[LiquidCool]

JACoH let us know that the owner's manual is out and I thought we can discuss the specifics or anything in the manual here.

There's a diagram of the seat layout and I see a small compartment for the tool kit and maybe even a wallet. Good to know that I won't always have to carry a backpack for something small. What I can't see are those hooks where you can attach your helmet straps to.

 

[WoodWorks]

Here's the link to the U.S. Owner's Manual.

Some stuff I found interesting:

JACoH seems to have missed the engine run-in information. It's right there on page 51. And it matches the instructions I got when I purchased my last two BMWs.



It comes with a remarkably complete tool kit (page 64). Much better than the one I got with my F800GS.

It also comes with a fuse box (page 14) and a few spare fuses. That would seem to indicate that this bike, unlike all other modern BMWs doesn't use the CanBus system. Which means it should be a whole lot easier to add electrical accessories, assuming they don't overload the 330w alternator. There is a warning (page 100) not to run the heated grips while at low speeds, because that will apparently drain the battery. So my guess is that any other heated gear will probably exceed its capacity. So no heated vests, gloves, etc. But a GPS, phone, etc. should be OK.

It runs on regular unleaded gas (87 AKI/91 ROZ/RON). Yay! Because many small gas stations out here in the empty parts of the western U.S. don't carry premium, that means I will be able fill up just about anywhere. And getting a top off from some guy with a jug down in Baja won't make me so nervous.

And finally, the recommended max. payload of the optional top case is a whopping 7 lbs!

 

[WoodWorks]

Sorry, I can no longer edit the post above. But if you follow that link, you'll then need to click on Service and Maintenance, and then Rider's Manual, and then click on the G models.

 

[JACoH]

Yep, I missed that small section about running in. Also, I see on ebay that there is a workshop service manual available on DVD from an Italian seller for about $30.00

 

[WoodWorks]

The eBay listing looks legit. For that price, I'd probably pick one up, if I were getting a G310R. And ran Windows.

 

[LiquidCool]

Didn't see the break in instructions either. Looks like the brake pads needs to be bedded in too so I imagine my first few rides will be extremely jerky since they said to brake harder for it to bed in.

As for the top case, 7 pounds doesn't seem like much but maybe it'll be better with a light duffel bag instead of a heavy top case.

 

[WoodWorks]

As for the top case, 7 pounds doesn't seem like much but maybe it'll be better with a light duffel bag instead of a heavy top case.

My guess is that the CYA lawyers got involved with those max payload specs. As is, you won't be able to put much more than a helmet back there. And while it's true that a heavy load behind the rear axle with lighten the front wheel, and perhaps cause handling problems, I'm betting that you'll be able to put more than 7 lbs. back there before things get too squirrelly up front.

My plan is to bolt a small Pelican case to the rear rack, and strap a double-ended duffel over the passenger seat. Unless I'm carrying gold bricks in the Pelican, I doubt I'll be able to overload the rear that way.

 

[bmwrider]

I'm sure you can overshoot to like 10LBS or just over because the fact they have to give us a number, they have to play it safe and not give us the absolute limit. Much like a lot of other things safety or equipment related.

So most of you should be okay regardless of what you put in their. For me it will be a laptop, tablet, power banks, and some other devices.

 

[LiquidCool]

The g310r comes with an extra power socket on the left side? What kind of socket is it?

 

[Sidewinder]

10lbs is more than enough.. can't imagine carrying anything too heavy anyhow. That break in period is very straightforward which is perfect for someone unfamiliar. Glad that they tell you to break in the tires and brakes as well.

Now it's just a matter of how many people will actually read it and follow through.

 

[bmwrider]

The g310r comes with an extra power socket on the left side? What kind of socket is it?

It's a 12-volt charging socket to charge your mobile devices. Smart move from BMW if you ask me since most of us will only put down our devices if someone has a gun to our head

 

[LiquidCool]

Very smart move on their end, especially on an adventure bike where your GPS or phone can run out of battery after navigating over a long period of time. That's one less thing to install for those who are not electrically inclined like me. Just hope it's not too expensive.

 

[Sidewinder]

It's a 12-volt charging socket to charge your mobile devices. Smart move from BMW if you ask me since most of us will only put down our devices if someone has a gun to our head

Better be a big gun otherwise it's the phone stays :wink2:

Utilizing the 12V to charge my phone and use that as my gps plus carrying around a fully charged powerbank... I'm a happy camper.

 

[WoodWorks]

We get our fair share of rain here in Oregon, so I would never ride with my phone clamped to the handlebars. I prefer a full-featured (and waterproof) GPS like my Garmin Montana. My F800GS has a "hidden" 12V socket down by the air filter that's switched to the ignition, and I've run a power cord to my GPS from it. Works great, and frees up the upper 12V socket for my heated vest.

But based on the published specs for the G310's alternator (330w), I doubt that it will have the juice for a heated vest.

 

[EvryDayRide]

Is the 12V battery not sufficient for your vest? If all else fails, you can wear a base layer under your clothing and get heated grips.

 

[Sidewinder]

Is there any way to up that alternator..?

 

[WoodWorks]

Is there any way to up that alternator..?

There is. You can buy stators with denser winding, but unless you know what you're doing (I don't) that can introduce problems downstream to your rectifier, voltage regulator, and other parts of the electrical system. So it's not something I'd be eager to try.

Is the 12V battery not sufficient for your vest? If all else fails, you can wear a base layer under your clothing and get heated grips.

It's not the voltage, it's the amperage. A 12V battery will supply plenty of voltage, but unless the alternator can keep the battery charged, a heated vest will drain the battery quickly.

My F800GS's alternator puts out 400w, and that's barely enough to keep a heated vest going. My guess is that BMW's optional heated grips will max out the G310GS's 330w alternator. So I'll be piling on the layers when I take rides like this:

 

[SlickRick]

Anything that can introduce issues, especially electrical issues, down the line, I'll gladly steer clear of. Electrical gremlins are the worst things to possibly have to figure out.

 

[bmwrider]

What helps is making sure you have a good dealer to go back to, once that's in place you've pretty much positioned yourself as best as possible, the rest is just up to luck, speed in getting parts, etc. Have to take a gamble sometimes.

 

[WoodWorks]

What helps is making sure you have a good dealer to go back to...

+1

I'm lucky enough to have an excellent dealer ten miles from my home. He's bailed me out a number of times when I needed some quick work done right before a long trip, or when the bean counters at BMW were balking at fixing something that should have been covered under warranty. I've read plenty of complaints on motorcycle forums from people who aren't as lucky with their dealers. So I count my blessings.