Last week, BMW unveiled the production version of the G310, ahead of its debut at the 2015 EICMA Show in Milan, Italy. A motorcycle which has been more than two years in the making, the BMW G310 will go head on against other entry-level sportbikes like the KTM Duke 390, Yamaha MT-03, Benelli TNT 300 and the Kawasaki Z250. Here are five interesting facts about the BMW G310.
1. Made in India
The BMW G310 is a result of the joint effort of BMW Motorrad and TVS Motor Co. Engineered at the German manufacturer’s development facility in Munich, the G310 will utilise TVS’ expertise in cost-effective manufacturing. The bike will be exclusively made at TVS’ new production line in Hosur for the Indian as well as other global markets, though it will be badged as a TVS for our country.
2. Compact proportions
Built around a tubular steel frame, the G310 gets a sleek and compact design with minimal bodywork, to suit its streetfighter character. BMW has also highlighted the neutral handling, ease of use and the low seat height (785mm) of the G310, which are points that play an important role in attracting beginners and novices.
3. Engine
Powering the BMW G310 is a new 310cc liquid-cooled four-stroke engine which has its cylinder head rotated by 180 degrees and the cylinder canted rearwards. This has allowed the centre of gravity to be set lower than what a conventional design permits, thereby improving the riding dynamics of the motorcycle. Rated at 34bhp and 28Nm of torque, the engine can propel the G310 to 144kmph.
4. Multiple platforms
The BMW G310’s single-cylinder versatile platform has been developed to make it easily adaptable for multiple platforms, including an adventure motorcycle and a semi-faired tourer. We can expect these iterations to be unveiled in the next couple of years, depending upon the G310’s success and popularity.
5. Significance for BMW
The high profit margins and the volumes generated by the sub-500cc segment have drawn some big names in the past few years, and BMW Motorrad is the newest manufacturer to join this crowd. This market space has been growing by leaps and bounds in the past few years, especially in the Asian and Latin American markets. As such, the G310 is a very crucial product for BMW Motorrad and represents the German manufacturer’s first assault in this lucrative territory.
