BMW’s Baby GS Might Be The Sweet Spot Adventure Bike

We tried out BMW Motorrad’s next-generation baby GS and honestly, it would make a great beginner bike.

In Brief

Priced from RM39,900, the F 450 GS makes the GS lifestyle attainable for everyday riders balancing city commutes and weekend escapes.
The optional Easy Ride Clutch and Shift Assistant Pro reduce fatigue in traffic, making it practical for daily Malaysian riding conditions.

Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter, or Telegram and WhatsApp channels for the latest stories and updates.

For years, owning a BMW GS has been something many Malaysian riders aspired to. But while the iconic R 1300 GS is the dream machine for many, its premium price tag means it’s often a dream that stays parked in the showroom.

That’s where the new BMW F 450 GS changes the conversation.

Priced from RM39,900, the F 450 GS isn’t trying to replace its bigger sibling. Instead, it’s aimed at riders who have jobs to get to on Monday, errands to run during the week, and only have time for a quick escape on the weekends. It brings the GS badge to a much wider audience without demanding a luxury-bike budget.

Built for everyday life, not just epic expeditions

The F 450 GS will do it all, and at a less intimidating price tag. Image: Shahril | TRP

Let’s be honest. Most adventure bikes in Malaysia spend far more time on city streets and highways than they do crossing deserts or climbing mountain trails.

The F 450 GS seems to understand that reality.

Its 420cc parallel-twin engine produces a respectable 48hp, while the bike weighs just 178kg, making it considerably less intimidating than BMW’s larger adventure bikes. That lighter weight means it’s easier to manoeuvre through Kuala Lumpur traffic, squeeze into parking spots, or push around at the petrol station after filling up.

It’s the sort of motorcycle you could comfortably ride to work every day before pointing it towards Genting Highlands, Fraser’s Hill, Janda Baik or Kuala Kubu Bharu once the weekend arrives. For those who enjoy the occasional camping trip or exploring backroads, it has enough adventure DNA to venture onto gravel roads without feeling out of place.

Less stress in city traffic

We took one out for a test ride at BMW Millennium Welt in Seremban 2. Image: Shahril | TRP

One of the F 450 GS’ most interesting features is the optional Easy Ride Clutch.

In simple terms, it lets you move off from a standstill without having to manually operate the clutch lever. Imagine that. You can ride a BMW GS like a kapcai.

In bumper-to-bumper traffic, that means your left hand gets a well-deserved break, while slow-speed riding becomes less tiring and the chances of accidentally stalling the engine are reduced. The system still provides engine braking when you roll off the throttle, so it feels familiar to riders who are used to a conventional manual motorcycle.

Combined with Shift Assistant Pro, riders can also change gears without using the clutch in many situations, making everyday riding smoother and more relaxed.

Modern without being overwhelming

BMW has packed the F 450 GS with enough technology to make it feel premium without making it overly complicated.

It comes with a full-LED headlight inspired by the R 1300 GS, adjustable brake and clutch levers, riding modes for different conditions, traction control, ABS, a 6.5-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity, and a USB-C charging port for keeping your phone topped up during long rides.

The F 450 GS comes in four riding modes: Rain, Road, Enduro, and Eduro Pro. Image: Shahril | TRP

Meanwhile, its long-travel suspension and upright riding position promise the comfort adventure bikes are known for, whether you’re spending an hour commuting across the Klang Valley or taking the scenic route to the east coast.

The GS many riders have been waiting for

The BMW F 450 GS isn’t about crossing continents — although it’s certainly capable of longer journeys.

It’s about making the GS lifestyle more attainable.

For the office worker who has always admired BMW’s adventure bikes, the young rider upgrading from a smaller-capacity motorcycle, or the weekend explorer who wants one bike that can handle city commutes and Sunday escapes, the F 450 GS feels like the most practical entry into the GS family yet.

Not everyone needs 145hp or a motorcycle designed for riding around the world. Sometimes, all you need is a bike that’s just as happy filtering through Jalan Tun Razak on a Tuesday morning as it is chasing the sunrise in Bukit Tinggi on a Sunday.

And that might just be exactly what the BMW F 450 GS was built for.

Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, X, Instagram, or Threads.

Shahril Bahrom

Shahril Bahrom is a Malaysian digital journalist known for his work with The Rakyat Post and World Of Buzz, covering social issues, technology, pop culture, and viral online trends. His writing combines accessible storytelling with strong awareness of Malaysian internet culture, often focusing on topics that resonate across social media and public discourse. Known for a conversational yet informative style, he specialises in digital-first journalism, human-interest stories, and trend-driven reporting that bridges mainstream news with contemporary online conversations.