The Indian biking community has learnt to embrace adventure motorcycle genres and is welcoming ADVs in the below 500cc category with open arms

In the last 10 years, the Indian two-wheeler industry has witnessed a massive boom, with different categories of motorcycles hitting the streets. Be it the 300-400cc segment getting crowded or motorcycles above 500cc getting picked too often, motorcycling has finally become a way of life, a hobby—a far cry from the norms of old days when two-wheelers were only considered as a mode of transport.

And over the last five years, if there is one motorcycle category that has witnessed a growing fan following, it is the below-500cc ADV segment. India, being a single-garage country that remains price sensitive, can only afford one capable motorcycle, and what is better than ADVs in a nation that has no dearth of potholes?

Not to forget, India offers a great off-roading landscape, ranging from Leh & Ladakh in the north to the Seven Sisters in the east, the Tamhini Ghats in the west, and several small hill stations in the south. Therefore, if you are a motorcyclist, all you need is an ADV that offers enough space to carry two people and luggage and can take you through places with no roads at all.

This year, one ADV motorcycle has grabbed all the headlines and become the dinner-table conversation of every adventure motorcycle enthusiast who believes themselves to be the purist. That one motorcycle in question is the BMW F 450 GS.

Launch at EICMA

After years of endless spy shots and concept showcases, BMW finally pulled the curtain off the F 450 GS—an adventure motorcycle with a 420cc twin-cylinder engine that produces a peak 48hp at 8,750 rpm and a peak torque of 43Nm at 6,750 rpm. Given that small-cylinder parallel-twin motorcycles are rare in India, the 450 GS quickly grabbed everybody’s attention.

Loaded with premium hardware

As with most premium ADVs, the BMW F 450 GS is loaded with a KYB upside-down telescopic fork with a 43mm inner tube diameter. To keep the weight low, the motorcycle features a hollow-cast aluminium double-sided swing arm, lightweight cast aluminium wheels, and a tubular steel chassis. All of these parts help the motorcycle weigh merely 178 kilograms.

To give you an idea of the difference in weight, a Royal Enfield Meteor 350, a single-cylinder motorcycle, weighs 191 kilograms.

Tech ensures safety

In today’s world of motorcycles, technology plays a crucial role in churning out performance and keeping riders safe. Therefore, BMW has packed as much tech as possible into the machine, including ABS Pro, Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Dynamic Brake Light, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), and engine drag torque control (MSR). It also has the Shift Assistant Pro, which enables the motorcyclist to upshift or downshift without operating the clutch.

Hole in the pocket

(Credit- carandbike)

As of November, the motorcycle has entered production at TVS’ Hosur plant and is expected to hit showrooms by January 2026. Moving on to pricing, given that the motorcycle is a two-cylinder BMW, it is expected to carry a premium tag of INR 7 lakh, as it will be a direct competitor of the Honda NX500 in India. However, despite the premium price tag, this one motorcycle will solve every issue. Whether riding through the poor Indian city roads or cruising at over 120 kmph on the highway, it will get the job done.

As the year comes to an end, we hope the motorcycle reaches the showrooms soon because this is one motorcycle that ADV motorcyclists are patiently waiting to get their hands on.