The BMW G 310 RR purred under me, as I made a dash towards the western suburbs, an intermittent drizzle for company and a steady stream of early commuters hoping to beat rush hour. The highway is a busy one, even this early in the morning. Trucks, SUVs, sedans and cargo carrying lorries added to the traffic, some heading out from the industrial satellite townships to what I presume would be distant cities across several states. I'm running a tad late, and a gap in traffic offers the opportunity to stretch the 310 RR's legs a little. It feels like a little over 100, but a quick glance at the speedo showed 142 kmph, with some more throttle left, before I back off the gas to more acceptable speeds.
The BMW G 310 RR has the exact specifications as the TVS Apache RR 310. The 312 cc, single-cylinder, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine makes 33.5 bhp at 9,700 rpm and 27.3 Nm at 7,700 rpm. Claimed maximum speed is 160 kmph, and it can easily achieve 150 kmph.
Also Read: BMW G 310 RR Launched In India; Prices Begin At Rs. 2.85 Lakh
The BMW G 310 RR is all-too familiar. After all, it's the exact same motorcycle built by TVS Motor Company at its manufacturing facility in Hosur in southern India, as part of the technical collaboration with BMW Motorrad. That common platform has already had three products, the BMW G 310 R, the BMW G 310 GS, and TVS' very own Apache RR 310, which has now been globally launched in BMW form, as the BMW G 310 RR. The differences are minor, yet the G 310 RR makes for a premium statement, with a slightly higher price tag than the TVS. We spent some time with the new G 310 RR to see what it offers, and if it's good enough to consider as an entry-level sportbike.
Also Read: BMW G 310 RR Vs TVS Apache RR 310 - What's Different?
The BMW G 310 RR is the exact same bike as the TVS Apache RR 310. The BMW Motorsport colours and graphics in the tops-spec Style Sport Edition gives it a sense of premium appeal, along with the BMW badge.
The BMW G 310 RR is essentially the same bike as the TVS Apache RR 310. Based on the common platform manufactured by TVS Motor Company, the new G 310 RR springs no surprises in the design department. The white motorsport colour scheme and racy graphics of the top-spec Style Sport Edition make the G 310 RR look premium and aspirational, although under the skin it shares almost everything with the TVS Apache RR 310; well, almost.
The BMW's full-colour screen is the same, except for the BMW welcome animation, and the fact that it misses out on Bluetooth connectivity.
The 5.5-inch TFT instrument console is the same as the TVS, but the welcome message is BMW, and it misses out on Bluetooth connectivity and race telemetry that the TVS offers. The switches on the handlebar, and control cubes for the various features are the exact same. Like the TVS, the BMW G 310 RR has the same four riding modes, Track, Urban, Sport and Rain, with each mode offering different throttle response and ABS sensitivity. In Rain and Urban modes, maximum power is limited to 25. 4 bhp at 7,700 rpm and peak torque dialled down to 25 Nm at 6,700 rpm. Even top speed is limited to 125 kmph.
The BMW G 310 RR gets the same 17-inch cast alloy wheels as the TVS Apache RR 310. The wheels come shod with Michelin Pilot Street tyres compared to the stickier Michelin Road 5 tyres on the Apache. The TVS also gets petal-style disc brakes, said to offer better heat dissipation, compared to the regular brake discs on the BMW. The G 310 RR also doesn't get optional extras like fully adjustable suspension which the TVS offers.
The 17-inch cast alloy wheels are also same, but the brakes are different, as well as the tyres. The BMW gets regular discs, shared with its other 310 siblings, compared to the petal-type discs of the TVS, and the tyres are Michelin Pilot Street, unlike the stickier Michelin Road 5 units on the TVS. The 41 mm KYB upside down fork is the same, as is the monoshock, but the BMW also doesn't get any factory custom options which offer fully adjustable suspension, like the TVS Built-to-Order package on the Apache RR 310.
Also Read: 2021 TVS Apache RR 310 BTO Track Review
The BMW G 310 RR gets the same reverse-inclined single-cylinder 312 cc, four-valve engine which makes 33.5 bhp at 9,700 rpm and 27.3 Nm at 7,700 rpm. Like the TVS, it gets four riding modes, with power, peak torque and top speed dialled down in Rain and Urban modes.
The BMW G 310 RR has familiar performance; after all, it has the same chassis and engine specifications as its TVS counterpart. Acceleration is linear, with a strong mid-range, and enough to keep things entertaining, without becoming overwhelming. There are some minor vibes to be felt around 5,000 rpm, but they smoothen out once you hit the powerband, and keep the engine spinning above 5,500-6,000 rpm. In all, the G 310 RR offers a relaxed, easy-going and refined experience, something best experienced out on the open road.
