(adapted from a BMW Motorrad press release)
(please enjoy BMW’s obviously AI-generated photos of the new bike, plus a couple from just outside the bathroom at corporate headquarters)
BMW finally pulled the wraps off its latest adventure machine, the 2027 F 450 GS, and it looks to be a real GS, not a half-hearted “lite” version with cool stickers and a tall seat. Think of it as the little brother who’s been watching the R 1300 GS and F 900 GS dominate family gatherings and finally decided to hit the gym.
The core of the F 450 GS is a 420cc parallel-twin with a 135-degree crankpin offset (because BMW doesn’t do “normal” when it comes to engines). BMW says it makes 48 horsepower and 32 lb-ft of torque, which might not sound like much next to the R 1300 GS’s point-and-shoot hyperdrive, but in the (Americans can skip this reference) A2 license class, that’s plenty of get-up-and-go for trails, hooliganing around in city traffic or passing the occasional SUV on larger roads.
BMW says the new engine was designed for light weight, torque and smoothness; judging by the specs, they’ve done exactly that. They incorporated a balance shaft to keep vibrations down, a crank offset for that distinctive GS feeling and a soundtrack that should sound more like a spirited twin than a sewing machine.
Don’t think that just because BMW’s designed a smaller engine that the new bike lacks segment-leading technology. Thanks to the brand-new Easy Ride Clutch (ERC), you can start off without touching the clutch lever. This sounds perfect for new riders or really for anyone who just can’t be bothered feathering the clutch lever in heavy traffic. It’s essentially a smart centrifugal clutch that lets you focus on riding, not stalling. And because this is BMW, you can still use the clutch manually if you’re showing off your slow-speed balance game at a red light.
A six-speed gearbox with Gear Shift Assist Pro means you can bang through the gears up or down without clutching at all, just like the bigger bikes. It’s standard on the off-road-leaning GS Trophy variant and makes you feel like you’re racing towards Dakar, even if you’re just merging onto I-95.
The F 450 GS gets a completely new tubular steel frame, KYB suspension and geometry aimed squarely at agility without losing that stable, planted feel GS riders expect. Suspension travel is a generous 7.1 inches front and rear, because potholes, gravel and questionable trail choices happen anywhere. If you opt for the GS Trophy trim, you’ll get adjustable forks and wider Enduro pegs, just like its big siblings. In proper GS fashion, the chassis was developed to handle everything from pothole-riddled, dicey downtown intersections to challenging, tree-lined dirt roads that definitely aren’t on Google Maps.
Brakes come from Brembo, and the F 450 GS gets ABS Pro, which means you can brake mid-corner without instantly regretting your life choices. There’s also Dynamic Brake Control to prevent you from accidentally adding throttle during a panic stop (which happens to the best of us, and probably more often than we’d like to admit). Like most modern BMW GS motorcycles, you get Rain, Road and Enduro modes standard, with Enduro Pro reserved for the GS Trophy model.
BMW’s design team made sure you can tell this bike is a GS even from across a parking lot. The LED headlight with the X signature is straight off the R 1300 GS, and the flowing profile from the beak to the slim tail ties it squarely into the family.
At just 33.3 inches of seat height (with low and high options available), it might be the most approachable GS yet. Still, it’s got all the right details: adjustable levers, proper handguards, heated grips (as standard!) and a 6.5-inch TFT display that’s probably nicer than your car’s screen. It connects to your phone for music, calls and navigation, all of which are controllable via the Wonder Wheel.
BMW’s accessory catalog is predictably expansive, featuring crash bars, luggage, taller windscreens, engine guards and myriad other items across a range of price points. You can make the F 450 GS your touring companion, your trail buddy or your commuting alternative to a scooter. The 3.6-gallon tank is probably the bike’s biggest weakness, but we’ve all got to stop for gas sooner or later.
BMW calls the F 450 GS a “genuine GS for the A2 class;” if you translate European to American, that means “entry-level adventure bike that doesn’t feel entry-level.” It’s light, capable and packed with the kind of tech you used to only find on bikes twice its size. It won’t be chasing down an R 1300 GS on the autobahn, but on a tight trail, you might just leave that big beast behind while it tries to turn around.
The BMW F 450 GS hits U.S. dealerships in late 2026 or early 2027, with pricing to be announced closer to launch. Expect it to come in below the F 800 GS but above your expectations.
