There’s been little secret that BMW’s G310 R was set to spawn a G310 GS model in 2017 but it’s turned out to have more competition than you might have guessed.
This bike, released today, is much the same as the R model, but the G310 GS gets typical GS styling cues to give a link to the ever-popular R1200 GS. So yes, there’s a beak.
The 313cc engine is the same reverse-cylinder single as the G310 R, with its exhaust at the back and intake at the front. Its cylinder is also tilted backwards in an unusual fashion. The result is 34bhp at 9500rpm and 28Nm at 7500rpm. Given that the bike is impressively light at 169.5kg wet, there’s reason to hope that the performance will be sprightly.
The frame is also straight from the R model, as is the suspension. It’s a ‘bridge type’ tubular steel frame – that’s BMW’s way of saying it’s a trellis design. Upside down forks and a rear monoshock do suspension duties.
Brakes are again from the G310 R, with a 300mm disc and two-pot caliper. There’s ABS, of course, although it can be switched off for riding off-road.
Prices and on-sale dates are to be confirmed, but the bike’s colour options – black, red or white – have been revealed.
While BMW got in on the big adventure bike long before most of its rivals, it’s not going to have such an easy ride at the smaller end of the market. We’ve already seen Suzuki’s DL250 and Kawasaki’s Versys-X 300 revealed within the last day, offering two cylinders against the BMW’s one, and Honda’s new CRF250 Rally is a more hardcore single-cylinder alternative with considerable off-road ability.