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View Full Version : BMW G310GS for returning rider - I feel so tall!



HarbourMaster
24th December 2017, 17:03
Hi Guys,

I've been a member on kiwibiker for a while, but sans bike. I joined to help me decide what kind of bike I might like to get. That was umm years ago.

About a month ago I finally got around to buying a bike. I got a BMW g310gs. It turns out the Ulysses guys in chch were having their monthly mtg on the day I picked up my bike. So my second ride was to head over to join them. So by that you can deduce that I'm not that young. I've come back to bikes after far too long. My last bike was a Honda VT250 when I was in my early 20s.
My first bike was an Honda SL125. Man I loved that bike. It had an upright riding position, rather than hunched forward like the VT. I had that in mind when I came to select my bike.

Anyway, anyway anyway, I choose the G310GS for pretty much that reason. I was looking for something that I could commute on, but also take on some weekend rides. I have delusions of going on some wee SI adventures which may include some off-tarmac type roads. I figure I'll be joining the Ulysses guys for Sunday rides to start with anyway.

You wouldn't believe the exhaustive research I did before picking thís bike, but for me that has actually been a real pleasure. It turns out when I was getting serious about buying that the small adventure bikes were starting to come out. I think I have read every review and youtube video of the X300, G310 and other lighties under development

BTW I'm 5' 8" chap with about 31-32" inseam

I test rode the following bikes, in this order

Some naked bikes:
Yamaha MT03 - I loved it. Seemed to be loads of power and smooth delivery. That was a wheeeee moment. Good ergonomics. This bike fit me nicely
BMW G310R - I already knew about the pending G310GS, so I wanted to see what the engine was like. Again nice bike, but the MT03 had it for power and comfort,.. and price.

Then on a subsequent weekend:
Duke 390 - Wow! People say this is a hooilgan machine. They're right on. Awesome bike, but perhaps too much of a stallion for me and my missions.
Z300 - I was interested in the X300 and wanted to see what the motor was like. The x300 was in the shop, but not as a demo. Nice smooth power delivery, but you needed to wind the thing up.

I reckoned if the G310GS was a comfortable bike, then I would wait for that. However I was telling myself that if BMW take too long to launch it, then I'd go for the MT03. Then I was fortunate to be in Frankfurt in September at the same time as the motor show. And BMW were there with their bikes, including the G310GS. So I was able to swing my leg over it and see how it felt. The riding position felt comfortable so I figured I'd wait the extra 2-3 months before it came available here.

Ok, so I've not had many rides on it, and I've been told to keep the revs under 6000 for 1000km! Probably a good idea for me as I need to get the hang of riding again, and also get the hang of this bike. However I reckon this thing is starting to come alive around that point. First impression though: I feel real tall riding it.... "Man I'm big!". I've got big smiles looking at it, sitting on it, and riding it. The seat and riding position is really comfortable for riding. I can flat foot if I adjust by butt over the seat, but otherwise I'm on my toes if I sit central while waiting at lights. Also if I just put my foot down while sitting central the seat kinda digs into your inner thigh. The real niggle of the seat height is maneuvering backwards to park. I'm probably going to order the low seat, though I think it doesn't drop things down much. It might be enough though to sort this out.

I do wonder though what BMW were thinking with this one. According to their configurator I'm not tall enough for this machine, but I am able to fit several large adventure models. Go figure.

http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/com/en/equipment/seathight_conf/seats_start.html

The only other niggle is the clutch lever. I've got relatively short fingers, so it's a bit of a stretch. I've read some reviews that say the clutch has a light feel, but
I disagree. I've taken to putting the thing in neutral at lights during my commute, to give my left hand some relief. I don't recall having to do that on my previous bikes.

Apart from that I am really really happy with this bike. My last ride, today, was a decent break-in ride up the port hills. I was wondering if I was going to have to drop it down and keep the revs up going Dyers Pass, but I was actually having to hold the thing back. The thing has plenty of pull.

AllanB
24th December 2017, 17:50
Welcome back to two wheels.

Clutch - your hand will strengthen. Check and see if the lever is adjustable to bring it closer to the bar for your hand size - if not you'll be able to buy a aftermarket adjustable one - avoid the super cheap asian copies. Shell out for a known brand.

