BMW G 310 GS: The "GS world" becomes accessible with the small new entry [ROAD TEST VIDEO]

After debuting in a segment of certain interest and growth, that of medium-small displacements, BMW is doubling its offering, adding a GS version alongside the R. The Teutonic endurin maintains most of the characteristics and approximately 80% of the components of its Roadster sister, but it is even more captivating in look and intelligent in its approach aimed at versatility.

The engine is confirmed, with the peculiarity of the head rotated by 180° and some details derived from the very bad one S1000RR, the suspension travel increases, the setting of which is obviously less rigid, to allow offroad use of the small GS. We will see it shortly at the GS Academy, precisely because with its lightness, it is also perfect for off-road use, obviously not extreme. We tried one of the first examples registered, but it is already available in dealerships.

Aesthetics and finishes:

rating:  

The family feeling with her older sisters is evident, with which many might confuse her

The aesthetics of the smallest GS highlight a family feeling with the larger F700GS and all the other Enduros from the Elica company, to the point that during our test, many mistook it for one of the bigger sisters. Obviously, a careful eye easily notices the compact engine and the many differences, but this testifies to the quality of the work done, because the G310GS It doesn't look like a cheap GS at all, as some might think. Some details may not be at the top in terms of finishing, but in general it is certainly a very well looked after motorbike, especially in reference to the price and the segment it belongs to. Compact, but complete with instrumentation, clearly visible even in full light, where only the warning lights become difficult to read.

We find similarities with the other GS especially in the area of ​​the tank and the side panels, but the entire front part is also a trademark. Like the beak of the high mudguard, which adds to the one on the wheel, which is then combined with a certainly impactful fork, with upside down legs, with sheaths finished in gold color and radial mount calipers. These are nobles Brembo, even if of entry level brand Bybre. The rear part, on the other hand, more easily reveals the fact that we are dealing with the smallest of the house, because the proportions are different, with a reduced wheelbase of just 1.420 mm, but in general a slimmer and lighter appearance. The ergonomics are good, with simpler and more essential controls than the high-end models, but still well made and intuitive in their operation.

Engine and performance:

rating:  

It only vibrates high and seems to have more than its 34 horsepower

The heart of the G 310 GS is the same as the G 310 R, economical in consumption, with a declared value close to 30 km/l, simple, but not too simple in its architecture. It has the head "upside down" compared to the classic scheme, turned 180°, therefore with the intake frontal and the exhaust facing backwards. Solution that allows the engine block to be shortened, lengthening the swingarm and centralizing the masses. It then borrows solutions from the S 1000 RR super sports car, such as the rocker arms coated in DLC.

The vibrations of the engine appear much more contained than one might expect from a small single-cylinder that whips quickly, especially when it is fully exploited. Up to almost 6.000 rpm (therefore in sixth gear up to motorway speeds) they are almost imperceptible, while they begin to be felt above this threshold, to the point of becoming annoying only if you travel on a motorway using almost all of the maximum speed allowed, which reaches 143 km/h, with the single-cylinder engine revving at over 10 thousand rpm. Let's say that traveling at 130 km/h is strongly discouraged, even if it would probably only be the hands and feet of the driver who would suffer, not the mechanical parts. However, it is better to take it a little easier, perhaps opting for a more pleasant state road, or keeping a slower pace than that allowed by the highway code.

As for the maximum power, it is 34 horsepower at 9.500 rpm and the torque reaches 28 Nm at 7.500 rpm. If you think that they are few, we can guarantee that you will be surprised by how much fun it can be to make the most of them, both on the road and when the asphalt ends. With the softer suspension and greater travel, it is also easy to raise the front of the G 310 GS at the start, but without reaching these excesses, at the traffic lights in city use it has no fear of inferiority complexes with anyone.

The transmission is good, which includes a multi-plate wet clutch and a 6-speed gearbox. If you don't push the gears too much you end up quickly dropping them and finding yourself in sixth already at city speeds. In this it almost seems like we're driving a 125 from when we were kids, with the speed increasing and the rpm almost not even being affected by gear changes, to the point that it's natural to move up without using the clutch (even if the operation is always better avoid it, as a precaution).

Ride and handling:

rating:  

Featherweight, but with BMW style

The chassis of the G 310 GS is based on wheels 19” at the front and 17 at the rear, with tyres Metzeler Tourance, 110/80 and 150/70 at the rear, while arriving at 180 mm for suspension travel, which we remember features a 41 mm upside-down front fork. A single 300mm disc at the front and a 240 behind, with a Bybre system (a cheap series, but still from Brembo), they think about stopping the Giessina, always with the help of the ABS. 835 mm from the ground for the saddle (with two optional + and – 15 mm options) and a featherweight, half a kilo under 170 in running order, give those who drive it an experience worthy of the brand it shows off, but simple and within everyone's reach .

When driving it we found it more fun, but at the same time easier than its bare-bones sister, with the added advantage of being able to go on some dirt roads without any fear. Its reduced weight actually makes it more suitable for off-road vehicles of larger tonnage and, it is no coincidence, BMW will bring it to the next editions of the GS Academy. The only gem is the footrests with the removable rubber insert, but if we want to find a flaw, the right footboard for the passenger is very close, perhaps too close to the exhaust.

The only significant flaw is the braking, which is not excellent in the stopping spaces and which requires a significant effort on the front control lever. Let's say that it obviously depends on the driving style, but it seems easier to have fun exploiting its brilliant 34 horsepower rather than stopping the little GS.

Price and consumption:

rating:  

6 thousand euros round and round, for petrol it seems like being on a scooter

The G 310 GS is built in India, but with standards and controls on Monaco levels. The price with which it has just entered the Elica company's price lists is instead 6.000 € rounds, compared to 5.150 for the Roadster version. As for the colours, the color combinations are all captivating, starting with this livery Cosmic Black, which combines glossy black elements with matt black parts, in addition to the dark gray of the lateral portions of the tank and the light gray of the side panels / conveyors and the tail. The small GS is also available in different colours Racing Red e Pearl White metallic. The latter is the most impressive and recalls the BMW Motorsport livery, with white, red and blue. This is also the only color that comes with a small surcharge, but only 60 euros. Regarding consumption, let's say that we are at scooter levels, given that it's easy to stay around 25 km/l, which with the 12 liter tank translates into very good autonomy. We are not at all far from the declared value of 3,33 l/100 km in the average cycle (WMTC).

The list of accessories is long, in true BMW style. We start, as mentioned, from the high and low variants of the saddle (+ and – 15 mm), but we find a large list of supports and bags, with the Topcase which can reach a generous capacity of 30 litres. We would like to point out that the central stand is optional (), as is the convenient 12 volt socket. You can then request heated grips, adjustable levers instead of the somewhat basic ones that we find as standard. For travellers, the presence of accommodation and the navigation system in the list of accessories is also appreciated BMW Motorrad Navigator V, or the housing for the smartphone, which can also be used as a navigator.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
It recalls its bigger sisters without falling into the ridiculous, easy to drive, discreet performance
We do not like it:
Braking can be improved

BMW G 310 GS: the Motorionline Report Card

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Tester clothing:
Jacket: Dainese Carve Master Gore-Tex
Trousers: Dainese New Galvestone Gore-Tex
Gloves: : Dainese Carbon D1 Short
Boots: Dainese TRQ-Tour Gore-tex
Helmet: AGV AX-8 Dual Evo