Tag: adventure

The new BMW F 450 GS launched in India

Joydip SurLeave a comment

BMW Motorrad India launched the new BMW F 450 GS in India at an ex-showroom price of  INR      4,70,000. The highly anticipated motorcycle is available for booking throughout the BMW Motorrad India dealer network with deliveries starting from June 2026. The BMW F 450 GS has been developed in Germany by BMW Motorrad and will be locally produced in India.

A GS stands for “best buddy” on and off-road and the BMW F 450 GS truly embodies the essence of a GS – get on, twist the throttle, have fun – with full control and maximum confidence.

Mr. Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India said, “The new BMW F 450 GS is built for a new generation of adventure riders, as it embarks on a bold new chapter in the GS legacy. Keeping India’s diverse roads and riding conditions in mind, this premium offering combines iconic GS design, exemplary performance and advanced rider technologies to deliver confidence while riding across city streets, highways and open trails. Our aim is to inspire and engage even more riders to embrace the thrill of adventure and play an active role in India’s ever-evolving motorcycle culture. India is a strategic growth market for BMW Motorrad, and the F 450 GS is our commitment to accelerate this journey, building aspiration, expanding participation and enabling every rider to truly make the world their playground.”

Design of the new BMW 450 GS expresses a rugged yet refined adventure character, blending compact proportions with purposeful surfaces. The iconic ‘GS’ design philosophy carries itself to the newest member of the GS family. The first unmistakable GS design feature in the front look is the ‘X’ shaped full LED headlight. The characteristic flyline runs from the front ‘beak’ across to the tank and seat and continues to the slim rear. The familiar beak is a mix of black while the side panels are in body colour. The ‘tooth’ typical of a GS is finished in matte Dime Silver metallic.

The bike comes with a two-piece seat (845 mm) as standard. With its flat, straight design, it provides ideal ergonomic conditions for comfort and dynamics for most riders. The body and the 14-litre tank underneath are designed to provide optimal support and a good knee fit when sitting or riding off-road in a standing position.

The Base and Exclusive variants are available in Cosmic Black Colour scheme while the GS Trophy variant is presented in Racing Blue Metallic with accents in red and white. The tank center cover on the GS Trophy variant is in Snaefell white and on all other variants it’s matt black. The tank side panel is painted in the respective variant colour.

The BMW F 450 GS comes with lightweight yet robust cast aluminum wheels. The bike is fitted with tubeless tires for road and off-road use, sized 100/90-19 at the front and 130/80-17 at the rear. The front wheel features a floating single-disc brake with a Brembo 4-piston fixed caliper and a 310 mm brake disc diameter for efficient, stable deceleration. A single disc brake with 1-piston floating caliper and 240 mm diameter is used on the rear wheel.

The newly developed chassis of the BMW F 450 GS relies on a welded tubular steel frame with integrated forged parts. This design combines low weight with high robustness, thus meeting the demands of both dynamic road riding and demanding off-road passages. The front wheel is guided via upside-down telescopic forks, while the rear wheel is guided via an aluminum hollow cast double-armed swinging arm with a central spring strut featuring progressive damping. The stanchions are in gold finish, as is the tapered aluminum handlebar. The fork bridge is forged. The suspension strut spring features adjustable preload and rebound damping.

The new BMW F 450 GS is powered by a newly developed two-cylinder inline engine that boasts an outstanding powertrain for dynamic riding pleasure. Its liquid-cooled engine produces a maximum output of 48 hp at 8,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 43 Nm at 6,750 rpm. The lightweight, powerful, high-torque and smooth-running engine is installed transversely in the direction of travel. Unique to the motorcycle market, it features a crankshaft offset by 135 degrees which makes every ride extremely smooth, with hardly any vibrations while also providing a thrilling, offbeat exhaust note.

The newly designed six-speed transmission transmits torque to the drive via an X-ring chain. A clear highlight is the bike’s clutchless operation, thanks to Shift Assistant Pro. It performs smooth, almost imperceptible gear shifts. At any time, in any gear, the transmission collaborates perfectly with the engine.

Easy Ride Clutch (ERC), a segment-first highlight, is a further development of a centrifugal clutch which automates starting and stopping without any stalling. In combination with Shift Assistant Pro, the ERC is a complete game changer. ERC handles low-speed engagement, whereas Shift Assistant Pro handles upshifts and downshifts, together offering a fully automated-like experience.

To ensure pure motorcycling in every scenario, the BMW F 450 GS offers four riding modes: ‘Rain’, ‘Road’, ‘Enduro’ and ‘Enduro Pro’. The ‘Enduro Pro’ mode is specially designed for off-road use with rough terrain tires. Wheelie control and rear wheel ABS are deactivated in this mode while DTC and throttle response can be customized.

A range of standard safety equipment ensures rider safety on all adventures. ABS Pro offers increased safety when braking in curves by enabling ABS-assisted braking while leaning. Dynamic Brake Control offers increased safety when braking, even in difficult situations, by preventing unintentional throttle application. The Engine Drag Control prevents the rear wheel from locking or skidding during abrupt throttle closure or rapid downshifting.

The modern digital experience of the BMW F 450 GS focuses on convenience, efficiency and supporting the rider with relevant information. The best-in-class large 6.5-inch TFT display ensures optimum readability, even under difficult lighting conditions. The ‘Pure Ride Screen’ and ‘Sport Screen’ displays are tailored to the BMW GS world and provide detailed information on DTC, braking power, and lean angle. The TFT display is linked to the multi-controller on the left handlebar, allowing for quick and intuitive operation. A USB-C socket in the handlebar area is perfect for mobile charging on the ride.

