[schwa99x]

So after a long pre-order wait, we finally picked up my wife's blue G310R. She has been super excited to add this bike to her available rides. She has been riding her Triumph Street Twin for over a year and has been looking for a sportier bike. She is 5'2" and 115 lbs with a 28 inch inseam. Rides in Lady Daytona Star boots. Setting the stage for the review.

This bike was marketed as a great new bike for short riders and women riders. We are disappointed. If you are not a shorter rider or a woman, you probably wouldn't notice our observations.

What she likes...
Look of the bike.
Quality of the components, fit, and finish.
Solid blue paint color.
Guages
Handling.
Weight.
Gearing


What she HATES about her new bike...
Seat height is not even close. 30.9 is not as ergonomic as she expected. She doesn't need to flatfoot but wobbling on tip toes in her Lady Daytonna boots. (We ordered a new low seat. Not confident that will address.)
Bike sound. Terrible. (We just ordered an Akrapovic exhaust.)
Levers. Too far out and NOT adjustable. Small hands are not a help. (None available from Evotech and CRG. Evotech are still in development per an email to me even though listed on their site.)
Clutch is hard to find friction point as it is almost at the end as you let it out.

Please refrain from giving tips and advice for short riders. Unless you can gain confidence on your bike by having your feet touch the ground, tips and tricks will not fix the fundamental problem. Feeling comfortable and stable at starts and stops on uneven pavement.

This bike again falls into the trap of keeping a standard size that fits "most" but lacks configuring or customizing for riders of varying sizes.

I'm sure that my post will generate spirited conversation. We are just being honest about our experience and pros and cons of the bike.

 

[MandatedMotorvation]

@schwa99x

I'm grateful for your honesty. It's good to get information out to other potential buyers.

Sometimes emotional postings can lead to unwanted or unguided responses from other forum members. I'll refrain from offering any feedback that may portray any lack of sensitivity to your partially dissatisfying experience from the new purchase. I know it's a big let down when it happens to me.

I hope you and the mrs can get things sorted to your satisfaction. Aftermarket parts will be coming soon, I'd guess. Good call on the Akra. I'm in saving mode for mine; the bike will be happier for it.

 

[schwa99x]

Thanks! I'm certain that the bike will be fine long term that we will get all of the items sorted out with aftermarket parts. My observation is that there are great bikes that get released (including this one) that don't take into account that one size doesn't fit all. Most of the issues could be easily addressed during the engineering design process with adjustable seat heights and adjustable levers.

Don't take our disappointment that we have given up on the G310R. It just reinforces that engineers really design for men 5'8" and taller. World average for women height is 5'-5'4".

 

[porth]

I hope that the lower seat will help! I was not happy with the fact that dealers don't seem to have the lower or higher seats in stock so that these can be tried out during a test ride. Every dealer should have one of each so they can be quickly exchanged. Additionally, like other bikes in the BMW range, you should be able to (I know that this isn't the case) order the G310R with the seat you need without having to pay for an extra seat!

 

[Glencoeman]

I hope that the lower seat will help! I was not happy with the fact that dealers don't seem to have the lower or higher seats in stock so that these can be tried out during a test ride. Every dealer should have one of each so they can be quickly exchanged. Additionally, like other bikes in the BMW range, you should be able to (I know that this isn't the case) order the G310R with the seat you need without having to pay for an extra seat!

I think BMW have performed very poorly regarding accessories for the G310R. None have been available in the UK except the power socket which is the same as the F800 bikes ( I managed to get a used one from a well known BMW used parts specialist in the UK for about half price including delivery, which looked new). First, they listed a centre stand on the BMW Motorrad UK website and then deleted the entry. Time for BMW to get their act together.

 

[LABMW]

I think the problem with the seat is not really the height, but the seat width adds to the ability to reach the ground. I just went to an upholstery shop and had the seat foam shaved on the sides to make the effective inseam needed shorter. I'll pick up the adjusted seat later so couldn't say yet if its effective

 

[Roger44]

my wife had same problem, I have fitted a lowering kit, which drops the bike about 20mm
that helps, plus I might yet buy the low seat.

totally agree on the levers, but it will take a while for third party manf to gear up.

the cost of the akropovic is disgraceful, and then you have to add the cost of the cat. rip off or what

 

[schwa99x]

Shave Seat

I think the problem with the seat is not really the height, but the seat width adds to the ability to reach the ground. I just went to an upholstery shop and had the seat foam shaved on the sides to make the effective inseam needed shorter. I'll pick up the adjusted seat later so couldn't say yet if its effective

How tall are you and your inseam? Curious to see how effective the shave seat works. Keep us posted.

