BMW Motorrad has unveiled the new F 450 R, the streetfighter avatar of the F 450 family. The road-focused motorcycle draws design inspiration from the larger S 1000 R and F 900 R while sharing its technical foundation with the F 450 GS.
Power comes from the 420cc, parallel-twin engine with a 135-degree crankpin offset. In the F 450 R, the engine produces 47.3 bhp at 8,750 rpm and 43 Nm at 6,750 rpm. BMW says 80 per cent of the available torque is accessible from 3,000 rpm. The engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox and drives the rear wheel through a left-side chain final drive. The 14-litre tank gives the motorcycle a claimed range of more than 350 km.
The F 450 R uses a tubular steel space frame with the engine serving as a load-bearing element. Suspension comprises a 43mm KYB USD fork and an aluminium hollow-cast swingarm with a KYB rear shock. The optional Sport Suspension adds adjustable compression and rebound damping at the front, while the rear shock gets adjustable preload and rebound damping. Braking is handled by a 310mm front disc with a Brembo four-piston monobloc caliper and a 240mm rear disc.
Electronics include Rain, Road and Dynamic riding modes, along with ABS Pro, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Brake Control and engine drag torque control. The motorcycle also gets a 6.5-inch TFT display, LED lighting and a USB-C port.
BMW will offer the F 450 R in four variants: Base, Exclusive, M Sport and M Sport with Innovation Package. The latter adds the optional Easy Ride Clutch, while Riding Modes Pro and Shift Assistant Pro are available depending on the variant.
In India, the BMW F 450 R will take on the Aprilia Tuono 457 Special Edition, however, one of its key rivals will also be the KTM 390 Duke R. Just like the F 450 GS, this bike will be manufactured by TVS at Hosur. However, BMW Motorrad hasn’t given a launch timeline or pricing yet. Expect this bike to hit the showrooms in the first half of next year.