A comprehensive range of original BMW Motorrad accessories such as protection parts, luggage parts and navigation equipments are available for further individualisation of the BMW F 450 GS.

Continental’s New Off-Road Tyre, CrossContact A/T² Hits Indian Roads

Joydip SurLeave a comment

Continental Tires, a leading global tyre manufacturer, marked the Indian launch of its new all-terrain product, the CrossContact A/T², with an adventurous Continental Tires’ Track Day at Dot Goa 4X4. With this, the country becomes one of the first few markets globally to introduce this next-generation product, which blends German engineering precision with rugged versatility to ensure a smooth ride across challenging terrains.

The highly anticipated launch of the CrossContact A/T² reiterates Continental’s growing commitment to the Indian market.

“India’s 4×4 vehicle segment is experiencing sharp growth, driven by a growing passion for adventure and long-distance travel. With our ‘In the Market, For the Market’ approach, we continually innovate to meet the demands of Indian road conditions and deliver enhanced driving experiences. The CrossContact A/T² delivers high performance across the diverse terrains and topographies that India offers,” said Samir Gupta, Managing Director, Continental Tires India.

He further added, “India is the first market globally to introduce the CrossContact A/T². This decision is a testament to Continental’s commitment to the Indian market. We remain committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to our Indian customers.”

CrossContact A/T²: Engineered for Performance. Designed for Adventure

Built for power, performance, and precision, the CrossContact A/T² is engineered for SUVs and 4x4s, offering superior grip across all surfaces: mud, gravel, sand, wet highways or rocky trails. Designed for modern, adventurous lifestyles, it brings a confident on-road feel and unshaken off-road capability. Key Technologies in CrossContact A/T²:

●       BlackPaw™ Compound: Adaptive traction tech that maintains elasticity and control across hot, cold, dry, and wet surfaces.

●       Self-Cleaning Shoulders: Open tread patterns and stone ejectors dislodge slush, mud, and debris to keep you moving clean and steady.

●       Rigid Tread Block Geometry: Reduces hydroplaning and enhances braking efficiency with precisely angled groove design.

●       Reinforced Sidewalls: Built tough to resist cuts, abrasions, and trail damage, ensuring long-term durability and control.

Mastering The Mud: Isuzu’s Guide To Mud Driving

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Isuzu has released an interesting list of do’s and don’t to guide you through the thrilling yet challenging world of mud driving with the Isuzu D-Max pick-up. With its rugged build and high-performance features, the D-Max is designed to power through the stickiest of terrains.

Equipped with a versatile 4-wheel-drive system, the Isuzu D-Max’s 2H, 4H, and 4L modes ensure you’re ready for any off-road adventure. The rear differential lock proves invaluable when traversing deep, slick mud, providing extra traction where it’s needed most. Its lightweight design (around 2 tonnes), electronically assisted steering, and excellent ground clearance make the D-Max a master of navigating rough, muddy paths.

Here’s the 10-step guide to mud driving with your Isuzu D-Max:

Pack for the Mud: Before heading out, pack a recovery kit with essentials like a tow strap, shovel, traction aids (recovery boards), gloves, and an air compressor in case of tyre pressure adjustments.
Check Your Tyres: Opt for all-terrain or mud-terrain tyres to improve grip. Mud tyres with larger, self-cleaning treads are ideal for dispersing the mud and maintaining traction.
Engage 4WD Mode: Switch to 4H or 4L depending on the depth of the mud. 4H is suited for general muddy conditions, while 4L offers more torque for deeper or thicker mud.
Maintain Steady Momentum: Keep a consistent speed without sudden acceleration or braking. A smooth, steady pace helps avoid wheel spin and sinking.
Keep Your Wheels Straight: Keep your wheels pointed straight ahead as much as possible. Turning in thick mud increases resistance and the risk of getting stuck.
Use the Rear Differential Lock: Activate the rear differential lock when facing deep mud or inclines. This ensures both rear wheels move together, improving traction and helping you power through.
Avoid Over-Revving: Spinning the wheels too fast in mud will dig them deeper. If you feel a loss of traction, ease off the accelerator to let the tyres regain grip.
Recovery from Stuck: If you get bogged down, don’t panic. Gently rock the vehicle back and forth by alternating between forward and reverse gears. Using traction boards or shovelling mud away from the tyres can also help.
Post-Mud Cleanup: After the adventure, clean your D-Max thoroughly, focusing on the undercarriage, wheel wells, and brakes to remove all traces of mud and prevent potential long-term damage.
Inspect for Damage: Check for any damage to your tyres, suspension, and undercarriage to ensure everything remains in top condition. Pay particular attention to steering and braking systems to ensure there’s no issues.

To showcase D-Max’s exceptional off-road capabilities, Isuzu has recently built a one-off special project, the Mudmaster. Building on the V-Cross trim, it comes fully accessorised to enhance your muddy adventures. It features a snorkel for water wading, a winch for self-recovery, lifted suspension for increased ground clearance, and powerful lamps for superior visibility. These enhancements ensure you’re well-equipped to tackle the toughest muddy terrains.

George Wallis, Isuzu UK Head of Marketing, shared, “When it comes to mud driving, the 4×4 Isuzu D-Max pick-up is built to tackle the toughest terrain, so you can get down and dirty with confidence. Also, being responsible off-road doesn’t mean being a stick in the mud, the 4×4 D-Max will help you really enjoy the mudness.”