BMW G310R(2017)
6,000 KM
The year is 2016, BMW announces their partnership with TVS, resulting in the product that promises an amalgamation of German design and quality, and an Indian prowess in frugal manufacturing. ‘Made in India’ the BMW 310 R will be manufactured here in India at the TVS Motors’ Bangalore plant and India will become the export hub for rest of the world.
This would also mean that the pricing in India could be kept highly competitive. Unfortunately, our price-sensitive market doesn’t really find it rational enough to spend anything additional for something like a blue and white badge that glorifies 99 years of Bavarian engineering; when something more edgy and extraverted like the KTM Duke 390 exists at a cheaper sticker price.
The G 310 R was developed in-house at BMW, but for cost reasons it is built by Indian manufacturer TVS, partnered with BMW.
if you are looking to splash some mud on the weekends highly advise you to go for its slower yet more versatile sibling the GS 310.
Ironically, while it is the most affordable way to get yourself a BMW motorcycle, it’s not exactly “affordable”. In fact, when you look at these highly optimistic price tags, you can’t help but wonder if BMW Motorrad India went down this route simply because they don’t have the sales and services to deal with big numbers. I mean BMW did say it was designed for “world markets”—which means places like Brazil and India, where small bikes rule and the roads tend to belong to everyone else but motorists.
The bike comes with good initial pickup, seating is very well designed and suspension is out of its class in comparison to other bikes of the same line, braking and road grip is too good.
Large overbearing(-ish) exhaust that produces a raw yet girthy sound, enough to be mistaken as a twin cylinder.
A precise six-speed gearbox handles transmission duties and the clutch lever is reasonably weighted, but a set of adjustable levers would have been great to take care of that. As far as quality of materials as well as fit and finish is concerned, the G 310 R sets a new standard for Indian made motorcycles. 313cc, reverse inclined, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine, did I forget to mention that it is reverse inclined? That’s right, reverse inclined! The G 310 R’s single cylinder is angled backwards in the case of 25 degrees and the whole engine is angled 13 degrees backwards for better weight distribution.
“premium-compact roadster”
While this technique has been used on dirt bikes, this is the first time it’s been used for a production street bike and this makes (if not all, definitely most of) the difference. The front side feels heavy and planted, the tank looks fairly chunky and results knee recesses that let you hold on to the bike. The enveloping tank serves both form and function for an in-development entry level machine, The naked 310 R is compact but muscular, with clean, sophisticated lines. It also has a simple-looking triangular halogen headlamp, with the plastic panels around it on either side offering a touch of both class and aggression taken from its big newly furbished German sister the 2021 BMW S1000r.
Summing up, leaving its weakness of picking up at low-end, it classifies as a city commuter as well as a (arguably) long tourer.
The stock Michelin Pilot Street tyres are good up until you get closer to the edge, with that being said there's a sudden drop in the amount of feedback that's being transmitted. This particularly robs you of the confidence to entirely exploit the maximum potential of this promising chassis. Not a suitable off-roader either.
When building a bike to a price point or labelling it “entry-level,” manufacturers often make suspension the first compromise. A lightweight, trellis frame with 41mm USD forks at the front and an adjustable monoshock at the rear makes it a delightful machine to ride. BMW have done a satisfying job setting up the suspension, finding just the right mix between plush and absorbent, but adequately stiff for attacking corners.
Header
Saddle is that of a compact yet focused motorcycle seating, deeply scooped out and quite supportive. The wide handlebars and slightly rear set, foot pegs put you in the quintessential streetfighter riding position, which was extremely desirable especially when you've decided to tuck in, drop a gear and disappear. Its ability to remain calm at everyday traffic pace and play along when you decide to rip the throttle makes it rather a beast on the streets yet still manages to keep its composure, compared to its competition, which to be honest is rather more balls to the walls.
Neither a luxury import nor a cheap export. For every luxury feature, there’s something cheaper on second glance. The TVS Apache RR 310 runs a similar gold suspension fork, wheels, and nearly the same exhaust unit. The footpeg holder is a different design though, and this single silver unit holds both the rider and pillion footrests. As on the TVS, the rider gets rubber-topped footrests, while the passenger pegs are metal. For the most part the G 310 R delivered a smooth ride, only becoming buzzy in the upper limits of the rev range according to our pillion critic.
User Review
Tank Capacity: 11 L
Mileage: 32.46kmpl
I will rate it a 4/5.
The bike comes with good initial pickup, seating is very well designed and suspension is out of its class in comparison to other bikes of the same line, braking and road grip is too good.
Maintenance is quite expensive and availability spare parts is always an expected delay (typical BMW).
I would recommend it for beginners as the seat height is pretty low which makes it easy to touch the ground and a very important thing for youngsters is speed and power, which it delivers to satisfaction.
For most part, the G 310 R delivered a smooth ride, only becoming buzzy in the upper limits of the rev range. If you’re not a person who likes to ride on edge all the time…this is the bike for you.