No gear lock is going to catch a lot of people out.
F450GS-Wankpanzerlicht !
- Thread starter Arsey
- Start date
A Bike Thing will soon have one in stock . They seem to cater for most of BMWs failures
Or perhaps just carry a pound of butter and use it as a chock
MaybeweeGS
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no cruise conyrol.
no keyless ignition.
no keyless ignition.
I think the weight, although nowhere near enduro bikes, will appeal to punters looking for a manageable adventure style that allows them to tackle a green lane whilst still having a reasonable shot at daily life on tarmac.
Although the reviewers all point out it being tailored to fit just inside the A2 licence parameters I reckon it will pick up quite a few older riders, especially those already in the BMW camp for life.
Although the reviewers all point out it being tailored to fit just inside the A2 licence parameters I reckon it will pick up quite a few older riders, especially those already in the BMW camp for life.
Sad but not horrible for this size bike.
Yeah! Makes up for no cruise.
I can also see a few drops as a result of blipping the throttle and causing the bike to lurch forward from a stationary position if utilising the easy ride clutch system to leave it in gear.
A few of the vids show this happening and I’ve nearly done exactly that on a twist and go scooter when your brain gets distracted and forgets what type of bike you’re on waiting at traffic lights.
But wheels………think of the tubeless wheels
I think it will sell ok, for people who want the smoothness of a small capacity twin as opposed to a single
GS2022
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That’s a plus for me
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WHEEL SIZES
I'm confused a little at the number of comments I've seen elsewhere on the Internet about the lack of 21-18 front/rear wheels for the 450GS. This is despite the fact that the only bike BMW has EVER sold with a 21-18 combo was the enduro-focused G450X. Why should the 450GS be any different?
BMW's deliberate positioning of the GS is that it's designed for a road/gravel road combination. Hence GS bikes were 19-17 combo—the 1200GS, 1250GS, 1300GS and the Adventure variants; and then the 650GS twin, 700GS, 750GS. The only GS exceptions have been the 800-850-900GS models and the F650GS Dakar and G650GS Sertão which have all had 21-in front and 17-in rear. The only Boxer to have a 21-in front was the HP2 and that also had a 17-in rear.
My last three bikes have been 21-18 so it's not as if I don't appreciate this more off-asphalt combo, and I can live with the requirement to more deliberately use counter steering on the road. But I just don't see why people are surprised that the F450GS is 19-17. Any thoughts?
CAST vs CROSS-SPOKE
In the last week or so I've been watching people digitally flouncing out of Internet fora when they realise they can't currently spec a 450 with cross-spoke wheels. "No cross-spokes, I'm out of here," is the typical statement. Yes spokes look cool, but many posers will couple these with distinctly road-biased tyres because that's where they spend 98% of their time. BMW always specifies cast wheels as standard on base GS models—310GS, 750GS, 1300GS, and then spokes only on Adventure models and the 900GS.
Even if spokes become an option by the time my bike arrives, I will probably stick with cast wheels (per 2012 pic below). And the more punters who cancel through lack of spokes, the quicker my bike will arrive.
TUBELESS
I'm delighted the 450GS uses tubeless tyres, in fact if it didn't I wouldn't have ordered it. I suffered in the past trying to change an inner tube in 40+C temperatures with a sun that heated the tools up so hot I can't hold them. My 2013 KTM 690 that I keep in Spain for Spanish/Moroccan jaunts runs on an expensive option of mousses and Michelin Desert tyres, so tubeless is a must for me on any new bike.
I'm confused a little at the number of comments I've seen elsewhere on the Internet about the lack of 21-18 front/rear wheels for the 450GS. This is despite the fact that the only bike BMW has EVER sold with a 21-18 combo was the enduro-focused G450X. Why should the 450GS be any different?
BMW's deliberate positioning of the GS is that it's designed for a road/gravel road combination. Hence GS bikes were 19-17 combo—the 1200GS, 1250GS, 1300GS and the Adventure variants; and then the 650GS twin, 700GS, 750GS. The only GS exceptions have been the 800-850-900GS models and the F650GS Dakar and G650GS Sertão which have all had 21-in front and 17-in rear. The only Boxer to have a 21-in front was the HP2 and that also had a 17-in rear.
My last three bikes have been 21-18 so it's not as if I don't appreciate this more off-asphalt combo, and I can live with the requirement to more deliberately use counter steering on the road. But I just don't see why people are surprised that the F450GS is 19-17. Any thoughts?
CAST vs CROSS-SPOKE
In the last week or so I've been watching people digitally flouncing out of Internet fora when they realise they can't currently spec a 450 with cross-spoke wheels. "No cross-spokes, I'm out of here," is the typical statement. Yes spokes look cool, but many posers will couple these with distinctly road-biased tyres because that's where they spend 98% of their time. BMW always specifies cast wheels as standard on base GS models—310GS, 750GS, 1300GS, and then spokes only on Adventure models and the 900GS.
Even if spokes become an option by the time my bike arrives, I will probably stick with cast wheels (per 2012 pic below). And the more punters who cancel through lack of spokes, the quicker my bike will arrive.
TUBELESS
I'm delighted the 450GS uses tubeless tyres, in fact if it didn't I wouldn't have ordered it. I suffered in the past trying to change an inner tube in 40+C temperatures with a sun that heated the tools up so hot I can't hold them. My 2013 KTM 690 that I keep in Spain for Spanish/Moroccan jaunts runs on an expensive option of mousses and Michelin Desert tyres, so tubeless is a must for me on any new bike.
