BMW 450 Prototype A Hit In Melbourne

BMW Motorrad caused a sensation at the Australian Motorcycle Expo in Melbourne this weekend, unveiling the prototype 450 cc Sports Enduro racer previously campaigned across Europe this season by Joel Smets

BMW Motorrad caused a sensation at the Australian Motorcycle Expo in Melbourne this weekend, unveiling the prototype 450 cc Sports Enduro racer previously campaigned across Europe this season by Joel Smets. The single-cylinder four-stroke 450 cc prototype secured its first competition win on Saturday in Europe, and won over the Melbourne show visitors on Sunday, having been slightly delayed in transit.

"We were excited by the huge response we had with the 450 Sports Enduro," said Miles Davis, marketing Manager, BMW Motorrad Australia New Zealand. "The 450 drew a huge crowd of intrigued and interested spectators. Many of them had read about the bike in magazines through the year and they were keen finally see the bike in the flesh. It is very compact, light and judging by its competition results recently, indecently quick and agile too," Miles said. "It certainly felt light when we were lifting it onto the stand."

The BMW Motorrad stand also featured the newly revealed for Australia G 650 Xmoto and G 650 Xcountry models, which also proved attention magnets, while the HP2 Megamoto was judged king of the stand by many visitors. BMW Motorrad also took the innovative decision to hard wire a K 1200 R fitted with the optional Electronic Suspension Adjustment, to be able to show off this unique and easy to use suspension feature.

"Again the response was overwhelming," Miles said. "It’s like having a dynamic demonstration while standing still. Everyone who sat on the bike and experienced the suspension adjustment feature was impressed. "We also had the heated handgrips powered up, which gave a few people a shock, though not literally…."
Further BMW Motorrad features on display, (though not demonstrated!) were Automatic Stability Control, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring system.

The BMW 450 Sports Enduro can be viewed at the MotoGP this weekend and then at the Sydney Motorcycle Show in early November at Homebush. Following that event, the bike takes a long run up for the jump across to Auckland for Big Boys Toys.