A new fully faired 450 cc sportbike jointly developed by TVS Motor Company and BMW Motorrad has been spotted testing in India, and it is clear now that the BMW F 450 test mule and the Apache RR 450 prototype are essentially the same motorcycle.
Spy images that surfaced earlier showed the bike running with BMW styling cues, leading to speculation around a future BMW F 450 RR. Fresh sightings, however, reveal the same platform wearing TVS-specific design elements, confirming that this is a shared development that will eventually be sold under both brands with distinct identities.
At the core of the motorcycle is the new 420 cc parallel twin engine that has been developed as part of the BMW TVS partnership. The motor is expected to produce close to 48 PS, putting it right at the limit of what A2-compliant markets allow, while torque figures are likely to be in the 40 Nm range. This engine will also underpin BMW’s upcoming F 450 GS, making this platform a key pillar for both brands going forward.
In terms of hardware, the bike looks properly premium. It gets upside down front forks, a rear monoshock that is expected to be adjustable, radial mounted front brake calipers, a sporty swingarm and alloy wheels. The riding posture appears aggressive but not extreme, suggesting a focus on real-world usability rather than track only performance, just like we have seen on the Apache RR 310.
Design details stand out as well. The fairing is sharp and compact, the tail section is slim, and the bike features a prominent winglet setup, something that is slowly becoming common even in this segment. The test bike also appears to use vertically stacked lighting elements, although final production versions will likely see brand-specific headlamp designs for BMW and TVS.
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For TVS, this motorcycle is expected to sit above the RR 310 and act as the brand’s new flagship sportbike. For BMW, the same platform will allow the brand to enter the sub-500cc supersport space globally with a more accessible offering than its litre-class machines.
While there is no official launch timeline yet, testing activity suggests that the project is progressing steadily. A global unveil sometime in 2026 seems likely, with the TVS Apache RR 450 expected to debut in India first, followed by the BMW version for international markets.
If priced right, this shared 450cc sportbike could become a serious disruptor, offering twin cylinder performance, modern electronics and premium hardware in a segment that is only just beginning to heat up.
