Bmw G310Gs Ride Report

[Kelpie]

Well I got itchy feet and wondered, yet again, if I was missing out by sticking with a TDM for the past 9 years.  Soooo, I booked a test ride on what I expected to be the diminutive and underpowered little BMW G310 GS.  

 

I have to admit that at times I struggle to manoeuvre the TDM from the ground.  I have recently snarkled up the rotor cuff of my left shoulder, pushing the bike back into a parking space.  My short legs make it difficult for me to paddle it backwards and I was rather pleased to have really mastered pulling it around but ended up with a knackered shoulder for my troubles.  So doubt crept in and I wondered if perhaps the bike was getting a bit much for me.  Silly really, because I'm not afraid to be a bit of a girl and ask for help when I really need it and once I'm aboard, she's a piece of cake.  It's all come to a bit of head recently cos Al is laid up with a new knee and garaging the bike on my own is a challenge.  And anyway, I really liked the look of the baby GS and there's not much about that ever catches my eye.

 

Anyway, back to the baby Beamer.  It's taller than my bike but it's also narrower and very much lighter so seat height wasn't a problem.  I won't go into a whole pile of detail but let's just say that after around 75 miles of twisties, I came away with a huge grin on my face.  It's a gem of a bike, well finished and even quite good looking.  The bars are pleasingly wide giving a feeling of road presence in spite of it being just 300cc.  The seat was the comfiest I've sat on besides the TDM's and the handling was superb.  The Metzeler tyres gave plenty of grip and reassurance on what was a cold, soggy day, only once slithering a little on a manhole cover.    The long wheel base makes handling stable and predictable and there's nothing insubstantial about the bike at all.  I missed the taller screen and my heated grips and hand guards but there was less wind wind noise than on my bike.  The tiny rear brake lever (same as the big GS), didn't come naturally to my foot but I got used to it.  There is a bit of dive from the forks under heavy braking, but nothing really worrying.  The brakes are absolutely NOTHING like the TDM but I soon realised that grabbing a proper handful brought us to a decent enough stop.  Damn the TDM brakes are superb!

 

The engine is instantly responsive and remarkably smooth at all speeds.  Yes, you have to really ride it to get the best out of it but by keeping the power band in the top half of the rev range, it goes like stink!  I was following a 1200 GS and the bike didn't once put me to shame.  It's fun, fast enough and forgiving and you can't half chuck it into the corners.  I was truly enamoured with the wee Indian-built, German beastie.  So much so that I pestered the dealer with questions on what can be added to make it really do the job I need it for.  Can I fit one of my smaller Trekker Panniers to the luggage rack, are heated grips and hand guards available along with a taller screen etc etc.  Could/would they wire in my Garmin 590?  It's a brand new bike and aftermarket parts are non-existent at the moment but I'm sure they'll creep in.  Coming it at around £5k, it's a lot of bike for the money and I envisaged perhaps running it alongside the TDM as opposed to replacing it, I think!  It would be perfect for my IAM observers work and help by sharing the ever increasing mileage with the TDM.

 

But it wouldn't replace the TDM and apart from not wanting to prematurely age the TDM, I don't genuinely need it.  I couldn't imagine touring with full luggage and camping gear over any serious distances on the Beamer but would have been happy to ride around on country twisties all day long.  There's plenty of power for overtaking but you need to plan your ride well and I missed the serious low down grunt of the TDM.  Having tried it and loved it, the itch is now scratched and although the TDM felt a little cumbersome and dated after riding the little GS, it still felt like the right bike for me so I'm not going to take the bait this time.  Maybe in another 5 - 10 years when there are a few nice second hand ones around at easy money.

 

Oh, and I also test rode the KTM 390 Duke.  Mad as a bad of frogs and twitchy as hell.  I'd definately buy one if I was 30 years younger and didn't mind leaning over the front wheel! 

