BMW F 450 R from 6,490 euros: The A2 BMW undercuts Aprilia’s Tuono 457

• 420 cc parallel twin with 48 hp (35 kW) and 43 Nm (32 lb-ft)
• Four variants from 6,490 to 7,220 euros (around 7,285 to 8,104 US dollars)
• Launch in Germany expected in June 2027, according to BMW

After the F 450 GS adventure tourer, BMW Motorrad’s new twin-cylinder engine gets its second home. The F 450 R has been developed as a standalone naked bike, but uses the GS’s engine, frame and swingarm as its basis. It is part of the new arrivals for the 2027 model year and, according to BMW, is not only aimed at riders with an A2 licence. The manufacturer also has returning riders and experienced motorcyclists in mind who are looking for a light bike for town and country roads. The price stands out in particular: at 6,490 euros (around 7,285 US dollars), the base model undercuts the Aprilia Tuono 457.

How much does the BMW F 450 R cost in its four variants?

In Germany, the BMW F 450 R costs between 6,490 euros (around 7,285 US dollars) and 7,220 euros (around 8,104 US dollars). The price difference comes down to the equipment and paintwork of the four variants.

The base model is only available in Cosmic Black. Even this version comes with three riding modes, ABS Pro, traction control, a 6.5-inch TFT display and heated grips. What it lacks is the shift assistant. The F 450 R Exclusive is also black and costs 6,770 euros (around 7,599 US dollars). For an extra 280 euros, it adds Shift Assistant Pro and the so-called sport suspension, with a fork adjustable for rebound and compression damping.

Anyone who wants a different colour has to go for the F 450 R M Sport. It costs 6,920 euros (around 7,768 US dollars) and is painted in Snaefell White / M Motorsport. This includes a white frame and rim stickers in the M colours. Alongside Shift Assistant Pro and sport suspension, Riding Modes Pro is also standard here. The fourth variant is the M Sport with Innovation Package for 7,220 euros (around 8,104 US dollars). It additionally comes with the Easy Ride Clutch.

For comparison: the Aprilia Tuono 457 starts at 6,700 euros (around 7,521 US dollars). The most expensive F 450 R costs as much as the F 450 GS in its basic version. In the UK, the F 450 R is available from 6,395 pounds (around 7,521 euros / 8,442 US dollars). There are no plans for the USA yet, however. A BMW spokesperson said: “There are no current plans to bring the 2027 F 450 R to the US. The F 450 R may be introduced to the U.S. at a later date.”

How is the F 450 R’s twin-cylinder engine designed?

The F 450 R uses the liquid-cooled 420 cc parallel twin from the F 450 GS. It produces 48 hp (35 kW) at 8,750 rpm and delivers 43 Nm (32 lb-ft) at 6,750 rpm.

For the naked bike, BMW has retuned the engine for road use. This does not change the performance figures. According to BMW, 80 per cent of maximum torque is already available at 3,000 rpm. So the engine does not have to be revved hard all the time to make brisk progress.

The key data in detail: bore is 72 mm and stroke 51.6 mm. Two overhead camshafts operate four valves per cylinder via lightweight finger followers. The intake valves have a head diameter of 29 mm, the exhaust valves 24.3 mm. The compression ratio is 13:1. Port fuel injection with the BMS-Z engine management system prepares the mixture. The throttle is electronic: a sensor on the twistgrip reports the rider’s input to the engine management, which then opens the 38 mm throttle bodies.

One special feature is the crankshaft. Its crankpins are offset by 135 degrees, which BMW says is unique on the motorcycle market. This results in an uneven firing interval and a distinctive sound. A balancer shaft in front of the crankshaft counters vibrations. To save weight, the clutch and transmission covers are made of magnesium.

The stainless steel silencer sits under the engine and contains two catalytic converters. According to BMW, this solution saves around two kilograms. It is also meant to offer more lean angle and reduce the risk of the passenger or luggage being burned by a hot exhaust.

BMW quotes fuel consumption of 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres according to the WMTC standard. With the 14-litre tank, this gives a theoretical range of up to 368 kilometres. The engine meets the Euro 5+ emissions standard and runs on premium unleaded. The F 450 R is said to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, with a top speed of 169 km/h. A six-speed gearbox transmits power to an X-ring chain on the left-hand side. Servicing is due every 10,000 kilometres.

How does the F 450 R’s Easy Ride Clutch work?

The Easy Ride Clutch is a centrifugal clutch that engages and disengages automatically depending on engine speed. To pull away, you simply open the throttle; when stopping, the clutch disengages by itself.

A centrifugal clutch uses the outward force that builds as engine speed rises to close the clutch. Unlike many conventional systems, the BMW’s clutch stays closed on the overrun. Engine braking therefore works until just before the bike comes to a standstill. The clutch only opens once the engine reaches idle speed. This is meant to make it practically impossible to stall the engine.

The clutch lever still remains on the handlebar. Anyone who prefers to modulate it themselves when manoeuvring or on twisty roads can use the clutch conventionally at any time. From the factory, the Easy Ride Clutch is only available on the M Sport as part of the Innovation Package. On the other variants, it can be retrofitted as Original BMW Motorrad Accessories. It adds one kilogram to the weight.

Shift Assistant Pro and reversible shift pattern

Only in combination with Shift Assistant Pro can the F 450 R be ridden entirely without touching the clutch. The shift assistant allows clutchless upshifts and downshifts and therefore almost no interruption in drive. According to BMW, this also significantly reduces the head nodding of rider and passenger when changing gear. The shift assistant is standard on the Exclusive and M Sport and can be retrofitted to the base model. For track riding, the shift pattern can also be reversed with little effort.

