BMW F 450 GS Review: Specs, Easy Ride Clutch and South African Price
For ten years the smallest BMW GS was the G 310 GS, a single-cylinder bike that wore the badge but never rode like its bigger brothers. The F 450 GS replaces it, and it is a different kind of motorcycle. It has a new 420cc twin-cylinder engine, 35 kW, a lean-sensitive electronics package, a 6.5 inch TFT taken from the big GS models and an optional clutch that means you never have to touch the lever.
BMW Motorrad South Africa lists it from R121,800. That puts a twin-cylinder GS within reach of riders who were looking at a KTM 390 Adventure, a Honda NX500 or a CFMoto 450MT. The first road tests are in from Britain, the United States and India. This is what the bike is, what the testers found, and what it costs to own here.
This is a research based review. Scooter125 has not ridden the F 450 GS and the bike was not supplied by BMW or a dealer. Specifications come from BMW Motorrad South Africa and MotorcycleSpecs. Riding impressions come from tests by Motorcycle News and Cycle News, both ridden in Sicily, and Team-BHP, ridden in Goa. The running cost sums are our own, at the October 2026 fuel price. BMW South Africa publishes a starting price only, so check the price of each version with a dealer.
What you need to know first
The F 450 GS is a 420cc liquid-cooled parallel twin making 35 kW (48 hp) at 8,750 rpm and 43 Nm at 6,750 rpm. It weighs 178 kg with a full tank, has a 14 litre tank and an 845 mm seat. The front wheel is 19 inch and the rear 17 inch, with 180 mm of suspension travel at each end. BMW claims 3.8 litres per 100 km and a top speed of 165 km/h.
It is designed by BMW in Munich and built by TVS in India, like the G 310 models before it.
There are four versions: Basic, Exclusive, Sport and GS Trophy. The starting price in South Africa is R121,800. The Easy Ride Clutch is standard on the GS Trophy and optional on the others.
Motorcycle News gave it four stars out of five. The tests praise the handling, the low weight, the build quality and the electronics. The criticisms are vibration at highway speed, weak wind protection, no cruise control, and a price at the top of its class.
The four versions
The range takes a moment to understand, because the differences are in equipment and colour together.
- Basic, in Cosmic Black. Three riding modes, ABS Pro, traction control, the 6.5 inch TFT, heated grips and LED lights.
- Exclusive, in Cosmic Black. Adds off-road footpegs, hand guards, an engine guard, a clear windscreen, Riding Modes Pro with a fourth mode, and the up and down quickshifter.
- Sport, in Racing Red. Everything on the Exclusive, plus sports suspension with a fork adjustable for compression and rebound.
- GS Trophy, in Racing Blue metallic with a white frame. Adds white hand guards, a tinted rally screen, an aluminium engine guard and the Easy Ride Clutch as standard.
Cast aluminium wheels are standard. Cross-spoked wheels, which also run tubeless tyres, are an option, along with a high rally seat, a low seat, a taller touring screen, a luggage rack and engine protection bars.
BMW’s own introduction to the bike is below.
The 420cc twin
The engine is new and so far shared only with the F 450 R roadster. It is a 420cc parallel twin with a 72 mm bore and a 51.6 mm stroke, four valves per cylinder and a 13:1 compression ratio. According to Team-BHP it weighs about 46 kg.
The unusual part is the crankshaft. Most parallel twins have their crankpins set at 180 or 270 degrees. BMW has chosen 135 degrees, with a balance shaft, to give the engine some character without the vibration a small twin usually brings. BMW says 80 percent of the torque is available from 3,000 rpm.
The 35 kW output is not an accident. It is the limit for the A2 licence class in Europe, which is where most of these bikes will be sold.
The testers liked how it pulls. Motorcycle News called it fun and engaging, happy to sit a gear or two high and still accelerate. Cycle News called it perky and keen to rev, with enough torque to lift the front wheel. Team-BHP found the power delivery strong and linear, though not especially exciting.
Refinement is where opinions drop. Motorcycle News said the engine feels overstretched at about 110 km/h, where it is turning 7,000 rpm, and found more vibration through the bars and footpegs than it should have. Team-BHP found it buzzy at city speeds, through the tank and the seat, and smoother on the highway, where 100 km/h comes up at 5,500 rpm in sixth. Neither liked the sound much. Cycle News called the exhaust note flat.
