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My daughter, who is a new rider, bought a 2018 model which is a bit lowered, and very happy with it. Very much fun when we cruise together, me on the 1200 gs, my girl on the baby bmw. Quality time ❤
YEAH 310. I have almost 20,000k (on and off road) on mine (GS model), the most fun you can have on a bike, by far. Also easily the most reliable machine I've ever owned...nothing has gone wrong...zero, not even a loose bolt...and I live in Bulgaria, the land of 17th century roadbuilding.
I'm a new rider and waiting for spring to get my first bike, so the coverage of the smaller and lighter bikes speak to me more. The bigger bikes are still interesting and something I might strive for, but less relevant for me here and now
When I was looking for a new all-around bike about a year ago, it came down between this one and the Honda CB300R. (I'm 69 and wanted a fun, lightweight bike for small town and back road enjoyment.) They are so similar, both look great, and both had such good reviews that it was hard choice. In the end I chose the CB300R because of the famed Honda reliability (and most of my bikes have been Hondas) and the big difference in weight - 317 pounds in weight (wet) for the Honda vs 362 (wet) for the BMW. While I'm confident the BMW would probably have served my needs and wants well, a year later I am super happy with my choice between these 300 naked bikes. Great to have these options!
I'm 64 years old, and have had a bike most of my life, but I have been off one for some time. So I decided to start with a beginner style and low cost bike. I chose the BMW G310 R. I'm 5'7. I do have a little trouble getting my leg over it, and it does have a good height and weight to it. My total cost (tax, title, etc) in TN was $6550. I did consider other bikes first. Both the Honda dealer and Harley dealer immediately took me to their used bikes (their biggest profit margin) which required a separately purchased add on warranty. They really didn't want to sell me anything new. I am very happy with this bike, the three year warranty, ABS brakes, liquid cooling, multi function display, plenty of takeoff, high RPM, Rides very balanced, smooth and easy. A good bike for getting back into riding. And for me, sitting up straight is the best feature. I don't want to lay down on a bike. It's a good street bike for cruising around town and back roads. My gf loves the ride too. I'm very happy with this bike.
I am considering getting bank into motorcycling, I'm 58 I've had a few bikes in my time but over 15 yrs since my last one . Speed isn't a big issue for me but a low seat height and not too heavy , I am very impressed on the reviews I've seen of the 310 and your comment here too . Here in the UK can get a second hand one for around £2000 very tempting indeed
Ian, great job on describing exactly how this bike feels to ride with regard to the engine characteristics. I rented a g310gs for a 400 mile multi-day tour. I consider myself an experienced rider. However, I hadn't ridden for almost 10 years up to that point and was weary of renting a bike that was too powerful and too tall for a 5'5" shorty like myself, so I opted for a small displacement, "entry level" adventure model. I was so happy with the predictable power delivery of this engine. As you said, you can use 100% of the power 100% of the time and still feel in command. The bike is extremely well balanced and the light feeling. I can confidently recommend this bike for beginners and intermediate riders. Great job, keep it up!
I'm a owner of g310r since August 23 i bought New one Your test is great I aggre with You , I have 1.82 cm and it is Ok for me, its my first bike after a scooter 125 cc (honda pcx-125) and I love this bike... Regards from Poland
This used to be my first bike (2018 model but pretty much unchanged). I was looking for a nimble sporty-naked for a2 license (48hp max). But since the bike was gonna be my only vehicle i wanted it to be practical for daily commute as well even with a pillion. After test-riding all of the competition i decided that this was the one. The 390 duke is sportier but not as comfortable. The ninja (just like its bigger siblings) is unusable with a pillion, while the cb500f and cb300r are way to cramped for my height (6'0''). The g 310r was the only naked lightweight bike that I would ride comfortably for 2 hours straight and with a pillion. I sold it last year after i outgrew it and wanted to try adventure riding. I thing i made the best choice byuing it. It is definitely not an excellent bike (slow compared to some of its competitors, sounds just like all singles, unenjoyable at speeds over 70 mph/ 110km). But it is very enjoyable at a fast-ish rate and a great everyday bike. Definitely recommended for beginners
Have the 310GS....it is my "Exit Level Bike". Have the 1200RT parked right beside it. At 67 transition is going to happen, it is just Nature. So got the 310GS to use....hitch carry it to far away places....unload and ride....jump to new place. Load and come home after a week or 2. Easy ridin bike....fun does not always have to be at 100 mph.
It was my wife's (5-2, 103 lbs) very first motorcycle, excellent machine and we are so so sorry we sold this nifty bike, what a wonderful machine this is, nice overview Ian, cheers V!
When discussing the price, also keep in mind maintenance costs. When I compare my KTM Duke 200 dealership prices to my colleague's BMW 310, he pays about double for everything. Oil, chain, air filter, no matter what, it's double of KTM. Maybe non branded shops are more affordable, but the numbers add up over the years.
I ran a G310R as my first bike for 7000 miles over 18 months. Longest distance covered between fuel stops was 215 miles. Lovely bike, replaced it with a Triumph Trident 660, but still miss it sometimes.
Another good review, Ian. An excellent beginner's bike. Whilst a low seat height might have experienced riders feeling a little too close to the ground and cramped, for beginners this is ideal. Very happy to trade space for a good flat feet on the ground both sides feeling, to build confidence.