Seat height - I'm the same height and my Ducati is tall - you'll get used to it and become aware of ground angles when parking! If the lower seat knocks off 15mm or so it will make a big difference in footing assurance.

nzspokes
25th December 2017, 06:10
Nice bike. Good pick. But we wont believe you have it until you post a pic.:laugh:

Now you have invested a lot of money in a nice bike, its time to invest in you. Chat to these guys, you will probably find those little niggles will go away. http://motorcycletraining.co.nz/ Time spent with good instructors will make riding safer, calmer and much more fun. :niceone:

They may do a gravel course but not sure on that. Offroad is great fun and plenty of groups will have rides.:eek:

You will get used to the height of the bike, im the same height and ride a BMW XChallenge with a 920mm seat height. Clutch you may need to invest in an adjustable lever and AllanB is correct in you getting stronger.

Pro tip, ignore cassina.

OddDuck
25th December 2017, 06:51
Welcome back! +1 to the advice above. Ride fitness, sorting niggles, and getting training - it's all good.

Swoop
25th December 2017, 12:48
Pro tip, ignore cassina.

^ What he said.

If you meet up with the Ulysses riders, they cater for all sorts and you'll have a good time. Ride your own ride though (obviously).

george formby
25th December 2017, 13:55
Kia ora HarbourMaster. Those wee Beemers are intriguing, I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts as you get more seat time and run the new bike in.

Don't feed the Troll, even better, totally ignore it.

Oh, congrats and enjoy!

samgab
25th December 2017, 16:01
Hi Harbourmaster. Cheers for the little mini review on BMW's Indian-made "baby" GS...

It was most interesting to me; because as it happens, I'm also in the market for a small commuter bike too, in the near future, and my shopping list (similar to yours) also includes: 390 Duke, MT03, G310R, G310GS (bit above my preferred price range really), and maybe MT07.
I haven't test ridden any of them yet, but I've been to the local dealers and looked at the 390 Duke and the BMW G310R.
My last bike was a 2015 GSX-R600, and after owning that, I really prefer the upright naked style of seating position far better than the sports bike crouch. My back can't take it. Plus, 90 percent of my riding is commuting.

May I ask, how tall are you? (Edit: Nevermind, I just read your post again, and saw that you're also 5'8") I'm 5'8", and the G310R felt a comfortable seat height for me, but I was worried that the 830mm seat height of the Duke 390 would be a little bit too tall for me (G310GS with standard seat is 835mm right?).

Next month I'll be spending 10 days riding a 2017 R1200GS around the South Island, so I'll get a feel for its' seat height (It'll have the "low seat" option, about 790mm), and although it's a different class of bike to the G310GS, if I really like it, it may influence me to take a more serious look at the G310GS, which has been kind of at the bottom of my list so far.
The R1200GS with standard seat has a way to adjust the seat height by removing the seat and adjusting the seat mounts and then replacing the seat again. Does the G310GS have any such adjustment for the standard seat?

I've felt like the BMW 310's -the R and the GS version- were a little underpowered for their class. 34hp whereas the 390 Duke has 43hp. I also like all the modern, yet meaningless techie gimmicks that the 390 Duke has, like LED headlights, Colour TFT instruments, etc. I know I shouldn't be swayed by stuff like that, in fact it's just more stuff to go wrong, but I've always been a gadgets guy.

I've been riding for 30 years, and I've never needed ABS (I have locked up the front and fell off a bike once, many years ago when I was 16, but I learned my lesson from that), but even despite managing fine without ABS for 30 years, I would be VERY unlikely to buy another motorbike going forward without ABS. Which is why I'm looking at a small, cheapish, 2017 model bike instead of an older, larger 2nd hand bike. If I ride for another 30 years on bikes with ABS and never activate the ABS in an emergency situation, great. But on the other hand, I'd rather have it and never need it, than find myself even once in a situation where I need it, but don't have it.

I also like that the 390 Duke has adjustable clutch and brake levers, and a PASC, Assist and Slipper Clutch, which means they can make it a much lighter clutch than otherwise because the design makes it grab harder under power, and having gotten used to riding a bike with a slipper clutch, I prefer having it to NOT having it. I think it would be useful on a single cylinder bike.

samgab
25th December 2017, 16:28
PS: PM me if you want to go on a comfortably slow ride from CHC to Geraldine on the 19th of Jan (It's a Friday though). It'll be the day I pick up the GS in CHC and head southbound, so I'll be riding slow and getting a feel for it. (I'm not into riding fast, but rather, I enjoy riding carefully and safely. I learnt a lot about safe and enjoyable group riding (and just good riding skills in general (safe braking, counter steering, slow riding, turning, road position, emergency braking, situational awareness, etc) at the NASS (North Auckland Street Skills) and SASS (South Auckland Street Skills) rides I used to go on a few years back. If you have anything similar in CHC I highly recommend it).

