T
he sub-500cc commuter market is a
tough and competitive place to be, and
turning up late probably hasn’t helped
the ‘spinning propeller’ brand. But it’s not the
first time BMW has entered new territory –
remember its stunning S1000RR entry into the
ultra-competitive and already well established
superbike class. This time BMW has literally
pushed the boat out to get a foothold in
the new to them, sub-500cc category.
The quality of BMW’s first ‘made in India’
offering is good enough that it does add a
bit of class to the genre. The question is,
is that class and a few points of difference
enough for the small capacity crowd?
You shouldn’t be surprised to know that BMW
has thought the move through, or that it was
all over the production qualities of the Indian
TVS Motor Company which makes the G310R.
To get even close to competing on price,
working with a company like TVS was almost
certainly a necessity and you’d have to say
the pair have made a fair fist of it. Good quality
finish, paint and panel fitment. Great quality
welds on the tubular steel frame and a neat
looking LCD instrument panel. All of this sets
the tone for a bike that punches a ‘big brand
bike of substance’ image. Not quite ‘German’
but pretty darn close.
Emerging markets in the East are perhaps as
much an influence on BMW getting into the
small capacity sector, but the benefits of small
(read: light weight) bikes suit urban populations
the world over, so it makes sense that BMW
should want in on the sales action.
KIWI RIDER 63