I would go with, and actually did go with a Japanese competitor… specifically, the Ninja 400 and I love it from the street all the way to the track! Also got my son a Duke 390, this BMW bike looks (& sounds) JUST like a 390, but with a smaller bore engine. We liked the single cylinder 390 for its torquey nature but always went back to Ninja 400’s twin!
What's odd is the absence of any mention of the Kawasaki Z400 (soon to be "500"). Based on my wife's former Ninja 400, the Z would have a greater range of performance capabilities, especially in highway environments. It was smooth and happy cruising at 80- the Ninja's fairing is a big help, admittedly- and had enough power to feel reasonably safe in the Interstate traffic. A better dealer situation in most areas in the US would also be a big tipping point. Just the sheer number of K-400s you see at any track day is another good indication.
Great review! I ride one of these for two days and had a blast. No hiway miles. Great body position/ ergonomics, light, handles so easy and fun. If you’re a beginner wanting power about here it’s great. I ride a M Guzzi 1100 so quite different.
I’m 6’4” and sat on one at the dealership - I was surprised how roomy it felt for a ‘small’ bike - though no ‘small’ bike can compete with the Versys 300 in terms of great ergos for tall folk.
As an Instructor, we have a whole fleet of these… even the GS model, for taller students. Can’t say they have been trouble free though. Mostly minor problems. I’m a BMW fanboy though!
I bought a G310GS thanks to your review video along with other recommendations and a fantastic dealer experience with BMW. I love it so far and am looking to upgrade to a R12XXGS for longer trips, but I love the 310 for commuting and beginner trails. It's been a great first step and I can't imagine the R being any different
The 1250 GS Trophy, if you can get a good deal on one, is a very nice bike, albeit pretty tall. No fork dive at all, with the telescopic front fork design, with heavy front brakes.
I was highly considering gs version of this bike but ended up with the 750 gs. I like the capabilities of the 750 but it’s great that rhe 310 is available for such a low price
I actually wanted one of the 310r's as my first bike... do you know the major hang-up I had? In my local area, I had 1 Honda dealers, 1 KTM, 1 Yamaha and a Kawasaki dealer and a massive Honda/Ducati/KTM (all in one) dealer... but no BMW dealership. I had to travel nearly an hour to get to the BMW dealership... now, if I have to take my bike to any of the other dealerships, I can bus home or get a ride and takes very little extra time... any of the BMW dealers it's looking like an hour and half round trip. Dealership networks are important.
I have a g310 r. It’s a great beginner bike. Honestly not expensive to maintain. Way cheaper than a car. If you’re going to do a road trip I would suggest keeping the speed between 67-73mph above that you get serious vibrations. Good review though!
Yamaha MT-03, KTM Duke 250, Honda CB300R probably the most natural competition. Personally I'd go for the Yamaha in this group just for transmission function and being a twin, potentially slightly smoother engine. The excessive cranking before start, is most likely a lean condition. Emissions and all that. Bet an ECU flash would solve that. The smallest I'd go as a 6'-3" dude would be a 400-450cc class. Just has a bit more power for not being as much of a hazard in traffic. Duke 390, Ninja 500, if the new RS457 doesn't explode like the 660's do....
I recently got my motorcycle license and the GS version was the loaner for the class. I had so much fun zipping around on it, I'm seriously considering one even though I got my license for getting a dual sport.
Thank you Ian for the great review. Fabulous small bike, amazing colour, great warranty. We almost bought the GS Version for my wife, but went with a Honda CB 300.
I could recommend this bike. I test rode this and Hunter 350. I went for the Hunter 350 for a little bit better on/off throttle feel, but also better looks in my opinion, and less mileage, around 3.0l/100km instead of around 3.8l/100km for the G310R. But G310R, if you don't mind the modern "wasp's head" styling, is really good to ride and faster than Hunter 350.
I test rode a GS. Could not live with the vibration in the foot pegs. Also very underpowered. The geometry is perfect though. The vibration is always understated on reviews. That engine will make your feet go numb. It doesn’t really translate to the handlebars though.
they train you with these bikes for CHP Motorcycle class in Long Beach. I loved the bike so i looked into some reviews online and long term reviews were not that great.
That is a good looking bike. I think I would choose a Ninja 400 or Z400 over this. I don't think you are making a bad choice if this is the one you want.
First thought: another practical, real-world review. Second, love your new property (5 acres and mostly flat, I think?). Third, though I am not a Nanny Stater, there's a lot to be said about European hp limitations on new riders - reduces the unnecessary and avoidable injuries and deaths by the under-25 year olds in the USA twisting the throttle of a liter bike as their first (and, for some, final) bike. Fourth, my ex-wife would've been much better off starting with this as her first street bike (instead of the FZ-1 she insisted on having --- yeah, right) and dropping it several times while at a stand-still. Finally, couldn't agree more on learning to get the most out of a 40 hp bike and developing riding skills that transfer over to the next step up.
As a former owner of a Z400, this is totally valid. The only faults in that bike were minor and easily rectified (except the budget suspension). I only put about 5000 miles on it before I realized the purpose I bought it for just was never going to happen (loading it the van and taking it to the twisties) and I have multiple other bikes...most I can reasonably ride to the twisties 5+ hours away. The BMW offers a few things not on the Z400 but I suspect the used market resale is not kind to it...and it was to my Z400 that lost $1000 in value over 3.5 years and 5000 miles (partially helped by the pandemic used bike inflation). The lowest priced bikes from premium brands tend not to do well in the used market if the KTM baby Duke is an indication.