 

[LABMW]

I'm 5'8" with an inseam of 31 inches. The shaved seat helped in that my feet are now flat on the ground if I slide towards the tank

 

[cfaircraft]

Have to agree with your iints my wife is short as well and has most of the same problems and dislikes, the seat instead of ordering the lower seat, we just took hers to interior shop and had them shave the seat, feels more ergonomic and she can almost touch flatfoot with her riding boots. clutch issues same, though levers will come out or you can see what will fit, the friction point, keep in mind its a new bike and both my r1100s and my f800r felt same till they wore in, agree on the sound, and am going with the akrapovic exhaust from revzilla, only issue we having is right now no one is saying if the exhaust will fit the 2018 model, but it does the 2017,
she hated the blue color, but likes the black she has, the bike handles great and carves the corners, her biggest issue she used to ride NINJA 500r, and the 310 is lacking that torque she used to
the cost of the akrapovic exhaust isnt bad at $470 plus free shipping, so things I'm loking for arte sprockets to give it longer legs on hiway, race exhaust, and integrated tail lites

 

[angiedave]

Did your 'boss' not demo the 310 ?

 

[draco888]

Have to agree with your iints my wife is short as well and has most of the same problems and dislikes, the seat instead of ordering the lower seat, we just took hers to interior shop and had them shave the seat, feels more ergonomic and she can almost touch flatfoot with her riding boots. clutch issues same, though levers will come out or you can see what will fit, the friction point, keep in mind its a new bike and both my r1100s and my f800r felt same till they wore in, agree on the sound, and am going with the akrapovic exhaust from revzilla, only issue we having is right now no one is saying if the exhaust will fit the 2018 model, but it does the 2017,
she hated the blue color, but likes the black she has, the bike handles great and carves the corners, her biggest issue she used to ride NINJA 500r, and the 310 is lacking that torque she used to
the cost of the akrapovic exhaust isnt bad at $470 plus free shipping, so things I'm loking for arte sprockets to give it longer legs on hiway, race exhaust, and integrated tail lites

Re the exhaust: Is there really any difference between a 2017 and a 2018 model? What makes you think so cfaircraft?

 

[cfaircraft]

don't know if there is or not, I contacted distributers for the exhaust and they only list 2017 for application, I contacted Akrapovic via their website and asked, they responded saying they don't know about the 2018 applicability yet,

 

[schwa99x]

I'm 5'8" with an inseam of 31 inches. The shaved seat helped in that my feet are now flat on the ground if I slide towards the tank

Ah, thanks for the reply! I was wondering the height and inseam difference. My wife is 5’2” with a 27-28” inseam. Good reference point.

 

[Mikestib1]

Absolutely the engine sound is horrible so I use foam ear plugs
Evotech offers adjustable levers
Hornig motorcycle parts offers a rear shock lowering kit that lowers it 1 inch. Of course you should raise the front fork the same amount if doable.
It's a shame most dealers don't offer test rides.
Hate to say it but a Honda Rebel 500 might be just right.

 

[Mikestib1]

Looks like you can raise the fork outer tubes about an inch

 

[Bas310]

levers ............................... https://www.puigmoto.nl/contents/nl/d624_BMW_G_310_R_PuigMoto.html

 

[schwa99x]

levers ............................... https://www.puigmoto.nl/contents/nl/d624_BMW_G_310_R_PuigMoto.html

Thank you! Puig USA has added to their site per my request but the G310R 8609N clutch and brake adapters are out of stock until March 2018.

 

[schwa99x]

UPDATE: We have made several modifications since the initial post.

We picked up my wife's motorcycle and she is very happy with the Wilbers full suspension lowering kit (pricey but VERY worth the cost) and new Akrapovic exhaust.

Seat height is now 28.5 with the BMW lowered seat. It rides like a dream. The suspension feels better than the stock.

Exhaust note on the Akrapovic is AMAZING. These two upgrades have made it a different bike and she loves it!

 

[Bas310]

Wife happy - you happy.


The picture you have posted shows quite good how everything looks like.
The bike is not 'out of proportion'.


Question(s);
Did Wilbers also adjusted the front suspension ?
What did you do with the levers ?