Bye-Bye 310s: More BMW 450s Confirmed

Quick Read:

• BMW Motorrad has confirmed that the 310 series will be replaced by the new 420cc twin-cylinder platform developed with TVS

• The next bike to get the new engine after the F 450 GS will likely be a naked, expected to debut at EICMA 2026

• A BMW faired supersport could follow later, but TVS Apache 450RR is expected to arrive first

BMW Motorrad has formally announced the end of its long-running 310cc single-cylinder lineup, with the company preparing an all-new family of 420cc (BMW calls it the 450 platform) twin-cylinder motorcycles. The platform made its debut with the BMW F 450 GS, and going forward, several models will be built on this motor, co-developed in Germany and manufactured in partnership with TVS Motor Company.

Speaking to a media house, BMW Motorrad CEO, Markus Flasch, confirmed that the new 420cc twin-cylinder platform will replace the current entry-level 310 range. This is pretty evident as the 310 platform is on its way out with the only surviving (barely) member being the BMW G 310 RR supersport. More importantly, he mentioned that while specifics are not yet public, the 450 range will mirror the existing 310 family in terms of model options, strongly hinting at a naked and then a supersport.

Naked Expected Next — To Mimic The S 1000 R’s Design DNA

The second motorcycle to receive the new 420cc parallel-twin engine will likely be a streetfighter, a spiritual successor to the now-discontinued G 310 R. Much like how the BMW F 450 GS draws inspiration from the R 1300 GS, the upcoming naked is expected to adopt a styling language similar to the current-gen BMW S 1000 R with sharper lines and more aggressive proportions.

BMW could unveil the bike at EICMA 2026, and while it will sit below the F 450 GS in the lineup, don’t expect an affordable price tag. We estimate it to cost just above the Rs 4 lakh mark (ex-showroom). That would position it against the Aprilia Tuono 457 and the upcoming FB Mondial Piega 452 in India.

A Supersport Also Likely, But TVS Will Go First

BMW Motorrad currently sells the G 310 RR in India, which is heavily based on the TVS Apache RR 310. With the renewed demand for small-capacity supersports in the recent past, a BMW-branded 450RR could be on the cards.

However, if we have learnt something from the past, TVS’ own fully-faired 420cc iteration will launch first, with BMW preparing its version for European and select Asian markets later. If BMW proceeds, the faired 450 could rival the Aprilia RS 457, and Honda CBR500R internationally.

BMW also plans to expand its automated gearbox technology across the range. The F 450 GS already uses the ERC (Easy Ride Clutch) system, which is essentially a simpler, cost-effective version of the R 1300 GSA’s Automated Shift Assistant (ASA) tech. Flasch noted that riders appreciate ASA, so it would make a lot of sense for A2-class motorcycles, where riders are just getting the hang of handling fairly powerful motorcycles.

ZigSays

There has never been a better time to be a motorcycle enthusiast in India. With manufacturers continuously pushing boundaries and introducing more exciting, premium, and performance-oriented machines, the sub-500cc segment is evolving faster than ever before. BMW’s decision to retire the 310 lineup in favour of a far more sophisticated 450cc twin-cylinder platform clearly reflects this shift. 

Just like how Triumph has been doing it in the recent past, BMW Motorrad is also taking the middle-weight segment (sub-500cc) more seriously. While the 310s lacked outright firepower, the 450 platform promises to be much more balanced in all aspects — be it performance or accessibility or features.

Images used are for representative purposes only

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