Why BMW’s Beginner Sports Bike Should Excite You (And Why It Shouldn’t)
There was a time when BMW was only associated with adventure bikes and dual-sports rather than sports bikes. That changed with the arrival of the S 1000 RR. The bikemaker struck gold with the platform, and today, the RR has become the inline-four leader in the liter-class segment. Now, the bikemaker is ready for round two, as it has whipped up another new sports bike: the F 450 RR. The idea is to shake up the highly competitive sub-500cc class, and the baby RR has all the right ingredients for that. However, a closer look reveals some not-so-likable elements, too. We start by listing four exciting points, followed by two catches.
6
Powerful Engine With Emphasis On Low-End Punch
BMW’s new sub-450cc engine debuted on the F 450 GS. And since then, it has been the USP of the platform. That same mill is present on the 2027 F 450 RR with similar performance. The 420cc parallel-twin layout joins hands with a 270-degree crankshaft for an emphasis on low-end punch. Accordingly, the 48 horsepower and 32 pound-feet figures peak at just 8,750 RPM and 6,750 RPM, respectively.
So even if the output isn’t class-leading, the peaks arrive considerably sooner in the rev range. For reference, the Aprilia RS 457’s peak power comes in at 9,400 RPM, while the CFMoto 450SS peaks at 9,500 RPM. That should mean brilliant tractability in the real world, a punchy drive out of the corners on track, and good fuel efficiency. The latter is backed by the claimed 62 MPG figure. In the meantime, the power reaches the wheel via a six-speed transmission, and top speed is said to be 110 miles per hour (GPS-tested).
5
Adjustable KYB Suspension And Sporty Chassis For Sharp Handling
The 2027 F 450 RR nestles the engine in a specially crafted tubular chassis. BMW claims attention has been paid to ensure “precise turn-in, agile handling, and high stability on both road and track”. It is paired with a double-sided swingarm and adjustable KYB suspension (since only the M Sport variant is sold here for now). The KYB setup comprises 43 mm gold-anodized USD forks (5.5 inches travel) and a directly mounted monoshock (5.5 inches travel), where the former has adjustable rebound and compression damping and the rear has preload and rebound damping adjustment.
Elsewhere, the 450 RR rides on 17-inch cast aluminum wheels. The front comes shod with a 110-section tire, while the rear has a 150-section unit. Each wheel also has a single disc brake: 310 mm at the front with a Brembo four-piston monoblock caliper and a 240 mm rear disc with a single-piston ByBre caliper.
4
Low Saddle Height And Comfortable Ergonomics
On the go, you’ll appreciate the easy-going ergonomics. Following the segment norm, the 450 RR focuses on walking the fine line between comfort and aggression. So the clip-ons aren’t too low, the pegs aren’t too high, and the saddle height is very accessible at just 31.1 inches. In addition, the curb weight is 392 pounds, which is in the ballpark of the Aprilia RS 457 and considerably lower than the Honda CBR500R. So you should be able to ride it daily and still hit the track on the weekend with ease.
3
Loaded To The Teeth With Modern-Day Technologies
As mentioned, BMW only has the F 450 RR M Sport variant on offer in the US. And that brings a big plus in the feature department. For starters, a six-axis IMU, ride-by-wire, and an onboard computer work in tandem to enable a handful of rider aids. This comprises traction control, cornering ABS, and a two-way quickshifter, in addition to BMW’s Riding Modes Pro. So you have Rain, Road, Race, and Race Pro modes, where the final one lets you fine-tune all parameters.
Then, there are the creature comforts. The 6.5-inch TFT instrument cluster is up and center, armed with phone connectivity for staying on top of notifications. This is topped with display modes, all-LED lights, a USB port, and adjustable levers. A rather surprising inclusion is heated grips. Overall, all that makes the F 450 RR one of the most impressive bikes in its class. But it’s now time for the two catches.
2
An Unorthodox Design
Alien-like designs are expected from BMW. The new R 1300 GS, F 900 GS, and R 1300 RT are all new-age examples of the same. However, its sports bikes have always favored edginess. That’s where the F 450 RR’s first catch comes in. While all of us expected it to be as sleek as the S 1000 RR, the design is very different. The fascia features vertically mounted rectangular LED lights, which are nothing like the S 1000 RR.
This is flanked by S 1000 RR-like wings, creating an odd mashup. The rear is also unlike the S 1000 RR and is more reminiscent of the Suzuki GSX-8R instead. So while this is a subjective take, we don’t think this sits right well with how enthusiasts expected the baby BMW sports bike to pan out. We do appreciate the properly sporty colorways, however.
1
A Near-$8,000 MSRP That’s Too Premium For The Segment
You might or might not agree without a design take, but you’ll certainly agree the F 450 RR is simply too pricey. With no base model on offer, the F 450 RR can only be had in the M Sport version that starts at a whopping $7,815. That is $1,000 more than its nearest rival–the Aprilia RS 457–while being around $2,500 pricier than bikes like the CFMoto 450SS and Kawasaki Ninja 500.
To make matters worse, you can get new middleweight bikes like the updated Kawasaki Ninja 650 and CFMoto 675SS for similar prices. So even if you do get one of the most premium packages on the 450 RR, it still doesn’t make too much financial sense for a beginner rider. Particularly, when you consider these bikes are meant to be sold off in a few years before moving onto a midweight.
Source: BMW Motorrad
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