The F450GS wait is almost over:

[PGlaves]

I have a feeling that your excellent relationship with Engle Motors was a key element in the way this worked out.
OM

I would not disagree. I often preach about the value of developing a good mutual relationship with a dealership. It isn't always easy, especially with multi-brand mega-monster dealerships but it is certainly worth the effort in my opinion.

 

[pauls1150]

I like that the article in the December O.N. isn't just "ad copy" - especially the last statement...!

 

[JerryG]

A long winded way of saying you have experience with ONE TVS unit and he has has zero…. Not sure that tilts the scale indicating a high quality, well built bike.

(I havent owned a Yugo but pretty sure they fall short of say, Toyota quality.

Yes, but (there's always a but, eh?) the absence of information is information: My engine failure thread (link below) has been viewed over 32,000 times and the engine failure count is still just 12. That counts (pardon the pun).

G310 Engine Failures (12 Confirmed)

I started this thread to share engine failure and valve clearance information. This is an outgrowth of the discussion at Performance- High rev.s- To redline or not A few weeks ago, I was informed by one of the owners about three G310GS engines that failed catastrophically, two that "ate a...

www.g310rforum.com

 

[visian]

Sorry to interrupt the argument, but I have a sort of n00b question about this new bike.

What is behind those large silver wings on each side of the bike, alongside the fuel tank?

 

[ackme]

Sorry to interrupt the argument, but I have a sort of n00b question about this new bike.

What is behind those large silver wings on each side of the bike, alongside the fuel tank?

I think those are Tupperware pieces to funnel air to the radiator.

 

[JerryG]

The first screenshot below shows that all GSes have that style of radiator surround; it's part of the GS look. However, in the second screenshot below, you can see that BMW made the F450GS surrounds larger than the radiator. In the 3rd screenshot below, you can see the F900GS surrounds are the same size as the radiator. The larger F450GS surrounds could be to catch more air, simply a style choice, and/or driven by increased Euro emissions standards (catch more air = keep engine cooler = less emissions and better efficiency?).

During my four years and 39,459 mostly off-road miles on a G310GS, as my original Rallye panels got damaged and worn, I discovered that unlike most BMW motorcycles, the unpainted "blank" versions of the G310GS body panels are cheap ($30-$135 per piece). I believe this is because these parts are made by TVS in India. Over time, I ended up converting nearly my entire G310GS to blank panels (4th pic below).

When I get my F450GS, I may do the same with the vulnerable looking radiator surrounds and/or other vulnerable panels, but this time I'll do it before the panels get damaged or worn.









After I crashed hard on the slicker than ice algae overgrown cement slab...

 

[visian]

….you can see that BMW made the F450GS surrounds larger than the radiator.

View attachment 109445

Thanks, this is the first clear shot I have seen behind those panels. IMO, for a 450 this bike is too wide and it’s fuel tank is too high. Compared to some of the other 450 twins on the market (e.g. Kove, Honda) this thing sort of looks like the big German Fräulein. I honestly think this thing has more volume than a Honda TransAlp or Yamaha T7.

I know you like your 310, but I remember the first time I saw one I thought it was a 650 due to its size.

 

[JerryG]

Thanks, this is the first clear shot I have seen behind those panels. IMO, for a 450 this bike is too wide and it’s fuel tank is too high. Compared to some of the other 450 twins on the market (e.g. Kove, Honda) this thing sort of looks like the big German Fräulein. I honestly think this thing has more volume than a Honda TransAlp or Yamaha T7.

I know you like your 310, but I remember the first time I saw one I thought it was a 650 due to its size.

Could be, but I don't think so. The fact that the F450GS and G310GS are within 7 lbs of each other's weight (393 lbs vs 386 lbs) does not leave a lot of room for additional volume or mass. Other than the obviously wider radiator/surround, the F450GS appears to me to be about the same size as my G310GS.