Nice review Ian. It looks good and it’s certainly a tempting price. I had one as a loan bike for the day and I thought it had plenty of poke up to about 50mph, but getting my 1250 back the power was like getting off a bicycle and onto a Hayabusa, and so was the weight! For new riders I can see the appeal, but if you’re at the point of a first “proper” bike (here in the UK there are age and licence restrictions on capacity and power) and want a BMW, a low mileage used F750GS would be a great choice as well. Very little to go wrong, nice power delivery without being intimidating, fuel economy that’s not much worse than the 310 and much better comfort and longer distance capability. Price would be in the same ballpark too. I did 20,000 miles commuting on one over 3 years and all I did was add fuel, one new set of tyres and annual services.
Going from a small motorcycle to a big motorcycle is positively dangerous. For a brief time I owned both a 750 and a 400 (both inline fours) before selling the 750, and the difference in power was ludicrous. Currently I own an XSR900 after having sold my GSXS1000, and again I'm in that "50 pounds lighter with 40 hp less" situation. Although I live in the US with no licensing requirements so long as you have a pulse, I do think these big powerful bikes are dangerous regardless of the "respect the throttle" mantra. It takes a long time to figure these bigger bikes out whereas a smaller bike is just easier to ride and ride well.
Naw, I’m good. I own 5 cars (2 of which are “exotics”) and I also have a CyberBeast confirmed for delivery this year. The G310R is all the motorcycle I need.
Looks like a nice bike for the price, although I’m not a big fan of the transformer/insect styling on many modern bikes and I think the wheels look terrible. If I were in the market for a bike in this category I’d probably go with the Triumph Speed 400 or Scrambler 400 X.
Have you ridden the Scrambler or speed 400? Worst bike I’ve ever ridden, horrible ride, the gearbox is awful 😣 ride one , you’ll see how bad the ride is
I have a friend that has a Triumph 350 about the same price, it's a nice looking bike made in HInckley England. It's close to same seat height, weight, 18 inch wheels, a little more HP, 18 inch wheels, but only has 5 gears,
Nice bike. I started on a 2017 Duke 390. It felt a bit more engaging and I like the looks. I'm not sure what my next bike will be though, I'm eying up the mt09, rs660 or husky 701. I'm still just exploring road riding and thinking about off road and track. I just know there will be a bike in my garage for decades to come.
I wouldn’t have thought there would be a market for this kind of bike, simply because as a first time rider, you are bound to make mistakes and there’s no point in buying a brand-new bike even though it’s at an “entry” level price you’ll be much better off getting a cheap good used one instead, then upgrade to something you really love once you have experience
Thanks for sharing this very informative video especially California price $6500. Now all I need to do is save some money and find a dealership near Oakland, California. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you.
Given that the prices of the G310R and the NK450 are pretty similar what would be the arguments to get this one over the NK450?, I really like your presentation and tests of the bikes
The main update on the bike from 2022 = repaint 🤣🤣👍🏻👍🏻 How ever - if this bike is to be ridden by newbies, maybe it's better for them to have this old screen, so they don't stare at it too much..... + this outdation = less attraction for bike thieves 🤷🏻♂🤷🏻♂ On the performance / reliability side - this ( and its' "offroad" version ) is pretty good/price. If now, as you say, they have, also, improved the anti-stalling aid, this little bike is a nice thing to have. I had one "offroad" ( GS ) 2021 mod, and had no complains. 146 km/h ( GPS ) as top speed and barely 3L/100km of fuel thirst = 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Kind of regret selling it..... Even the shocks were pretyy fine.....
Good bike but not sure why you get this over an R3 or Ninja 400 derivative. Those can keep pace on the interstates and have huge aftermarket support since they’re great track bikes. I guess if you really want to flex that you’re riding a BMW.
Brakes. If the Indian made BMW is like the Indian made Royal Enfields, it will benefit from an immediate change of brake fluid and a thorough bleeding/purging. My Interceptor brakes went from about adequate, to pretty damned good.
I like the sound of BMW the MT-03 in my mind is a better choice probably a toss up for most people my wife learned on the Yamaha she fell in love with it sold it 2 years later and broke even happy for that do to covid they call that a gator
So BMW makes an underpowered 310 and next is the 750. Clearly this would be killer as a light 450 single, that would be the sweet spot, but they refuse to produce a convincing modern 450. Looking at the Royal Enfield new Himalayan, which is almost perfect except it's about 50 lb overweight even though it's still only a single. Still waiting. KTM, your move.
In Southern California just about every dealer that sells Japanese bikes has major fees/markup and I haven’t seen one that will let you test drive bikes besides the “demo days” but are shitty compared to what BMW does. BMW will literally let you test drive any model in their line up (I’ve test rode the M1000R in their demo day for around 30mins). For me insurance is substantially cheaper with BMW and a 3 year warranty with a no BS sales model at my local dealer was a no brainer.
This bike needs a 400cc engine, cruise control and not much else (the GS model should come with a taller screen, the stock one is useless). I also find the side stand 4mm too long....I just find it a tiny bit too long...I don't know why..
The engine definitely needs to be a bit bigger with more power. If KTM can do it then BMW can too. I don't think any of these inexpensive Indian bikes have or are going to have cruise control on them. Maybe that'll change in the future but we'll see. If you can weld you can make your kickstand any length you'd like.
