BMW's G450 X is an enduro bike designed to take on the most demanding racing in the world - a machine ready to compete the moment it leaves the factory.
Test units, BMW tells us, are already racing in the Enduro World championship and in the German Cross Country championship and competition-orientated enduro motorcycles represent growth potential.
Markets such as the USA, Australia and Spain already have stable sales in the off-road sector. BMW Motorrad wants to help shape and stimulate these (and other markets) long-term. This bike is one of the weapons of mass instruction.
Smaller off-road motorcycles open the way, the bikemaker says, to popular and professional motorsport as well helping the younger generation discover the fascination of motorcycles.
The engine of the G450 X has the latest fuel injection and a computer-controlled three-way catalytic converter and its technical features, BMW says, contribute to the advance of technological competition in its segment.
This bike has already pointed the way: with a frame and swing arm layout for improved off-road traction, light weight, a compact chassis and dynamic engine it goes even further and BMW is not content with existing construction features.
High-tech solutions have been realised in the engine and chassis, in keeping with BMW's cross-country sporting tradition. It is, BMW says, a machine that will give the marque a fascinating and exclusive off-road profile.
The bike keeps its mass as near as possible to the centre of gravity and the swing arm is longer than most so maintains chain tautness under all conditions.
The longer arm also allows the high-performance, DOHC, 38kW, single-cylinder engine be mounted further rearwards, the air box to be better protected and the 8.4-litre fuel tank to fit under the seat.
The air filter is a square, flat wet element in a drawer so it can be changed quickly. The intake funnel is at the top of the steering head - handy through a watersplash or in thick dust.
The bike is very slender from the steering head to the rear of the seat - no fuel tank to get in the way - and is the first BMW enduro to have been developed for professional racing by specialist engineers and mechanics who have raced for many years. Indeed, the motto for the bike is "from passionate professionals for passionate professionals".
Range of uses
The G450 X weighs about 40kg less than the G650 Xchallenge, but with roughly the same output, and is road-legal - ride from home and straight on to the track.
The range of possible uses of G models covers from light all-rounder, ideal for touring, through the agile supermoto and robust enduro right up to the genuine sports enduro.
While the models of the 650 series are based on a common technical basis, BMW says, the high-performance G450 X makes it the first machine of a motorcycle generation to prove uncompromisingly competitive.
The compact cylinder head of the short-stroke four-valve unit houses the technical elements of the K1200 S: the intake valves are operated by follower valves, and the outlet control by tappets - a space-saving configuration that allows high engine speeds.
The crankshaft and conrod have roller bearings and the weight-optimised, two-ring piston is forged. A balance shaft reduces the vibrations typical of a single-cylinder engine and the constant mesh five-speed gearbox - standard throughout the 450 series - was widely staggered for optimum connections while racing.
Optional sports silencers are offered as special equipment and it is possible to switch to the extreme race mapping stored in the engine control unit.
Öhlins struts
The chassis of the BMW G 450 X is a completely new development whose main geometry consideration was off-road racing the frame weighs only 8.6kg.
The 18" rear wheel is hitched to an Öhlins central suspension strut with 320mm of spring travel while the 21" front wheel has 45mm Marzocchi upside-down forks and 300mm of travel.
The brakes are double-piston, floating caliper Brembos with front and rear discs of 260mm and 220mm respectively.
The standard colour is "racing white" with blue accents.