What sets the F 450 R apart from the F 450 GS?

The F 450 R adopts the steel frame and aluminium swingarm of the F 450 GS, but its geometry, suspension, wheels and ergonomics are designed entirely for the road. Instead of an adventure look, the focus is on short distances and quick turn-in.

Marc Weber, Lead Engineer Complete Vehicle for the F 450 R, puts it this way: “With the BMW F 450 R, we have consistently transferred the technical basis of the F 450 GS into a standalone BMW naked bike.” Chassis geometry, seating position and the entire package were retailored to the demands of the road.

The trellis frame is made from welded steel tubes and forged parts, with the engine integrated as a load-bearing element. The wheelbase is 1,405 mm, the steering head angle 23.4 degrees and the trail 110 mm. At the front, a KYB upside-down fork with 43 mm inner tubes, gold-coloured stanchions and a forged aluminium triple clamp does the work. At the rear, a hollow-cast aluminium double-sided swingarm guides the wheel, combined with a directly mounted KYB shock absorber that is adjustable for preload and rebound. Suspension travel is 140 mm at both ends.

The F 450 R rolls on 17-inch cast aluminium wheels with 110/70-17 tyres at the front and 150/60-17 at the rear. BMW fits the Eurogrip Protorq Extreme as standard. At the front, a floating 310 mm disc is gripped by a radially mounted Brembo four-piston monobloc caliper. At the rear sits a 240 mm disc with a single-piston floating caliper from ByBre.

When it comes to weight, the F 450 R hits a limit set by the A2 regulations. They allow a maximum of 35 kW and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.2 kW per kilogram. A full-power A2 motorcycle must therefore weigh at least 175 kilograms. That is exactly where the F 450 R sits at 175 kg (386 lbs) ready to ride, or 176 kg (388 lbs) with the Easy Ride Clutch. The Aprilia Tuono 457 achieves the same figures, but takes the opposite approach: its frame is aluminium and its swingarm steel. The BMW’s permissible total weight is 355 kg (783 lbs).

What rider aids and cockpit does the F 450 R have?

All variants come as standard with the Rain, Road and Dynamic riding modes as well as ABS Pro, Dynamic Brake Control, Dynamic Traction Control and engine drag torque control. Added to this are a 6.5-inch TFT display, LED lighting, a USB-C socket and three-stage heated grips.

The riding modes change throttle response and the control systems. Rain is intended for wet roads, with soft throttle response and a focus on stability. Road is designed for dry roads and a balanced set-up. In Dynamic, traction control, wheelie detection and engine drag torque control intervene later. Engine drag torque control prevents the rear wheel from locking when closing the throttle abruptly or downshifting.

ABS Pro also works when leaned over and is meant to prevent the bike from standing up during panic braking in corners. Dynamic Brake Control detects when the rider accidentally opens the throttle during hard braking and keeps the throttle valves closed. The dynamic brake light warns following traffic of hard braking in two stages.

Riding Modes Pro adds the Dynamic Pro mode, in which throttle response, ABS and traction control can be adjusted individually. The package is standard on the M Sport variants and available as an accessory for the base and Exclusive models. On the M Sport variants, the display then shows three additional Sport Screens with information on traction control, braking force and lean angle, as well as a lap timer.

The TFT is operated via the Multi-Controller on the left handlebar end. Smartphone and helmet communication system can be paired via Bluetooth for phone calls or music, with no app required. Depending on the market, the free BMW Motorrad Connected app also shows arrow navigation on the display. Anyone wanting map navigation needs the navigation preparation available as an accessory, together with the ConnectedRide Navigator or ConnectedRide Smartphone Cradle.

Design and ergonomics modelled on the S 1000 R

Visually, the F 450 R takes its cue from the S 1000 R with the “tail up, nose down” principle: the front sits low and the tail is raised high. The side panels form a stylised R, and the LED headlight features the bracket-shaped daytime running light of BMW’s naked bikes.

Alexander Buckan, Head of Design at BMW Motorrad, says: “With its striking side panel and the naked-bike-typical flyline following the tail up – nose down principle, the BMW F 450 R unmistakably yet subtly quotes the design DNA of the S 1000 R without copying it one-to-one.”

For the seating position, BMW relies on a high, 76 cm wide aluminium handlebar placed close to the rider. The two-piece standard seat is 790 mm high, and the inside leg curve measures 1,770 mm. A low accessory seat lowers the height to 775 mm, while a high sport seat raises it to 810 mm. Brake and clutch levers are adjustable as standard. The gear lever, footbrake lever and side stand are made of forged aluminium, and the passenger footrest brackets are bolted to the rear frame. Overall, the F 450 R is 2,002 mm long and 825 mm wide across the handlebar ends.

Accessories, launch and availability

BMW is offering a dedicated accessories range for the F 450 R from launch. According to BMW, deliveries of the naked bike are expected to start in June 2027.

For everyday use and short trips, there are soft cases with 16.5 litres of capacity each including holders, a 5 to 8 litre tank bag that attaches directly to the fuel filler cap without straps, plus luggage rolls and tail bags in several sizes. A gold aluminium handlebar and black bar-end mirrors add visual accents. For protection, BMW offers engine protection bars, a radiator guard, hand guards, axle and engine protectors and M lever protectors. Depending on the variant, the Easy Ride Clutch, Shift Assistant Pro and Riding Modes Pro can also be retrofitted as accessories.

Frequently Asked Questions