BMW G 310 R 2024 — Specifications

When Munich decides to play in the entry-level market, it results in something quite unique: a motorcycle assembled in Chennai by TVS Motor Company, sold for 5,690 euros in France, and proudly bearing the blue and white propeller on the tank. The BMW G 310 R is not like other BMWs, and it no longer tries to pretend it is. This 2024 model fully embraces its positioning, while having undergone an aesthetic makeover that really changes things compared to the 2020, 2021 or 2022 versions.

The work on the bodywork is the most visible aspect of this evolution. The Bavarian design offices clearly drew inspiration from the larger R-series siblings, and the result is convincing. The thin-beam LED lighting signature clearly recalls the higher-displacement roadsters, creating a visual consistency that direct competitors do not offer. The KTM Duke 390 plays more of a gothic aggression card, the Yamaha MT-03 remains on a fairly neutral sporty register. The G 310 R, on the other hand, takes on the airs of a larger bike, and it works visually. What can be criticized, however, is the LCD instrumentation which shows its age compared to the TFT screen of the Katana 125 or the Duke. For a BMW G 310 R test ride focused on urban daily use, the absence of a color screen is felt.

Under the reworked bodywork, the 313 cc single-cylinder engine turns unchanged for the most part but has undergone the adjustments required by the Euro 5 standard. Mounted upside down in the steel trellis frame, with the intake on the front, it develops 34 horsepower at 9,250 rpm and 29.4 Nm at 7,500 rpm. Figures that clearly place the machine in the A2 register, and which are sufficient to carry the 164 kg, fully fueled, up to 143 km/h at top speed. The six-speed gearbox operates with precision, and the anti-dribble clutch added to this version noticeably reduces the effort on the left hand, a real benefit in the city. Ride-by-Wire completes the picture of a correct equipment level for the price.

What distinguishes this motorcycle in its category is mainly the level of mechanical finish. The 41 mm inverted fork with 140 mm of travel, the Bybre four-piston calipers on a 300 mm front disc, the aluminum swingarm: on the BMW G 310 R technical sheet, these elements are not usual at this price. The front end inspires confidence, the steering is precise without being nervous, and the 785 mm seat remains accessible for a rider of average build. On the used market, a well-maintained 2019 or 2023 BMW G 310 R often represents a serious deal for those looking for a first roadster with simplified management.

The real subject is positioning. BMW is not trying to make the G 310 R its commercial battle horse in Europe. This motorcycle exists to allow a young A2 license holder to start with the Bavarian badge, or for a returning driver to regain their bearings without managing 100 horsepower. It also exists to conquer the Indian and Asian markets, where TVS produces it and where the BMW G 310 R price constitutes a serious argument. The result is an honest machine, with a real level of equipment, without claiming to rival the 500 cc in terms of engine pleasantness. For those looking for a restrained and well-bred roadster without going directly to the F 900 R, the G 310 R fulfills its contract with a consistency that was not necessarily expected from this Franco-Bavarian alliance manufactured under the Tamil Nadu sun.