BMW G 310 GS 40 years GS Edition 2021 — Specifications

Forty years of GS calls for noise and colour. BMW decided that no one would be left by the roadside, from the heavyweight R 1250 GS Adventure down to the youngest member of the family. The G 310 GS therefore inherits its own anniversary livery, that black and yellow "Bumblebee" scheme recalling the original 100 GS. On the larger-displacement machines, the statement is thunderous. On the 310, it is rather more understated — a few sober pinstripes and the GS initials as a nod to the occasion. It is something, at least.

Honesty compels one to acknowledge that the anniversary edition stops there for the little Bavarian. The other "40 Years" versions benefit from PRO trim, which bundles all available option packs into a genuinely tangible added value. The G 310 GS cannot claim the same, not for lack of willingness on BMW's part, but simply because no options exist in the catalogue for this model. A handful of accessories, and that is all. A set of yellow hand guards to round out the picture would have been a welcome minimum, but the anniversary budget clearly has its limits as you descend the hierarchy.

It would be unfair to stop there, because the motorcycle recently received a substantial under-the-skin update. Euro 5 compliance brings with it ride-by-wire throttle, a slipper clutch, full LED lighting, and adjustable lever reach. The idle that automatically rises on clutch release is a thoughtful touch for beginners, the primary target of this machine. The 313 cc single-cylinder, with its 34 horsepower at 9,250 rpm and 29.4 Nm at 7,500 rpm, runs within well-finished mechanicals for its category, built around a tubular steel trellis frame and a 41 mm upside-down fork offering 180 mm of travel at both ends.

At 175 kg fully fuelled and €6,255, the G 310 GS lines up against rivals such as the Honda CB500X and the Royal Enfield Himalayan, two machines that offer more exploitable torque in everyday use. The 835 mm seat height demands a minimum of stature, and a top speed of 143 km/h clearly places this trail bike in the category of learner machines and regional commuting rather than long-distance adventure. The 11.5-litre tank does little to inspire confidence on extended runs either.

For an A2-licence holder looking to experience the trail riding position without breaking the bank or getting out of their depth, the G 310 GS delivers on its promises honestly. This anniversary edition gives it a dress that flatters its membership of an illustrious lineage, even if the substance underneath remains unchanged. It is cosmetic, unashamedly so, and ultimately consistent with the entry-level positioning of a motorcycle that has never claimed to be anything other than a gateway into the GS universe.