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GSs began in 1980 as the R80 with 21"/18". 7-8 years later the R100GS was introduced with 21/17. It wasn't until the boated 1100 oilhead that they streeted the wheels to 19/17. In my mind the new, light weight 450 should carry 21/18 or 21/17 like the originals, not the same 19/17 as a big, road focused R1300GSA.
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If BMW did that, would you then buy a 450GS, equip it with kobblies and use it off-asphalt?
What you also need to bear in mind is that almost all of the reviews I've read/watched have enthused about the road handling with the 19-in front wheel. Take that away and a pile of the bike's appeal also disappears.
And yet probably the best reviewer and certainly the best rider of all the journos would take the Himmy over the new 450GS
No I don't think I'll buy one regardless. But if I were to, I believe I'd prefer tubeless 21/18 or 17 with 50/50 tyres on a bike like this which'd be ideal for the rutted dirt and gravel roads I often ride, yet still provide very good cornering on smooth pavement. And one could always put 90/10 tyres on if it'll mainly be on paved roads. It looks like a fun motorcycle regardless.
I'm not against 19/17 tyres and that's what's on my GS1300 and CB500X but the 450 GS should make a better rough road motorcycle and is shown with knobbies and promoted as a lightweight GS with top performance & serious off-road capabilities.
I'm not against 19/17 tyres and that's what's on my GS1300 and CB500X but the 450 GS should make a better rough road motorcycle and is shown with knobbies and promoted as a lightweight GS with top performance & serious off-road capabilities.
WHEEL SIZES
I'm confused a little at the number of comments I've seen elsewhere on the Internet about the lack of 21-18 front/rear wheels for the 450GS. This is despite the fact that the only bike BMW has EVER sold with a 21-18 combo was the enduro-focused G450X. Why should the 450GS be any different?
BMW's deliberate positioning of the GS is that it's designed for a road/gravel road combination. Hence GS bikes were 19-17 combo—the 1200GS, 1250GS, 1300GS and the Adventure variants; and then the 650GS twin, 700GS, 750GS. The only GS exceptions have been the 800-850-900GS models and the F650GS Dakar and G650GS Sertão which have all had 21-in front and 17-in rear. The only Boxer to have a 21-in front was the HP2 and that also had a 17-in rear.
My last three bikes have been 21-18 so it's not as if I don't appreciate this more off-asphalt combo, and I can live with the requirement to more deliberately use counter steering on the road. But I just don't see why people are surprised that the F450GS is 19-17. Any thoughts?
CAST vs CROSS-SPOKE
In the last week or so I've been watching people digitally flouncing out of Internet fora when they realise they can't currently spec a 450 with cross-spoke wheels. "No cross-spokes, I'm out of here," is the typical statement. Yes spokes look cool, but many posers will couple these with distinctly road-biased tyres because that's where they spend 98% of their time. BMW always specifies cast wheels as standard on base GS models—310GS, 750GS, 1300GS, and then spokes only on Adventure models and the 900GS.
Even if spokes become an option by the time my bike arrives, I will probably stick with cast wheels (per 2012 pic below). And the more punters who cancel through lack of spokes, the quicker my bike will arrive.
TUBELESS
I'm delighted the 450GS uses tubeless tyres, in fact if it didn't I wouldn't have ordered it. I suffered in the past trying to change an inner tube in 40+C temperatures with a sun that heated the tools up so hot I can't hold them. My 2013 KTM 690 that I keep in Spain for Spanish/Moroccan jaunts runs on an expensive option of mousses and Michelin Desert tyres, so tubeless is a must for me on any new bike.
If I’m honest I don’t think that ploughing the middle road as Chris opines in the video is as bad a thing as some might read into it.
And again if the majority of us are also honest we don’t tend to ride to the extremes that the more dedicated bikes heavily slanted to off road capabilities aim for. Most punters who do ride at that level opt for a stable with a bike road focused and a proper trail or enduro bike specifically catering for that side of their needs.
It’s been a while since BMW have peaked a bit of interest for one of their bikes for me but this one has actually got me thinking a little.
At the end of the day it’s an adventure bike, and we’ve all seen how far less capable bikes can take you round any number of challenging scenarios in world travel.
Theres a lot of itchy boots fans on here and look where her bikes have taken her, you don’t need to ride at a pace that Chris is capable of when he’s really pushing it and that’s reflected in why he may have a soft spot for the Himmie.
Just look at the different riding styles someone like Adam Reiman adopts between his across Australia rides and his blasting through the forests and mountains.
The crux for me personally is the price. I am one of those people who would base my decision on the price of the rally and the £7,600 didn’t seem to outrages for a BMW who let’s face it will always charge a premium as they see themselves as a cut above.
Some will think they are, others will differ. But I think the total price when you add in cross spokes and seat etc pushes it for me over the brink.
The only way I think I could square it in my head if I did get one would be to accept it specked with the alloys and then look at spoked wheels as an after market or even the OE cross spokes.
There’s nothing to be gained by opting for the spoked version from the show room as the final cost would be close to going the cast option initially and adding a post purchase set of wires but you wouldn’t have the benefit of having the cast wheels on the garage wall for when you wanted them or selling on the cast wheels etc to offset later upgrading?
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It’s arrived
Collect tomorrow
Collect tomorrow
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Don't ride it at night 
No backlit switches?Don't ride it at night
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