 

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[muddy]

Good write up. There are so many enticing models on the market at the moment. Something for everyone and sometimes too many to choose from. Have you looked at the CB500X? It has quite a following and is proving to be very reliable and amazingly economical. There's not much to gain going smaller than that in my mind. At 195 kg wet the CB500X is only 20kg heavier than the BMW and giving 75 mpg on a 17 litre tank, it has a massive range as a tourer and it's light and revvy enough to have fun on.

[dablik]

Kelpie do you have an Abba stand at all, this would help some if the 9r's a bit of a struggle.

[Studley Ramrod]

Great write up Kelpie.  

 

The Versys -X 300 is a nice looker too.  http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/k...s-x_17.htm

[Kelpie]

Thanks lads.

 

Muddy, I have indeed looked (online) at the CB500X and it's looking more and more like ticking all the boxes.  A test ride is in order methinks.  Looks wise, it doesn't float my boat like the TDM but there are lots of aftermarket bits around and some nice low mileage used specimens too.

 

Dablik, I'd loved an Abba stand but believe it or not, my main issue is getting the bike up the 2" concrete step, backwards into the garage where it sits snuggly against Al's TDM. I have to turn it round in a tiny space on the drive, behind the car, as reversing onto the drive from the road isn't an option due to a short but steep "ramp" off the road. The stand wouldn't be a workaround for that issue unfortunately.  I may look at driving it straight in and reversing out, but the blasted drive slopes down towards the garage so not sure that would help.  Al is now at the stage where he can give the bike a good shove which helps a great deal.  

 

Studders, the Versys is nice too but I think 300cc is probably a step too far just now.  

 

It's not like I'm stuck with a bike I don't love but one day in the not too distant future, I'll probably need something more manageable.  It would be nice to have the luxury of two bikes so I'm not feeling pressured into getting rid of the TDM but that's a blooming expensive option.  It'd be awful to trade the TDM and later regretting it.  My bike's an early 2011 and spotless, I doubt I could replace it if I changed my mind.  I know it inside out too and everything that needs doing is always done.. and more.

[dablik]

Oh i see, centre stand turntables are available to turn the bike, i know it wont help on the steps but it would maybe allow you to ride in and back down the steps then use the turntable, anyway just an idea.

[sidestand]

Try this one Kelpie - down your way & under £3k with less than 5000 miles on the clock 

 

Cracking bikes - 70 to the gallon, light & go like stink  - and with ABS as well ........you might need to lower the seat a bit, but easy to do 

 

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-...o/7701335/

[Rallyist]

its an ugly bugger

[marko67]

lol. Your write up parallels my experience on the F650 GS, the 800 twin.. Lots of things I liked but not enough to sell it. You used cumbersome to describe the TDM's handling, my mate said ponderous.

 

Make a 2" ramp for your step.

 

Cheers for mentioning the wee KTM. It's on the list for my better half and you confirmed I would not see her for dust.

[Kelpie]

Try this one Kelpie - down your way & under £3k with less than 5000 miles on the clock 

 

Cracking bikes - 70 to the gallon, light & go like stink  - and with ABS as well ........you might need to lower the seat a bit, but easy to do 

 

<a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/bmw/g650-xmoto/7701335/">http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/bmw/g650-xmoto/7701335/</a>

Thanks for thinking of me but it's got a 900mm seat! I'm 5'4"!

lol. Your write up parallels my experience on the F650 GS, the 800 twin.. Lots of things I liked but not enough to sell it. You used cumbersome to describe the TDM's handling, my mate said ponderous.

 

Make a 2" ramp for your step.

 

Cheers for mentioning the wee KTM. It's on the list for my better half and you confirmed I would not see her for dust.

I think a small ramp is definitely the answer HK. The handling of the TDM isn't cumbersome, it's just the feel of the whole bike. It felt like a big armchair when I got back on it but, hey that's not bad thing. That KTM is not for the faint hearted. It'll bite you if you get it wrong.