The most affordable BMW bikes, G 310 R and G 310 GS, reviewed

NEW DELHI: While a price tag of Rs 2.99 lakh (ex-showroom) may still be premium for two-wheelers in India, the BMW G 310 R is the cheapest BMW bike you can lay your hands on in India. We got to ride the newly-launched motorcycle along with its adventure version, the BMW G 310 GS recently and here's our review.
How do they look?

Unlike the other big BMW motorcycles -- which are known for their asymmetric face -- the G 310 R boasts of a rather simple non-dramatic design.A fuel tank with muscular character lines and shrouds along with a low-slung headlamp lend the perfect character of a naked sport bike. The alloy wheels look impressive and the uncovered trellis frame -- that makes the chassis more rigid-- in the middle is also a nice touch.

There is nothing extra in the styling of the BMW G 310 R when compared to the competition, however, that's not really a negative. For those who don't like overdone elements in their motorcycle, this may very well be close to the perfect design. Additionally, a sleek tail section is a nice touch. The materials used on the motorcycle are of good quality and it scores well in the fit and finishes as well.

Coming to the BMW G 310 GS -- it is not just a semi-faired version of the street bike; it takes a lot to get those mild offroading characteristics. The modification on this version is inspired by the company's bigger GS adventure bikes and it looks purposeful. Its character line starts front the iconic front beak which is in parallel to the crease on its fuel tank.

The headlamp on the GS is also mounted higher and it gets a flyscreen for better wind protection. It comes with a larger 19-inch front wheel and a luggage pannier/top-box mount at the rear, making it a bit more travel-friendly.
What's at the heart?
Both the BMW G 310 R and the G 310 GS are powered by the same 313cc, single-pod, liquid-cooled engine which we had earlier experienced in the TVS Apache RR 310. In fact, the platform used in these motorcycles have been developed in collaboration with Chennai-based TVS Motor Company. The Indian automaker has partnered BMW to produce these small capacity motorcycles from its Chennai plant for both domestic and export purposes.

Coming back to the engine, it comes mated to a six-speed gearbox and claims to deliver 34PS at 9,500rpm and a peak torque of 28Nm at 7,500rpm. The motor has been tuned well and the delivery remains the same for both of the bikes.
How do they ride?

The engine is quite relaxed and has a linear delivery. The gear-ratios are short and you have to shift quickly while gaining speed. In cities, you can ride them comfortably at up to 60kmph under 3,500rpm while you have to cross 6,000rpm to touch three digit speeds. Acceleration is adequate -- 0-50kmph in 2.5 seconds as per the company -- and it didn't take a very long stretch to cross 130kmph on an open road. The sweet spot of the motor remains a little above 6,000rpm after which the vibrations kick in. This means the vibration free ride is available till 100-110kmph. The top speed claimed by the company is 144kmph.

With a seat height of 785mm and weight near to 160kg, the BMW G 310 R has perfect dimensions for an average Indian rider. The riding posture is upright and comfortable while the footpegs have been placed slightly backward for a sporty feel. The seat is well cushioned and both the 41mm front inverted forks and the rear monoshock have been tuned on the stiffer side which wheels quite decent on the tarmac.

The tourer version uses the same seat, however, it has been placed at 835mm. While it makes the bike a bit uneasy to ride for short riders, taller ones will find it more comfortable. What makes it more comfortable is the soft-tuned suspension with 40mm more travel at the front and 49mm at the rear. The setup takes most of the road undulations smoothly and you don't feel the need to stand up on the footpegs even while going off the road. However, if you feel the need to do it, you can remove the rubber mounting on the off-road compatible pegs without any tool for better foot grip.

The larger front wheel and dual sports tyres further help in providing some off-roading capabilities.
Braking is a very important aspect of performance bikes and these motorcycles perform satisfactorily in that area. The front 300mm disc with a four-piston caliper is impressive with great bite and feedback while the rear 240mm with single-piston caliper still has some scope for improvements. The dual-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) comes standard and works fine; you also get an option to turn it off in the GS variant for voluntary skids.

Should you buy one?
If you are a BMW fan and have always wanted to own one, you may consider these bikes -- with a price tag of Rs 2.99 lakh for the G 310 R and Rs 3.49 lakh for the G 310 GS (both ex-showroom, Delhi). The G 310 R is a comfortable motorcycle with a decent performance. However, if the performance and features are high on your priority list, there are better motorcycles in the market.

The BMW G 310 GS is definitely an impressive motorcycle for adventure touring, especially when the sole competitor in the market costs over a lakh more. It is impressive for its comfortable riding and comes with mild off-roading capabilities which is an added advantage. The GS is definitely a good motorcycle for those who like to travel on two wheels, as long as you're not a short person.