BMW G 310 GS Review
Bike Tested: BMW G 310 GS; Road Test No. 965; Test Location: Gurugram, NCR
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 4,15,286/-
The BMW G 310 GS feels like a bigger motorcycle than it is, it’s sizeable
Earlier this year, TVS made a lot of buzz in the market with the launch of the Apache RR 310. Produced in collaboration with BMW Motorrad, the German automaker wanted to make smaller and more accessible motorcycles. TVS picked the super-sport class for the 310 while BMW Motorrad chose the street-fighter and adventure segments for their 310, named the G 310 R and G 310 GS respectively. Both the motorcycles were launched last month and recently we got a chance to experience them. We took the BMW G 310 GS on the worst of roads and this is how it faired.
Motor Quest: The BMW G 310 R, G 310 GS and the Apache RR 310 are the outcomes of a collaboration between BMW and TVS in India. The G 310 GS is powered by the same 313cc engine but has all the traits of the big bike, the R 1200 GS. The G 310 GS is an entry-level adventure motorcycle in BMW Motorrad’s GS family.
From the front to the rear, this BMW is exacly like a baby GS
Styling – A quick glimpse and everyone would mistake the BMW G 310 GS to be a full-blown heavy-weight adventure motorcycle. Well, the assumption is somewhat correct as the G 310 GS is a sibling to the G 310 R but it gets all its design traits from the elders in the GS family. Off-size front and rear wheels, long travel suspension, and beaked front which is like a semi-fairing. It also gets a small windshield at the front and a grab-rail unit at the rear with integrated mounts for a top-box. The G 310 GS looks big and attracts a lot of road presence. The GS is available in 3 colours while the racing red is my personal favourite and it’s the same colour as our test bike here.
All digital instrument cluster is rather simple and yet readable
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – The BMW G 310 GS uses a completely digital instrument cluster. Although it has the same amount of information as we saw on the vertically stacked cluster of the Apache RR 310, the GS gets a horizontal unit and looks purposeful on the bike. However, BMW should have gone for a coloured display and a more advanced software to justify the price tag. The switchgear is also the same as we have seen on the Apache. However, the fit and finish looks good and the GS gets an extra ABS button to switch off rear wheel ABS. The overall quality is good though and everything from the display to the different switches should last the test of time.
I am 165 cms tall and I could flat-foot due to the hump right there
Ergonomics – The BMW G 310 GS is an adventure motorcycle and as we hear adventure, higher ground clearance with higher seat height is evident. At 835 mm, the GS is tall to get on, but the softly sprung suspension would sit down a little and the rider would have enough height to tip-toe. The seating posture is upright and the adjustable handlebars come to good use as the rider can find and adjust to a perfectly comfortable posture. The G 310 GS gets the GS family ergonomics and hence the metal footpegs are centre-set and get rubber pads which can be removed for more grip while off-roading.
Power delivery is very linear yet the 310 motor has a strong mid-range
Performance – Powered by the same 313cc engine, the BMW G 310 GS produces 34 PS of power and 28 Nm of torque. These numbers are exactly the same across all the three 310s. However, the BMW engines get a slightly different state of tune. The low-end has more punch while the mid-range and the top-end are relatively the same. It’s a single cylinder unit and the vibrations are evident but the buzz kicks in after 7000 RPM. During idling, there is some sort of vibrations and the exhaust note isn’t interesting. It becomes throaty post 6000 RPM and the motor redlines at 11,000 RPM.
Throttle response is so good, you could actually carry a wheelie
The exhaust note gets throaty and loud as the revs go higher, it sounds really good towards the redline
The clutch is light and the gearbox has crisp shifts. However, first gear is tall and the motorcycle redlines at 58 km/hr while the rest of the gears are short and you need to shift to third gear to reach the ton. Cruising at 100 km/hr in 6th gear, the tachometer stays at around 6000-6500 RPM which is pretty decent. There is no harshness in the engine except for the vibrations which kick-in in the top-end. The reverse-inclined 310 motor feels like it’s built to last!
One can find various comfortable riding positions according to the road
Riding Dynamics – The stint with the GS was for a small duration but we took it to all kinds of roads. From road to off-road to no-roads and the GS didn’t stop. There were places which felt like the bike would get stuck or something would hit the belly or the engine. But the high ground clearance and the dual purpose tyres kept the motorcycle going. The suspension also did such a fabulous job. The BMW G 310 GS would just glide over irregular road undulations and would work better on extreme off-road conditions. But when there was no road, just stand up and it became very easy to tackle any terrain.
Holds the line well, but doesn’t stay as planted while cornering
Ride quality is so good, the G 310 GS doesn’t require a second thought to go over the worst of roads
However, the loose soil was an issue as the tyres were dual purpose Metzelers which were meant for only road and slight off-road riding. The only gripe about riding dynamics was that the suspension was too soft and tipping the GS into corners wasn’t confidence inspiring as it wouldn’t stay planted. But the same was fun off-road. Braking performance is outstanding and the switchable ABS helps a lot during off-roading. But the GS just nose-dives under hard braking as the long-travel suspension (40 mm increase in suspension travel both at the front and rear) comes into play.
Tackles the worst of roads like a cake walk
Verdict – The BMW G 310 GS is a motorcycle made for a purpose. The direct competition comes from the Kawasaki Versys-X 300 and the Royal Enfield Himalayan but the build quality and fit and finish of this BMW is by far the best. As this motorcycle is also positioned as an entry level tourer, the 11-litre fuel tank isn’t much of a help. But people looking for an entry-level adventure-tourer and want a badge that cannot get any German than BMW, then the G 310 GS is the one to go for. However, it’s a little pricey but looking at the big picture, the competition isn’t cheap too.
Only a bigger fuel tank would have added more value to buyers
What’s Cool
* Phenomenal ride quality, the GS just glides over everything
* Rider as well as pillion comfort is the best in class
* Power delivery is linear, has a strong mid-range and opens up in the top-end
What’s Not So Cool
* 11-litre fuel tank is a little less for an adventure-tourer
* Priced at a premium makes it accessible to only a few enthusiasts
* Soft suspension does not keep the bike planted in corners and nose-dives while braking
Capable and comfortable, the BMW G 310 GS is distinctive
BMW G 310 GS Specifications
* Engine: 313cc, Liquid-Cooled, Reverse-Inclined, DOHC
* Power: 34 PS @ 9500 RPM
* Torque: 28 Nm @ 7500 RPM
* Transmission: 6-speed
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Trellis Frame, Aluminium Swingarm
* Suspension: Inverted Forks (Front); Monoshock (Rear)
* Tyres: 110/80/19 (Front); 150/70/17 (Rear), Metzeler Tourance
* Brakes: 300 mm Petal Disc (Front); 240 mm Petal Disc (Rear), Switchable ABS
BMW G 310 GS Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2075 mm x 880 mm x 1230 mm
* Wheelbase: 1420 mm
* Ground Clearance: 220 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 11-litres
* Kerb weight: 169.5 kgs
Testers’ Note:
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