BMW G 310 R BS6: Road Test Review In Images

Things weren’t in BMW Motorrad’s favour when it rolled out the G 310 R back in August 2018. As much as everyone loved the baby Beemer for its build quality, composure and everyday usability, the Rs 2.99 lakh (ex-showroom) price tag was certainly not justifiable, especially in a market spoiled by a certain Austrian brand.

Nevertheless, BMW is on the road to redemption with the new BS6 iteration of the bike. While other manufacturers hiked prices, the Bavarian brand stumped everyone by slashing the price of the G 310 R by Rs 55,000 despite offering numerous updates.

The powerhouse of the baby roadster has seen a massive improvement. The 313cc, reverse-inclined, single-cylinder engine still produces 34PS at 9,500rpm and 28Nm at 7,500rpm but doesn’t feel harsh like it used to, settling one of the biggest grouses of the older model.

The older model wasn’t comfortable being lugged around the city in higher gears, but the new model has ironed this out, courtesy the Idle Speed Increase feature. The system works in all the gears, allowing you to putter around at 35kmph without any throttle input.

BMW has also tuned the suspension to be slightly on the firmer side. While this has improved the nimbleness of the bike a wee bit, it still hasn’t lost its composure on bad roads.

BMW has fiddled with the rider’s triangle and made some subtle changes that go a long way in improving the ride experience. The seat, for instance, has been tweaked so it no longer forces you in one position. It’s also more comfortable for larger riders now.

The G 310 R finally comes equipped with span adjustable levers, which in their shortest setting bring the levers 6mm closer to the handlebar.

The G 310 R was undoubtedly a handsome motorcycle, and in its latest avatar, BMW has added more oomph to the streetfighter with new paint schemes and updated elements.

The baby Beemer now gets a new LED headlamp, in sync with the F 900 R and the new S 1000 R’s design. The headlight is a massive step-up from the halogen bulb on the previous model. Complementing the mean-looking headlamp are the new, sleeker LED indicators.

Unfortunately, BMW has chosen to retain the monochrome LCD instrument console, which offers nothing more than basic tell-tale information. Especially in times when even scooters are offering navigation and Bluetooth connectivity, this Beemer feels dated in this aspect.

While our braking test proved the BS6 model has better stopping power than the older model, we feel, had BMW skipped the Michelin Pilot Sport tyres in favour of the Road 5 rubber, the numbers could have been even better.

The Beemer is no more the pricey, discordant motorcycle that it used to be. With the updated engine, the bike has become a good option for riders looking for a well-mannered motorcycle which can be a hoot for weekend jaunts too. Adding to this is the company’s claim to have reduced the cost of service and spares to a point lower than that of the RR 310. So, has BMW perfected its baby roadster formula? We certainly think so.