2016 BMW G310R Revealed

A little more than a month after showing a stunt-influenced concept, BMW revealed the full production version of its entry-level G310R roadster. Produced with help from India’s TVS Motor Company, the G310R is BMW’s lowest displacement motorcycle and its first roadster under 500cc.

Discuss this at our BMW G310R Forum.

The BMW G310R shares some styling cues with the S1000R rather the more traditional-looking R1200R roadster. The radiator shroud has a similar shape as the S1000R’s on the left side, and a matching design on the right instead of the RR-style gills on the S1000. BMW also stayed away from its usual asymmetric aesthetic with the single headlight.

The G310R is powered by a fuel-injected liquid-cooled four-valve DOHC Single with an 80 mm bore and a 62.1 mm stroke to produce a displacement of 313cc. As we saw from the Concept Stunt 310, the cylinder head is reversed, positioning the intake in front. As we expected, the engine has a more traditional side-slung exhaust layout instead of the downward pointed exhaust mounted behind the engine shown on the Stunt G310 concept. BMW claims the engine outputs 33.5 hp at 9500 rpm and 20.7 lb-ft. at 7500 rpm.

The engine is mounted to a torsionally-stiff tubular steel frame. If BMW stays true to form, we expect the engine and frame will form the basis of a series of spinoffs including sportbike and adventure-styled variants. Up front, the G310R is equipped with an upside-down fork while the rear shock is mounted to a relatively long aluminum swingarm designed to improve stability and handling.

Braking duties are provided by a four-piston fixed caliper with a single 300 mm disc up front and a two-piston floating caliper matched to a 240 mm disc at the rear. As with all BMW motorcycles, the G310R comes standard with ABS. The 17-inch five-spoke wheels come fitted with a 110/70R17 tire up front and a 150/60R17 tire at the rear.

Other features include an LCD instrument cluster, a 30.9-inch seat height and a (claimed) unladen weight of 349.4 pounds. BMW did not state the fuel capacity but did promise the G310R has very low fuel consumption and can cover a long distance. (UPDATE: BMW has now confirmed the G310R’s fuel tank holds a tiny 2.9 gallons, less than competitors like the Honda CB300F and the Yamaha R3 but the same as the KTM 390 Duke.).