Base Price : 5'500 $ ( estimated )
You doesn't typically think of BMW as "cheap" bikes, but the new G 310 R is here to change that. The new bike uses a 313cc liquid-cooled single cylinder that cranks out 34 hp up at 9,500 rpm. And that's plenty because this little bike weighs just 350 pounds. But the thing that makes the new BMW such a standout in this smaller-class of sporty bikes is the high-level of craftsmanship with which it's built. This doesn't look or feel like a budget bike. And like the more expensive BMWs, this one is fitted with ABS standard.
We are particularly smitten by the bike's style—especially when it's wearing the classic old-school BMW white with red and blue stripes paint scheme. BMW hasn't yet announced pricing, but competitors like Honda's CBR300R and Kawasaki's Ninja 300 come in around $5000, so don't expect this one to stray too far outside that pricing neighborhood.
BMW has been on the gas in recent years, producing exciting new product across several categories. One area yet to be addressed--in fact, historically never addressed--has been that of a truly affordable entry-level platform. With a scheduled summer arrival in stateside dealers, the early release 2018 G 310 R looks set to fit the budget and fuel the aspirations of a broad worldwide audience.
The lightweight, nimble handling, attractively styled G 310 R will naturally appeal to novice riders. Having a firsthand look at its superb build quality along with spending a day in the saddle, I’m pleased to report that the fun-to-ride nature of BMW’s single-cylinder sport naked isn’t lost on this seasoned enthusiast.
In development for more than five years, the G 310 R has been highly anticipated since first appearing in public at the Milan Show in late 2015. Not only does the G 310 R represent BMW’s first foray into sub-500cc streetbike production, of greater significance is that this is the first model to ever be manufactured outside of Germany. Designed and developed in Munich by BMW Motorrad, production is handled by TVS Motor Company, a BMW partner located in Bangalore, India. “There were some delays that were expectable, but we wanted to have it perfect before putting it on the market," Project Manager Jörg Schüller says. “It took time to bring the two worlds together. With two different cultural backgrounds, while each is very professional, this needs time.”
The result? A bike meeting BMW’s standard for quality that belies its $4750 price tag. Taking a quick walk around the G 310 Rs at the press launch showed that refinement is visually evident in clean welds on the tubular-steel frame, quality castings, precise fit of every plastic body panel and extensive use of allen head fasteners. Same for the view from the saddle: A full-feature LCD dash including bar graph tachometer, gear indicator, shift light, trip computer functions, and more, greet the rider. Handlebar switchgear is topnotch, the grips and bar end weights would be at home on an S1000R, an inset BMW logo atop the bar mount and radial dimpled steering stem nut cap the upscale presentation.
Cable-operated, the fuel injection provides crisp response with an intuitive sense of control. Pin it at low revs and a subtle hit in delivery can be felt at 6000 rpm with power continuing to build linearly to the 10,600-rpm rev limiter. The claimed peak output of 34 horsepower at 9500 rpm proved easily capable of keeping up with fast lane Hollywood Freeway flow. In top gear, engine revs align with indicated mph: 7000 rpm equates to 70 mph. I rode in a guided group, so there wasn’t an opportunity to test the bike’s top speed. Engine vibration finds a sweet spot at 55 mph, with vibes felt through the frame, saddle and grips moderately increasing beyond 6000 rpm. The bike is narrow so splaying your knees and heels slightly to avoid direct contact helps isolate the rider from the engine’s pulse.
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