What makes the G 450 X so unique? It's the way it's engineered. Quite simply, there is technology on this machine that is totally revolutionary. First off, the countershaft sprocket and swingarm are on the same pivot, which keeps chain tension uniform at all times for better power delivery. The clutch is smaller and mounted directly on the crankshaft which means less heat and stress on the plate. A feisty, fuel injected, easy-starting engine that's mounted forward in a stainless steel, cradle-less frame puts serious, power to the ground, while an extra-long swingarm creates unstoppable traction. Add a gas tank under the seat for a lower center of gravity, no linkage Ohlin's shock, and a forward-mounted airbox, and this is a 450 cc thumper that stands alone as the most original machine to hit the dirt in years.
BMW G450X
The BMW G450X Sport Enduro is a unique motorcycle that completely redefines enduro riding. That’s because it’s been designed from the ground up to deliver the sort of off-road traction dreams are made of, with a single-cylinder engine and a revolutionary swing-arm design. The result is a motorcycle that is quite simply unstoppable.
BMW Motorrad has set yet another milestone in the company's 80-year offroad tradition. It is the first uncompromising, pure-blooded sports enduro to be produced in the popular 450cc class and to have been developed especially for enduro use, fit for taking part in the most demanding contests in the world.Hot on the heels of its international and nation competition success, the 2010 G 450 X will not only receive a new look but will also be fine-tuned to offer the trail rider and enduro racer an improved overall package.
Meanwhile BMW Motorrad can look back proudly at the numerous sporting successes it has achieved with the G 450 X. Preliminary highlight was the second place in the WEC, short hand for world enduro championship, for Juha Salminen in class E2 enabled by top-professional factory entries over the course of an entire season. As well as chalking up several sporting successes in the German Cross Country Championships, the Erzberg Rodeo, and most recently, the Red Bull Romaniacs. At this event in Rumania, Andreas Lettenbichler won through decisively with his G 450 X against an entire legion of worldwide motorcycling elite at a legendary City Prolog event. Four racing days in the Carpathians, with extremely steep uphill and downhill slopes, fast rally-style sections, and difficult and selective single trails through dark forests. To cap it all was a veritable daredevil ride on the roof of a five-storey building in the centre of the city of Sibiu.
And now, numerous technical optimisations have been planned for the BMW G 450 X in the model year 2010. For instance, a new dataset has been developed for the ECU (engine control unit) of the bike's digital engine management system. This results not only in an improvement in fuel consumption (4.3 l/100km versus 4.5 l/100km @ 90km/h) but also a reduction in engine break torque, improved start characteristics and more sensitive responses, particularly with load changes.
In addition to the usual standard features, an optional extra is available in the form of a slip-on racing silencer (without ABE and not homologated for on-road use), which serves to further enhance the technical concept of the G 450 X as a pure-blooded, uncompromising sports enduro. Its main benefit compared to the standard silencer is that it is around one kilogram lighter. The stainless steel manifold, designed as a combined reflective and absorptive silencer, fulfils FIM regulations, is easy to assemble, and reduces the G 450 X's dry weight in competition conditions to no more than 110 kilograms.
The chassis has also been slightly tweaked. The offset of the front axle to the middle of the fork rod has been reduced by 2.5 millimetres, resulting in more neutral handling with optimum directional stability. The new upside-down forks with updated internal settings that have a stronger damping progression for improved tracking and control in rough terrain. The linkage free rear shock has also received updated settings.
A new seat design; now filled with soft foam and also displays an enlarged radius in the upper thigh area, provides the rider additional comfort and control over the bike.
Furthermore, the new of the upside-down fork has been recalibrated with a stronger damping progression, resulting in more sensitive response characteristics and improvements in overcoming bumps, even in very tough off-road terrain.
The calibration of the rear strut has also been modified, with the result that its damping characteristic now also displays a more progressive line, favouring more sensitive response characteristics. Ergonomics have been improved with a new seat design; it is now filled with soft foam and also displays an enlarged radius in the upper thigh area. The new design features increased comfort and affords the rider increased control over his machine.
Engine
Type Water-cooled, single-cylinder tilted forward, 4-stroke, four Titanium valves, two overhead camshafts, dry sump lubrication
Bore x stroke 98 mm x 59 mm
Capacity 449 cc
Rated output Homologated for road use: 41 hp (30 kW) at 7,000 rpm;
open version (with standard silencer): 52 hp (38 kW)
at 9,000 rpm
Max. torque Homologated for road use: 31.7 ft-lb (43 Nm) at 6,500 rpm;
open version with standard silencer: 32.4 ft-lb
(44 Nm) at 7,800 rpm
Compression ratio 12.0 :1
Mixture control / engine management Electronic intake pipe injection / Keihin digital engine management with overrun fuel cut-off
Emission control Closed-loop 3-way catalytic converter
Performance / fuel consumption
Maximum speed approx. 90 mph (145 km/h)
Fuel type Unleaded Premium
Electrical system
Alternator three-phase alternator 280 W
Battery 12 Volts 7 Amps/hour, maintenance free
Power transmission
Clutch Multiple-disc clutch in oil bath, mechanically operated;
primary clutch (sits directly on the crankshaft)
Gearbox Constant mesh 5-speed gearbox integrated into crankcase
Drive O-ring chain
Chassis / brakes
Frame Bridge-type frame made of stainless steel tubing
Front wheel location / suspension UPSD fork 45 mm
Rear wheel location / suspension Direct Mounted Ohlins Shock
Suspension travel front / rear 11.8 inches / 12.6 inches
Wheelbase 58.0 inches (1475 mm)
Steering head angle 61.8°
Rim, front 1.60 x 21 wire spoke
Rim, rear 2.15 x 18 wire spoke
Tyres, front 90/90 x 21
Tyres, rear 140/80 x 18
Brake, front Brembo 2 piston floating caliper
Brake, rear Brembo single piston floating caliper
Dimensions / weights
Length 86.6 inches (2200 mm)
Width (incl. mirrors) 31.7 inches (806 mm)
Height (excl. mirrors) 58 inches (1475 mm)
Seat height, unladen weight 37.5 inches (955 mm)
Unladen weight, road ready, fully fuelled 1) 267 lbs. (121 kg) excluding accessories
Dry weight 2) 245 lbs. (111 kg) excluding accessories
Permitted total weight 617 lbs. (280 kg) GVWR
Payload (with standard equipment) 351 lbs. (159 kg)
Usable tank volume 1.8 US gallons (8 liters)
Reserve approx. 0.2 gallon (0.75 liter)
Technical data relate to the unladen weight (DIN)