HarbourMaster
25th December 2017, 17:30
Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the feedback. I take all that on board. I have been given a couple of vouchers for ride forever courses, so I'll be going along to some training in the very near future. I was already looking at the Dan Orsnby school. I was thinking about starting on the silver course. It is interesting to hear people's thoughts on group rides. My thinking was that going along with the Ulysses guys would help my riding. I figured I was going to be way down the back of the pack anyway. i reckon I will discuss it with them before I go on my first ride. I've had my share of thrills over the years. These days I manage risk. That's not going to stop me from going out my door though eh!

Re: clutch
Yeah I wondered if my left hand just needs to strengthen up. You know, have spoonful of cement. I have played hockey and ice hockey for years though, so there's a bit of grip there. I figure I give a few months before looking into switching levers. I reckon the reach is the thing that will be the decider, rather than the pressure.

re: seat height
I reckon I'll also give it a few months before deciding on the lower seat. I quite like being tall in the saddle. The vis is great, and it makes me feel superior to the cagers. Not that the lower seat is much lower. I think it is 1.5cm lower. Somebody said that does make a difference though.

Right, just to confirm that my bike isn't imaginary I am going to try to insert a picture below. I have only been programming computers for 30 years, so hopefully I can figure this out...

334182

Yeah, not obvious.

I'll endeavor to reply to some of the individual posts. Thanks very much for all your input. I'll provide updates as I get to know my bike. I appreciated all the reviews people did of this bike and of others.

HarbourMaster
25th December 2017, 17:44
PS: PM me if you want to go on a comfortably slow ride from CHC to Geraldine on the 19th of Jan (It's a Friday though). It'll be the day I pick up the GS in CHC and head southbound, so I'll be riding slow and getting a feel for it. (I'm not into riding fast, but rather, I enjoy riding carefully and safely. I learnt a lot about safe and enjoyable group riding (and just good riding skills in general (safe braking, counter steering, slow riding, turning, road position, emergency braking, situational awareness, etc) at the NASS (North Auckland Street Skills) and SASS (South Auckland Street Skills) rides I used to go on a few years back. If you have anything similar in CHC I highly recommend it).

Sorry mate. I start a new job that week. Thanks for the offer though.

samgab
25th December 2017, 17:47
Sorry mate. I start a new job that week. Thanks for the offer though.

All good: Congrats on the new job!

Navy Boy
26th December 2017, 10:51
Nice looking machine and a good choice IMHO for someone returning to biking after a break as long as you have.

I can recommend the Ride Forever Silver and Gold courses. They are definitely worthwhile and having done them I can say that they helped to iron out a few bits and pieces in my riding.

It sounds as though you've developed a healthy outlook to your riding now that you're a bit older/mature (Delete as applicable!). I can also recommend joining the Institute of Advanced Motorists NZ. IAM NZ will look to get you to your Advanced test level in a timeframe to suit you and it'll ensure that you give the bike the skills it deserves.

Oh and show us some more photos please! :woohoo:

rastuscat
26th December 2017, 15:09
Those 310s are cool. Took a 310R out a few weeks back, just to see what they ride like.

Come and do a course with us. I'm BMW friendly.

caspernz
26th December 2017, 15:31
Congrats on the new bike harbourmaster! Always neat to reboot the biking bug. You've been given the pro-tip already, so won't repeat. :confused:

The correct way to read the comment below might be: "Bring donuts and we'll talk..." :laugh:


Those 310s are cool. Took a 310R out a few weeks back, just to see what they ride like.

Come and do a course with us. I'm BMW friendly.

samgab
30th December 2017, 07:11
TMF - The Missenden Flyer - has just done a nice little review of this bike, FYI:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYTrUIota7g

HarbourMaster
2nd January 2018, 07:22
Watched it. Good review. I may not have mentioned it, but I agree about the windscreen. It doesn't do a lot. I expect I will get a larger screen at some point, though I expect it's not going to bother me for most of my riding (commuting).

For a comparison of the light adventure bikes, I found this one recently:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_ol99luyTQ

Nathan Millward, from the above, does a full review of the G310GS here:

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/bikes/bmw/bmw-g-310-gs-2017-review-bikesocial

FYI - While I was researching (dreaming) about a new bike I watched these guy's reviews on you tube:

Cager on two wheels - Portuguese guy that does reviews in English
Chronicles of Solid - Aussie guy
The Bike Show - South African larrikins

and
The Missenden Flyer


I'm probably going to stop watching reviews and googling my bike, in case somebody says something unkind about my precious :)