BMW Motorrad has recently launched the F 450 GS in India, with prices starting from Rs 4.70 lakh (ex-showroom). It’s a mid-capacity adventure tourer, a segment currently dominated by the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. While this Bavarian tourer is a more premium alternative to the Himalayan 450, offering a parallel-twin engine and a wide range of electronic aids, the Himalayan 450 continues to hold its position thanks to its value-for-money proposition and robust off-road capabilities. So, here we have put these motorcycles against each other to see how they stack up: –
BMW F 450 GS vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – Price
| Model | BMW F 450 GS | Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 |
| Price Range (ex-showroom) | Rs 4.70 – 5.30 lakh | Rs 3.05 – 3.37 lakh |
Depending on the variant and colour options, the price difference between the F 450 GS and Himalayan 450 ranges from Rs 1.65 lakh to Rs 1.93 lakh (ex-showroom), reflecting the BMW’s clear premium positioning over the more value-driven Himalayan 450.
BMW F 450 GS vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – Dimensions
| Parameters | BMW F 450 GS | Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 |
| Length | 2159mm | 2245mm |
| Wheelbase | 1465mm | 1510mm |
| Seat Height | 845mm | 825mm (STANDARD SEAT ADJUSTABLE TO 845mm) 805mm (LOW SEAT ADJUSTABLE TO 825mm) 860mm (Rally Seat Mana Black) |
| Ground Clearance | – | 230mm |
| Kerb Weight | 178kg | 196kg (with 90% fuel & oil) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14 litres (reserve ≈ 2.5 litres) | 17 litres |
- The BMW F 450 GS is roughly 18kg lighter than the Himalayan 450. This, with its smaller wheelbase and length, should make the bike more agile and easier to manoeuvre.
- The Himalayan 450, with its longer length and wheelbase, should offer better straight-line stability and a more planted feel at higher speeds.
- Additionally, the Himalayan’s lower seat option and adjustability make it more accommodating for a larger section of the audience.
- The Himalayan also gets a 3-litre larger fuel tank than the BMW F 450 GS, which should translate into a better touring range.
BMW F 450 GS vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – Frame & Underpinnings
| Parameters | BMW F 450 GS | Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 |
| Frame | Steel tube frame with load-bearing engine, steel tube sub-frame | Steel, twin spar tubular frame |
| Suspension Setup (F/R) | 43mm USD / Monoshock | 43mm USD / Monoshock |
| Wheel Travel | 180mm | 200mm |
| Tyres (F/R) | 100/90-19 / 130/80-17 | 90/90-21 / 140/80-R17 |
| Braking Setup (F/R) | 310mm disc / 240mm disc | 320mm disc / 270mm disc |
- The F 450 GS uses the engine as a structural member, which helps reduce the overall weight to improve handling and efficiency. In contrast, the Himalayan 450 is built with a steel twin-spar tubular frame, which is typically heavier and adds to the overall stability and ruggedness to tackle rough terrains and long-distance touring.
- Both motorcycles have the same type of suspension setup. While the monoshock units in both bikes are preload adjustable, the BMW also offers USD adjustability in its top-spec GS Trophy variant. Nevertheless, the Himalayan offers more wheel travel than the F 450 GS, which means it can soak up bad roads better. Their wheel sizes also set them apart.
- The RE motorcycle also gets a bigger disc size at both ends.
BMW F 450 GS vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – Powertrain
| Parameters | BMW F 450 GS | Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 |
| Engine | 420cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin | 452cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC |
| No of Cylinders | 2 | 1 |
| Max Power | 48hp at 8,750rpm | 40hp at 8,000rpm |
| Peak Torque | 43Nm at 6,750rpm | 40Nm at 5,500rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed with slipper clutch | 6-speed with slipper clutch |
- Despite its smaller displacement, the BMW F 450 GS stands out with its twin-cylinder configuration, which should result in smoother power delivery with lower vibration and harshness levels.
- It also produces more power & torque than the RE bike.
BMW F 450 GS vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – Key Features
| Common Features | Additional Features in BMW F 450 GS | Additional Features in Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 |
| – All-LED lighting system – Digital TFT console – Bluetooth Connectivity – Navigation – Switchable dual-channel ABS – Ride modes – Slipper clutch – USB Type-C charging point | – Compression and rebound adjustability for USD (limited to top-spec variant) – Bi-directional quickshifter and Easy Ride Pro technology (for clutchless gearshifting) – Bigger display (6.5-inch against the Himalayan’s 4-inch unit) – Heated grips – Adjustable levers | – Full map navigation (powered by Google Maps) – Spoked wheels with tubeless tyres |
Author’s Take
On paper, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 appears as a great value-for-money offering for those looking for a capable highway tourer with good off-road capabilities. But if you want something more premium with stronger performance figures, lower weight and a well-rounded feature set, the BMW F 450 GS is the better choice.
