Motorcycles

BMW G310 R: The first "Beemer" under 500cc

BMW G310 R: The first "Beemer" under 500cc
The new BMW G310 R available worldwide the second half of 2016
The new BMW G310 R available worldwide the second half of 2016
View 9 Images
The new BMW G310 R available worldwide the second half of 2016
1/9
The new BMW G310 R available worldwide the second half of 2016
The new BMW G 310 R in white, blue and red
2/9
The new BMW G 310 R in white, blue and red
The new BMW G 310 R in blue
3/9
The new BMW G 310 R in blue
Both color versions of the BMW G 310 R available worldwide in the second half of 2016
4/9
Both color versions of the BMW G 310 R available worldwide in the second half of 2016
On the streets with the new BMW G 310
5/9
On the streets with the new BMW G 310
On the streets with the new BMW G 310
6/9
On the streets with the new BMW G 310
Riding two-up with the new BMW G 310 R
7/9
Riding two-up with the new BMW G 310 R
On the road with the new BMW G 310 R
8/9
On the road with the new BMW G 310 R
On the road with the new BMW G 310 R
9/9
On the road with the new BMW G 310 R
View gallery - 9 images

The sub-500cc motorcycle market just got a bit more crowded, with the recent announcement of the BMW G 310 R. The one-cylinder, liquid-cooled roadster embodies what you'd expect from the German marque, with a silhouette that mimics the acclaimed S 1000 R and performance numbers that fall right in line with the competition.

Not having any models to raid from, BMW Motorrad started from scratch with the G 310 R and came up with what it claims is a bike designed specifically for the world market ... meaning anyone at any level burning just about any kind of fuel will be able to ride this bike.

The centerpiece is, of course, the engine, and the first thing that sets the newly developed power plant apart is the backward-tilted cylinder. This made it possible to position the intake facing directly at the front of the bike to aid in airflow and to stretch out the swing arm.

The new BMW G 310 R in white, blue and red
The new BMW G 310 R in white, blue and red

With four valves and two overhead camshafts, the 313 cc engine produces a claimed output of 34 hp (25 kW) at 9,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 21 ft lb (28 Nm) at 7,500 rpm. That's similar to the 32 hp of the KTM 390 Duke, the bike that will probably be considered the closest competitor to the G 310 R.

Top speed is a claimed 90 mph (145 km/h) and fuel capacity is 2.9 gallons (11 liters). Again, right in line with the competition.

BMW put that new engine in a rigid tubular steel frame attached to a long aluminum swing arm to ensure a high degree of stability and responsiveness. Inverted forks sit up front and a spring strut in the rear. Stopping power is provided by 2-channel ABS with a single 300-millimeter disc brake and 4-piston fixed caliper on the 3.0 x 17-inch front wheel and a 2-piston floating caliper on a 240-millimeter disc brake on the 4.0 x 17-inch back wheel.

Seat height is 31 inches (785 mm), but BMW is offering optional seats that can lower that to 30 inches (760 mm) or raise it to 31.5 inches (800 mm) for taller riders. At a dry weight of 349 lb (158.5 kg) the G 310 R is right in line with other bikes in this class.

Riding two-up with the new BMW G 310 R
Riding two-up with the new BMW G 310 R

BMW has partnered with the TVS Group in India to build the G 310 R, with expected availability globally by the middle of 2016. Price has not yet been established.

Earlier this fall, BMW teased the motorcycle community with the Concept G 310 stunt bike introduced at South America's biggest motorcycle show, the Salao Duas Rodas in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Check out this video to see the G 310 R in action.

Source: BMW Motorrad

BMW G 310 R Strato Blue and BMW G 310 R Pearl White Riding

View gallery - 9 images
7 comments
7 comments
mhpr262
A six-and-ahalf minute promo video without a single close-up shot where you can see what the bike really looks like. Good job BMW.
schmoe90
"The first "Beemer" under 500cc"
Really? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_R27
notarichman
i'd be more impressed if it was a duo-sport cycle. one cylinder also usually makes for more vibration and more torque.
JimBrown
First BMW under 500cc, with the exception of the R24, R26 and R27.
And what did they do to the ass end of the bike??
HighPockets
Thank you un-wealthy fellow. I bought a third hand R25/3 in 1963 and loved it. It ran like a charm and was faster than the speedometer allowed as I broke it on the Autobahn by pushing the needle against the pin.
Ormond Otvos
Maybe I hallucinated the 50,000 miles I rode on my new-in-1967 R27, a beautifully engineered and extremely reliable rubber-mounted 250cc single, smooth as silk. Essentially half of a R50S, 7000 rpm, 18 bhp and quite capable of holding 70 mph all day long. Actually quieter than my R69S, since the valve cover was under the tank.
deebee
Made in India like KTM AND Royal Oilfild-i mean Enfield. Mmmmm.Doesn't sound too good.Maybe cheap,in more ways than one.Can't be any worse than the Kymco engined scooter,we hope. 160 kgs and no centre stand? Certainly no comparison with the R/25/6/7 of the sixties-except the blue and white badge. Still if you don't try you don't succeed.