The 2026 BMW F 450 GS has landed, as a clean-sheet rethink of what a small-capacity GS ought to be. However is it greater than only a rinse and repeat replace, and does it proper the wrongs of the bike it’s changing?
I don’t imply to be too arduous on the outgoing mannequin, however the outdated G310 GS felt prefer it wore the badge with out absolutely delivering on the temporary; BMW hopes this new parallel-twin machine lastly brings correct GS DNA to the A2 class, with the efficiency, tech and polish to again it up.
To search out out for certain, BMW took us to Sicily for a stable day within the saddle driving the Sport version on the highway, and the Trophy version off it. We coated nicely over 100 miles within the day, driving blended roads, sweeping fireplace trails and a few tighter, extra technical rocky sections. On the best way again to the lodge within the night, we ticked off about eight or ten miles of motorway driving to spherical out the launch.
Value, colors, gear and availability
2026 BMW F450 GS – BTS
BMW’s new child GS doesn’t arrive as a one-size-fits-all providing, and that’s most likely a sensible transfer. As an alternative, the F450 GS lands in three distinct flavours, every nudging the bike barely additional alongside the spectrum relying on how (and the place) you intend to trip it.
On the entry level you’ve bought the Black mannequin at £6,990, stepping as much as the Sport at £7,440, and topping out with the Trophy at £7,760 – the latter being the one which brings BMW’s new ERC (Straightforward Journey Clutch) system into play as OEM equipment. The ERC is actually BMW’s tackle a centrifugal, Rekluse-style setup, and it means you solely want to tug the clutch when you begin the engine.
Bikes are due into UK sellers from late April 2026, so not lengthy to attend if this one’s already in your radar.
What’s new
2026 BMW F450 GS – element
Beneath all of it sits a brand-new 420cc parallel twin, making 48hp and 43Nm at 6,750rpm – neatly lining it up for A2 licence holders. BMW says 80 per cent of that torque is obtainable from simply 3,000rpm, which provides you a good suggestion of the place this bike is aimed: usable, pleasant efficiency reasonably than something peaky or intimidating.
The engine itself weighs beneath 46kg and makes use of 135-degree crank pins, which fits some approach to explaining the character on the highway (extra on that in a bit).
2026 BMW F450 GS – element
Different headline figures embody a kerb weight of 178kg, 180mm of suspension journey, and a reasonably approachable 845mm seat peak, with a little bit of adjustment both means. Floor clearance is a wholesome 220mm, and wheel sizes are available at 19-inch entrance and 17-inch rear – a basic middleweight ADV setup. Whereas we’re as regards to wheels, the slinky cross-laced spoked wheels you possibly can see on the off-road part – they’re further. All bikes come as customary with the black forged wheels.
Suspension is dealt with by a 43mm KYB fork with compression and rebound adjustment on the Sport mannequin, whereas the rear will get preload and rebound adjustment.
Equipment and spec
2026 BMW F450 GS – static
Even in base trim, the F450 GS doesn’t really feel short-changed, gaining ABS Professional, traction management, driving modes, heated grips, adjustable levers, travel-dependent damping and a 6.5-inch TFT sprint. It’s all very recognisably BMW, simply scaled down right into a extra accessible bundle.
Step up by the vary, and issues get a bit extra centered. The Sport mannequin brings extra road-biased suspension, whereas the Trophy version provides Journey Mode Professional, unlocking off-road-specific ABS and traction management settings.
The Trophy additionally will get the headline characteristic: the Straightforward Journey Clutch. It’s a centrifugal system that appears and behaves very very like a Rekluse, permitting you to return to a cease with out pulling the lever, whereas nonetheless retaining engine braking – one thing that’s typically lacking on comparable setups. It’s paired with Shift Help Professional, so clutch use turns into nearly elective in a number of conditions.
Curiously, there aren’t actually any manufacturing unit choices past selecting your trim degree. Colors are tied to every variant – Base, Unique, Sport and GS Trophy – and if you wish to personalise additional, you’re heading into the choices checklist.
BMW F450 GS driving assessment
That is very a lot a two-part story, as a result of the F450 GS has clearly been designed to straddle either side of the journey bike temporary. So we’ll begin on the highway, earlier than heading off it.
BMW F450 GS – On-road
2026 BMW F450 GS – driving
Our time on the asphalt was spent aboard the Sport mannequin, which feels just like the candy spot for many riders. It will get the bespoke suspension settings, runs on Maxxis Max Professional ADV tyres, and sticks with a standard handbook clutch (although you possibly can spec the ERC system in order for you it).
First impressions? It’s a giant step on from the outdated G310 GS. Not only a small step both, this appears like a very totally different proposition.
