BMW F 450 GS vs. Himalayan 450 and KTM 390 Adventure

I’ve been holding my breath for something like this for ages—an adventure bike from BMW that doesn’t force you to sell your kidney to afford it. The F 450 GS is here and it’s got that unmistakable GS spirit packed into a compact, TVS-built package for the Indian market, hitting shelves next year for about Rs 5 lakh.

Look & Design

BMW F 450 GS has a beautiful design and grabs everyone’s attention. You get adjustable suspension for your own needs and adjustment. With tire size of 19-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear making it much more stable to handle it.

The seat height is spot on at 845 mm, tall enough for adventure feels but not so high it leaves shorter riders cursing. Honestly, though, its wheel setup screams more “road warrior” than “dirt demon,” especially next to bikes with chunkier fronts like the Himalayan—great for highways, but maybe not your first pick for rocky paths.

BMW F 450 GS vs. Himalayan 450 and KTM 390 Adventure

Spec	BMW F 450 GS	Royal Enfield Himalayan 450	KTM 390 Adventure
Engine type	Two‑cylinder inline, liquid‑cooled; 135° crank offset ​	Single‑cylinder, liquid‑cooled, DOHC ​	Single‑cylinder, liquid‑cooled, DOHC ​
Displacement	420 cc ​	452 cc ​	398.63 cc ​
Max power	47.58 PS @ 8,750 rpm ​	40.02 PS @ 8,000 rpm ​	46 PS @ 8,500 rpm ​
Max torque	43 Nm @ 6,750 rpm ​	40 Nm @ 5,500 rpm ​	39 Nm @ 6,500 rpm ​
Gearbox	6‑speed; Shift Assistant Pro optional ​	6‑speed; slip & assist clutch ​	6‑speed; slipper clutch ​
Kerb/ready weight	178 kg ​	196 kg ​	182 kg ​
Seat height	845 mm (standard seat) ​	825 mm ​	830 mm ​
Fuel tank	14 L ​	17 L ​	14.5 L ​
Ground clearance	Not specified in press kit ​	230 mm ​	237 mm ​
Front/rear wheels	100/90‑19 (front), 130/80‑17 (rear) ​	90/90‑21 (front), 140/80‑17 (rear) ​	90/90‑21 (front), 130/80‑17 (rear) ​
Wheel type	Cast alloy, tubeless; cross‑spokes optional ​	Spoke wheels, tube‑type ​	Tubeless spoked wheels ​
Suspension travel (F/R)	Not stated in press kit ​	200 mm / 200 mm ​	200 mm / 205 mm ​
Brakes (F/R)	310 mm Brembo / 240 mm ByBre; ABS Pro ​	320 mm / 270 mm; dual‑channel ABS ​	320 mm / 240 mm; cornering ABS ​
Electronics/tech	6.5‑inch TFT, ABS Pro, DTC, MSR; Easy Ride Clutch available ​	TFT with Bluetooth, riding modes, switchable ABS ​	TFT, riding modes, traction control, quickshifter, cornering ABS
Price	Expected 4.99 lakh (estimated)	2.85 lakh – 2.98 lakh	3.39 lakh

Can’t ignore the competition, right? In this scrum, the F 450 GS brings twin-cylinder smoothness and the highest power-torque punch, making it a highway cruiser that handles fun like a champ—effortless overtakes, no drama. The KTM 390 Adventure? That’s your off-road king with 200 mm suspension travel and tubeless spoked wheels stock, shrugging off punctures like nothing; it’s versatile for city, slab, or trails, though single-cylinder vibes might buzz you on long hauls. Then there’s the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450—solid tourer with a huge 17-liter tank for those epic rides, but at 196 kg, it’s a beast to flick through Mumbai traffic, and its 200 mm travel is great, yet it feels dated next to the BMW’s poise.

The F 450 GS splits the difference nicely: 180 mm travel keeps it capable without excess, alloy wheels with tubeless tires mean fewer roadside headaches (though spoked tubeless is an option, it’ll cost you extra, same as RE).

Seat height matches the KTM for easy management, and overall, it’s the lightest and most approachable for us Indians juggling commutes and weekends away. If you’re after pure dirt capability or bang-for-buck, KTM or Himalayan might edge it, but the BMW’s balance? Spot on for most.