Update: BMW Motorrad at the EICMA 2007. The new BMW G 450 X.

1. Concept, Requirements and Features. 2. Model Designation BMW G 450 X.
3. Development, Technology and Design. 4. Technical Data. Over the last
80 years BMW Motorrad has made off-road history time and time again. The
marque is now closely involved in off-road sports as never before and is
premièring an uncompromising, pedigree sport enduro in the
attractive displacement class of the 450 model series: The new BMW G 450
X - a motorcycle exclusively developed for the enduro sport and the most
demanding competitive races in the world. A machine that is ready to
compete the moment it arrives from the factory. The background to the
development of such a machine is the knowledge that competition-oriented
enduro motorcycles represent a parameter with growth potential in the
motorcycle market. Markets such as USA, Australia, and also Spain,
already register - nearly traditional - stable sales in the off-road
sector and BMW Motorrad wants to help shape and stimulate this and other
markets for the long term. Besides, smaller volume off-road motorcycles
open the gateway to both popular and professional motor sport as well as
offering enough potential to also help the young generation to
rediscover the fascination of motorcycles again. With the launch of the
G 450 X, BMW is also pointing the way for the upcoming generation and
towards sustainably securing the future of the motorcycle in general.
The engine with the latest fuel injection and computer-controlled
three-way catalytic converter is Euro III homologated and already meets
the vehicle emissions standards which are becoming ever more rigorous
today for sports events as well as for road vehicles. With these
measures BMW Motorrad is also taking a further step towards public
acceptance of enduro sports in future. The patented, unrivalled
technical features of the new BMW G 450 X make it a driving force and
contribute to the advancement of technological competition in this
segment. The introduction of the tough enduro BMW G 650 Xchallenge has
already pointed the way: with a frame and swing arm layout for improved
offroad traction, low weight, compact chassis, dynamic engine. BMW
Motorrad goes still further with the BMW G 450 X and is not content with
constructional features traditionally seen in the class. High-tech
solutions have been realised in both the engine and chassis in keeping
with the cross-country sporting tradition of the house and giving the
marque a fascinating exclusive off-road profile. The concept of the BMW
G 450 X is based on keeping the mass concentrated as near as possible to
the centre of gravity and realising a vehicle configuration that adapts
perfectly to the requirements of off-road sport. The central element of
this concept is the amalgamation of the bearing axle of the rear-wheel
swing arm with the axis of rotation for the driving pinion so there is
no change in length of the chain on compression and rebound, minimizing
the effects of the final drive on the vehicle's response. Further
consequences of this unequalled technical approach are a noticeably
longer swing arm for the same wheelbase as the competition and, with it,
maximum traction bringing concrete advantages in enduro sport with its
extreme demands on rider and machine. Fundamental to the overall plan
is the saving in length through the alliance of the swinging bearing and
pinion rotation axis. Not only does it enable a longer swing arm, but
the modern high-performance DOHC single-cylinder engine with an output
of 50 PS could also be positioned further to the rear. The cylinder was
more strongly tilted to the front, thus creating space for long,
straight intake tracts. In this way an ideal position was reached for
the fuel injection nozzle and dual throttle valve fuel injection system.
This also contributed to adapting the engine to meet the requirements of
the Euro III exhaust gas norm without loss of performance, which is
anything but standard in this motorcycle category. Further concept
advantages include optimum protection of the airbox and voluminous air
flow due to its placement above the motor in front of the seat. One
consequence of the resolutely implemented, centralised concentration of
masses close to the centre of gravity is the 8.5-litre tank under the
seat. The filler manifold is positioned below an opening in the rear
part of the seat. The reserve function is signaled by a warning lamp in
the cockpit. The starter is placed in front of the engine; the battery
is protected from dirt and easily accessible directly behind the control
head in the upper triangular frame. The air filter is a square, flat wet
element, fixed by a drawer mechanism that makes it very easy, safe,
clean and extremely fast to change. For this, the right cosmetic tank
cover (fixed with a quick-release fastener) is removed and the air
filter drawer is pulled out.The intake funnel is positioned at the
height of the control head whose high-lying position is advantageous in
water splashes or wherever there is heavy dust development. The seat of
the BMW G 450 X is made from a piece of special foam plastic. Foregoing
a cover and not having a substructure or sump as its base brings weight
advantages. Another distinctive construction feature is the relocation
of the clutch directly onto the crankshaft. A position that enabled an
ingenious frame construction: The frame tubes were placed straight ahead
of the swing arm pivot, bringing maximum stiffness at the same time as
minimum weight and lowest use of material. Further plus points of this
overall arrangement resulted for the cooler. This now had enough space
to be realised in one piece. This saved additional coolant hoses and and
with a low weight, important for an off-road motorcycle. The
development of the BMW G 450 X focusses on the ergonomic shape and
design of the active driving configuration. Starting from the steering
head to the rear section of the seat, the machine has an extremely
slender waistline exactly where the rider sits, offering maximum freedom
of movement. Especially in a standing position, the rider benefits
because the absence of the tank at this point provides unrestrained
clearance and the motorcycle can be kept appreciably slimmer. In this
configuration the G 450 X is the first BMW enduro to be uncompromisingly
developed for professional competitive racing. Like no other vehicle,
the advantages of the unique construction features are revealed to the
full in rugged off-road conditions; features such as the effective
concentration of the masses around the centre of gravity, the engine
effects eliminated by the unique swing arm mounting, the resulting low
wear of chain and pinion, the extreme handling reminiscent of a 250
series motocross motorcycle with prodigious tracking stability, the low
weight, the powerful engine and the high-technology spring elements that
offer the ambitious enduro sports rider a number of package and design
benefits in hard competition plus limitless riding pleasure. Measured by
the options it incorporates, the G 450 X is the most powerful off-road
BMW of all times for hard offroad riding. A dedicated team of specialist
engineers and mechanics, who have also taken part in intensive off-road
sport privately for many years, has developed this new model for BMW
Motorrad under the motto "from passionate professionals for
passionate professionals". The BMW G 450 X continues the off-road
expertise in the field of professional enduro sport already consistently
realised in the BMW G 650 Xchallenge. It weighs about 40 kilogrammes
less than the G 650 Xchallenge for roughly the same output and, from the
first draft to the last detail, is perfectly tailored to the
requirements of the ambitious and success-oriented enduro sports rider.
As a completely special and absolutely exceptional motorcycle, the BMW G
450 X is a genuine sports machine and it goes without saying that it
has all parts required for MOT approval as standard. This means that -
unlike other vehicles in this class - it's no problem to ride the BMW G
450 X to the track on its own two wheels.The innovative, patented
technology of the single-cylinder sports enduro concept was put to the
test in all relevant highly-competitive events throughout the 2007
season by experienced and successful racing professionals such as Sascha
Eckert, Simo Kirssi and Joël Smets who were able to harmonise and
further develop the concept. Today the motorcycle comes ready for
offroad racing and competitions at the highest level and with approval
for public road traffic without further modification straight from the
factory. Thanks to great traction at low revs, smooth engine output and
fast revving, superior riding qualities with extremely light handling,
best balance in slow "trial" sections and enormous stability
at higher speeds, as well as professional or well-versed enduro riders
even enduro sport novices have no problem in mastering this racing
motorcycle.To corroborate the extremely sporty enduro qualities, BMW
Motorrad has a works racing team that already took part in different
Enduro sports events with the G 450 X during the test phase and will
continue to race it in the Enduro world championship of the E2 class for
example, or the German cross country championship (GCC). The worldwide
market introduction of the BMW G 450 X is scheduled for the middle of 2008.