BMW Motorrad has completed its new 450 platform with the F 450 RR, a fully faired supersport motorcycle designed for the A2 licence class. UK prices begin at £6,730 for the Base version and rise to £7,250 for the M Sport ERC. Four specifications are available, giving the RR a wider spread of equipment than a single entry-level sports model. It joins the F 450 R naked bike and F 450 GS adventure bike as the third motorcycle using BMW’s liquid-cooled 420cc parallel-twin engine.

The engine has a 72mm bore, a 51.6mm stroke and a 135-degree crankpin offset. That arrangement produces uneven firing intervals and a distinctive exhaust note, while a counter-rotating balance shaft is used to smooth the engine. BMW positions the power unit as A2-compliant, and the RR receives different chassis geometry and riding ergonomics from its naked and adventure siblings to suit sports riding. BMW Motorrad CEO Markus Flasch describes the motorcycle as light, direct and precise, with enough agility for twisting roads as well as racetrack use.

Four specifications and UK pricing

The £6,730 Base model is finished in Cosmic Black. At £6,875, the Sport adds Shift Assistant Pro and Sport suspension, and is finished in Racing Red. The £6,995 M Sport retains those additions, brings Riding Modes Pro and uses the Snaefell White/M Motorsport colour scheme. The range-topping M Sport ERC costs £7,250 and includes BMW’s Easy Ride Clutch as standard.

The RR has a two-piece seat at 790mm, heated grips, LED lighting, a 6.5-inch TFT display, connectivity and a USB-C port as standard. BMW quotes fuel consumption of 3.8 litres per 100km. Combined with the 14-litre tank, that gives a calculated range of more than 217 miles. A tank bag and soft cases are available as accessories for owners who want to make the sports bike more practical for commuting or longer road use.

A sports chassis built around the twin

The F 450 RR uses a welded tubular-steel space frame with integrated forged components, and the engine forms part of the load-bearing structure. The wheelbase is 1,405mm, with a 23.4-degree steering-head angle and 110mm of trail. Those dimensions give the RR a more focused sports stance than the other motorcycles on the same platform. The bike runs on 17-inch cast-aluminium wheels, with 110/70 x 17 front and 150/60 x 17 rear tyres.

Suspension comes from a 43mm KYB upside-down fork and a directly mounted KYB rear shock. The aluminium double-sided swingarm carries the rear wheel, while both ends have 140mm of travel. Sport-suspension versions add front compression and rebound adjustment; the rear shock offers preload and rebound adjustment. The braking package consists of a single 310mm front disc with a Brembo four-piston monobloc caliper and a 240mm rear disc with a single-piston ByBre caliper. Lean-sensitive BMW Motorrad ABS Pro is standard.

Electronics and the Easy Ride Clutch

Electronic assistance begins with Rain, Road and Race riding modes, Dynamic Brake Control, Dynamic Traction Control and engine drag-torque control. Riding Modes Pro adds a configurable Race Pro mode and additional TFT screens for information including traction-control intervention, braking force, lean angle and lap timing. That equipment makes the more expensive versions relevant not only on the road but also for riders planning occasional circuit use.

The optional Easy Ride Clutch, or ERC, is a centrifugal clutch that engages automatically according to engine speed. When combined with Shift Assistant Pro, it allows the rider to pull away and change gear without operating the clutch lever. The lever remains available whenever manual control is preferred. BMW says the system keeps the clutch closed during overrun so that engine braking is retained, then opens it as idle speed is reached to reduce the risk of stalling. A reversible shift pattern is also available for track use.

BMW quotes a ready-to-ride weight of 177kg for the standard motorcycle, increasing to 178kg when the Easy Ride Clutch is fitted. That figure, the 790mm seat and the A2-legal engine give the F 450 RR accessible dimensions, while its adjustable suspension, braking hardware and configurable electronics give it more scope than a stripped-back beginner sports bike. The result is BMW’s smallest RR model, but one equipped to serve both as a road-going supersport and as an introduction to the company’s RR family.