Thanks for telling us your height then showing us how it looks with you on it. I'd say only about 1 in 50 motorcycle review videos does this. (Having a drone shoot you from 50 feet up in the air as you jump cut the crap out of it doesn't cut it. Instead of working in 100 goof cuts of silly memes to illustrate their every phrase, maybe put that effort into showing us the bikes riding stance.) They'll babble on about everything else...from cubic zirconium piston density to what grandma had for dinner. Yet somehow manage to skip one of the most important things...how they, and us the viewers, will be positioned while riding it. How we'd situate on it. Or as you say, "ergonomics". Really appreciate this 2:24.
Many many thanks! I'm a 77 years young biker, riding a 2010 Yamaha, single cylinder 660 cc MT03, 192 kg all fueled up. Since I live in the Tropics, I ride around 340 days/year & I think I'll need a lighter bike to celebrate my 80th birthday & so far, the BMW G310R is my first choice 😄😄😄My 660: ruclips.net/video/QI1j7jA9xDk/видео.html
Oil change you can do yourself for less than $20 TOTAL. My last dealer service was 122 Euros which included inspection, oil/filter, air filter, brake fluid replacement. That's in Varna.
Please am from Africa (Ghana) I have 2018 model of the BMW g310r and my engine is completely damaged, I tried buying online and i got scammed. Please can anyone help me get an engine 🙏
I would’nt recommend a new bike for your first bike. You’re going to drop it . You will mess the maintenance up. You won’t keep it long anyway. Get a used SV 650 or small Honda. This bike is very uninspiring. Duke 390s are cheap and double the excitement. It’s just a cheap 3rd world bike with the expense of a premium dealer service and mark up. Thanks though for reviewing a cheap bike. We need more cheap bike reviews.
@@chewylandlive that’s a very reasonable price for a 5 year warranty. One consideration I was thinking about is BMW maintenance cost, which Ian covered briefly. Getting maintenance done at the dealer is very expensive, any new owner for this machine will certainly want to learn how to perform basic maintenance like oil changes themselves…
@@KHender You would be surprised how inexpensive it really is on this bike. You can do most of the basic service and retain the warranty (it's the law now). I bet I can do an oil change on my bike in under 5 minutes....it's hilariously simple and everything is accessible. Air filter needs a PHD in BMW engineering - I would never attempt it (you have to remove fairings and be super patient).
@@MalibuMerle Ohh, that would be awesome. If BMW could make a 2cyl 400/500 (or even continue with the thumper but make it a tiny bit smoother) and keep the price around 6 or 7 grand...that would be incredible. The value proposition on these machines is impossible to beat, especially when you negotiate the 5 year warranty with your deal. In terms of looks and quality in this segment, there is no other bike, sorry. I cringe when people talk about the KTM390, the thing looks like a goofy little toy.
Would you buy the Indian made BMW G310R, or go for a Japanese competitor instead?
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My daughter, who is a new rider, bought a 2018 model which is a bit lowered, and very happy with it.
Very much fun when we cruise together, me on the 1200 gs, my girl on the baby bmw.
Quality time ❤
Ma1
YEAH 310. I have almost 20,000k (on and off road) on mine (GS model), the most fun you can have on a bike, by far. Also easily the most reliable machine I've ever owned...nothing has gone wrong...zero, not even a loose bolt...and I live in Bulgaria, the land of 17th century roadbuilding.
I hope you guys move into the 18th century sometime in the next 200 years. 😂
@@Ntmoffi It's not so bad here. Living between the old and modern world is fascinating to me. One of the last places of its kind on the planet.
@@Ntmoffi18th century of which country?
Hi ow much off road do you do. I have a whole channel dedicated to the g310gs
@@Sasqmoto I LOVE hitting the dirt farm roads along the Black Sea here. In the summer I go out a few times a week.
I love the cheap bike reviews too! Nice job Ian
Thanks! 👍
I'm a new rider and waiting for spring to get my first bike, so the coverage of the smaller and lighter bikes speak to me more. The bigger bikes are still interesting and something I might strive for, but less relevant for me here and now
When I was looking for a new all-around bike about a year ago, it came down between this one and the Honda CB300R. (I'm 69 and wanted a fun, lightweight bike for small town and back road enjoyment.) They are so similar, both look great, and both had such good reviews that it was hard choice. In the end I chose the CB300R because of the famed Honda reliability (and most of my bikes have been Hondas) and the big difference in weight - 317 pounds in weight (wet) for the Honda vs 362 (wet) for the BMW. While I'm confident the BMW would probably have served my needs and wants well, a year later I am super happy with my choice between these 300 naked bikes. Great to have these options!
I'm 64 years old, and have had a bike most of my life, but I have been off one for some time. So I decided to start with a beginner style and low cost bike. I chose the BMW G310 R. I'm 5'7. I do have a little trouble getting my leg over it, and it does have a good height and weight to it. My total cost (tax, title, etc) in TN was $6550. I did consider other bikes first. Both the Honda dealer and Harley dealer immediately took me to their used bikes (their biggest profit margin) which required a separately purchased add on warranty. They really didn't want to sell me anything new. I am very happy with this bike, the three year warranty, ABS brakes, liquid cooling, multi function display, plenty of takeoff, high RPM, Rides very balanced, smooth and easy. A good bike for getting back into riding. And for me, sitting up straight is the best feature. I don't want to lay down on a bike. It's a good street bike for cruising around town and back roads. My gf loves the ride too. I'm very happy with this bike.
thanks for sharing
I am considering getting bank into motorcycling, I'm 58 I've had a few bikes in my time but over 15 yrs since my last one .
