JOHANNESBURG – BMW Motorrad has a local market share of around 40%. That is massive, no matter which way you look at it. While the company offers a wide range of large capacity motorcycles, it makes sense that it has now developed this smaller 313 cm3 engine to install in at least two models. After all, the sub-500 cm3 motorcycle market is significantly larger than the >500 cm3 market.
The first BMW Motorrad model to be fitted with this single-cylinder engine is called the G 310 R. As the last letter suggests, it is a road bike and features several design highlights from its fellow R and RR siblings. But the fuel tank (11 litres) and its covers as well as the rear tyre (150/60 R 17) make the G 310 R look like a larger capacity bike than it is.
The engine develops 25 kW and 28 N.m at 9 500 r/min and 7 500 r/min respectively, while it tips the scale at 158,5 kg. Although this is the first BMW Motorrad product to be manufactured outside if Germany, BMW confirmed that it was fully designed and developed at its facilities in Berlin. I’m happy to report that there is no aspect of bike, stationary or when on the move, that would tell you that it has been manufactured outside Germany. Even small, but important, components such as the cabling is the same as used on more expensive BMW products.
On the road
This R’s seat height is only 795 mm, which makes it especially easy to climb onto. When you peer down, the single-colour digital screen provides you with all the necessary information. This includes your speed, a horizontal rev counter at the bottom, two trip meters, average fuel consumption, fuel tank capacity, current range, engine oil temperature and finally the odometer reading.
The seating position is comfortable and even after spending three hours in the saddle (with two stops in between) I didn’t feel fatigued. The engine is without a doubt one of the highlights. You can’t expect a lot from 313 cm3, but when the first opportunity presents itself, you take it. The digital bars quickly light up to around 6 000 r/min, but from here the engine revs with more enthusiasm all the way to 10 000 r/min with a deeper “brrrrrrrrrpt” compared to the “prrrrrrrrrpt” from smaller capacity bikes. There is even a white shift light, but it is so far from your line of sight that you rather need to trust your ear when approaching the red line to shift at the correct time.
There are six gears, so acceleration tappers off in fifth and sixth, but the G 310 R pulls very strongly all the way to over 100 km/h in fourth. More importantly, you can cruise at 120 km/h on the highway and when you want to overtake traffic, it will actually accelerate still.
We spent some time in Johannesburg’s traffic and also cut through some of the city’s neighbourhoods. Even after pinning the throttle at nearly every opportunity, the average consumption for the trip was a very respectable 4,3 litres per 100 km. This suggests an average of 4,0 litres will be easily achievable with a range of around 275 km per tank.
Summary
The G 310 R pleasantly surprised me. Luggage panniers will also be available, which will make it even more versatile. The bike offers enough performance for the daily ride, it is frugal and it has ABS as standard. Then there is also the far-reaching BMW Motorrad service network to take into consideration.
It’s a great motorcycle on which to learn how to ride and will suit any level of rider. Also, bear in mind that in January 2018, the GS version will become available locally, which will be more than happy to head off-road!