Menus
- Big heart roadster
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Contact
- In the city
- On the highway
- On departmental
- Comfort / Duo
- Consumption
- Braking
- Practical aspects
- Conclusion
- The BMW G310R video test
Big heart roadster
The fashion is for small displacement not only because of the A2 license but simply from the manufacturers who have embarked on the multiplication of these small models in recent years, both in terms of sport, trail and roadster.. It must be said that all brands are also turning to emerging markets and that these small engines are totally adapted to it. BMW is no exception to this fundamental movement and now offers a cute G310R, ideal with us for young drivers, only? Designed in Germany, but built in India by TVS, what is the latest BMW really worth? G310R roadster test.
Discovery
Small, stocky, bigger than a 125 and almost as big as some 500s, the G310R imposes it however. So much so that from certain angles, we really lend it a bigger displacement. It must be said that it offers a nice look and that the finish is there when you approach it, including in terms of plastics. There is a BMW family resemblance inspired by its big sister S1000R, without even needing the BMW logo embossed on the handlebar trigger guard. It is a roadster, a small roadster even, rather intended for solitary pleasures so much the passenger seat is reduced to a minimal portion.
For the rest, we appreciate the BMW logo encrusted in the crankcase as well as the discreet passage of the wires at all levels. The inverted golden front fork has nothing to envy to more prestigious models and no savings have been made on the tire mounted on Michelin Pilot Street either. The turn signals themselves could have been borrowed from optional equipment from tuned parts manufacturers. Even the exhaust, rather bulky considering the displacement, contributes to the enhancement of the machine.
In the saddle
With a saddle at a reasonable height (785mm), the 1.70m pilot almost puts his feet firmly on the ground and this is already a good sign for the grip, guaranteeing easier stationary maneuvers. The weight especially has nothing to do, including when stationary and one almost has the impression of being on a 125. It must be said that the G310R only weighs 158 kilos in running order (a little heavier than a Duke 390). The controls fall naturally to the hand and the saddle, feet and hand triangle is perfect with this very slight forward pressure. Better still, the legs nestle perfectly in the sides of the tank, contributing to an easy and really pleasant leg grip. Sometimes a motorcycle suitable for a small rider ends up ill-suited for a large one. This is not the case here where even a 1.90 pilot will be comfortable with an equally pleasant overall position and controls that are easy to reach. We insist, but it is a really major strong point of the machine.
We then discover a fully digital screen with all the information of a complete on-board computer: speedometer, baregraph tachometer, partial double trip, fuel gauge, average and instantaneous consumption, remaining autonomy, average speed, gear indicator engaged, clock … Everything is there, as on the bigger ones. We may regret the absence of a warning. On the other hand, everything turns out to be readable, including under the sun..
Contact
The 313cc single cylinder with inverted cylinder head and rear-tilted cylinder hums with a light, almost crisp noise that deserves a lower-sounding exhaust. First … and we stall. Ah! Damn ! New test and readjustment. The third try will be the correct one. The G310R requires a little adaptation time with the need not to be brutal when letting go of the clutch and to accelerate well at the same time. Once this is acquired, everything goes very well for the future.
In the city
Small, compact, as we have said, the G310R therefore weaves its way through traffic with ease, especially since its featherweight allows for easy maneuvers even at very low speed. The engine is lively, generous (especially considering the displacement) and does not hesitate to go up in the towers in a lively way. And on the contrary, do not hesitate to go up in the towers, the mono naturally bumping under 2,500 rpm. Fortunately, the first reports are short and we go up the reports by ear, without having to stay high in the towers. However, the engine is flexible and we can even move on the sixth and last report with a trickle of gas at 48 km / h and 3,000 rpm. It starts to knock at 45 km / h, but it is possible to go down even to 35 km / h without stalling, still in sixth gear. Only the neutral point is not always easy to find, sometimes easier to find at a standstill when going down the second, than when going up the first..