Speed isn't a big issue for me but a low seat height and not too heavy , I am very impressed on the reviews I've seen of the 310 and your comment here too .
Here in the UK can get a second hand one for around £2000 very tempting indeed
Ian, great job on describing exactly how this bike feels to ride with regard to the engine characteristics. I rented a g310gs for a 400 mile multi-day tour. I consider myself an experienced rider. However, I hadn't ridden for almost 10 years up to that point and was weary of renting a bike that was too powerful and too tall for a 5'5" shorty like myself, so I opted for a small displacement, "entry level" adventure model. I was so happy with the predictable power delivery of this engine. As you said, you can use 100% of the power 100% of the time and still feel in command. The bike is extremely well balanced and the light feeling. I can confidently recommend this bike for beginners and intermediate riders. Great job, keep it up!
I'm a owner of g310r since August 23 i bought New one Your test is great I aggre with You , I have 1.82 cm and it is Ok for me, its my first bike after a scooter 125 cc (honda pcx-125) and I love this bike... Regards from Poland
This used to be my first bike (2018 model but pretty much unchanged). I was looking for a nimble sporty-naked for a2 license (48hp max). But since the bike was gonna be my only vehicle i wanted it to be practical for daily commute as well even with a pillion.
After test-riding all of the competition i decided that this was the one. The 390 duke is sportier but not as comfortable. The ninja (just like its bigger siblings) is unusable with a pillion, while the cb500f and cb300r are way to cramped for my height (6'0''). The g 310r was the only naked lightweight bike that I would ride comfortably for 2 hours straight and with a pillion.
I sold it last year after i outgrew it and wanted to try adventure riding. I thing i made the best choice byuing it. It is definitely not an excellent bike (slow compared to some of its competitors, sounds just like all singles, unenjoyable at speeds over 70 mph/ 110km). But it is very enjoyable at a fast-ish rate and a great everyday bike. Definitely recommended for beginners
I had a 310GS and my gosh what a blast it was! Kinda miss it actually
Have the 310GS....it is my "Exit Level Bike". Have the 1200RT parked right beside it. At 67 transition is going to happen, it is just Nature. So got the 310GS to use....hitch carry it to far away places....unload and ride....jump to new place. Load and come home after a week or 2. Easy ridin bike....fun does not always have to be at 100 mph.
It was my wife's (5-2, 103 lbs) very first motorcycle, excellent machine and we are so so sorry we sold this nifty bike, what a wonderful machine this is, nice overview Ian, cheers V!
we watched your review on the GS version and then the next day my dad bought his. good beginner bike, easy to ride.
When discussing the price, also keep in mind maintenance costs. When I compare my KTM Duke 200 dealership prices to my colleague's BMW 310, he pays about double for everything. Oil, chain, air filter, no matter what, it's double of KTM. Maybe non branded shops are more affordable, but the numbers add up over the years.
I ran a G310R as my first bike for 7000 miles over 18 months. Longest distance covered between fuel stops was 215 miles. Lovely bike, replaced it with a Triumph Trident 660, but still miss it sometimes.
How was it on long distance rides?
@@ep1336 The longest ride I did on it was 271 miles. I could have gone further but the dog at home needed a walk.
Another good review, Ian.
An excellent beginner's bike. Whilst a low seat height might have experienced riders feeling a little too close to the ground and cramped, for beginners this is ideal. Very happy to trade space for a good flat feet on the ground both sides feeling, to build confidence.
I would go with, and actually did go with a Japanese competitor… specifically, the Ninja 400 and I love it from the street all the way to the track! Also got my son a Duke 390, this BMW bike looks (& sounds) JUST like a 390, but with a smaller bore engine. We liked the single cylinder 390 for its torquey nature but always went back to Ninja 400’s twin!
Thanks for including comments on the gear you’re wearing as well.
Wow, when I first started riding it was just basically the Ninja 250 and Honda Rebel for this size entry bike
What's odd is the absence of any mention of the Kawasaki Z400 (soon to be "500").
Based on my wife's former Ninja 400, the Z would have a greater range of performance capabilities, especially in highway environments. It was smooth and happy cruising at 80- the Ninja's fairing is a big help, admittedly- and had enough power to feel reasonably safe in the Interstate traffic.
A better dealer situation in most areas in the US would also be a big tipping point.
Just the sheer number of K-400s you see at any track day is another good indication.
Great review! I ride one of these for two days and had a blast. No hiway miles. Great body position/ ergonomics, light, handles so easy and fun. If you’re a beginner wanting power about here it’s great. I ride a M Guzzi 1100 so quite different.
I’m 6’4” and sat on one at the dealership - I was surprised how roomy it felt for a ‘small’ bike - though no ‘small’ bike can compete with the Versys 300 in terms of great ergos for tall folk.
Enjoyable and informative review Ian! Thank you!
As an Instructor, we have a whole fleet of these… even the GS model, for taller students. Can’t say they have been trouble free though. Mostly minor problems. I’m a BMW fanboy though!
