I don’t usually ride motorcycles. I’m too worried about making a wrong move and embarrassing myself in front of people who make it look effortless.
So when BMW Motorrad invited me to Goa to ride something they claimed was “made for people like me”, I wasn’t sure whether to feel reassured or mildly offended. But curiosity got the better of me.
The motorcycle in question is the F 450 GS, the newest addition to BMW’s storied GS lineup. This is the kind of badge that usually comes with images of seasoned riders crossing continents.
On paper, it sounds serious. A brand-new parallel-twin engine with a 135-degree crank. It gives the bike a distinctive character, a slightly off-beat, throaty note that feels more alive than the numbers suggest. And yes, it does sound rather nice when you wind it up, which I did… carefully.
But the real trick is the Easy Ride Clutch or ERC. Think of it as a halfway house between a manual and an automatic. Above a certain engine speed, you don’t really need to bother with the clutch. For someone like me, who is constantly second-guessing clutch release and throttle input, this felt like an essential safety net.
Riding experience
Out on the open roads of Goa, where the scenery opens up, the system works beautifully. You stop worrying about stalling, about getting your shifts perfectly timed, and just… ride. It’s the closest I’ve come to understanding why motorcycles are so romanticised.
In tighter spaces, though—those narrow Goan lanes with unpredictable traffic and even more unpredictable pedestrians—the illusion cracks a bit. The bike is still tall, still a little intimidating at low speeds, and no amount of clever engineering could fully disguise the fact that I wasn’t quite at home.
But give it space—open roads, broken trails, or the kind of terrain you’d associate with Ladakh—and the F 450 GS starts to make a lot more sense. With 48PS on tap, it’s not overwhelming, but it’s more than enough for climbs, loose surfaces, and the occasional enthusiastic burst of confidence.
And then there’s the price. Somewhere in the Rs 4.7 to 5.3 lakh window, which feels justifiable, especially if you’re in your 40s or 50s and going through a “phase”. BMW knows this buyer. The one who doesn’t want a full-blown, intimidating ADV machine, but also doesn’t want to settle for something basic.
A big reason they’ve managed this pricing is local production. The bike is built in partnership with TVS at their Hosur plant in Tamil Nadu. That said, there’s no escaping the fact that the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 sits significantly lower on the price ladder and will tempt plenty of buyers who are less concerned about the badge.
Among more experienced riders and reviewers, the F 450 GS comes across as a well-rounded, thoughtfully engineered machine. The chassis balance and suspension setup get consistent praise. There is a sense that BMW has managed to retain that trademark GS composure even at this smaller capacity.
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What reviewers say about F 450 GS
Several Indian reviewers point out that the bike feels noticeably more agile and responsive than the Himalayan 450, especially when ridden with intent. The engine, while not explosive, is described as lively and characterful. It encourages you to push a little harder once you gain confidence.
Where the criticism comes in is on features and practicality. Some reviewers have flagged the absence of elements such as hill hold assist and tyre pressure monitoring—features that are increasingly expected, especially on a motorcycle that positions itself as an adventure tool. There’s also a near-unanimous agreement that pillion comfort isn’t a strong suit; this is a bike clearly designed with the rider in mind.
What they do agree on, though, is intent. This is not a stripped-down GS for the sake of it. It’s what some would call a gateway drug. A motorcycle that lowers the barrier to enter the adventure riding world without diluting the experience too much.
And that, I suppose, is where it lands for someone like me. I’m not about to quit everything and ride to Spiti. But after riding the F 450 GS, I can see how someone might start thinking about it.
Kushan Mitra is an automotive journalist based in New Delhi. He tweets @kushanmitra. Views are personal.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)