Upcoming KTM 390 Adventure as well as Suzuki V-Storm 250 are the top rivals while Kawasaki could announce local assembly of Versys X-300 to be in competition
BMW Motorrad is lining up to launch two of its most-awaited motorcycles in the Indian market in the coming days as the G310R and G310GS open up a new entry point in the vastly growing premium segment. The G310GS in particular draws plenty of interest as adventure motorcycles have largely been unaffordable for the masses. With price tag of around Rs. 3.2 lakh to Rs. 3.4 lakh (on-road), it is going to be the most accessible premium adv in India.
Upon launch, it will compete against Royal Enfield Himalayan while KTM 390 Adventure is only slated to arrive next year. The Hero Xpulse 200 won’t be a direct competitor as it will be positioned far down the price scale. The BMW G310 GS shares powertrain with the forthcoming G310R. Having made world premiere at the 2016 EICMA in Milan, it is available in several foreign countries and bookings have commenced in India for Rs. 50,000.
Also Read: Official! BMW G310 GS Adventure Tourer’s Bookings Open In India
The fabled GS name stands for ‘Gelandestrass’ that translates to ‘go anywhere, road or mountain’. The German brand targets budding adventure enthusiasts and it uses a 313 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine, which is capable of pumping out 34 PS power at 9,500 rpm and 28 Nm of peak torque delivered at 7,500 rpm. Mated to a six-speed transmission, the G310GS is claimed to have a top speed of 143 kmph as its street-fighter sibling.
It has a kerb weight of 170 kg and features long suspension travel and high riding tubular spaceframe chassis. As for the design, the BMW G310GS gains a rugged stance with a sleek profile. Borrowing design influence from its larger sibling, the F700GS, it comes with sharp headlamp, a massive 19-litre fuel tank for long range, tall windshield, meaty dual-purpose Metzeler Tourance tyres, 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear wheels, wide handle bar, fully digital instrument cluster, etc.
Also Read: BMW G310R Pre-Orders Officially Commence In India For Rs. 50,000
The USD front fork can travel long 140 mm and the rear monoshock with aluminum swing arm can travel 190 mm. Braking duty is performed by 300 mm front disc and 240 mm rear disc, along with dual-channel ABS as standard. The entry-level premium adventure segment’s initial approval among customers will play a key role in deciding whether new manufacturers will enter the segment or not.
However, we predict that the arrival of KTM 390 Adventure will only spice up the proceedings. Suzuki could pounce with the V-Strom 250 and Kawasaki could locally assemble the already existing but highly priced Versys X-300 seeing the growth of the segment. All in all, the premium space is about to see new entry-level motorcycles coming in as the demand is higher than ever before.