I bought a G310GS thanks to your review video along with other recommendations and a fantastic dealer experience with BMW. I love it so far and am looking to upgrade to a R12XXGS for longer trips, but I love the 310 for commuting and beginner trails. It's been a great first step and I can't imagine the R being any different
The 1250 GS Trophy, if you can get a good deal on one, is a very nice bike, albeit pretty tall. No fork dive at all, with the telescopic front fork design, with heavy front brakes.
I was highly considering gs version of this bike but ended up with the 750 gs. I like the capabilities of the 750 but it’s great that rhe 310 is available for such a low price
I actually wanted one of the 310r's as my first bike... do you know the major hang-up I had? In my local area, I had 1 Honda dealers, 1 KTM, 1 Yamaha and a Kawasaki dealer and a massive Honda/Ducati/KTM (all in one) dealer... but no BMW dealership. I had to travel nearly an hour to get to the BMW dealership... now, if I have to take my bike to any of the other dealerships, I can bus home or get a ride and takes very little extra time... any of the BMW dealers it's looking like an hour and half round trip. Dealership networks are important.
I have a g310 r. It’s a great beginner bike. Honestly not expensive to maintain. Way cheaper than a car. If you’re going to do a road trip I would suggest keeping the speed between 67-73mph above that you get serious vibrations. Good review though!
I’ve been looking forward to this one.
Yamaha MT-03, KTM Duke 250, Honda CB300R probably the most natural competition. Personally I'd go for the Yamaha in this group just for transmission function and being a twin, potentially slightly smoother engine.
The excessive cranking before start, is most likely a lean condition. Emissions and all that. Bet an ECU flash would solve that.
The smallest I'd go as a 6'-3" dude would be a 400-450cc class. Just has a bit more power for not being as much of a hazard in traffic. Duke 390, Ninja 500, if the new RS457 doesn't explode like the 660's do....
Rockin out with nail polish
Nicely done Ian! Good watch. I have a dream (probably a bit irrational) of throwing a full Rally Raid kit as the GS310 for use as a grand TAT machine.
Learned to ride on a G310R. Fun bike, easy to learn on, but just a bit small for my 6' frame.
I recently got my motorcycle license and the GS version was the loaner for the class. I had so much fun zipping around on it, I'm seriously considering one even though I got my license for getting a dual sport.
that is exactly what you should do!! you cant go wrong-good luck!!
Thank you Ian for the great review. Fabulous small bike, amazing colour, great warranty. We almost bought the GS Version for my wife, but went with a Honda CB 300.
I could recommend this bike. I test rode this and Hunter 350. I went for the Hunter 350 for a little bit better on/off throttle feel, but also better looks in my opinion, and less mileage, around 3.0l/100km instead of around 3.8l/100km for the G310R. But G310R, if you don't mind the modern "wasp's head" styling, is really good to ride and faster than Hunter 350.
Excellent review dude !
I test rode a GS. Could not live with the vibration in the foot pegs. Also very underpowered. The geometry is perfect though.
The vibration is always understated on reviews. That engine will make your feet go numb. It doesn’t really translate to the handlebars though.
Thank you for reviewing the bike ❤, Love from INDIA, i seriously adore your opinion outside INDIA 👍🏻
they train you with these bikes for CHP Motorcycle class in Long Beach. I loved the bike so i looked into some reviews online and long term reviews were not that great.
Borrowed a mates Suzuki GS125 and had a blast. By the way, you look like a giant on the 310. Great review.
That is a good looking bike. I think I would choose a Ninja 400 or Z400 over this. I don't think you are making a bad choice if this is the one you want.
Would love to see the Versys X-300 on your channel.
First thought: another practical, real-world review. Second, love your new property (5 acres and mostly flat, I think?). Third, though I am not a Nanny Stater, there's a lot to be said about European hp limitations on new riders - reduces the unnecessary and avoidable injuries and deaths by the under-25 year olds in the USA twisting the throttle of a liter bike as their first (and, for some, final) bike. Fourth, my ex-wife would've been much better off starting with this as her first street bike (instead of the FZ-1 she insisted on having --- yeah, right) and dropping it several times while at a stand-still. Finally, couldn't agree more on learning to get the most out of a 40 hp bike and developing riding skills that transfer over to the next step up.
The biggest problem with this bike is the existence of the MT03 and the Z400. A beginner doesn't need to suffer the Eurobike ownership experience.
As a former owner of a Z400, this is totally valid. The only faults in that bike were minor and easily rectified (except the budget suspension). I only put about 5000 miles on it before I realized the purpose I bought it for just was never going to happen (loading it the van and taking it to the twisties) and I have multiple other bikes...most I can reasonably ride to the twisties 5+ hours away.
The BMW offers a few things not on the Z400 but I suspect the used market resale is not kind to it...and it was to my Z400 that lost $1000 in value over 3.5 years and 5000 miles (partially helped by the pandemic used bike inflation). The lowest priced bikes from premium brands tend not to do well in the used market if the KTM baby Duke is an indication.
GREAT REVIEW!
nice video. i like more street bikes. also like the riding gear segment.
Glad you like them!
New Riders - tell the dealer Ian at Big Rock Moto sent you for a test ride!
(Or sign up for BMW events for the fleet of test bikes.)
