The BMW G 310 R arrives in Australia in October/November at a highly competitive price to ignite the 300cc learner range.
It will cost just $5790 plus on-road costs which is comparable to the Honda CBR300R ($5749), Benelli BN302 ($5590), Kawasaki Z300 ($5999), KTM 390 Duke ($6095), Royal Enfield Classic 350 ($6490 ride away) and Yamaha MT-03 ($6099).
Like all BMW Motorrad models and most of the 300cc learner-approved motorcycles in Australia, the G 310 R comes equipped with ABS as standard.
It will be available in Cosmic Black, Strato Blue Metallic or Pearl White Metallic.
BMW Motorrad Australia boss Andreas Lundgren says the Indian-made G310 learner motorcycle is “an exciting development for BMW Motorrad” that will “open up the brand to a whole new audience”.
The liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, DOHC 313cc bike is the product of a collaboration with Indian manufacturer TVS Motor Company, but will be available worldwide.
Production has begun at the Hosur plant of TVS Motor Company near Bengaluru in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
While BMW has 650cc models suitable for learners in Australia and New Zealand, the G 310 R is their first novice bike for Europe and will compete in the burgeoning sub-500cc market dominated by the Kawasaki Ninja 300.
The bike has 25kW of power at 9500 revs and maximum torque of 28Nm at 7500rpm which is similar to other bikes of this capacity. However, at 158.5kg, it’s lighter than most.
The light weight, together with the 785mm seat height should make it suitable for a wide range of rider sizes.
It has a six-speed gearbox and the official press release says ”it is just as happy winding its way nimbly and flexibly through the narrow streets of a city as it is travelling supremely and powerfully along country roads”.
Styling is similar to the S 1000 R with modern, angular features, striking gold upside-down gold forks and five-spoke black wheels.
It will come with ABS as standard and quite large brake discs (300mm and 240mm) for a lightweight bike.
The G 310 R also features reasonable rubber for a small bike (110/70 R17 and 150/60 R17).
Despite releasing 101 photos, none shows a close-up of the instrumentation, although it looks like a single pod with a multifunctional screen.
BMW says the large liquid crystal display includes engine speed, road speed, gear, total kilometres, engine temperature, fuel tank level, remaining range, average fuel consumption, average speed and time.
Optional accessories include a low seat, comfort seat, 29 and 30-litre top boxes, centre stand, LED turn indicators, 12-volt socket and heated grips.
Although the bike is made in Bangalore, India, BMW says staff were specially selected and trained by TVS for production and assembly. Extra training was supplied by workers from the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin-Spandau.
“All in all, production of the new BMW G 310 R is subject to the same quality criteria that apply to production at the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin-Spandau,” BMW says.
There is also talk of a scrambler version coming later this year.