I see the new BMW F 450 GS is to be launched this week. If the bike they actually manufacture is similar to this concept (i.e. lightweight & has an engine with some poke), I'm sure it'll sell well. I'm not a fan of big heavy off-road bikes, but I really like this concept bike! https://www.bmw-motorrad.com/en/articles/bmw-concept-f-450-gs.html
Love the look of that, 160-170kg's and 50 bhp's is perfect for the green lining I do in winter when the roads are nasty
sounds like you need a CRF.. nice size. probably the CC i am moving towards. but a bit too much pingpow in the couloir scheme. me? overcritical?
Yup, I had a CRF250 too. It was a very dependable and sturdy bike, but the engine's power delivery was flat and when factoring in the bikes significant weight, the overall package was pretty dull & dumpy. Note: ...'Dull & Dumpy'...hmmm... that would be a good way to describe some of the visitors we're expecting over the Christmas period. Oh joy!
Hopefully they buy good presents, don't drink too much, dislike purple Quality Street and like washing dishes! Note 170kgs is not light. Does that include petrol?
I remember a friend of mine saying that when his relatives visit at Christmas... "All they do is drink, eat & shit!"
The bike has just been launched... https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/glob...3560EN/bmw-motorrad-presents-the-bmw-f-450-gs some spec: A2 class, 48 hp with a ready-to-ride weight of just 178 kg. Twin-cylinder inline engine producing 35 kW (48 hp) at 8,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 43 Nm at 6,750 rpm.
Not sure why anyone would want to buy an A2 ‘adventure’ bike, an 845mm seat height is tall and 178kg road ready isn’t that light for a 400 twin Oh yes, it has a centrifugal clutch. No idea who the target audience is except the older generation who can’t manage the 270kg of the GS Adventurer. Andy
On the right roads it will be a lot more fun than bikes 2 or 3 times the price. Just been out in my Triumph Scrambler 400X out here in France. Any more power on the rural roads around here is wasted. The days of big bhp are coming to an end.
Rumoured to go on sale in India first and the rumoured price for launch in the US is a gobsmacking $13,000 or just shy of £10,000. Andy
44 teeth YouTube video I think said £7,700 for the all singing all dancing model. Video went live today.
BMW manufacturing a small 450 GS is a no brainer. Not only does it appeal to many older riders who no longer want to wrestle a 1250 GS around, but its attractive to many other motorcyclists including new (A2) riders as well. My guess is that several others manufacturers will follow suit. What about a Yamaha Tenere based on a light weight WR450?
