Meet the New BMW F 450 R

BMW Motorrad has just taken the wraps off the new BMW F 450 R, and A2 riders have plenty to get excited about. 

Revealed on Thursday 1st October 2026, this compact naked bike borrows its looks from the S 1000 R and packs them into a lighter, friendlier machine. 

It joins the F 450 GS in BMW's new F 450 family, sharing that bike's engine and chassis concept but tuned purely for the road. 

A twin built for the A2 licence 

At the heart of the F 450 R is the 420cc parallel twin that debuted in the F 450 GS, retuned here for road riding. 

It produces 35kW (47bhp) at 8,750rpm and 43Nm (31.7lb-ft) of torque at 6,750rpm, putting it right at the limit for an A2 licence motorcycle. 

The best part is how early that pull arrives. Around 80% of the available torque is ready from just 3,000rpm, so you won't need to chase revs to make progress. 

A 135-degree crankpin offset and a balance shaft keep vibration in check, while the stainless-steel underfloor exhaust gives the twin a sound of its own. 

It's frugal too. BMW's figures convert to roughly 74mpg, and the 14-litre tank gives a range of more than 217 miles between fill-ups. 

Lightweight, sharp handling 

Ready to ride with a full tank, the F 450 R weighs 175kg. That's three kilos lighter than the F 450 GS. 

The tubular steel frame uses the engine as a load-bearing part, with road-focused geometry and a short wheelbase for quick, eager turn-in. 

Up front, a 43mm KYB upside-down fork handles the bumps. Bikes with the Sport suspension gain adjustable rebound and compression damping. 

At the rear, a hollow-cast aluminium double-sided swingarm pairs with a KYB shock offering adjustable preload and rebound damping. 

Stopping power comes from a Brembo four-piston monobloc caliper biting a 310mm front disc. BMW Motorrad ABS Pro comes as standard, so you get ABS support even when leaned over in a corner. 

Dynamic Brake Control prevents unintended throttle inputs during hard braking, and a dynamic brake light warns traffic behind when you slow sharply. 

A riding position that suits most riders 

The standard two-piece seat sits at 790mm, and the slim shape beneath it makes it easier to get your feet down at a standstill. 

Original BMW Motorrad Accessories let you fine-tune the fit. A low seat drops the height to 775mm, while a high Sport seat lifts it to 810mm. 

A tapered aluminium handlebar sits high and close to the rider, and the tank is shaped to give your knees something to grip. 

BMW has also sweated the small details. The gear lever, footbrake lever, and side stand are forged aluminium, and the passenger footpeg brackets bolt to the rear frame. 

Clever tech for every ride 

Rain, Road, and Dynamic riding modes come as standard, alongside Dynamic Traction Control and engine drag torque control (MSR). 

Riding Modes Pro, fitted to the M Sport models, adds a configurable Dynamic Pro mode for riders who like to set things up their way. 

Shift Assistant Pro allows clutchless up and down changes on every variant except the Base, and it can be retrofitted to the Base later. 

Then there's the optional Easy Ride Clutch. Working with Shift Assistant Pro, it lets you pull away, stop, and change gear without touching the clutch lever. 

The lever stays on the bar for whenever you want it. If you'd like to know how the system works, our first-hand look at the BMW F 450 GS and its Easy Ride Clutch explains it in detail. 

A 6.5-inch TFT display handles calls, music, and navigation. M Sport models add three Sport screens showing lean angle, braking force, and traction control data, plus a lap timer. 

LED lighting, a USB-C port, and heated grips are all standard. You can even reverse the shift pattern quickly for the odd track day. 

Four variants to choose from 

The F 450 R Base keeps things simple in Cosmic Black, with the full suite of standard safety tech and riding modes. 

The Exclusive, also in Cosmic Black, adds Shift Assistant Pro and the Sport suspension. 

The M Sport steps up to Snaefell White with M Motorsport colours, a white frame, and M Motorsport rim stickers. It brings Riding Modes Pro, Shift Assistant Pro, and the Sport suspension. 

Topping the range, the M Sport with Innovation Package adds the Easy Ride Clutch from the factory. 

Who the F 450 R suits 

If you've just passed your A2 test, the F 450 R gives you a genuine BMW naked bike that makes full use of your licence. 

Returning riders should like the manageable weight, flexible engine, and choice of seat heights, which all help build confidence quickly. 

Experienced riders get plenty to play with too, from the Brembo stopping power to the lap timer and reversible shift pattern. 

Prefer the idea of gravel tracks and green lanes? Take a look at our first look at the new BMW F 450 GS, the adventure-ready sibling to this A2 naked bike. 

BMW F 450 R key specifications 

Imperial figures are converted from BMW's metric data and rounded. 

Discover the F 450 R at Vertu Motorcycles 

UK pricing and availability for the new BMW F 450 R are still to be confirmed, but our colleagues are ready to talk you through it. 

Whether it's your first big bike or your next one, our Vertu BMW Motorrad dealerships can help. Book an appointment at your nearest Vertu Motorcycles dealership to find out more. 

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