The ranks of globally-focused, small-displacement sportbikes continues to grow, with BMW announcing the all-new G 310 R, the company’s first sub-500cc roadster model. It was developed in Munich by BMW Motorrad and will be built in India by TVS Motor Company.
The light, single-cylinder naked sportbike is said to deliver dynamic performance, good comfort and low fuel consumption. With styling similar to the S 1000 R, the G 310 R has a bikini fairing with compact headlight, an athletic profile and aggressive design elements.
The liquid-cooled, 313cc single has four valves, DOHC and electronic fuel injection. Its backward-tilted cylinder has an open-deck design, with the cylinder head turned 180 degrees to position the intake tract at the front. Claimed output at the crank is 34 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and 21 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm, and the bike’s curb weight is said to be just 349 pounds.
Designed to provide a relaxed seating position and ergonomics that can accommodate a wide range of rider sizes (seat height is 30.9 inches), BMW put emphasis on easy, safe operation and neutral, predictable handling. The G 310 R has a rigid tubular-steel frame, an upside-down fork and a long swingarm for added stability. Up front is a single, radially mounted 4-piston fixed caliper with a 300mm disc and out back is a single 2-piston floating caliper with a 240mm disc, and 2-channel ABS is standard. A large LCD instrument panel provides a wide range of information to the rider.
The 2017 BMW G 310 R will be available in Cosmic Black/PolarWhite non-metallic, Strato Blue metallic and Pearl White metallic (subject to additional charge). Base price in the U.S. will be $4,750, with a lowered destination fee of $245 (standard destination is $495). Availability is still TBD.
Boom!!! and now BMW is in the new rider market. Man, noobs have it real good these days. I wonder if that inverted fork is necessary on a bike in this category. I think a traditional fork would have been sufficient and cheaper.