First Ride: BMW G310GS 

You’re welcome and Happy Birthday! I’d be interested to know how you get on with the mild off roading, particularly with the weight, suspension and tyre choice. I know Kawasaki have an announcement in a couple of weeks, with rumours that one might be a new KLX300. Not sure if it would be available in the UK, but I do think this small dual sport sector is quite interesting at the moment. Enjoy the 310, I’m sure you will have a blast!

@@PeakMotorcycles - I've wanted a 300cc class adventure bike for four decades and it seems that the industry has finally delivered these last several years. They'll never do what a proper GS will do as a world traveler but that's not my goal, fun as that would be. I can see where the GS faithful would say the baby GS isn't a real GS, hurts the brand, etc. I think BMW did a great job of delivering value on a bike like this that was built to a budget. The price dropped significantly this year in India, presumably to better compete with the Himalayan and KTM offerings. I think the G310GS will do very well in the large and fast growing Asian market so it's a good business move for BMW. For the western world, I wish BMW would make a Sertao or Dakar version in Germany with spoke wheels, larger fuel tank, better suspension, and basically upgrade it all around, maybe keyless ignition, for perhaps a 40% higher price. I'm 6'2" and despite its relatively large appearance, the G310GS is too small to fit me well. I think it's better scaled to the average Asian rider. Despite not having optimal ergonomics for me, it's still far more comfortable than the street legal dirt bikes I've always ridden. I feel as if I've been driving pickup trucks my entire life and I just bought a Lexus. For a budget BMW bike, it's well put together. Brand new, it shifts better than my DR350 did after break-in, when I switched to synthetic oil. I'm sure it has a light buzzy feel for someone accustomed to a large GS, but it feels much smoother than what I'm accustomed to riding.

Yup, agree with all that. I’m 6’1 and found the same. A Dakar/Sertao option would be awesome, especially if up to 40% more. I think that would be comparable to doing the Rally Raid updates. If they do, hopefully they don’t push their luck too far or they’ll be in Tenere 700 territory. Different bike, for different uses, but let’s see. With the move away from public transport, bike sales have apparently risen. Maybe the interest from those seeking a scooter+ will make it worthwhile for BMW to invest further.

Aye, they are definitely the most popular. I’ll sort that this week!

Indeed. Though there’s really not that much to go wrong on them. I think the target market is India (where I think they are made) so I suspect many won’t get regular servicing in a fancy BMW main dealer. If they weren’t so heavy, I’d quite fancy Rally Raiding one.

@@PeakMotorcycles In India BMW Motorrad's service network isn't as vast, now the local mechanics who are used with smaller bikes and likes of Royal Enfields they refuse to touch these so called 'high capacity' bikes (yes in India its still a big bike) because they dont want to go wrong with it, specially stuff related to engine, even more so if the bike is tech loaded. Having said that, BMW customers here dont have much choice in choosing where they want to service their bikes. With the recent 2020 launch of this baby GS and the price cut vs previous version, it undercuts the KTM 390 Adv by a huge margin and will certainly bring more walk-ins to BMW's showroom.

BTW what you are riding in the video is the old version, the newer 2020 version does not have switchable ABS, but gets ride by wire, ALL- LED, and is very very refined, I just took a test ride last week.

@@MotoRhapsody perhaps in India, but we don’t get the LED/Fly by wire GS until 2021. Sounds interesting though. Do you have both the new 310R and the 310GS already? I saw an article which mentioned the R was available in India from 8-October. www.rideapart.com/articles/447092/2021-bmw-g310gs-updates-launched/ Unfortunately my video was recorded back in August a few months before the new one was launched anywhere. I expect we’ll get the new one in dealers March/April next year so I’ll have another go then.

@@PeakMotorcycles Yes both the R and the GS (new ones) are available already at showrooms for test rides and sales.

It’s the GS thing I guess. And that BMW are trading on the GS name, and taking some styling cues to give it a GS look. As the most popular bike over 125cc sold in the UK for many of the last 10 years, the 1200GS is a reference point for many. But yes, nuts indeed as they are absolutely different and the only things they share is part of the name and where they appear in BMW’s catalogue 🤣

@@PeakMotorcycles Thanks for reply. Ride safe.

I’ve still got a R1250GS, but I have a CRF300L arriving in a few weeks. Not sure the 310GS or KTM390 are as off road orientated. Quite heavy too (the BMW is nearly 30kg more than the CRF). Spring is nearly here and I’m sure choosing will be fun. Ride safe.

The 2021 colours are out now; a dark blue and one with just a hint of the 40th anniversary GS yellow. I quite like them both.

Aye, I’m not surprised. The Zontes bikes look great. Made to a budget (as are the BMW’s) but that’s what they are for and I think the Zontes will do very well. I saw that Sinnis finally launched their T380 too, a bargain price for low speed adventures, but it’s carrying a lot of weight. There’s plenty of people who haven’t ridden any of them knocking bikes based on where they are made, but I’m a big believer in don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. I’d be interested to know how you get on with the T310. I’ll see if I can try one when conditions permit. I think there’s a dealer somewhere round here. Ride safe!

@@PeakMotorcycles yes buddy. Honestly it's been fantastic the only problem I've ever had with it in 10,000 km is a new O2 sensor that was replaced under warranty anyway. It's not the fastest bike but for that little single cylinder it's got lots of torque! I'm a heavy big guy and it has no problems getting me up to 140 ! It's worth every single penny. The quality of the plastics and even the suspension, brakes , the TFT display our way better than the 310 GS. Thanks man and ride safe too

It seems every manufacturer is making a 200hp+ sports or super naked these days. Great for top trumps, but there’s not many places where you can use even a fraction of that capability on public roads. It’s great to see the resurgence of small, cheap singles. They won’t win a drag race, but there’s definitely fun to be had taking in the view! I was quite taken with the Fantic 250, and after hearing the KLX300 wasn’t coming to the UK I was ready to commit. Except then Honda announced the new CRF300L, and from the specs (a bit lighter, a bit more power, more sensible gear ratios (5 lower and a higher 6th) slipper clutch and more,) so I think one of those will be arriving in the next few weeks. The Trans Euro Trail almost passes my house, so with some more travel restrictions in ‘21 I plan to stay local.

The Zontes has the same engine...exactly the same...and really similar specs...how come one desappoints and the other it much better?

@@nunocristino3680 thanks! I guess that’s a question for @stefan hulme

Just kills? Do you mean only just, like they are nearly equal? Both seem to have found their own market, and I guess some folks choose the KTM and others the BMW, for their own reasons. In the UK, the KTM is £6k and the BMW £400 cheaper. In stock form, I think the KTM is the more capable bike, but companies like Rally Raid do some upgrades for the BMW (at extra cost) which can make massive improvements. Not sure I’d choose either to be honest, but each to their own.