[FURY_44]

Although I must say majority of the dealers in Bangalore who deals with the RR gets dedicated bay and also trained mechanics.

[targaryen]

Originally Posted by FURY_44

Although I must say majority of the dealers in Bangalore who deals with the RR gets dedicated bay and also trained mechanics.

That is great to know. I have heard of the same from other RR310 owners from Bangalore. I was hoping for the same answer in Ahmedabad but nope. There is only one dealership authorised to sell RR310 in Ahmedabad and they don't stock many units either. I was also informed that they don't get a lot of queries about this bike in Ahmedabad so they don't stock and don't have designated service bays. They would rather dedicate their showroom and service space to the Jupiter which sells like hot cakes!

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by targaryen

That is great to know. I have heard of the same from other RR310 owners from Bangalore. I was hoping for the same answer in Ahmedabad but nope. There is only one dealership authorised to sell RR310 in Ahmedabad and they don't stock many units either. I was also informed that they don't get a lot of queries about this bike in Ahmedabad so they don't stock and don't have designated service bays. They would rather dedicate their showroom and service space to the Jupiter which sells like hot cakes!

If you want a non fairing bike duke 390 is the way to go. Apache RR310 is a good bike and what it sold til now is by itself, now with dwindling sales TVS will need to advertise and push the bike. One reason TVS might be holding back is that they still have waiting period for the bike. No excuse though.

Also the dealership you went to genuinely does not seem to be interested to sell the bike, in bangalore we have both red and black displayed in the main display area of showroom. The service centre is very good, and very good care given to apache rr310, no complaints on that.

[targaryen]

Originally Posted by AtheK

If you want a non fairing bike duke 390 is the way to go.

@Athek your review is synonymous to what I have heard from my friends in Bangalore. The RR310 is getting some good treatment both from buyers and the dealerships in your city. For some reason, I have rarely seen an RR310 in Ahmedabad and neither does that particular dealership seem keen on selling it.

I know Duke 390 sounds like a no-brainer here but it has some inherent problems too. The heating is a major issue in Ahmedabad where 40+ degrees
temperature is not rare and the bad traffic doesn't help. The radiator fan on the test drive bike was audible and kept switching on every few minutes.

[sammyboy]

Originally Posted by targaryen

I know Duke 390 sounds like a no-brainer here but it has some inherent problems too. The heating is a major issue in Ahmedabad where 40+ degrees
temperature is not rare and the bad traffic doesn't help. The radiator fan on the test drive bike was audible and kept switching on every few minutes.

Yes, the fan is irritating and switches on quite frequently. I have been using the Duke almost everyday since last August and used it all through the ncr summers . Its easily doable and not as uncomfortable as it might seem. My ninja 250 takes it wayyyyy better but then its a twin .

[nasirkaka]

Coming to the KTM and the G310 twins, I had to rule out the GS310 due to budget constraints. The final pick shall be between the G310R and the Duke 390 (thank you CrazyDriver for the above post. What timing!)

Let me add to your confusion.


From your long post, it seems you are looking for a mature and comfortable bike on which u can do short city or long rides. I had similar expectation from a mid-size bike and had bought the first gen 390. No doubt its a super fun bike for mad acceleration and handling but not quite comfortable, esp if one is looking at relaxed ergonomics, and good suspension for longer rides. Did many mods to the bike such as a tall windscreen, luggage rack, gel seats, bar risers, to name a few but the comfort factor was Still missing. Sold it after 36k kms. Have been riding G310 GS for last few weeks, and have covered 2k+ kms. The gear shift/box which you mentioned as a negative is actually positive point for the bike. The issue is clutch cable setting, and if done correctly, the gear shifts like butter. Somehow many have had similar issue in our group, could be the sensitive clutch cable. Neutral finding is a bit difficult initially, but it gets better with time. Yes, the clutch release and throttle input is bit tricky and if one is not careful, the bike stalls. This is also something one gets used to after a couple of days. Even there are few simple fixes to reduce the headlight shake, these are small niggles in comparison to the overall possibilities the bike brings on the table. it is super comfortable, ease to ride in city, over all types of roads, and its good on the highway too, if one is not spoilt by multi-cylinder big bikes. Throw in any kind of road, the bike does well. handles well for its height, is well balanced, and the engine may not be as rev happy or eager as 390s but its not bad either. Unless one is looking at super quick acceleration (duke) baby gs is an apt bike for our mixed Indian riding conditions. Very close to "one bike to do it all". Build quality is decent, so is service intervals. Do think it over, as if i had to do it again, i would somehow manage to get that extra difference and go for the baby GS. Unless ofcourse you can wait for the 390 adv to get best of both the world.


some pics from yesterdays ride:

[targaryen]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

Let me add to your confusion.

Yes you certainly did sir!

A little off topic but have you modified the rear view mirrors somehow? I couldnt help but notice in the pictures.

[nasirkaka]

Yes you certainly did sir!

A little off topic but have you modified the rear view mirrors somehow? I couldnt help but notice in the pictures.

I only replied as i have made a few similar decisions on choosing a bike only to regret later. Not to confuse you really. But between the 390 and 310GS, (barring the difference of about a lakh) 310GS makes sense if one is ok to trade power for comfort, ride quality and versatility. Else 390.

