Opinion: BMW F450 GS And TVS - Why The Twin Is For The Win

The 2024 EICMA motorcycle show was an action-packed outing especially for the Indian bikers. It was the most India-centric show given the amount of bikes which were showcased keeping our market in focus. Among the many motorcycles showcased, one concept bike grabbed the most attention and it has to be the BMW F 450 GS concept. The new ADV motorcycle has been positioned as an upgrade to existing G 310 GS owners and will sit below the F 800 GS. Here’s why we think the BMW F 450 GS will play a crucial role in the future direction and sales performance of BMW Motorrad. 

The Next Step

The BMW-TVS partnership has been a successful one for both the brands since the BMW G 310 R broke cover at the 2015 EICMA motorcycle show. The first bike from this partnership was designed and developed by BMW Motorrad but manufactured by TVS at its plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. While the G 310 series has been a successful product for BMW and is the most popular motorcycle brand in the Indian market, it has started to show its age. In the same timeline, the KTM 390 Duke has reached its 3rd generation. As you can see, BMW has clearly been left behind by the competition and that’s why the F 450 GS represents a great opportunity for the German brand to strike back.

First thing about the bike is the styling, which is based on the flagship BMW G 1300 GS. This direction shows that BMW wants to offer the premium experience even in the entry-level segment. The German bikemaker claimed that the new 450 cc, liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder engine is rated at 48 bhp, which promises good performance. The jump from a single-cylinder to a twin-cylinder engine is a great move by BMW Motorrad as it not only makes the bike more aspirational, it also offers a performance incentive for existing BMW G 310 GS owners to upgrade. 

The TVS Impact 

One of the key reasons for the success of the BMW G 310 series has to do with the involvement of TVS in the production of the bike. By manufacturing the entry-level BMW bikes in India, the company was able to price the bikes competitively. Yes, the launch pricing of the BMW G 310s was very high, but a price correction followed and that helped improve sales in our country. Global sales have also been very good for BMW and the G 310 series made the brand more accessible to younger riders, who will drive the future sales of the company. 

The BMW F 450 GS will also require the same partnership with TVS for it to have a significant impact in the Indian market and also globally. While both the brands haven’t given an official confirmation, we really hope the future BMW 450 cc bikes are manufactured in India as the pricing will be competitive, especially for Indian bikers to own a twin-cylinder BMW. The competitive price will also help BMW Motorrad push sales in international markets too as the action in the sub-500 cc segment is heating up. 

The above is also important for TVS as it will get access to mid-capacity twin-cylinder engines. We have already seen the impact of the G 310 bikes in the form of the TVS Apache RR 310 and the RTR 310. The BMW F 450 GS might also lead to TVS Apache 450 RR and TVS Apache RTR 450 in the future. If TVS is able to capitalise on this deal, it could become the second Indian manufacturer after Royal Enfield to manufacture twin-cylinder engines. Also, the learnings will be beneficial in the engineering of future TVS motorcycles. 

Whether TVS and BMW Motorrad continue their partnership with the F 450 GS platform or not remains to be seen. What we know for sure is that if they do, then the twin is definitely a win for both the manufacturers.