[SKX009K1]

I live in the South, so as far as the weather goes, you can easily ride year-round. That being said, I rarely see bikes on the road once the high season is over. And even when it’s summer, I mainly see other riders on weekends. As far as I can tell, there are very few people who use a bike for more than just the occasional weekend ride.

 

[Ezrider 1818]

My first real motorcycle was a 250. They all got me where I wanted to go and fast enough. After a few more 250's I moved to 650. Got the job done, just a bit faster. And heavier. And taller. Then on to 1150. Same story. As I move through this made called life I long for comfort and confidence. Let bikes are just too much. Too much weight. Too much complexity. Too much cost. I'm mucking to a smaller, lighter, more economical cycle, g310.

 

[ARBOLMANO]

So reviving old post, this isn’t the one I thought but close. I recently had some education on expenses and dual sport capabilities. On a ride and came across a couple of new KTM 500 enduros, Wow so superior to my RR equipped 310 in the dirt. Impossible to get a 310 to the same level of performance but with say $4000 (I forgot what Jerry spent) you can get close.
So I was thinking, why would anyone spend like $10,000 to have an “ok” dirt bike. Then I asked how much the KTM costs…More than $10k and that’s base, and there’s always additions. Hmm that sure makes the 310 looking better. Then both KTM riders and my friend on an 890 KTM all said they really found their bikes to be a drag to ride on the street. Something the 310 excels at Stock even. Actually, on tarmac I could keep pace with the 890 as his top speed was less than mine due to gearing!
So hug your 310 and don’t be afraid to put some money into it if your want to venture off the beaten path. The 310 may well be the best of both worlds available.

 

[JerryG]

Actually, on tarmac I could keep pace with the 890 as his top speed was less than mine due to gearing!

I'm shocked about the 890 gearing. Wow!

Impossible to get a 310 to the same level of performance but with say $4000 (I forgot what Jerry spent) you can get close.

Not counting the Mosko Moto Reckless 80L luggage, I've spent ~$6500 over and above the cost of the G310GS itself, which was about the same, so I've spent ~$13,000 at this point. The link below is the thread that has a list of my mods and links to each one. I chose to mod the G310GS like this because I wanted an adventure bike that was comfortable long-distance on the road, BDR/TAT capable off-road, and less than 400 lbs so I can be laughing while picking up the bike after off-road "naps" as @ARBOLMANO likes to call them.

Jerry G : Most experienced and helpful

Check it https://tinyurl.com/57kn84j4

www.g310rforum.com

P.S. I didn't name the above thread; that was the brain child of @ARBOLMANO.

If I have a concern at this point, it's about the four confirmed catastrophic engine failures and the decision by those owners that they no longer trust the G310GS to do what they bought it for. The thread for that discussion is...

Catastrophic Engine Failures (4 Confirmed); Share Your...

I started this thread to share engine failure and valve clearance information. This is an outgrowth of the discussion at Performance- High rev.s- To redline or not A few weeks ago, I was informed by one of the owners about three G310GS engines that failed catastrophically, two that "ate a...

www.g310rforum.com

 

[ARBOLMANO]

Yeah I was amazed too, low gearing with near 100hp, he can accelerate. Like 40” seat height
he estimates like $20k in it, 35mpg so though he can carry 4 gallons of fuel I think I have more range. I wouldn’t even want to ride it, I know myself better. But he’s been an expert rider for years. Trying to ride easy on account his back. Slowing down so I can keep up is the concept. Like a govener. Frustrating for him but works, you’ll meet him at Death Valley.
So you’ve got less money in your bIke than the comparable KTM 500 and it’s better on road. If slightly less off road.
I wouldn’t compare with the 390KTM as out the box BMW better off road. Comparable on road.
I‘d say that’s a win for the team. and if it self destructs you’ve already got all the bits to set up another.

 

[JerryG]

if it self destructs you’ve already got all the bits to set up another

If I can't trust it for long distance on-road to get to and ride BDRs and the TAT, I'll have to redo my calculus on this. There is an interesting 382 lbs dry-weight optimized-for-reliability old-school wild card option out there...

Myth Motor custom BMW R100GS Adventure — Myth Motor

The Myth Motor custom BMW R100GS Adventure is the intersection of the inherent simplicity of an airhead, the needs for long distance adventure luggage, modern suspension, upgraded electronics and a lot more fuel.

mythmotor.com

Just today, a friend loaned me the book he and his riding buddy published about the run down to the bottom of South American...

