BMW is busily testing the G310R based adventure tourer- BMW F310GS. Production ready test mules were spotted recently by folks at MCN. The bike is expected to make its debut at the 2016 EICMA Motorcycle Show.
Pick 1: Engineered in Germany. Made in India
The motorcycle will be completely designed and engineered by BMW in Germany, before being readied for production at TVS. The new baby-GS will be produced in Bangalore, India by the cooperation partner TVS Motor Company, India’s third largest motorcycle manufacturer with a production volume of some 2.5 million vehicles per year. The final inspection will performed according to BMW Motorrad standards and includes electronic functional testing as well as a final run on the roller test bench for every motorcycle.
Pick 2: Innovative engine design
Powering the bike is the same fuel injected 313cc, liquid-cooled DOHC 4V single-cylinder engine, producing 34 bhp 9,500 rpm and 28 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm. This will also be the smallest motorcycle in the Motorrad stable.The striking feature of the engine is its backward-tilted cylinder in open-deck design with the cylinder head turned by 180 degrees, making it possible to position the intake tract at the front, viewed in the direction of travel and the exhaust at the rear.
Pick 3: Chassis and Body
The tubular steel frame and the cast aluminium swingarm is identical to the one seen on G310R .The bodywork is new. The front wheel suspension is taken care of by a solid upside-down fork and the rear by a directly mounted and adjustable monoshock. The seat bears no obvious changes. The fuel tank is completely redesigned and frontal bodywork – including that beak – all mimicking the bigger GS models. The dash appears identical to the R’s, but mounted higher, and more vertically.
Pick 3: Touring Accessories
The test mules are wearing topboxes, which we don’t expect to be a standard feature. The integrated luggage rack/grab-handle assembly looks likely to be stock fit. A list of accessories including luggage, seat options, 12v charging sockets, heated grips etc are expected when launched.
Pick 4: Tyres and Safety
The braking units will be identical to the G310R. At the front wheel, will be a 300 mm single-disc brake with radially bolted 4-piston fixed caliper and at the rear will be a 240mm rotor with 2-piston floating caliper. The Metzeler Tourance tyres fitted are a 150/70 17 rear and 110/80 R19 front, compared to the G310R’s 150/60/17 rear and 110/70/17 front.
Pick 5: The rivals
When launched, the BMW F310GS will directly compete against the likes of the Royal Enfield Himalayan. Might not be of the same segment but, let’s not forget the Mahindra’s Mojo which is also a touring motorcycle.
