BMW G 310 GS First Ride

When BMW India announced the price of the G 310 GS at Rs 3.49 lakh, I wondered why it was a lot more expensive than the TVS Apache 310 RR. After all, were not the two bikes built at the TVS Motor Company Hosur plant in Tamil Nadu and even shared their frame and innards? So, if the power is the same at 34hp, the torque almost similar, the engine is the same, the features almost similar, then pray what makes the BMW G 310 GS a lot more expensive? I rode the BMW G 310 GS to get my answers.

Design and Styling of BMW G 310 GS

The moment I laid my eyes on the new BMW G 310 GS, I realised it was a lot different than the TVS bike and even the new BMW G 310 R roadster. The GS, unlike the other two is not a roadster but an every- day adventure motorcycle. It’s taller, better build, has a few additional features and definitely stands tall. Unlike the several mean adventure machines with massive engines to boot, this one can easily be tamed. Yes, if you are not more than 5 feet 10 inches tall you may not be able to plant your two feet on the ground when you are seated atop the bike. Unlike the roadster where the seat height is 785mm, this one’s got 835mm. But the seat can be lowered or raised by 15mm, if needed, as part of the accessory package.

The BMW G 310GS has been designed quite aerodynamically. From the front fender to the fuel tank and finally to the seat, the design and colour speak continuity. The bike comes with a small windshield, just the right size for a bike of this nature. There is a lot of top quality plastic used in and around the fuel tank with smart BMW badges inscribed on either side. The fuel tank has a capacity to hold 11 litres of petrol. My opinion is that this tank could have been larger. Unfortunately, the GS gets halogen headlamps, unlike LEDs in the Apache 310RR. Now that’s a letdown for a BMW bike.

Unlike its roadster brother, this bike comes with larger tyres, R19 in front and R17 at the back. The GS gets Metzeler tyres  with 150/70 at the rear and 110/80 in the front.  The other differences include a cast aluminium rugged luggage rack at the back, suspension with 180mm travel both in front and rear, ABS that can be deactivated or activated by long pressing a switch on the left side of the handlebar and an exhaust system where the manifold has been altered from that of the G 310 R so as to do justice to the long spring travel. There is also a newly conceived heat shield at the rear.

The G 310 GS like its roadster bro, comes with an instrument cluster with a large LC screen where the display is very bright and clear. Information like engine speed, road speed, gear, total kilometres, engine temperature, fuel tank level, remaining range, average fuel consumption, average speed and time are displayed digitally here.

Engine and Performance of BMW G 310 GS

Riding the new BMW G 310 GS comes easy. A lot of riders may say that there could have been more power to the engine but my personal view is that the engine power at 34hp is more than adequate and the torque of 28Nm sufficient enough for most of the terrains in India, especially in and around cities. The sporty looking muscular bike is not intimidating to look and feel. Though the seat height is at 835mm, one can get a lower seat too at 820mm as part of the BMW accessories. Once you are seated, you realise that the tubular handlebars are perfect with its wide stance. Moreover, they are angled to the rear. The footrests have a jagged profile and to ensure that you are completely sure footed, you can even remove the rubber cover on it and pop it into your pocket, especially when you want to ride standing when you hit some off-road sandy patches. The single piece seat is ideal for the pillion too as it’s not too high at the rear. 

While riding on city roads, I found that the bike had adequate power and sensible acceleration. It’s definitely not a performance bike, but when it comes to performance on roads and some light off road terrains, there’s no real complaining. So not giving it a slipper clutch does not make a very perceptible difference.  But it definitely is a fun bike, both on and off the tarmac. The gear shifts come easy, though getting it back to Neutral comes with a bit of a struggle. The multi-plate wet clutch constant-mesh 6-speed gearbox is kind of easy to shift. The disc brakes in front and rear have adequate bite in them, especially with the ABS on. At the front it has a single 300mm disc with 4-piston fixed caliper, while at the rear it has a single 240mm disc with 2-piston floating caliper. The steel-wrapped bake lines ensure stable pressure levels.

Off the beaten track, the suspension came quite handy, especially with its large travel. In front there is an upside down fork while at the rear there is an aluminium swingarm with a spring strut that is mounted on its directly. All of these absorb the road shocks to a great extent.

Verdict

The new BMW G 301 GS is a versatile motorcycle which rides rather easily and comfortably on city roads and has the ability to take on the rough too with a considerable amount of ease. It’s like your perfect buddy. But to give the BMW GS a price tag of more than Rs 3 lakh is quite unnerving. Maybe it’s because the BMW G 310 GS has no direct competition in the Indian market today. But sooner or later it will have, maybe then BMW India may retrospect on the pricing.