Imagine you are sitting at a start gate alongside side all the top off-road racers in the world, getting ready to start at an event you have never ridden in before. You might be thinking, what makes me think I can compete with this crowd? What the F am I doing here? Most people caught in this scenario wouldn't have too much to lose. They would give it their best and be able to go home knowing at least they tried. They'd be out a few bucks and maybe have a bruised ego. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.... Right?

Now imagine you are a well known motorcycle manufacturer, deeply entrenched in the adventure touring market that you created and you start thinking you might like to get into this small niche market called off-road. It takes a lot of balls to stand up to the world and say take a look at this, we have something for you to try. Especially when there is another marquee, dressed in orange already dominating the niche. We commend BMW for their noble effort to bring innovation and the kind of finish quality they are renowned for to the off-road market.

Back in 08, while we were testing the 2009 BMW G650 XChallenge, a bike heavily biased toward dual sport riding. The buzz of the new, smaller, lighter race oriented 450 was already in the air. BMW was taking European Enduros by storm with riders like Simo Krissi on the 450. In 2008 aboard the G450X, a first year model, Krissi won the XCC European title and he successfully defended it for BMW in 2009. While the 650 is a great bike and tons of fun to ride with many fine qualities, we felt out of the box, it is not a dedicated off-road machine and would require some modifications to make it one. On the other hand, the 450 was said to be a much more compact, off-road specific, Enduro bike. We couldn't wait to get our hands on it.