And yes, i have added mirror extenders to the RVM and the view is much better now. Have also, added 2" handle bar riser which further helps the view in the mirror. with most of these bikes, a certain level if accessories would be required to customize the bike to suit oneself. All the best with your decision make, at the end, both are good bikes.

[nasirkaka]

baby GS @ 2.5k kms.

The vibes have slightly settled down, or so i feel. Lack of power (compared to my other bike which is versys 650) is evident especially on the open highway. Bike pulls nicely and linearly till about 110kmph beyond which it takes its own sweet time. Feels very relaxed @ around 100kmph beyond which minor vibes starts to creep in, around tank and seat region. Suspension is one of the best features of the bike i feel - soft and supple. Have been going over all sort of roads and no-roads and haven't bottom-out yet, touchwood! Bike swallows gently whatever bad roads are thrown at it. Mileage seems to be close to 30kmpl if ridden sanely which is a bonus point. Prices for tank shroud, beak etc as spares are also reasonable and in-line with Indian made bikes. No niggles as such so far, except the sensitive throttle and clutch input and if one is not careful, the bike stalls. Sometimes, in b2b traffic, the bike stalls even if one is careful.
In general, happy with the bike so far, serves my requirement of comfortable commuting with a bit of exclusivity, and some weekend breakfast rides. Some pics from yesterday, along with another baby GS and street scrambler:one of my Ex-Crush.

[ashwinprakas]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

Bike pulls nicely and linearly till about 110kmph beyond which it takes its own sweet time. Feels very relaxed @ around 100kmph beyond which minor vibes starts to creep in, around tank and seat region.

You just described the Karizma.

How are the sprockets set up on the GS, do share the size of your front and rear sprockets when you get the time.

No niggles as such so far, except the sensitive throttle and clutch input and if one is not careful, the bike stalls. Sometimes, in b2b traffic, the bike stalls even if one is careful.

Might have to do more with the gearing than throttle and clutch, when someone who comes from a machine with good low end performance to a tall geared machine it takes quite a bit of running to launch without stalling the motor.

Does the issue persist even when you burn some clutch to get moving?

[nasirkaka]

How are the sprockets set up on the GS, do share the size of your front and rear sprockets when you get the time.

16 in front and 40 at the rear.

Apache RR 310 is 17 at fromt and 42 at the rear for comparison.

Might have to do more with the gearing than throttle and clutch, when someone who comes from a machine with good low end performance to a tall geared machine it takes quite a bit of running to launch without stalling the motor.

Does the issue persist even when you burn some clutch to get moving?

Definitely its the gearing, May not be much of an issue in riding conditions of developed countries but in our B2B traffic, its gets a bit annoying at times as mentally one had to make a conscious effort not to stall the bike. No Stalling when clutch is slipped. Also this stalling is not that big an issue as it may come across, just that its there.

[RSimonS]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

Definitely its the gearing, May not be much of an issue in riding conditions of developed countries but in our B2B traffic, its gets a bit annoying at times as mentally one had to make a conscious effort not to stall the bike. No Stalling when clutch is slipped. Also this stalling is not that big an issue as it may come across, just that its there.

I took the delivery of the baby GS on last Friday. It was sort of my first ride after a gap of almost 10 years. I am not disappointed. Like you mentioned, enjoying the exclusivity and the sort of attention it attracts.

My house is around 45 KMs away from the showroom, I had few stalls on the way back home, especially while navigating bumps and the likes. But, it was not that much of a problem when I took it to office the other day. Think I am also able to work around the gearing.

Had been to Big Bad Bikes to pick up some basic accessories, need to get them fixed. Looking forward for some weekend rides, a breakfast ride to Krishnagiri might be an option to look at

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

You just described the Karizma.

Was seriously reading all the updates in the thread, and you just cracked me up!

Originally Posted by RSimonS

I took the delivery of the baby GS on last Friday.

Congratulations! Looking forward to an ownership report soon.

[quickfox11]

Originally Posted by RSimonS

I took the delivery of the baby GS on last Friday. It was sort of my first ride after a gap of almost 10 years. I am not disappointed. Like you mentioned, enjoying the exclusivity and the sort of attention it attracts.

Congratulations on getting the mini Bimmer to restart your biking journey after such a long gap! It's certainly a limelight hogger. Whenever I see one on road (which is not very often), can't resist admiring its beauty and presence.

[ashwinprakas]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

16 in front and 40 at the rear.

Apache RR 310 is 17 at fromt and 42 at the rear for comparison.

That's some crazy tall sprocketing you've got there.

The GS comes in at 2.5 and the RR comes in even lower than that. Before this I thought the P220 was the tallest at around 2.6(14/36), I currently run a 14/40 setup on the P220 and she pulls clean to 130 kmph on the speedo which is 125 kmph true speed, after which she goes into the red-line.

If you're considering hauling luggage or off-roading then you could consider alternatives i.e if aftermarket options are available or if the output shaft teeth match any other front sprockets of other motorcycles, the KTM's come with 14T at front and is .520 pitch, a chain breaker costs around 500 from Amazon. Just saying.

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Was seriously reading all the updates in the thread, and you just cracked me up!

I believe the same was also mentioned in a few official reviews of the ZMA when it was launched or relaunched, the pull till 110~115 kmph is linear which gives you the feeling that it would pull till the 200 kmph shown on the speedo, boy! was I disappointed.