New BMW F 450 RR 2027: RR ambitions for under 8,000 euros

BMW is expanding its still young F 450 family. Following the F 450 GS and the new F 450 R, the BMW F 450 RR now arrives as a standalone supersports for the 48 hp class, said to have been developed for both the road and the race track. This means RR looks and the matching technology are now available to A2 licence holders too.

BMW makes no secret of where the F 450 RR draws its inspiration from. The design language clearly takes its cue from the current S 1000 RR. The nose-down, tail-up stance, RR flyline and winglets are meant to show at a glance where things are headed. Asymmetric fairing side panels, gills on the right-hand side and the so-called splitface are nevertheless intended to give the little RR an identity of its own. Add to that an LED headlight with a daytime running light signature inspired by the S 1000 RR.

BMW explicitly describes the F 450 RR as a standalone supersports within the F 450 model family. Nevertheless, it shares its technical foundations with the F 450 GS & F 450 R.

At its heart is the newly developed parallel twin engine that first appeared in the F 450 GS. For the BMW F 450 RR, the engine is said to have been specifically tuned for supersport use. From 420 cc of displacement it produces 35 kW or 48 hp at 8,750 rpm. Maximum torque is 43 Nm at 6,750 rpm. Interesting for everyday riding: 80 percent of the maximum available torque is said to be on tap from as low as 3,000 rpm.

A crankshaft with a 135-degree crankpin offset and a balancer shaft are intended to combine a characterful engine feel with low vibration levels. Magnesium covers on the clutch and gearbox help save weight. Exhaust gases flow through an underfloor stainless steel exhaust system with two catalytic converters. The engine meets Euro 5+. BMW quotes fuel consumption of 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres. Together with the 14-litre tank, that should be good for a range of more than 350 kilometres. The service interval is 10,000 kilometres.

Things get interesting with the optional Easy Ride Clutch, or ERC for short. The system takes over clutch engagement depending on engine speed. In combination with Shift Assistant Pro, this is said to allow riding and shifting without operating the clutch manually. The conventional clutch lever is retained nonetheless. Things get interesting with the optional Easy Ride Clutch, or ERC for short. The system takes over clutch engagement depending on engine speed. In combination with Shift Assistant Pro, this is said to allow riding and shifting without operating the clutch manually. The conventional clutch lever is retained nonetheless.

On the BMW F 450 RR M Sport, the ERC can be ordered ex works as part of the Innovation Package. For the other variants, BMW offers it as a retrofittable Original Accessory. Shifting is always handled via a six-speed gearbox. Final drive is by an X-ring chain running on the left. Shift Assistant Pro is standard on all variants except the base model, where it can be retrofitted.

When it comes to electronics, BMW also wants to convey the RR claim through more than just the fairing. The three riding modes Rain, Road and Race come as standard. On top of that there is ABS Pro, Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and MSR engine drag torque control. Riding Modes Pro expands the selection with the individually configurable Race Pro mode.

For the chassis, BMW draws on the basic concept developed for the F 450 GS, but retunes it for the RR. The trellis frame consists of welded steel tubes and forged parts, with the twin integrated as a stressed member. BMW speaks of a short wheelbase and compact packaging. Combined with a wet weight of 177 kilograms, this should result in light-footed and precise riding performance.

Up front there is a 43 mm KYB upside-down fork. With the optional or trim-dependent sport suspension, rebound and compression can be adjusted. At the rear, a hollow-cast aluminium double-sided swingarm with a directly linked KYB central shock is used. Preload and rebound are adjustable. The cast aluminium wheels measure the classic 17 inches. BMW fits tubeless tyres in 110/70-17 front and 150/60-17 rear.

At the front, a floating 310 mm single disc works with a Brembo four-piston monobloc fixed caliper. At the rear, a 240 mm disc with a floating ByBre single-piston caliper does the stopping. ABS Pro is standard and enables ABS-assisted braking at lean. In addition, Dynamic Brake Control is designed to prevent unintentional throttle input during difficult braking manoeuvres. A dynamic brake light is also meant to alert following traffic to hard braking.

Ergonomically, too, BMW gives the F 450 RR a clear direction. Clip-on handlebars mounted directly to the forged aluminium triple clamp and the corresponding ergonomic triangle result in a sporty, active seating position. According to BMW, the tank and bodywork were designed for a good knee angle. The standard seat height is 790 millimetres. Accessory seats allow adjustment: the high sport seat raises the position by 20 millimetres, the low version lowers it by 15 millimetres.

The gear lever, foot brake lever and side stand are made of forged aluminium. The pillion footpeg brackets are bolted to the rear subframe. Anyone wanting to take the BMW F 450 RR to the track can also reverse the shift pattern. This allows a switch to a race shift pattern without major modifications.

The cockpit features a 6.5-inch TFT display as standard. In addition to the Pure Ride Screen, the M Sport versions with Riding Modes Pro offer three additional Sport Screens. These display information on DTC, braking force and lean angle, among other things. A lap timer function is also included. Phone calls, music playback and navigation can be integrated via the connectivity functions.

LED technology is used not only for the main headlight, but also for the indicators and tail light. Heated grips and a USB-C socket in the cockpit are also standard.

BMW offers the F 450 RR in four configurations.

The BMW F 450 RR Base comes in Cosmic Black. Above it sits the BMW F 450 RR Sport in Racing Red, which additionally gets Shift Assistant Pro and sport suspension. Next comes the BMW F 450 RR M Sport in Snaefell White / M Motorsport. It features Riding Modes Pro, Shift Assistant Pro and sport suspension.

The most comprehensive variant is the BMW F 450 RR M Sport with Innovation Package. In addition to the M Sport features, it includes the Easy Ride Clutch. The M Sport versions also get a white frame and rim stickers in M Motorsport colours.