 inch TFT and four ride modes for 7,220 EUR. It undercuts expectations on price and lands squarely on the KTM 390 Adventure R and CFMOTO 450MT.
Where it wins
- Full 48 hp A2 output from a characterful new 270-degree-style twin
- 6.5 inch TFT, four ride modes and traction control standard at 7,220 EUR
- Three year warranty and BMW dealer network
Where it loses
- 180 mm of travel plays 230 on the KTM 390 Adventure R
- Base suspension is non-adjustable; the Trophy costs 770 EUR more
Score breakdown
Engine and performance
20.0 / 25Handling and chassis
11.9 / 20Value
11.3 / 20Practicality
6.0 / 15Technology
7.7 / 10Reliability and ownership
6.5 / 10The full review
The GS badge, shrunk without being cheapened
BMW has never built a GS this small, so the press arrived at the launch waiting for the catch. The consensus says there is not one: first rides describe a genuinely light, agile bike with natural standing ergonomics, a composed chassis and brakes that bite with real confidence from the Brembo four-piston front end.
The new 420 cc twin makes 48 hp at 8,750 rpm and 43 Nm at 6,750, the full A2 allowance, and testers found it punchy where the class average is merely adequate. At 178 kg wet it is 2 kg heavier than the KTM 390 Adventure R and it carries the weight low.
Equipment the class has not seen at this price
The 6.5 inch TFT with connectivity is the largest dash in the class, and Rain, Road, Enduro and Enduro Pro modes with traction control come standard. BMW also offers an automated clutch option, a first for small adventure bikes, and reviewers came away impressed rather than gimmicked.
At 7,220 EUR the base bike lands 780 EUR under the KTM, which is not how BMW pricing usually works. The Trophy at 7,990 EUR adds adjustable suspension and the more serious offroad setup, and is the version the KTM should worry about.
Who the F 450 GS is for
The honest gap is travel: 180 mm at both ends against the KTM's 230, so committed offroad riders still have their answer. Everyone else gets the friendlier seat heights, the three year warranty and a dealer in every town, which is the maths most A2 adventure buyers actually do.
The press verdict reads like BMW aimed at the middle of the class and hit it. If the trails on your route are gravel rather than rock gardens, this is now the polished pick, and the price removes the usual BMW excuse for not choosing it.
Full specs
| Engine | |
|---|---|
| Engine | Parallel twin, liquid cooled, DOHC |
| Displacement | 420 cc |
| Power | 48 hp at 8,750 rpm |
| Torque | 43 Nm at 6,750 rpm |
| Power to weight | 0.27 hp/kg |
| Chassis | |
| Wet weight | 178 kg |
| Front suspension | 43 mm inverted fork, 180 mm |
| Front adjustability | Non-adjustable |
| Rear suspension | Monoshock, 180 mm |
| Rear adjustability | Preload only |
| Front brake | 310 mm, radial 4-piston |
| ABS | Switchable ABS |
| Dimensions | |
| Seat height | 845 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1465 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 14 L |
| Claimed consumption | 3.8 L/100 km |
| Fuel range | 368 km |
| Ownership | |
| Price | €7,220 |
| Service interval | 10,000 km |
| Valve check | 20,000 km |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Equipment | |
| Dash | TFT |
| Ride modes | Yes |
| Traction control | Yes |
| Quickshifter | Optional |
| Cruise control | Not available |
| Connectivity | Yes |
Compare the F 450 GS
BMW F 450 GSvsKTM 390 Adventure R
48 hp vs 45 hp / 178 kg vs 176 kg
BMW F 450 GSvsCFMOTO 450MT
48 hp vs 42 hp / 178 kg vs 175 kg
BMW F 450 GSvsRoyal Enfield Himalayan 450
48 hp vs 40 hp / 178 kg vs 196 kg
BMW F 450 GSvsYamaha Tenere 700
48 hp vs 73 hp / 178 kg vs 208 kg
BMW F 450 GSvsHonda XL750 Transalp
48 hp vs 91.8 hp / 178 kg vs 208 kg
Frequently asked
- Is the BMW F 450 GS A2 licence legal?
- Not as delivered: 48 hp is 35.3 kW against the 35 kW A2 limit. Because it stays under 70 kW, dealers can supply it restricted to 35 kW for A2 licence holders, and the full power returns with a dealer derestriction once you upgrade.
- How fast is the BMW F 450 GS?
- Our power-to-weight model estimates 0 to 100 km/h in about 5.6 seconds, from 48 hp moving 178 kg wet. That is an estimate for comparison, not a measured time, and it is labelled that way everywhere on this site.
- What is the fuel range of the BMW F 450 GS?
- About 368 km on paper: a 14 litre tank against a claimed 3.8 L/100 km. Ride it with enthusiasm and the maths gets worse, never better.
- How tall is the seat on the BMW F 450 GS?
- The BMW F 450 GS seat sits at 845 mm, which is about average for the class, manageable for most inseams with a little practice. At 178 kg wet, weight does the rest of the talking at a standstill.
- How much does the BMW F 450 GS cost?
- €7,220 list price in the EU market this site scores. It earns 11.3 of 20 value points on our formula, which weighs price against equipment and running costs.
The workshop
Build your F 450 GS
The upgrades owners actually fit, at typical retail prices. Tap a part to bolt it on and I re-run the full 100-point scorecard on your build, same math as the official score above. Shop links are affiliate links: they support the site and cost you nothing extra.