Lightweight adventure motorcycles are getting serious, and EICMA showcased two potent machines — the KTM 390 Adventure R and the BMW F 450 GS. While the former is coming to India soon and unofficial bookings have commenced, the latter will go into production soon, and BMW has confirmed that this will be a serious motorcycle capable of any terrain.
Now, for those looking at buying an adventure motorcycle, which of the two should you choose? To help you better, here’s a specifications comparison between the new KTM 390 Adventure R and the BMW F 450 GS.
New KTM 390 Adventure R vs BMW F 450 GS comparison
The KTM 390 Adventure R is built around a new chassis that is not shared with any other motorcycle. The motorcycle has seen a radical update in design and now gets 230mm suspension travel while wire-spoke wheels compliment the off-road capabilities. The seat is a single-piece unit and the suspension is adjustable.
With a saddle height of 885mm, the motorcycle means business. The KTM 390 Adventure R gets several electronic aids such as cornering ABS, traction control, ride modes, and more, while a TFT dash takes care of the instrumentation. The motorcycle also gets phone connectivity via Bluetooth.
| Specifications | 390 Adveture R | F 450 GS |
| Suspension (F) | Adjustable USD | Adjustable USD |
| Suspension (R) | Monoshock | Monoshock |
| Brakes (F) | 320 mm Disc | Disc |
| Brakes (R) | 240 mm Disc | Disc |
| Seat Height | 885 mm | NA |
| Wheel (F) | 21-inch | 21-inch |
| Wheel (R) | 18-inch | 18-inch |
| Dash | TFT | TFT |
| Fuel Capacity | 15-litres | NA |
| Weight | NA | 175 kg |
| ABS | Dual-Channel, Cornering | Dual-Channel, Cornering |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
The BMW F 450 GS is a new motorcycle built ground up. It features a new trellis frame and is more of a scaled-down version of the R 1300 GS. Still in its concept form, BMW’s goal was to build a lightweight adventure motorcycle with serious capabilities and the result is the F 450 GS. The motorcycle will go into production next year and the launch is expected in 2025.
The F 450 GS gets adjustable USD forks, a monoshock at the rear, wire-spoke wheels, disc brakes at both ends, a flat seat, and a typical GS beak. The baby GS will also get a host of electronic aids similar to the KTM 390 Adventure while getting a TFT instrument console with phone connectivity and navigation.
New KTM 390 Adventure R vs BMW F 450 GS engine specifications
The two motorcycles feature different engine configurations — the KTM 390 Adventure R is powered by a liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine while the F 450 GS is powered by a new liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine. Both engines are mated to a 6-speed gearbox. On paper, the F 450 GS seems to make more power, however, the overall weight of the motorcycle matters and the GS’ final weight in production form is yet to be known. That said, the KTM 390’s engine is a potent unit that powers the current-generation 390 Duke.
| Engine specifications | 390 Adventure R | F 450 GS |
| Displacement | 399 cc, single | 450 cc, twin |
| Power | 45.3 bhp | 48 bhp |
| Torque | 39 Nm | NA |
| Gearbox | 6-Speed | 6-Speed |