At Highveld altitude a naturally aspirated engine loses roughly 15 percent of its power, so in Gauteng this is about a 30 kW bike. With 178 kg to move that is still lively, but highway overtakes two-up will need planning.
The Easy Ride Clutch explained
The Easy Ride Clutch, or ERC, is the feature that sets this bike apart from its rivals. It is a centrifugal clutch added to a normal gearbox. At idle the clutch is open, so the bike sits still in gear without stalling. As the revs rise it closes and the bike pulls away. Team-BHP measured the engagement point at about 2,700 rpm.
You still change gear with your foot. On the move the quickshifter handles that, so on an ERC bike you can ride all day without touching the clutch lever. The lever is still there and works normally, so you can override the system for tight turns or to lift the front wheel over an obstacle.
It is a mechanical system with no extra electronics, and it stays engaged when you close the throttle, so engine braking feels normal.
The advantages are clear in two places. In traffic there is no clutch work at all. Off-road, the bike cannot stall on a climb or in a rocky section, which takes a lot of pressure off a newer rider. Cycle News called it invaluable on dirt.
There are drawbacks, and every test found the same ones:
- Parking on a slope. With the engine off the clutch is open, so leaving the bike in gear does not hold it. There is no parking brake. On a hill it will roll.
- Pulling away. Motorcycle News found it a little abrupt in first gear. Team-BHP found nothing happens below 2,700 rpm, which makes the engine feel weak at very low speed.
- Warnings. The dash prompts you to select first gear or change down when the revs are low, which Team-BHP found intrusive.
- Stopping on a loose climb. If you come to a halt on a steep, slippery slope, the bike can roll back.
For a rider who commutes in traffic or is learning to ride off-road, it is a real help. An experienced rider may prefer the Sport, which has the same suspension without the ERC. Try both before choosing.
Chassis, suspension and brakes
The frame is tubular steel and uses the engine as a load-bearing part. The swingarm is hollow cast aluminium. BMW has worked hard on weight: at 178 kg fuelled, the twin is only about 8 kg heavier than the single-cylinder G 310 GS it replaces.
The fork is a 43 mm KYB upside-down unit. On the Basic and Exclusive it is not adjustable. On the Sport and GS Trophy it adjusts for compression and rebound. The rear shock adjusts for preload and rebound on all versions. Travel is 180 mm at both ends.
The front brake is a single 310 mm disc with a Brembo four-piston caliper. The rear is a 240 mm disc with a single-piston caliper. ABS Pro, which adjusts for lean angle, is standard on every version.
The wheel sizes tell you what the bike is for. A 19 inch front and a 17 inch rear suit tar and gravel roads. Bikes built for harder off-road use, such as the KTM 390 Adventure R and CFMoto 450MT, have a 21 inch front wheel.
How it rides, on tar and on dirt
Handling on tar is the bike’s best quality. Motorcycle News said it comes into its own on tight, twisty roads, changing direction with almost no effort. Team-BHP said the same of narrow streets in Goa, and found it confident in long highway bends. Both noted that the suspension is on the soft side, which makes for a comfortable ride.
The brakes divide the testers. Team-BHP and Motorcycle News praised their power and feel. Cycle News found them excellent off-road but lacking bite on the road.
The standard Maxxis tyres were the weak link for Motorcycle News, which found little feedback from them in the wet.
Off-road, the tests were run on Metzeler Karoo 4 tyres. Cycle News said its main impression was how easy the bike is to ride on dirt, and that 178 kg feels like almost nothing next to a big adventure bike. The limits arrive with speed. Even the Sport suspension bottomed out on small jumps, and Motorcycle News said the 19 inch front wheel and road-biased set-up mean it is not the bike for really rough going.
On the highway the weaknesses show. The short screen leaves the rider’s upper body in the wind, though it causes little helmet buffeting. The vibration at speed is noticeable. And there is no cruise control, not even as an option.
Electronics and equipment
This is where the BMW pulls ahead of most rivals. A six-axis sensor feeds a set of rider aids that are normally found on much bigger bikes:
- ABS Pro, which works when the bike is leaned over
- Dynamic Traction Control
- engine drag torque control, which stops the rear wheel locking on a closed throttle
- front wheel lift control
- Dynamic Brake Control
Every version has three riding modes: Rain, Road and Enduro. The Exclusive, Sport and GS Trophy add Enduro Pro, which is set up for off-road tyres with the least traction control. The ABS has a road setting and an off-road setting, chosen by the mode.
