Motorcyclists: what do you know about the BMW 310 G?

anthony cheeseboro

anthony cheeseboro

Joined
Aug 8, 1999
Messages
5,094
I am interested in buying one mainly for commuting and short distance, 40 miles or less, trips. As a young guy, I loved motorcycles, but I have not ridden since 1983.
 
It is my understanding that the 310 sports a Rotax motor. It's not a BMW designed engine but it is well proven. BMW has been using it with good results.

FWIW, our local police department used an early Rotax BMW as a testbed when it came time to upgrade their fleet of bikes. They ended up replacing all their bikes with a mix of BMWs.

Personally, I own a BMW. Out of three motorcycles, two have been BMW. They are good machines but parts and service can be on the high side. You should also know if you live in the US, there are only about 150 dealers nationwide.
 
Buy a Honda.

I had two BMW's. A 83 R65 from 1983 to 1989. Then a R80 from 1980 to 1995. They are NOT the flawless machines the Germans would've you believe. When they ran, they ran GREAt, but if yo had. a problem parts were scarce, and very expensive compared to the Honda's I had owned. On top of that, I had a few times I had to wait three weeks to the month for a part because it isn't in stock in the big warehouse in New Jersey but had to be shipped from Germany apparently.

Compared to the Honda CB750 I ran from 1972 to 1983, and put 65,000 trouble free miles on, the BMW's were a very expensive PITA. I put about 40,000 on each BMW, and they gave more problems than the Honda that I rode the every lovin dog crate out of for over 10 years. Parts and service for the Honda were easy and plentiful.

Buy a Honda!
 
jackknife said:
Buy a Honda.

I had two BMW's. A 83 R65 from 1983 to 1989. Then a R80 from 1980 to 1995. They are NOT the flawless machines the Germans would've you believe. When they ran, they ran GREAt, but if yo had. a problem parts were scarce, and very expensive compared to the Honda's I had owned. On top of that, I had a few times I had to wait three weeks to the month for a part because it isn't in stock in the big warehouse in New Jersey but had to be shipped from Germany apparently.

Compared to the Honda CB750 I ran from 1972 to 1983, and put 65,000 trouble free miles on, the BMW's were a very expensive PITA. I put about 40,000 on each BMW, and they gave more problems than the Honda that I rode the every lovin dog crate out of for over 10 years. Parts and service for the Honda were easy and plentiful.

Buy a Honda!
Click to expand...
I had a R65 LS around then. It was solid but it would kill one battery a year. Each time it went dead I had to resort to kick starting and it still ran. It was neat to be able to do stuff like balance the carbs or set the valves along the side of the road with just the tools under the seat.

A modern bike like that GS is pretty much like a solid state item. There is really not much that'll go wrong and the final choice has to be down to your fit on it. It's for sure not a traditional GS though. It's a small displacement bike meant to capture market share.

I'd compare it to the Kawi Versys-X, from Honda the CRF-450L or the CRF 450L.

If it was me looking for a new small bike I would be looking at the Husqvarna Vitpilen and Svartpilen 401s
 
sabre cat said:
It is my understanding that the 310 sports a Rotax motor. It's not a BMW designed engine but it is well proven. BMW has been using it with good results.

FWIW, our local police department used an early Rotax BMW as a testbed when it came time to upgrade their fleet of bikes. They ended up replacing all their bikes with a mix of BMWs.

Personally, I own a BMW. Out of three motorcycles, two have been BMW. They are good machines but parts and service can be on the high side. You should also know if you live in the US, there are only about 150 dealers nationwide.
Click to expand...

I live half an hour from a BMW dealer in good traffic, so I access to a dealer.
 
anthony cheeseboro said:
I am interested in buying one mainly for commuting and short distance, 40 miles or less, trips. As a young guy, I loved motorcycles, but I have not ridden since 1983.
Click to expand...
I have a 1976 R75/6 that treats me pretty well, so I can give you a thumbs up on BMW, but I know nothing about this bike you're interested in. Best of luck!

Zieg
 
jackknife said:
Buy a Honda.

I had two BMW's. A 83 R65 from 1983 to 1989. Then a R80 from 1980 to 1995. They are NOT the flawless machines the Germans would've you believe. When they ran, they ran GREAt, but if yo had. a problem parts were scarce, and very expensive compared to the Honda's I had owned. On top of that, I had a few times I had to wait three weeks to the month for a part because it isn't in stock in the big warehouse in New Jersey but had to be shipped from Germany apparently.

Compared to the Honda CB750 I ran from 1972 to 1983, and put 65,000 trouble free miles on, the BMW's were a very expensive PITA. I put about 40,000 on each BMW, and they gave more problems than the Honda that I rode the every lovin dog crate out of for over 10 years. Parts and service for the Honda were easy and plentiful.

Buy a Honda!
Click to expand...

I have never been a Honda fan even though I know they are reliable with lots of dealers. I have to find my area Honda dealer. They might have something for me. You just never know!
 
Do you have a KTM dealer near by? Might be worth looking at a Duke 390 too.
 
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