BMW G310 R vs KTM 390 Duke: Competition Check

The BMW G310 R arrived in India a few days ago, only a couple of years late. It rivals the undisputed KTM 390 Duke in the small-capacity streetfighter segment. We find out how the bikes stack up against each other in this competition check-

Design

The KTM 390 Duke borrows its styling from the bigger 1290 Super Duke. The edgy fuel tank and the full-LED, split-headlamp setup add to the uniquely raw appeal of the bike. Comparatively, the G310 R’s design is not as dramatic although it does sport a sculpted fuel tank and sharp tank shrouds along with an upright riding position. While the KTM is offered in two colour schemes, the BMW gets three paint options. 

Engine

The BMW G310 R is powered by a 313cc, single cylinder engine that produces 34bhp and 27Nm. This unit is mated to a six-speed gearbox and final chain drive.

The 390 Duke on the other hand uses a larger, more powerful 373cc, single-cylinder engine. It produces 43bhp and 37Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed gearbox and slipper clutch which the G310 R misses out on.

Features

The BMW G310 R comes equipped with an LCD instrument cluster that displays basic information such as speed, odometer and tachometer along with a clock and gear position indicator. 

The KTM 390 Duke has an extensive list of features like a Bluetooth-enabled colour TFT instrument console, a ride-by-wire throttle system and dual channel ABS as standard. While both bikes get a dual–channel ABS system, the KTM’s ‘supermoto mode’ allows ABS to be turned off for the rear wheel.

Cycle parts

Both bikes use a similar suspension setup featuring inverted forks up front and a preload adjustable rear monoshock. While the KTM uses 43mm forks, the BMW is equipped with 41mm units. The kit for the KTM 390 Duke comes from WP while the BMW uses KYB parts. Stopping power on the G310 R comes from a 300mm front disc and a 240mm disc at the rear. The KTM 390 Duke though, gets a larger 320mm front disc and a smaller 230mm rear disc.

Pricing 

The KTM 390 Duke retails at Rs 2.40 lakhs. However, the BMW G310 R carries a price tag of Rs 2.99 lakhs, a premium of Rs 60,000 from the KTM.