[ani_meher]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

...I have overcome the cost factor in mind, and been enjoy the bike everyday and would say that this bike is given more happiness in last 5 months then the versys in last 3 years. ...

Can you elaborate on this? This point is really interesting, and having owned both the bikes you are qualified to talk about this. It would be great reading to this perspective.

[nasirkaka]

Can you elaborate on this? This point is really interesting, and having owned both the bikes you are qualified to talk about this. It would be great reading to this perspective.

What i meant was that we all know that 310Gs is highly overpriced bike, especially in India where its made. At least overpriced by a lakh if not more. costs close to price of two Himalayan. A lakh less and it would have done better and could even be a success but at the current pricing, very few would buy it. I bit the bullet mainly as i was sort of desperate for a light weight adv bike. Himalayan did not impress much and was sick & tired of waiting for the KTM 390 adv. 310GS did come across as a decently capable bike if one was to go by all the international reviews and user feedback.

In hindsight, having owned one for 6 months and done about 9k kms, i still look forward to riding the bike everyday. Look forward to my daily office commute which comprised of all dug-up roads. Mind and hand automatically goes to this bike instead of the versys which are parked side by side. I feel more in control of this bike where versys controls me on the other. Recently, i have installed an akra full system exhaust on the 310gs, which has changed the nature of the bike to an extent. The engine feels more free, improved torque and exhaust note (a bit loud for my liking) is still interesting. The bike has its shortfalls in vibrations, lack of quick acceleration or top speed, not so great dealer experience with high service & spares cost, and also many cases being reported with faulty battery & alternator. Mine is holding good so far. Personally, i am happy with the bike and look forward to riding it at any given opportunity. The bike is overpriced and i have already paid. So not much point holding on to it, therefore i try and forget the cost factor and once that is done, the bike is more enjoyable. Versys is another great bike, especially for long hauls but personally i find it a bit big and heavy and tall for my riding.

[RSimonS]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

not so great dealer experience with high service & spares cost, and also many cases being reported with faulty battery & alternator.

Seems the burnt headlight socket is a newest of the troubles with the bike, at least 2 bikes in Bangalore with this problem and both the bikes are in stock condition.

[nasirkaka]

Seems the burnt headlight socket is a newest of the troubles with the bike, at least 2 bikes in Bangalore with this problem and both the bikes are in stock condition.

There seems many electrical related issues identified with the bike mainly as follows:
* Many cases of Bad/faulty battery, going dead/ not holding charge, being replaced under warranty

* Few bikes have had alternator issues leading to stalling and/or bike stranded

* 2 cases of burnt socket behind the headlight assembly
* headlight bulb fusing on a few bikes

* Even abroad, on various forums, there have been intermittent cases of electrical related issues.

So yes, the bike definitely seems weak on electrical front and requires some attention.

[ashwinprakas]

Originally Posted by RSimonS

Seems the burnt headlight socket is a newest of the troubles with the bike, at least 2 bikes in Bangalore with this problem and both the bikes are in stock condition.

Some degree of burning is acceptable when running AHO;



That's a snap of my holder from running AHO for the past 5 years.

Please do share pictures if available as that would give a better idea of what to look out for.

[RSimonS]

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

Some degree of burning is acceptable when running AHO;

Attachment 1868497

This pic is from a couple of month old bike.

Complaints are getting a better turn around now a days, delays are short and the response is also better. But, 2 more bikes were down with the battery / alternator issue between this and last week as well.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

According to BMW, 2018 saw sales of 1,640 units of both its bikes in India. The G 310 GS is priced at Rs 3.49 lakh while the G 310 R is priced at Rs 2.99 lakh (ex-showroom).

TVS during the same year clocked sales of 5,297 of the Apache RR 310 which is priced at Rs 2.23 lakh.

Source - https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/te...e-3952331.html

[simeonovitch]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNisoBz0h9s

Found this review of the G310GS on youtube.
One of the best reviews I've ever seen, from a technical view point.

[neil.jericho]

Despite the well documented issues that have been plaguing the BMW 310s, (here (BMW G310: Many bikes suffering reliability issues due to alternator problem) and here (Major battery issue with the BMW G 310 R and GS! BMW Motorrad India is unresponsive)), the local dealer seems to be selling the 310 twins by the bucketful. In Cochin, the dealership is selling around 50 bikes per month as per the sales staff which is quite a lot when you consider the super premium pricing and quality complaints. So much for the market takings a stance.

[nasirkaka]

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

Despite the well documented issues that have been plaguing the BMW 310s, (here (BMW G310: Many bikes suffering reliability issues due to alternator problem) and here (Major battery issue with the BMW G 310 R and GS! BMW Motorrad India is unresponsive)), the local dealer seems to be selling the 310 twins by the bucketful. In Cochin, the dealership is selling around 50 bikes per month as per the sales staff which is quite a lot when you consider the super premium pricing and quality complaints. So much for the market takings a stance.