Nice review Ian. It looks good and it’s certainly a tempting price. I had one as a loan bike for the day and I thought it had plenty of poke up to about 50mph, but getting my 1250 back the power was like getting off a bicycle and onto a Hayabusa, and so was the weight! For new riders I can see the appeal, but if you’re at the point of a first “proper” bike (here in the UK there are age and licence restrictions on capacity and power) and want a BMW, a low mileage used F750GS would be a great choice as well. Very little to go wrong, nice power delivery without being intimidating, fuel economy that’s not much worse than the 310 and much better comfort and longer distance capability. Price would be in the same ballpark too. I did 20,000 miles commuting on one over 3 years and all I did was add fuel, one new set of tyres and annual services.
Going from a small motorcycle to a big motorcycle is positively dangerous. For a brief time I owned both a 750 and a 400 (both inline fours) before selling the 750, and the difference in power was ludicrous. Currently I own an XSR900 after having sold my GSXS1000, and again I'm in that "50 pounds lighter with 40 hp less" situation.
Although I live in the US with no licensing requirements so long as you have a pulse, I do think these big powerful bikes are dangerous regardless of the "respect the throttle" mantra. It takes a long time to figure these bigger bikes out whereas a smaller bike is just easier to ride and ride well.
Naw, I’m good. I own 5 cars (2 of which are “exotics”) and I also have a CyberBeast confirmed for delivery this year. The G310R is all the motorcycle I need.
Good Stuff. Great info. That's a great place to ride, I was out there last summer for work, National Forests are awesome.
I'm so glad I bought a 390 Duke instead of going to Sturgis for this for my first bike.
For context Sturgis is my closest dealer and it's 5 hours away.
Looks like a nice bike for the price, although I’m not a big fan of the transformer/insect styling on many modern bikes and I think the wheels look terrible. If I were in the market for a bike in this category I’d probably go with the Triumph Speed 400 or Scrambler 400 X.
Have you ridden the Scrambler or speed 400? Worst bike I’ve ever ridden, horrible ride, the gearbox is awful 😣 ride one , you’ll see how bad the ride is
Great review..
I have a friend that has a Triumph 350 about the same price, it's a nice looking bike made in HInckley England. It's close to same seat height, weight, 18 inch wheels, a little more HP, 18 inch wheels, but only has 5 gears,
Nice bike, I opted for the kawi x300 instead.Had it for years now and don’t feel the need to upgrade to a bigger bike.
Nice bike. I started on a 2017 Duke 390. It felt a bit more engaging and I like the looks.
I'm not sure what my next bike will be though, I'm eying up the mt09, rs660 or husky 701. I'm still just exploring road riding and thinking about off road and track. I just know there will be a bike in my garage for decades to come.
The mt09 is super fun.
Very excellent review, well detailed, one question, which one do you recommend, 2023 BMW 310R or 2023 Kawasaki KLX 230 SM.
Wonder how the GS version compares to DRZ 400--certainly lower in price.
ktm duke 390 seems to be a better package for slightly more no?
I wouldn’t have thought there would be a market for this kind of bike, simply because as a first time rider, you are bound to make mistakes and there’s no point in buying a brand-new bike even though it’s at an “entry” level price you’ll be much better off getting a cheap good used one instead, then upgrade to something you really love once you have experience
Nice review. Cheers! :)
Thanks for sharing this very informative video especially California price $6500. Now all I need to do is save some money and find a dealership near Oakland, California. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you.
Is Honda CBR250RR available there ? Could you please review the bike ?
Looking at something like this as a winter bike, but bothered it may be too underpowered, I have an F800S at the moment
Given that the prices of the G310R and the NK450 are pretty similar what would be the arguments to get this one over the NK450?, I really like your presentation and tests of the bikes
The NK is way way better.
The main update on the bike from 2022 = repaint 🤣🤣👍🏻👍🏻 How ever - if this bike is to be ridden by newbies, maybe it's better for them to have this old screen, so they don't stare at it too much..... + this outdation = less attraction for bike thieves 🤷🏻♂🤷🏻♂ On the performance / reliability side - this ( and its' "offroad" version ) is pretty good/price. If now, as you say, they have, also, improved the anti-stalling aid, this little bike is a nice thing to have. I had one "offroad" ( GS ) 2021 mod, and had no complains. 146 km/h ( GPS ) as top speed and barely 3L/100km of fuel thirst = 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Kind of regret selling it..... Even the shocks were pretyy fine.....
KTM Duke 390 or CFmoto 450 SR or BMW G310R? Price is similar. As a first bike
Not hating but it does sound like high reving lawn mower :D
True
How does it compare to the CFmoto 450 nk?
Good bike but not sure why you get this over an R3 or Ninja 400 derivative. Those can keep pace on the interstates and have huge aftermarket support since they’re great track bikes. I guess if you really want to flex that you’re riding a BMW.
Brakes. If the Indian made BMW is like the Indian made Royal Enfields, it will benefit from an immediate change of brake fluid and a thorough bleeding/purging. My Interceptor brakes went from about adequate, to pretty damned good.
I like the sound of BMW the MT-03 in my mind is a better choice probably a toss up for most people my wife learned on the Yamaha she fell in love with it sold it 2 years later and broke even happy for that do to covid they call that a gator
Waiting for the scr 1200x review videos
Any thoughts on this compared to it's "adventure" twin, the G 310 GS?
If you're tall, over 5' 10 to 6' 0" The GS will fit you better.