THE BOOK — Two Wheels South

ORDER THE BOOK

twowheelssouth.com

 

[ARBOLMANO]

Why can’t you trust your bike? That’s crazy. Airheads are far more likely to let you down under the same conditions, if you could get there at all. Forget what you’ve “heard”. Run it and forget about it. If your the lucky person to get .01% failed unit, then sell the replacement with farkles installed. You had a great experience, move on.
Buy the Honda they tend to think things through better than some, less apt to be cuttting edge like BMW. It’s one of those things it’s silly to fret on while under warranty.
Certainly a unit I’d be concerned buying used right now, not at all in a few years when continues to be statistically a very dependable unit.
My concern is that DLC might be the “holy grail” of the auto/cycle industry. A product that performs amazing for a specified period then self destructs. General Motors perfected this strategy in the late 1970s. Thus once warrant out you need a new car. The Germans were slower to take up the mantle and the Japanese could not bear to participate in making shoddy stuff. The World has seen the results and over the decades we have what we have.
We already are of the use it and toss philosophy on so many things I could see a “holy grail” fitting right in there. Particulary on at a time where really a three year old bike could be outdated, in need of tires etc, the consumers gonna like that cause the “price is right”.
So I myself will wait and see and ride worry free, worry on things I can affect.
I find it hard to believe BMW would have a big “cover up” if TVS was having issues with the tech. Mostly because self destruct on large enough scale is a Federal Safety Issue as non running whist at flow is hazardous and folks are quick to file and organize in these internet daze. And last read BMW was expanding production with TVS not something they would do if things were smelling lIke bad curry.

 

[ARBOLMANO]

Myth motor. Are you serious? I laughed so hard. Drum rear brake. Ever ride wet drum brakes off road? Try running todays ethanol on a carbed air cooled unit, I have. Especially if built performance.
Honda XR650L eat that unit for breakfast on all fronts except cost.

 

[SKX009K1]

And last read BMW was expanding production with TVS not something they would do if things were smelling lIke bad curry.

To Arbo's point, take a look at BMW Motorrad sales numbers for 2022:

BMW Motorrad Sold Record Number Of Motorcycles & Scooters In 2022

BMW Motorrad sold a record number of motorcycles and scooters worldwide in 2022. Sales increased 4.4% to 202,895 units sold.

www.roadracingworld.com

They have pretty strong sales in emerging markets, a large chunk of which are no doubt 310 models. I assume that's only going to increase now that the RR is coming out.

 

[JerryG]

All good points and part of the calculus I was referring to, so thank you. But, like the admittedly only three folks so far who have had four engines self destruct literally under them, if I had one self destruct under me, I too would very likely lose confidence in the bike. I don't think I would change my thinking to "disposable" and simply buy another. I might decide, like those others did, that while it's a good bike for other use cases, it's not a good choice for what I was trying to do with it. I'm certainly not there yet. I'm going to use the heck out of it and see.

P.S. I was really bothered by the drum brake too. If I really start thinking along those lines, I'm sure he could do a disc brake plus there are other bike choices I'd consider too. The point is, I don't necessarily have confine myself to current offerings.

 

[ARBOLMANO]

Enjoy a fantastic bike, don’t worry on potential issues! For sure move on if disaster strikes. So many alternatives both retro and new. Not better but different. And God knows whats coming down the pipe but that’s it But it will be better of course. Many prognostic types were blown by BMW’s call to produce an attractive priced motorbike, not like old BMW

 

[SKX009K1]

I've been lusting after a bigger bike with more creature comforts for a while now. I talked to a dealer about a 2023 F 850 GS in the beautiful new trophy colors. Plus fees and aux lights and crash bars, the bike comes in at $20,000...before tax.

I think I'll stay with my 310 for a while. If it dies on me or if the engine explodes I'll just buy a new one while the other one gets fixed up.

 

[JerryG]

I think I'll stay with my 310 for a while. If it dies on me or if the engine explodes I'll just buy a new one while the other one gets fixed up.

The $6000 price really does affect one's thinking.

 

[SKX009K1]

The more I'm looking into bigger and more expensive bikes, the more I realize what insanely good value the 310 GS is, even if you spend another $1500 to get it fixed up.

 

[ARBOLMANO]

It really is an insane value bike! With some really cool ideas applied. My offroad partners last week all dug how the exhaust is placed and high intake. The value so good, it is conceivable to drop another $3000? and boost displacement and horsepower to like 50? I forget. Probably more like $5000 but you get my point. Or go nitrous oxside and buy another when it blows up. Limited bike sure, it’s only 313cc and only costs $6000. Awesome.