Sometimes, the information from these sales representatives are not quite true unless cross checked. Could even be a propaganda strategy. Not sure about Cochin, but i doubt these 310s are doing well in Bangalore just by the fact that i hardly ever spot them on road in city or highway. There might be a few die-hard fans of the BMW roundell, or could be the year end discounts improved the sales. Else there is no reason for someone to opt for those expensive bikes with poor after sales experience and 2nd citizen treatment. GS310 is a dead horse in India, now that 390 adventure is out. And i have never understood why someone would opt for the 310R when there are so many other options available from KTM, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawi, etc.

[Xaos636]

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

Despite the well documented issues that have been plaguing the BMW 310s, (here (BMW G310: Many bikes suffering reliability issues due to alternator problem) and here (Major battery issue with the BMW G 310 R and GS! BMW Motorrad India is unresponsive)), the local dealer seems to be selling the 310 twins by the bucketful. In Cochin, the dealership is selling around 50 bikes per month as per the sales staff which is quite a lot when you consider the super premium pricing and quality complaints. So much for the market takings a stance.

I wont take what he said. The Calicut dealer(same Cochin dealer) is running nuts to sell these. I doubt even the combined numbers of these two showrooms will hit 50 a month. Not to mention, the 310GS is around 3.6L on road as there is a huge discount for both the twins.
Here is a chat with a new owner from Bangalore. He wasn't particularly impressed with neither the dealer nor the bike. Jumped the gun at the discounts and regretting it now.

[neil.jericho]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

Sometimes, the information from these sales representatives are not quite true unless cross checked. Could even be a propaganda strategy. Not sure about Cochin, but i doubt these 310s are doing well in Bangalore just by the fact that i hardly ever spot them on road in city or highway.

Originally Posted by Xaos636

I wont take what he said. The Calicut dealer(same Cochin dealer) is running nuts to sell these. I doubt even the combined numbers of these two showrooms will hit 50 a month. Not to mention, the 310GS is around 3.6L on road as there is a huge discount for both the twins.

Even I found the claim to be very unlikely and had questioned him further on the same. He rattled off sales numbers for the last 3 months - ~ 40 in month 1, ~ 60 in month 2 and nearly 50 in month 3. I remember asking him if they averaged 2 deliveries of the 310s a day (I wonder if BMW sells 2 of these 310s a day all across India!) and he very confidently said yes. I mentioned that these 150 bikes from the last 3 months are nowhere to be seen around town though. On the ground, I probably see around one or two (new or registered) BMW 310s a month on an average.

[nasirkaka]

Here is a chat with a new owner from Bangalore. He wasn't particularly impressed with neither the dealer nor the bike. Jumped the gun at the discounts and regretting it now.

That is definitely a case of not knowing what one wants. Anyone buying an adventure bike and talking about selling and buying a used R3, boarded the wrong bus to begin with. Happens! 310GS is not a bad bike especially at 3.6L OTR. Agree some electrical issues are there, but its the aftersale experience which is pathetic. Recently about 18 bikes rode from Bangalore to Masinagudi and back and touchwood, no bike had even a hint of any issue.

[Urban_Nomad]

Does anyone know of an example where one might have gone for a more aggressive off road set up, like:

- 21 / 18 spokes wheels
- Knobby tires
- Maybe added some suspension travel or
- At least worked on the suspension internals. The one on the stock bike seem to be made of cookie dough. I found the setup shockingly bad

I am aware of the rally raid kit. Wanted to see if anyone had done similar upgrades Desi-ly and what the feedback was. This bike certainly has the template to be a good ADV machine. But stock from the factory... it has the suckiest suspension I have ever seen on any bike

[nasirkaka]

21 / 18 spokes wheels
- Knobby tires
- Maybe added some suspension travel or
- At least worked on the suspension internals. The one on the stock bike seem to be made of cookie dough. I found the setup shockingly bad
I am aware of the rally raid kit. Wanted to see if anyone had done similar upgrades Desi-ly and what the feedback was. This bike certainly has the template to be a good ADV machine. But stock from the factory... it has the suckiest suspension I have ever seen on any bike

One guy in Bangalore got the rally raid front suspension setup and was all praises. Knobbies, and some small mods is what people have mostly tried but i am not aware of any serious mods for off-roading. See, the way you look at and do off-road rides is drastically different and serious compared what the usual GS 310 Junta looks at which is mainly riding on mud roads, fire tracks, jungle trails, bad roads, standing a riding a bit, etc. And most of them are super happy with the current suspension setup and its very soft and supple and gives the feel of gliding on magic carpet over broken roads. I have been all praises for the suspension as its a boon to ride the bike on Bangalore roads. I realise how bad the roads are (or how supple the suspension is) when once in a while i ride the interceptor on the same daily route. For anything serious, suspensions upgrade would be the way out. One friend, who works at TVS, was looking for a used 310GS as a donor bike with the intention of heavily modding it exclusively for off-road use. Then he was leaning towards Xpulse. Not sure what he is finally upto.

Also, the 310 twins come with so much of baggage that any mods will void warranty, riders are not comfortable doing mods as the bike comes with 3 years warranty and most have also bought extended warranty on top, as that was nicely packed and sleekly sold. So maybe once the bikes are old and out of warranty, more would experiment and explore.