BMW G 310 GS 2023 — Specifications

Imagine a novice A2 license holder walking into a BMW Motorrad dealership, their eyes gleaming at the R 1250 GS, and leaving with something a bit more reasonable under the seat. The BMW G 310 GS is exactly that promise: wearing the Munich badge without emptying your bank account, while inheriting a silhouette that doesn’t betray its origins.

Beneath the adventurous fairing lies a 313 cm3 single-cylinder engine whose technical configuration deserves closer examination. The inverted cylinder head, with the intake on the front, lowers the center of gravity and brings the masses closer to the drive wheel. This is an engineering choice that translates into concrete changes in direction, more direct than you would expect from an entry-level trail bike. This single produces 34 horsepower at 9,250 rpm for a torque of 28 Nm at 7,500 rpm, figures consistent with the displacement and sufficient to animate the 175 kg of the whole. The BMW G 310 GS top speed is around 141 km/h, which is perfectly suited for everyday use and weekend getaways, without claiming to rival a KTM 390 Adventure on the highway.

The 2023 BMW G 310 GS has not undergone an aesthetic revolution since its debut, but the technical updates accumulated since 2021 really change the on-board experience. The anti-backlash clutch reduces lever effort and protects the rear wheel during sudden downshifts. Electronic throttle control provides a welcome progressiveness for riders still learning. Start-up assist, which Suzuki popularized on its machines, avoids embarrassing stalls in traffic. Full LED lighting completes the package, and adjustable levers allow the motorcycle to be adapted to different hand sizes. These are details, but they distinguish a machine that has been seriously thought out from a simple exercise in style.

The chassis is derived directly from the roadster G 310 R, with a few targeted modifications to justify the trail designation. The steering head angle has been tightened, the wheelbase extended to 1,420 mm, and the suspension travel increased to 180 mm at both wheels. The 19-inch front wheel balances grip on asphalt and the ability to absorb rough roads, while the 17-inch rear wheel retains a versatile tire. The 41 mm inverted fork and central shock absorber with preload adjustment do the job correctly, without being adjustable in compression or rebound, which one could reproach at this price level. The seat height of 833 mm will remain an obstacle for shorter riders, and you will have to deal with that, especially on used G 310 GS found abundantly on the classifieds.

The new price of the BMW G 310 GS is set at 6,690 euros, which places it in a tight competition against the KTM 390 Adventure, which is faster and better equipped electronically, and against the Suzuki V-Strom 250, which is more accessible but less charismatic. The fact that it is assembled by TVS in Bangalore rather than in Bavaria should not shock anyone: KTM does the same with Bajaj for its small-displacement engines, and that has not prevented these machines from building a solid reputation. What matters is the consistency of the product. The general opinion of BMW G 310 GS owners regularly points to the BMW G 310 GS fuel consumption as a strong point, and indeed 3.3 liters per 100 km with an 11.5-liter tank offers correct range for its size. It is aimed at a specific audience: the A2 license holder, the urban dweller who wants to go away for the weekend without breaking the bank, or the experienced rider looking for a second, lightweight motorcycle for small roads. For large travelers seeking distant horizons, you will need to look elsewhere or accept its limitations with lucidity.