EICMA: BMW Concept F 450 GS

BMW Motorrad could be about to set a new benchmark for the shortest period a motorcycle parlays from concept into mass production.

The company has launched the Concept F 450 GS in Milan, which is the company’s mid-way point between the single-cylinder G 310 GS and the F 800/900 series.

BMW openly admits the Concept F 450 GS is near production-ready, powered by a parallel twin “developed from scratch and, thanks to a special, never-before-used ignition offset, is particularly characterful and eager to rev”. The concept livery is the same as the Trophy version of the R 1300 GS.

BMW claims 48hp and, thanks to the use of lightweight materials such as magnesium, weight is going to be around the 175kg mark.

The chassis has a fully adjustable upside-down fork, and tech includes cornering ABS, multiple ride modes and smartphone connectivity via a 6.5-inch TFT.

The question that always arises, though: will the production model be a faithful match for the concept? Yes, says BMW.

"No compromises for sure. Following the very sporty off-road focus of the Concept F 450 GS, we will implement the bike as close as possible to this concept,” says Johann Simon, vehicle project manager of the Concept F 450 GS. 

“We will only adjust the seat height for better accessibility and easier handling. As an alternative to the cross-spoke wheels, lightweight but high-strength cast aluminium wheels in the same dimensions are also conceivable.”