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.

 

[Musafir]

Love the look and is the right size for easy pickup. However, the price is making me pause. Definitely will consider once they appear on the used market.

 

[JerryG]

Love the look and is the right size for easy pickup. However, the price is making me pause. Definitely will consider once they appear on the used market.

I'm curious, regarding your pause, how much do you think the US price is going to be?

 

[Musafir]

Out of the door, I am guessing 10-11K. My budget is 5-7K. USD.

 

[JerryG]

Out of the door, I am guessing 10-11K. My budget is 5-7K. USD.

I think your guess is about right. If I was shopping for an adventure bike and had a 5-7K USD budget, I'd look for a used Rally Raided G310GS. My G310GS (pic below from Baja) won't be for sale for another year give or take. In four years and 40,259 mostly off-road miles, I've ridden 9 BDRs, 3 US corners (Florida bores me), the TAT coast to coast, the TAT MN Spur, the TAT WV Spur, Baja, Nova Scotia, and the Great Ohio Adventure Trail. I've only felt like I needed more or different twice: The first was on an western high-speed-limit interstate highway with a headwind; I was getting passed by semi-trucks every two minutes (I think the F450GS will solve this nicely). The second was when I was chasing six friends on their 250 lbs dirt bikes on the WV Hatfield-McCoy Trail System; despite the 400 lbs weight of my G310GS, I rode everything they rode, but their lightness made it so much easier than it was for me (I bought a 250 lbs KTM 500 to solve this).

 

[Musafir]

I think your guess is about right. If I was shopping for an adventure bike and had a 5-7K USD budget, I'd look for a used Rally Raided G310GS. My G310GS (pic below from Baja) won't be for sale for another year give or take. In four years and 40,259 mostly off-road miles, I've ridden 9 BDRs, 3 US corners (Florida bores me), the TAT coast to coast, the TAT MN Spur, the TAT WV Spur, Baja, Nova Scotia, and the Great Ohio Adventure Trail. I've only felt like I needed more or different twice: The first was on an western high-speed-limit interstate highway with a headwind; I was getting passed by semi-trucks every two minutes (I think the F450GS will solve this nicely). The second was when I was chasing six friends on their 250 lbs dirt bikes on the WV Hatfield-McCoy Trail System; despite the 400 lbs weight of my G310GS, I rode everything they rode, but their lightness made it so much easier than it was for me (I bought a 250 lbs KTM 500 to solve this).

View attachment 111578

@JerryG As I prepare for the TX BDR, what is the body gear you are wearing? I have done light gravel before and the BDR will be a first for me, so I am looking to gear up. TIA.

 

[JerryG]

HCBDR or BBBDR? I ask because I'll be riding the BBBDR about a month from now. What to wear is a highly personal as to comfort and risk tolerance; I've bought, tried, and returned (still in perfect new condition), on the order of $25,000 worth of gear. Below is what I kept; I select among them based on likely weather and off-road difficulty:

Base (three sets in rotation; wash in hotel sink)
• Tommy John Second Skin Boxer Brief 8" (M)
• Darn Tough Hiker Boot Midweight Hiking Sock (L)
• Mosko Moto Graph Ultralight Base Layer (T-Shirt) (L)
Weather Protection Options
• Hot Chilly's Thermal Shirt (L) for Moderate Cold
• Hot Chilly's Thermal Leggings (L) for Moderate Cold
• Under Armor Coldgear Mock Top Infrared Evo Men's (L) for Extreme Cold
• Under Armor Coldgear Leggings Infrared Evo Men's (L) for Extreme Cold
• Warm and Safe Heated Layer Shirt (L)
• Mosko Moto Ecotherm (heated puffer jacket) (m)
• Aerostich TLTec Wind Blocker Fleece Sweater (L)
• Aerostich TLTec Wind Blocker Fleece Jacket (L)
• Aerostich TLTec Wind Blocker Fleece Pants (L)
• Marmot Precip Full-Zip Rain Pants (easy don/doff)
• Marmot Precip Rain Jacket
○ Aerostich Short Triple Digit Rain Gloves in pocket (easy to get under jacket cuffs)
○ Yellow Reflective Safety Vest in other pocket for visibility and to stop jacket flapping
• Neck gaiter, thin material
• Neck gaiter, fleece material
Crash Protection:
• Klim Tactical (Impact) Pants
• Asterisk Carbon Cell 1 Armored Knee Braces
• Mosko Moto Kiger Mesh Pants (34)
• Mosko Moto Woodsman Enduro Pants (34)
• Leatt Airflex CE1 Chest/Back (XL)
• Mosko Moto CE2 Elbow Protectors (M)
• Forcefield EX-K CE2 Chest/Back/Shoulder/Elbow (XL)
• Mosko Moto Surveyor Jacket (XL)
• Schuberth E2 (M; 57)
• Gloves, Lee Parks wrist length
• Gloves, Lee Parks gauntlets
• Gloves, Lee Parks PCi insulated gauntlets
• Gloves, heated gauntlets
• Boots, Rev'it GTX Expedition (knee high on braces)

 

[ackme]

Looks like the Press intro ride was held. This guy has three YouTube videos for different web sites up today. He likes it.

 

[oldcamper]

Looks like the Press intro ride was held. This guy has three YouTube videos for different web sites up today. He likes it.

I’ve always been a bit skeptical of BMW press intro reviews.

I’ve read the journalists are treated quite well on them, sort of like winning an all expenses paid vacation, but you’re not going to be invited back if you don’t write a glowing review suitable for corporate press release reprint. BMW is probably not alone in that regard, but it does taint reporting credibility.

Personally, I’m going to wait until I can ride one at the dealer, and expect it will be very much like a 70’s 400cc class bike with the addition of FI and ABS. And made in India, of course.