The G 310 RR offers linear acceleration with a strong mid-range. Performance is decent, with more than enough grunt for everyday use, but will not intimidate newer riders. Overall, the engine still feels a little gruff in low revs, but smoothens out under hard acceleration and beyond 6,000 rpm.
Also Read: BMW G 310 RR Vs Rivals Specifications Comparison
But even for everyday duties, the G 310 RR offers a compact package, with enough grunt to keep things interesting, while negotiating traffic, or a dash across the city. Out on the highway, it can sit comfortably at triple digit speeds, with enough grunt and acceleration only a downshift or two away to cover long distances effortlessly.
Also Read: 2020 TVS Apache RR 310 Review
The BMW G 310 RR has comfortable ride quality, and easy, yet sporty ergonomics. Overall dynamics are quite sorted with a level of agility that will offer confidence to new riders, and help improve riding skills of more experienced riders.
The ride quality is comfortable enough to easily tackle all kinds of road imperfections Indian roads can offer. Even for intra-city dashes, the BMW G 310 RR has great dynamics, handy in tackling rush-hour traffic, or the occasional broken patches and potholes that some roads can throw up. In fact, it can take on both commuting duties, as well as the highway run very easily, and feels at home. The riding position is slightly on the sportier side, so long hours in the saddle may become a tad uneasy, but nothing excruciating, or unbearable that a short break can't take care of.
The G 310 RR offers very good dynamics and agility, with qualities that can double up for great handling on the road, and offer a very good platform to improve riding skills on a racetrack.
And show it a twisty road, the G 310 RR is impressive in every way. Handling is predictable, turn-ins are neutral, and there's no lack of front end feel which can become alarming; all good qualities that will certainly be appreciated by the beginner sport rider. Even in the wet, handling is predictable, without drama, and there's enough stopping power from the brakes to shed speed in a hurry if required.
A combination of decent performance, great dynamics, superb fit and finish, and comfortable ergonomics which make it a versatile package. For someone looking for a full-faired sports bike as an entry point into the BMW Motorrad family, or existing customers looking for a compact, everyday motorcycle, the G 310 RR makes sense.
For riders looking for an entry-level sports bike, the BMW G 310 RR offers the best of everything; good dynamics, decent performance, and a level of agility and entertainment which makes it a versatile package, for everyday use, touring and even the occasional track outing, if one is so inclined. It does make for a striking and attractive package, particularly in the top-spec Style Sport Edition with BMW Motorsport colours.
The top-spec BMW G 310 RR Style Sport Edition with the BMW Motorsport colours and graphics, is priced at Rs. 2.99 lakh (Ex-showroom). The standard black variant is priced at Rs. 2.85 lakh (Ex-showroom).
Even for the standard variant, in black, the Rs. 2.85 lakh (Ex-showroom) price is at least Rs. 20,000 more than the TVS Apache RR 310 it's based on. Priced at Rs. 2.99 lakh (Ex-showroom), the top-spec Style Sport Edition becomes even more expensive, but in the BMW Motorsport colours, the G 310 RR does carry the baby RR look very effectively, and convincingly, with a level of performance and dynamics that is quite impressive.
The BMW G 310 RR misses out on Bluetooth connectivity, Michelin Road 5 tyres, and optional adjustable suspension, which the TVS Apache RR 310 offers. For the extra cost, you get entry into the BMW Motorrad brand, but the G 310 RR will be positioned also as a global product.
In India, comparisons will nevertheless be drawn to the TVS Apache RR 310, but there will be takers, just for those striking colours, graphics and the premium BMW badge. There will also likely be some existing customers of BMW Motorrad, looking for a smaller, more manageable everyday package, where the G 310 RR will come in.
For anyone looking at an entry-level sports bike, particularly an entry-level BMW Motorrad sports bike, the G 310 RR offers the near perfect platform. It's the same bike as the TVS Apache RR 310, yet manages to hold its own with its premium colours and graphics, particularly in the top-spec Style Sport Edition.
You could still argue that it's comparatively expensive and misses out on Bluetooth connectivity, better tyres, and optional adjustable suspension. But the G 310 RR will also set its sights on overseas markets around the world, where it will make a bold statement, as the entry-level RR from BMW Motorrad, made in India.
(Photography: Apoorv Choudhary & Himad Ahmed)
