VOL. 54 ISSUE 5 FEBRUARY 7, 2017 P93
in corners—unusual for smaller
machines.
Being a BMW, the G 310 R
comes standard with ABS.
The two-channel system works
exceptionally well, without any se-
rious oscillation between the front
and rear brakes as the system
adeptly balances pressure under
heavy braking, avoiding any hint
of lock-up, even on loose sur-
faces. The hardware consists of
a single 300mm disc on the front
grabbed by a four-piston caliper,
while the rear end is handled by
a single 240mm disc mated to
two-piston caliper. Steel wrapped
lines provide consistent feel and
stable pressure, even under
extreme application.
The chassis is constructed of
tubular steel, providing torsional
rigidity with minimal flex, and is
mated to a long swingarm (which
helps grant the 310 its stability)
that is suspended by a single
shock with a progressively-wound
spring that adequately renders a
smooth ride in the early stages
of compression, progressively
stiffening with resistance as more
shock travel is used. The shock is
mounted directly to the swingarm
and frame in a simple and clean
design, sans any linkage. The
system, which provides a claimed
5.15 inchesof travel, works well
and never bottomed despite at-
tempts to do so. For a small bike
the 310 is fitted with somewhat
beefy 41mm diameter forks that
are anodized gold and mounted
in an upside-down position. Triple
clamps are beefy alloy units with
plenty of grab on the forks—which
provide a claimed 5.5-inches of
travel. The front end works quite
well, absorbing small bumps with
ease while being capable of soak-
ing up hard hits (such as divots
and potholes) with equal aplomb.
The factory settings give the 310
a very soft, plush ride at lower
speeds, while manning up with
increasing stiffness as the pace
increases. Wheels are black,
17-inch 5-spoke die-cast alloy de-
sign (3.0-inch width on the front
and 4.0-inch width on the rear)
and are shod with 110/70R and
150/60R rubber respectively.
Specifications aside, the G
310 R is surprisingly fun to ride.
Intent on reviewing the machine
from the perspective of a begin-
ning rider, I found myself flog-
ging the bike around the back
roads of Malibu with a great deal
of enjoyment. The geometry
of the frame, combined with a