The engine is the standout early on, because it’s noticeably punchier and way more refined than the single-cylinder unit it replaces. There’s a pleasant unfold of torque low down, and it pulls cleanly with out ever feeling abrupt or intimidating. It’s precisely what you need from an A2-friendly ADV bike.
2026 BMW F450 GS – driving
The gearbox is equally spectacular, with a brief throws and a constructive ‘snick’ when the subsequent cog is hooked. And there’s simply sufficient area to get a chunky ADV boot beneath the lever with none awkward foot gymnastics. The clutch is gentle, too, straightforward to handle in visitors or if you’re choosing your means by tighter sections.
Then there’s the quickshifter, which is genuinely one of many higher techniques on the market at this degree. The place some setups get clunky at low speeds or hesitant beneath load, this one simply will get on with it, working cleanly whether or not you’re pottering by city, cruising alongside, or giving it the beans.
Suspension-wise, the Sport mannequin strikes an honest steadiness. It provides good stability if you begin pushing on, however nonetheless permits sufficient motion to maintain issues snug. That stated, it’s not excellent. We hit a stretch of highway that resembled a washboard, and it did get a bit carrying after some time.
2026 BMW F450 GS – driving
Consolation elsewhere is stable. The usual seat is well-shaped and plush sufficient for longer stints, and the driving place is impartial and relaxed in that typical GS means. Vibration ranges are impressively low, too – there’s only a slight tingle by the bars at motorway speeds, however nothing too intrusive.
One weak level is the inventory display, which isn’t nice. For those who’re planning any critical distance work, the elective touring display appears like a must have. That one’s two-position adjustable, too, and due to its further peak and width, it ought to make a noticeable distinction.
On the electronics entrance, there’s loads to get caught into, although it’s barely odd that the Sport mannequin doesn’t get a devoted ‘Sport’ driving mode. As an alternative, you’ve bought Street and Rain, plus Enduro and Enduro Professional. Maybe a bit extra separation within the sub-models would assist pull in additional riders – I may simply be nitpicking.
In actuality, Street mode covers most conditions simply tremendous, and in case you’re within the temper for a little bit of mischief – suppose skids and wheelies – Enduro Professional is the place you’ll need to be.
Heated grips? Precisely what you’d count on from BMW – they simply work.
BMW F450 GS – Off-road
2026 BMW F450 GS – driving
If the on-road efficiency is spectacular, it’s off-road the place the F450 GS actually begins to make its case.
The overriding impression is simply how pleasant it’s. Whether or not you’re new to driving off-road otherwise you’ve bought an honest quantity of expertise beneath your belt, this can be a bike that meets you the place you might be. The dealing with is predictable and forgiving, with a properly balanced chassis that doesn’t punish errors.
The comparatively mushy suspension works in your favour over tough terrain, absorbing bumps and retaining issues composed. Push tougher, although, and you’ll finally discover its limits – significantly in case you begin getting bold with larger hits, the place it might probably backside out fairly firmly.
2026 BMW F450 GS – driving
The ERC system, which is customary match on the Trophy, bear in mind, is value a point out. On the plus aspect, it makes low-speed technical driving in some conditions simpler, taking a number of the workload out of clutch management and lowering the possibilities of stalling. On the flip aspect, it does change the texture of the bike in a means that not everybody will get on with, particularly in case you want a extra conventional, absolutely handbook setup.
You can also’t depart the bike in gear with the engine off to forestall it rolling away – as I came upon whereas parked on an incline, and it began to roll backwards as I got here off the brakes. And it additionally looks as if the system would forestall you from having the ability to bump begin it ought to the battery run flat.
Even so, the general expertise off-road is vastly constructive. The bike feels gentle, accessible and, above all, playful. It encourages you to have a little bit of amusing with it, and to attempt stuff you perhaps wouldn’t on a much bigger, heavier machine.
And that’s actually the purpose. It makes you need to trip like an fool, in the very best means.
BMW F450 GS verdict
2026 BMW F450 GS – static
The important thing factor to grasp with the F450 GS is the hole it now opens up above the outdated G310 GS.
In just about each measurable means, together with engine efficiency, dealing with, electronics, and even simply the best way it seems and feels, that is light-years forward. The place the G310 typically felt like a GS in identify solely, this genuinely delivers that scaled-down big-bike expertise. It behaves like a correct GS ought to, simply in a extra manageable, much less intimidating bundle.
As for downsides, there aren’t many. The largest gripe isn’t with the bike itself, however with how BMW has structured the vary. If you would like the GS Trophy version, you’re locked into having the ERC clutch. That lack of flexibility feels pointless, particularly when the Sport mannequin might be optioned with the identical system.
Past that, although, it’s arduous to search out fault.
BMW hasn’t simply changed the G310 GS right here – it’s successfully redefined what its entry-level journey bike seems like. And in doing so, it’s lastly given A2 riders a GS that really appears like the actual deal.