The 6.5 inch TFT and the switchgear follow the layout of the big GS models. Motorcycle News called them exceptional for ease of use. The screen connects to a phone for navigation. There is a USB-C socket in the cockpit, the headlight is LED with the X-shaped daytime light, and heated grips are standard.
Seat height and comfort
The seat is 845 mm high. That sounds tall, but the bike is narrow where your legs go down and it is light, and both Motorcycle News and Cycle News said shorter riders managed it easily. BMW offers a lower seat and a higher rally seat as options.
The riding position was comfortable over a full day in Sicily, with enough room for taller riders. Standing on the pegs feels natural, though riders who spend a lot of time standing will want bar risers. Team-BHP noted that the bike does not feel top-heavy, which makes it easy to move around at low speed.
Price and availability in South Africa
BMW Motorrad South Africa lists the F 450 GS as a 2027 model from R121,800, with test ride and configurator links on the page. BMW dealers have it in their online showrooms, with the price depending on colour and version.
BMW South Africa publishes only the starting price. Expect the Exclusive, Sport and GS Trophy to cost more in that order. Ask the dealer for the price of each, and for what the Easy Ride Clutch costs as an option on the Sport.
For context, new G 310 GS models are still listed on Scooter125 from around R80,000. So the step up to the 450 is about R40,000, for a second cylinder, 10 kW more and a far better electronics package.
The strongest argument for the BMW here is not on the specification sheet. BMW has the biggest adventure dealer network in the country and GS models hold their value well. Ask the dealer to confirm the warranty and whether a service plan is included.
You can see the BMW adventure bikes for sale on Scooter125, including the G 310 GS and the bigger GS models.
What it costs to run
Petrol is at a record. The October 2026 adjustment, effective 7 October, is projected to take inland 95 unleaded to about R30 a litre.
BMW claims 3.8 litres per 100 km. Cycle News recorded about 4.8 when riding hard. We have used BMW’s figure below and you should expect a little more in practice.
- A full 14 litre tank costs about R420.
- Range is roughly 370 km at the claimed figure, or about 290 km ridden hard.
- Fuel costs about R1.14 a kilometre.
- A 40 km round-trip commute costs about R46 a day, or roughly R1,000 over 22 working days.
Service intervals are 10,000 km. Tyres in these sizes are common and cheaper than the 21 inch sizes on more off-road biased bikes.
Licence requirements in South Africa
South Africa has two motorcycle licence codes. Code A1 covers bikes up to 125cc from age 16. Code A covers everything else from age 18. The F 450 GS needs a full Code A, and a car licence does not cover it.
As a first big bike after a 125 or a 150, this is one of the better choices. It is light, the power is manageable, the electronics are forgiving and the Easy Ride Clutch removes the fear of stalling. Our guide to what a motorbike licence costs in South Africa covers the fees and the tests.
F 450 GS versus the alternatives
KTM 390 Adventure R
The KTM is the more serious off-road bike, with a 21 inch front wheel and longer-travel WP suspension. Its 399cc single makes about 33 kW, a little less than the BMW. The BMW is smoother, better on tar and has the more complete electronics. Choose the KTM if most of your riding is dirt.
CFMoto 450MT
Until the BMW arrived, this was the only twin in the class. It has slightly less power, a 21 inch front wheel and a lower price. It is the value choice. We reviewed its big brother in our CFMoto 1000MT-X review.
Honda NX500
A 471cc twin with 35 kW, listed new on Scooter125 from around R109,900. The Honda is smoother on the highway and has a bigger 17.5 litre tank. It is also 18 kg heavier, has simpler electronics and is more of a road bike. See the Honda adventure bikes for sale.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
A 452cc single with about 29 kW and a 21 inch front wheel. It is slower and heavier than the BMW but has a plusher ride, by Team-BHP’s account, and costs much less overseas. It suits riders who value comfort on bad roads over speed.
BMW F 450 R
The same engine and electronics in a naked road bike that is 3 kg lighter. If you will never leave the tar, read our BMW F 450 R first look.
