Indian motorcycle enthusiasts had been waiting with bated breath for the launch of the BMW G 310R in India and now it’s finally here. At Rs 2.99 lakh (ex-showroom), this is one BMW bike that you can at least hope to buy.
However, just like every other motorcycle that enters the Indian market, the BMW too has been attracting appreciation and criticism at the same time. So at almost Rs 3 lakh, is the G 310R really a value-for-money product, or should you look at other options in the market? If you are, then the Yamaha R3, falling close to the price of the G 310R, is worth looking at.
We’ve made things easier for you, here is a quick spec-to-spec comparison between the BMW G 310R and the Yamaha R3, just in case you were looking for one.
Design
The BWM G 310R is a naked bike and shares a lot of similarities with the likes of the Yamaha FZ and even the Bajaj Dominar. One feature that it borrows from its Indian counterpart TVS Apache RR310 is the Gold-anodised upside-down front forks.
No doubt the G 310R is a premium offering and comes across as a very good looking motorcycle. The company is offering the two-wheeler in a Pearl White Metallic shade which screams BMW Motorrad.
Certain bits that will disappoint are the omission of LED headlamps and indicators and also the LCD instrument cluster. They could have at least offered a TFT colour display, something like what we see on the KTM Duke 390.
Also, why is just the tail light LED? A bit puzzling.
The Yamaha R3 on the other hand is a sports bike that shares a similar design philosophy to the much more economical R15. After the BS-IV variant was launched this year at the Auto Expo, there were some cosmetic changes made to the motorcycle which did appeal to a lot of people.
The full-fairing motorcycle comes with new Metzeler tyres while the instrument cluster remains the same as before. It’s a good looking bike and screams Yamaha.
It sports 41mm front forks and preload-adjustable shock at the rear with a kerb weight of 173 kg. Despite being an entry-level sports bike, by the looks of it, the Yamaha R3 has premium styling and graphics with sharp-looking features.
Performance & Handling
Performance-wise it is safe to assume that the BMW G 310R is similar to the Apache RR 310. The Apache uses the same 312cc (re-tuned) liquid-cooled engine that pumps out 28 Nm of torque with max power of 33.6 bhp.
It is indeed a powerful machine and the lesser kerb weight at just 158.5 kg betters the performance even more. And also because the G 310R has a different ECU unit.
If you like long-distance cruising with the comfort of staying upright during most of the journey then the G 310R is a very good option. Can’t say how well it will work in traffic but considering the Apache RR 310 was nimble and easy to manoeuvre, the G 310R is likely to better that.
The Yamaha R3 is the big daddy to the R15 but as far as the riding and handling is concerned, there isn’t much of a difference. Because of the forward lunging sporty stance, the bike is aerodynamic and can whoosh through traffic faster than the Roadrunner.
The Yamaha R3 comes with a 321cc twin-cylinder liquid cooled engine with 42PS of max power and 29.6 Nm of torque.
The steering response and the overall balance of the R3 is good. The 17-inch tyres lack bite, especially on wet roads. Braking is good on the R3 due to the addition of the ABS, which is a standard now.
It will definitely handle well in fast flying corners and is a dream on a race track, but Indian riding conditions will always be testing. Thanks to the 41mm Kayaba forks up front and preload-adjustable shock at the rear, ride quality becomes a lot better.
Take Your Pick
And here we go comparing apples and oranges!
The G 310R very subtly moulds comfort, power and looks while the R3 is an outright beast that tears through the tarmac while looking good at the same time.
Where the G 310R caters to weekend riders who like to head out for a 100 to 200 km ride on the highway, the R3 is meant more for the adrenaline seeker who likes going fast on open roads and at the same time also likes going slow to let the neighbours adore the bike.
At Rs 2.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the BMW G 310R could prove to be an expensive experiment to invest in, considering this is a new bike in the market. If you want a BMW Motorrad bike in your garage under Rs 3.5 lakh, you can consider the G 310R.
But if you want a tried and tested racing machine that has conquered roads and Indian hearts, the Yamaha R3 is a good option, if your budget allows you to stretch between Rs 3.26 to 3.48 lakh (ex-showroom) that is.
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