BMW G 310 R Review: Pros and Cons

The G 310 R is the most affordable way to enter the premium BMW Motorrad family of motorcycles. The 2022 edition of the bike has recently reached the Indian shores with a new set of colour options and a Rs 5,000 price hike. Mechanically, it’s the same as the 2021 model which we rode comprehensively a few months back. During our road test review, we liked certain things in the bike and disliked a few. Here’s a quick round-up of them all. 

Mid-range torque

The G 310 R is powered by a 313cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that offer tremendous mid-range grunt, especially between 3,500-6,000rpm. This translates into great tractability and the rider doesn’t need to work the gearbox as much as, let’s say, its arch-rival the KTM 390 Duke. It keeps pulling at 30kmph even in fourth or fifth gear, making it quite relaxed to ride in traffic. At the same time, there’s no dearth of top-end and the G 310 R pulls vigorously post 6,000rpm. 

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BMW G 310 R [2021]

• 313 cc
• 28 kmpl
• 33.52 bhp
• 164 kg
;

Last known Avg. Ex-showroom price

₹ 2,64,877

Handling

The whole set of hardware, including the well-engineered steel trellis frame, nicely damped suspension setup, and sharp steering, bestow the G 310 R with impressive handling dynamics. And we have not only experienced this on our favorite twisty roads but also on the racetrack during our 2021 BikeWale Trackday. The motorcycle tips onto corners effortlessly and holding on to your desired line isn’t a task either. 

Comfort

Despite being a performance-oriented street naked, the G 310 R is pretty comfortable. And the highlight of the bike is its seat which boasts a scooped design that, along with the bulging fuel tank, gives you a sense of sitting ‘into' the bike. Further, it’s adequately cushy to keep you comfortable even after long hours in the saddle. Adding to the comfort is the position of the handlebar and footpegs which demand a certain level of commitment but not to the extent of causing any discomfort. 

Brand recall

By paying about Rs 3 lakh, the buyer gets to join the globally-renowned BMW family with the G310R. Well, the brand doesn't have as much service reach as KTM, for instance. However, the customers who have the service centre accessible get to enjoy an ultra-premium experience considering these bikes are serviced at the same place and by the same people who work on high-end bikes like the S 1000 RR.

Unrefined engine

While the engine of the bike is torquey and tractable, it's quite noisy even from lower revs which robs it of the pleasant riding experience to some extent. Also, the vibrations are substantial at higher revs which might cause a bit of fatigue over long distances.

Lack of features

For a bike that's priced close to Rs 3 lakh, the G 310 R is under-equipped when it comes to modern features. While you get a TFT in most bikes around this price point, the G 310 R makes do with a dated-looking LCD which isn't loaded with data and misses out on Bluetooth connectivity. Also, there are no brag-worthy goodies like a traction control system or a quick shifter.

Barring the aforementioned shortcomings, the BMW G 310 R is quite a desirable motorcycle. The potent engine, agile handling, sharp brakes, and acceptable comfort make it suitable for daily commutes, short weekend jaunts, as well as long hauls. Also, we have ridden it around a racetrack comprehensively where it proved to be fun and capable. Not to mention, the brand value it delivers with the 'BMW' badge is hard to match.

Photography by Kapil Angane