Full specifications
| Engine | 420cc parallel twin, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, 135 degree crankpin offset |
| Bore and stroke | 72 mm x 51.6 mm |
| Compression ratio | 13.0:1 |
| Power | 35 kW (48 hp) at 8,750 rpm |
| Torque | 43 Nm at 6,750 rpm |
| Emissions | Euro 5+ |
| Top speed | 165 km/h (claimed) |
| Fuel consumption | 3.8 litres per 100 km (claimed) |
| Gearbox | Six-speed; quickshifter on Exclusive, Sport and GS Trophy |
| Clutch | Wet multi-plate slipper clutch; Easy Ride Clutch standard on GS Trophy |
| Final drive | Chain, 14/48 sprockets |
| Frame | Tubular steel, engine as a load-bearing part |
| Front suspension | KYB 43 mm upside-down fork, 180 mm travel; adjustable on Sport and GS Trophy |
| Rear suspension | Aluminium swingarm, KYB shock, preload and rebound adjustable, 180 mm travel |
| Front brake | 310 mm disc, Brembo four-piston caliper |
| Rear brake | 240 mm disc, single-piston caliper |
| ABS | BMW Motorrad ABS Pro |
| Wheels | Cast aluminium, 19 inch front, 17 inch rear; cross-spoked optional |
| Tyres | 100/90-19 and 130/80-17 |
| Rake and trail | 28.1 degrees, 114 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,465 mm |
| Seat height | 845 mm; low and high seats optional |
| Weight | 178 kg fully fuelled |
| Fuel tank | 14 litres |
| Instruments | 6.5 inch TFT with phone connectivity |
| Service interval | 10,000 km |
| Colours | Cosmic Black, Racing Red, Racing Blue metallic |
| South African price | From R121,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much is the BMW F 450 GS in South Africa?
BMW Motorrad South Africa lists it from R121,800. That is the starting price. The Exclusive, Sport and GS Trophy versions cost more.
What engine does the F 450 GS have?
A new 420cc parallel twin making 35 kW, or 48 hp, and 43 Nm. It has an unusual 135 degree crankshaft and a balance shaft.
What is the BMW Easy Ride Clutch?
A centrifugal clutch that opens at idle and closes as the revs rise, so you can stop and pull away without using the clutch lever. Gear changes are still made by foot. It is standard on the GS Trophy and optional on the other versions.
Is the BMW F 450 GS good for beginners?
Yes, for a rider who already has some experience on a smaller bike. It is light, the power is manageable and the rider aids are among the best in the class.
Is the F 450 GS good off-road?
It is easy and capable on gravel roads and moderate trails. Its 19 inch front wheel and soft suspension limit it in rough, fast off-road riding.
Where is the BMW F 450 GS made?
It is developed by BMW Motorrad in Germany and built by TVS Motor in India.
Does the F 450 GS have cruise control?
No. Cruise control is not fitted and is not offered as an option.
How far will the F 450 GS go on a tank?
About 370 km from the 14 litre tank at BMW’s claimed 3.8 litres per 100 km, and closer to 290 km when ridden hard.
The verdict
The F 450 GS is the first small BMW that feels like part of the GS family. The handling, the build quality, the dash and the rider aids are a class above what the old 310 offered, and above most of what its rivals offer. At 178 kg it is a bike you can pick up, turn around on a narrow track and ride through town without effort.
It is not perfect. The engine vibrates more than a twin should, the screen is too short for long highway days and there is no cruise control. Those matter in a country where the interesting roads are often 300 km of highway away. It is also not a hard off-road bike.
The Easy Ride Clutch is clever and will suit some riders well, but the parking problem on slopes is real. Ride the Sport and the GS Trophy back to back before paying for it.
At R121,800 for the Basic, the BMW costs about R12,000 more than a Honda NX500 and offers more technology, less weight and the strongest dealer network of any adventure brand in South Africa. For a rider who wants one bike for the commute, the weekend gravel road and the odd long trip, it deserves a test ride. Start with the BMW adventure bikes for sale on Scooter125 to see what your money buys across the range.
Sources referenced
- BMW Motorrad South Africa, F 450 GS model page and technical data: price, specifications and options
- MotorcycleSpecs.co.za, “BMW F 450GS 2026”: specification table and version details
- Motorcycle News, Carl Stevens, “2026-on BMW F450GS review”, updated 15 June 2026
- Cycle News, Adam Child, “2027 BMW F 450 GS Review”, May 2026
- Team-BHP, Sarthak Bhadane, “BMW F 450 GS Review: First Ride & Real-World Impressions”, 4 May 2026
- Bavarian Motorcycles, F 450 GS online showroom listing
- Wunderlich, BMW F 450 GS accessory range
- BMW Motorrad, “Meet The Brand-New F 450 GS” (video)
- Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, October 2026 fuel price adjustment