On the highway
The G310R rushes with vigor and will on the highway quickly reaching 130 km / h, while it is only 8,000 rpm. We then nibble the following kilometers hours up to 10,000 rpm to accept a 145 km / h (counter) or 140 km / h (real). Its liveliness in town at low speed noticeably decreases stability at top speed, especially since the howl of the engine and the overall lightness will make you descend more reasonably at legal speeds. Protection is weak but does not interfere at all.
On departmental
The G310R is happily found on small roads where its liveliness allows it to jump from one bend to another. The engine reacts to the slightest request of the throttle and accepts to fly in the towers with a clear increase in fishing above 7,500 rpm. But for all that, there is no need to keep it so high to get the pleasure of it. Returning to the intermediate ratios, between 3 and 4, the raises are dynamic and allow you to move on with ease without thinking about it to make a little fluff with friends. The light weight and the exemplary handling are real assets, in addition less tiring the pilot. The front axle is also extremely precise with the right amount of downforce at the front and makes it possible to recover a somewhat late arrival in a curve. Agility is in its DNA, reinforced by a short wheelbase. In short, this little one forgives a lot the approximations of piloting. And the more winding the road, the greater the ease. We will hardly apply the rear brake to concentrate on the front to brake strongly and relaunch just as much..
Comfort / Duo
The double shock absorber does its job very well. The front fork, however, has a small tendency to dive on heavy and hard braking, but without ever hampering the precision of the front axle..
Consumption
The G310R has a bird’s appetite, which will suit the overall economy offered by the machine, with fuel consumption hovering around 4 liters per hundred. But at a stable rate of 80 km / h on the last report, we can even go down to almost 3 liters per hundred (confirmed by the instantaneous consumption of the on-board computer). Better the tank offers a capacity of 11 liters, which allows a wide range of 300 km depending on the pace and allows nearly two weeks of autonomy for those who make the city / near suburbs every day.
Braking
The front brake with its 300mm disc and radially mounted 4-piston calipers does a great job, delivering precise feel and all the power needed to stop 34 horsepower. Only the rear brake is clearly set back, mainly playing the role of a retarder; it is not so much the simple 240mm disc with double piston in question as the ABS which engages very easily. We will therefore use the two levers together, to offer powerful and safe braking, both in the dry and in the wet..
Practical aspects
How to say … it’s a roadster. There is no room under the saddle, except for a disk unit. Even the anti-theft devices do not slip into the spaces of the brake discs; they will therefore fall between the sticks of the rims.
On the other hand, ingenious spaces at the level of the oscillating arm make it possible to fix a tensioner, very useful for wedging a bag on the saddle. In fact, the anti-theft solution held on the saddle with a tensioner works.
Conclusion
BMW released with the G310R a real roadster, nice, of an exemplary ease of handling and ideal for A2 licenses. Valuing, with a real look, the ramage and the height of the plumage and should delight the rise of the young rider who finds there the ideal machine to strengthen his mastery of the bike before larger displacement. Far from being just a 300cc, the engine is really full, especially when compared to other equivalent displacements and offers its share of pleasure. Only the box could be improved, especially with respect to other productions. Finally, only the price (4950 €) consistent with the competition (cheaper than a Duke 390 but a little more than an MT-03) but ultimately not so far from some 500 could weaken the absolute choice of the buyer, while the performance and fun are there and deserve to take the time to make your choice. The solution then remains the LOA with an offer at 49 euros per month, ideal for first-time buyers! But for those who dream of acceding to the brand, the G310R would show it off to other models of the brand and is a great opportunity to enter the BMW world..
Strong points
- motor
- driving position
- overall behavior
- drink
- finishing
Weak points
- box
The technical sheet of the G310R
Test conditions
- Itinerary: town + small varied roads + interurban motorway
- Motorcycle mileage: 300 km
Colors available
- Pearl white metallic
- Cosmic black
- Strato blue metallic
The BMW G310R video test
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