Published on: 11/12/2015IST

Anuj Tiwari Last updated on: 11/12/2015, Permalink

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Developed in Munich by BMW Motorrad and made in India by TVS Motor Company, their cooperation partner, the new G 310 R is the first roadster under 500 cc.

BMW roadsters are a special lot, versatile, agile and very capable. Their newest roadster is even more special. Why? Because it’s their smallest one yet and is built right here in India, set to roll out of Chennai from TVS’ plant. Drawing inspiration from the S 1000 R, the new G 310 R takes the game forward for BMW Motorrad in a segment where they haven’t had any presence in a while.

The chassis is an all-new rigid tubular steel frame, with 41-mm USD forks at the front and a monoshock rear with 131-mm travel as well as a longer swing-arm for greater ride stability. The 17″ sharp, but aggressive purposefully-designed five-spoke light-alloy wheels certainly help add character. The brakes feature a single disc set-up at the front and rear, with standard two-channel ABS: 300 mm at the front with a four-piston fixed calliper, and 240 mm at the rear with a two-piston floating calliper. The tyres are rival-spec 110/70 R17 and 150/60 R17 front and rear respectively. The low seat height of 785 mm (760 mm and 815 mm options are available) and dry weight of 158.5 kg will make for an easy-to-ride everyday motorcycle which can do a bit of everything, dare we say. The all-digital instrumentation too is a feature that seems straight out of the cutting-edge pool. The tank capacity is,  again, reasonable, at 11 litres. It’s a roadster after all.

The main feature on the bike is the rotated cylinder head – 180° – to allow for a more natural front intake and rear exhaust set-up. The backward tilt allows for better mass centralisation. There’s more to the engine than just the single cylinder head set-up. The 80-mm bore and 62.1-mm stroke displace 313 cc. It runs a DOHC four-valve set-up for precise breathing ability, is fuel-injected and liquid-cooled – with a rather large radiator – for maximum performance. Compression ratio is a reasonable 10.6:1. The output? 34 PS at 9,500 RPM with a useful 28 Nm peaking at 7,500 RPM. Power is transferred through a six-speed gearbox and chain drive. In conjunction with the low weight, the power-to-weight ratio is a stonking 220+ PS/tonne. The maximum engine speed is 10,500 RPM. To minimise vibrations, it runs a counterbalance shaft too. The claimed top speed is 145 km/h, while claimed economy is 30 km/l. The G 310 R is Euro 4 compliant.

The options list includes everything from a low seat (760 mm) or comfort seat (815 mm) as mentioned earlier, to LED turn indicators and a 12V power socket.

The bike will arrive in India very soon and it will take on likes of the KTM 390 Duke, presently ruling the roost, while also considering the Benelli TnT 300, Kawasaki Z250/Z300, Honda CB300F as well as the probable Suzuki GSX-S250/300 and incoming Yamaha MT-03 in the global arena.