It’s no secret that BMW Motorrad is playing catch-up in the small-capacity, expressway-legal segment. Saddled for years with the G310 GS—a competent but undersized “adventure bike” manufactured for BMW by TVS of India—it doesn’t meet the minimum 400cc displacement to be allowed on our expressways, while also failing to match the power of like-priced competitors like the KTM 390 Adventure, the CFMoto 450MT, or the Honda CB400X.

That may soon change with the coming of the F450 GS, an attractive dual sport/adventure bike that meets European A2 classification while easily passing the 400cc rule. BMW Motorrad doesn’t specifically say it is 450cc, but its nomenclature has always denoted the engine size approximate to its number names, so we’ll assume that it’s 450cc (or close to it).

Presented as a concept for now, the F450 GS will have a parallel twin with an “uneven offset” design (a 270° crank), 48hp, a fully adjustable inverted fork, and what looks to be a trellis-style frame. Details are sparse for now, but press photos reveal it to be shod with a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear tire combo, a beak inspired by the top-dog R1300 GS, a high seat, and similarly highly placed locations for the air box and the exhaust in order to breeze through river crossings.

“Through the targeted use of lightweight construction and other state-of-the-art solutions, we can create a sensationally light vehicle close to the minimum weight requirement in the A2 class of 175kg,” says BMW Concept F450 GS lead engineer Marc Weber.

The software includes several riding modes, lean angle-sensitive ABS Pro, and smartphone connectivity through a 6.5-inch TFT display. With production of the F450 GS scheduled for 2025, some final changes might be in order such as a lower seat height and a switch to cheaper cast-aluminum wheels.

“No compromises for sure,” remarks vehicle project manager Johann Simonn. “Following the very sporty off-road focus of the Concept F450 GS, we will implement the bike as close as possible to this concept.”

Following the strong sales of the CFMoto 450MT and the KTM 390 Adventure, an expressway-legal, entry-level adventure bike with the BMW emblem would be a big deal, indeed.