Like Ian said, this is a budget bike for beginners or a secondary “fun bike”, I like it..
Nah, I’ve gone from 1200s to 300s, way funner. All depends what you’re using it for.
How about reviewing cb300r too
and how it compares to SV650?
This bike seems decent, but for my money, I think I'd rather spend the extra $400 on a Z400 with another 100cc and I think 10 more horsepower
So BMW makes an underpowered 310 and next is the 750. Clearly this would be killer as a light 450 single, that would be the sweet spot, but they refuse to produce a convincing modern 450. Looking at the Royal Enfield new Himalayan, which is almost perfect except it's about 50 lb overweight even though it's still only a single. Still waiting. KTM, your move.
No lol
In Southern California just about every dealer that sells Japanese bikes has major fees/markup and I haven’t seen one that will let you test drive bikes besides the “demo days” but are shitty compared to what BMW does. BMW will literally let you test drive any model in their line up (I’ve test rode the M1000R in their demo day for around 30mins). For me insurance is substantially cheaper with BMW and a 3 year warranty with a no BS sales model at my local dealer was a no brainer.
Agreed
More Indian made 'small' bike reviews please.
They reaaalllyyy need to upgrade some stuff on this machine (and the GS) if they want to stay relevant.
This bike needs a 400cc engine, cruise control and not much else (the GS model should come with a taller screen, the stock one is useless). I also find the side stand 4mm too long....I just find it a tiny bit too long...I don't know why..
The engine definitely needs to be a bit bigger with more power. If KTM can do it then BMW can too.
I don't think any of these inexpensive Indian bikes have or are going to have cruise control on them. Maybe that'll change in the future but we'll see.
If you can weld you can make your kickstand any length you'd like.
Ian is the best
Thanks for telling us your height then showing us how it looks with you on it. I'd say only about 1 in 50 motorcycle review videos does this. (Having a drone shoot you from 50 feet up in the air as you jump cut the crap out of it doesn't cut it. Instead of working in 100 goof cuts of silly memes to illustrate their every phrase, maybe put that effort into showing us the bikes riding stance.) They'll babble on about everything else...from cubic zirconium piston density to what grandma had for dinner. Yet somehow manage to skip one of the most important things...how they, and us the viewers, will be positioned while riding it. How we'd situate on it. Or as you say, "ergonomics". Really appreciate this 2:24.
Why would anyone go with the R over the GS?
Styling?
That’s it? Which bike is better though?
dealer servicing charges on these discount BMWs are bad. there are better options in this class of bike.
The KTM 390 Duke looks better and has more power and features for the same price.
It's a TVS as much as KTM 390 is a Bajaj
..."Your mom went to college". lol
Svartpilen 401?
I would like the bike a lot more if I was a little fella
Many many thanks! I'm a 77 years young biker, riding a 2010 Yamaha, single cylinder 660 cc MT03, 192 kg all fueled up. Since I live in the Tropics, I ride around 340 days/year & I think I'll need a lighter bike to celebrate my 80th birthday & so far, the BMW G310R is my first choice 😄😄😄My 660: ruclips.net/video/QI1j7jA9xDk/видео.html
Buy this and pay the exact service cost of a Street Triple 😂
Oil change you can do yourself for less than $20 TOTAL. My last dealer service was 122 Euros which included inspection, oil/filter, air filter, brake fluid replacement. That's in Varna.
YT unsubscribed me... 🤦
Sorry , with a OTD near $7k for a 30hp play/toy bike is a fool’s paradise…
Please am from Africa (Ghana)
I have 2018 model of the BMW g310r and my engine is completely damaged, I tried buying online and i got scammed. Please can anyone help me get an engine 🙏
4999 + destination fee... wow thats cheap
Esh-A-Lon
👍 xxxxxxxxx
I would’nt recommend a new bike for your first bike. You’re going to drop it . You will mess the maintenance up. You won’t keep it long anyway. Get a used SV 650 or small Honda. This bike is very uninspiring. Duke 390s are cheap and double the excitement. It’s just a cheap 3rd world bike with the expense of a premium dealer service and mark up.
Thanks though for reviewing a cheap bike. We need more cheap bike reviews.
Looks like a screaming deal for five grand…
You can also get 5 year warranty super cheap (I paid exactly extra 150 Euros). Many people just negotiate it as part of their deal and get it "free".
@@chewylandlive that’s a very reasonable price for a 5 year warranty. One consideration I was thinking about is BMW maintenance cost, which Ian covered briefly. Getting maintenance done at the dealer is very expensive, any new owner for this machine will certainly want to learn how to perform basic maintenance like oil changes themselves…
@@KHender You would be surprised how inexpensive it really is on this bike. You can do most of the basic service and retain the warranty (it's the law now). I bet I can do an oil change on my bike in under 5 minutes....it's hilariously simple and everything is accessible. Air filter needs a PHD in BMW engineering - I would never attempt it (you have to remove fairings and be super patient).
@@MalibuMerle Ohh, that would be awesome. If BMW could make a 2cyl 400/500 (or even continue with the thumper but make it a tiny bit smoother) and keep the price around 6 or 7 grand...that would be incredible. The value proposition on these machines is impossible to beat, especially when you negotiate the 5 year warranty with your deal. In terms of looks and quality in this segment, there is no other bike, sorry. I cringe when people talk about the KTM390, the thing looks like a goofy little toy.