BMW have revealed the F450RR, a fully-faired supersport bike for the A2 licence class that completes a trio of models built on the firm’s 420cc parallel-twin platform, joining the F450GS adventure bike and F450R naked bike . UK prices start from £6730 for the base spec, topping out at £7250 M-Sport ERC.
The F450RR uses the same liquid-cooled 420cc parallel-twin as its siblings, with a 72mm bore, 51.6mm stroke and an unusual 135-degree crankpin offset that gives the engine uneven firing intervals and a distinctive sound, smoothed out by a counter-rotating balance shaft.
Peak power is 46.9bhp at 8750rpm – the maximum permitted for A2 licence holders – with 31.7lb.ft of torque at 6750rpm, 80% of which BMW say is already available from 3000rpm. BMW claim a 74mpg economy figure from the 14-litre tank, plus a 0-62mph time of 5.6 seconds and a 110mph top speed.
The F450RR shares its welded tubular steel space frame with the F450GS and F450R, with the engine used as a stressed member. Geometry is sports-focused, with a 1405mm wheelbase, 23.4-degree steering-head angle and 110mm of trail.
A 43mm KYB upside-down fork (adjustable for rebound and compression damping on Sport-suspension variants) handles the front, while an aluminium double-sided swingarm and directly-mounted KYB shock (adjustable for preload and rebound) look after the rear, with 140mm of travel at both ends.
Braking comes from a single 310mm front disc gripped by a Brembo four-piston monobloc caliper, with a 240mm rear disc and ByBre single-piston caliper, plus lean-sensitive BMW Motorrad ABS Pro as standard.
Wheels are 17in cast aluminium items front and rear, wearing 110/70 x 17 and 150/60 x 17 tyres. Claimed weight is 177kg (178kg with the optional Easy Ride Clutch fitted) and seat height is a user-friendly 790mm.
Standard equipment includes Rain, Road and Race riding modes, Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and engine drag torque control (MSR). A Riding Modes Pro option adds a configurable ‘Race Pro’ mode plus extra TFT display screens covering DTC, braking force, lean angle and a lap timer.
As with the previously released R and GS versions, the optional Easy Ride Clutch (ERC) is a centrifugal clutch that engages automatically according to engine speed. Combined with the Shift Assistant Pro quickshifter, it allows riding and gear changes without touching the clutch lever, which remains available for manual use at any time.
BMW say the system keeps the clutch closed on the overrun to preserve engine braking, only opening automatically once idle speed is reached to prevent stalling. A reversible shift pattern is also offered for track use.
Other equipment includes a 6.5-inch TFT dash, LED lighting throughout, heated grips as standard, and a USB-C port.
The smaller supersport class is thriving at the moment, with new models joining the line-up all the time. The RR will do battle with the likes of the Aprilia RS457 , KTM RC390 , Yamaha R3 , and Honda CBR500R – not to mention the growing swell of Chinese models in the sector and the admittedly more powerful Kawasaki ZX-4RR . The BMW will have its work cut out!
Ben Clarke began riding (legally) at 21-years-old when he passed his direct access one month before shipping his Yamaha XT660 R to Miami and embarking on a 13,500-mile tour of the USA and Central America. He's worked at MCN for the last six years, riding everything from super nakeds and superbikes to small-capacity electrics and scoo…