Well, I,m 6,3 tall and 170lbs. I drove from Halifax NS over the New England States all the way to Spokane WA. Including light camping gear without any problems. Have a look at my picture. That's all I can say. Harald

 

My comment is regarding how many miles per day.
On my K1200GT I put 600 miles per day as my upper limit for day on day riding
On my G310GS I put that limit at 200 miles.

So, for me it would be a consideration of is 200 miles/day enough for the proposed tour?
If not, I'll use something else.

Enjoy every mile.

 

I am 6'1 ", 150lbs. I have ridden a G310GS from DC to LA and just came back from exploring northern Quebec. It was 4500 miles with lots of gravel (Transtaiga, Route du North, etc.). The 310 is plenty capable and, for me, comfortable for 10h riding days. I had full camping gear and a spare tire with me.
I also have an R1200GS. The 1200 is superior on long interstate grinds, or 2 up in the mountains, or carrying tons of stuff. What would I take for my next long trip that does nbot include days of droning on the interstate? The 310.

 

My longest stretch was 948 km on one day. I didn't push for it, but the weather and the road was so good on this day Just didn't feel it. I still enjoyed my Feierabend beer on the end of day. My longest stretch back in my good old riding days in the 80's was 1673 km. I started in Germany and stopped in the Pyrenees/ Andorra. But like I said, it was in the 80's. Now I'm 71 and still enjoy riding.

 

Lois Pryce rode from Alaska to Chile on a 225cc bike, and had great fun.

 

Size does not matter, is how you use it! Some say,

 

The G310GS is perfect for touring (especially with the side cases and the top case). Distance is not a problem in itself. The only things which are really missing: sufficient torque and high-end suspensions (to allow more powerful braking). For travelling solo I find the baby GS perfect, conversely with a pillion I'd consider a bigger GS.

 

I've ridden ~37,000 miles all over the US plus Baja. If you are riding solo, the G310GS will be fine. If you're riding with larger bikes, you may struggle riding at the big bikes pace on interstate highways and/or in headwinds. That happened to me when I was riding with a CRF450RL and an F650GS. It wasn't a big deal, they rode behind me and matched my headwind induced low 80s max mph. However, being continuously passed by 90 mph traffic, including lots of semi-rigs, was disconcerting. We minimized this issue by avoiding such highways as much as possible.

 

Depends on what roads you plan on taking. My GS will run comfortably at 60-65 mph seemingly all day long. At those speeds it is pretty comfortable for distances. I added a throttle lock to relive hand pressure. Not as good as proper cruise control, but helps. Once you get to 70-80 mph the overall RPM and lack of power makes it less relaxing for long duration riding. So if you need to do 4 hrs at 70-75 just keep up with freeway traffic it will be taxing. If you are 60-70 on two lane back roads it will do fine. The bigger bikes perform better speed because of extra power and therefore they can be geared to lower more relaxing engine RPM.

In October I am planning a guided Arizona BDR trip and have no concerns about the dirt (other than personal skills), but on the way back home (to Phoenix) from Southern Utah I am not sure how long it will take. I know it is 4-5 hrs regular route by car, but that route includes 100 miles of high speed freeway with car traffic at 75 to 85 mph and I simply will not do that on my 310GS. So I will have to take the slower back roads. So that is probably 8hrs on pavement. Not sure if that will be 1 day or I will need make it into two. Having just completed 5 days on the BDR route might change my outlook on time and distance. So far my max has been 300 miles in one day of that about 100 on dirt.

 

I added a throttle lock to relive hand pressure.

I second the recommendation for something to relieve your throttle hand. I have an expensive Kaoko throttle lock, but I almost never use it because of the palm rest that I use. If you get a palm rest, get the one curved to fit you palm, not the straight one or the rectangular one. I got mine from Wunderlich, but they're available at Amazon too...

Amazon.com: Hokoad 2Pcs Motorcycle Throttle Assist, Motorcycle Throttle Booster No More Tired Fingers Trying to Maintain The Speed On Long Rides : Automotive

Buy Hokoad 2Pcs Motorcycle Throttle Assist, Motorcycle Throttle Booster No More Tired Fingers Trying to Maintain The Speed On Long Rides: Throttles - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

 

Thanks for all the responses. I've heard that the best bike is the one you have, so I'm sticking with the 310GS. A little more power would be nice, but so nice that it would require the additional expense of purchasing a different bike. Next summer I'll be taking it to the BMW National Rally in Vermont and, hopefully, all the way to New Mexico and back. Can't wait!

 

 

I did a summer tour on my GS310, from ferry port Zeebrugge to Black Forest in Germany to see my sister then down to France, Fontainebleau to see a relative. Never missed a beat, was not great on motorways was running out of steam for mile after and mile. (needed a 450). Otherwise a join to ride, even over Alps. Even did a roadside chain adjust and oil change.

 

As everyone else has said the bike is more than capable, but before you plan a trip (since you're asking) you should determine what your limits and preferences are. I've ridden with some people that limit tour days to ~150 miles, and others that average 5-600 per day. Jenny Morgan did thousand mile days on her tour, but we're mere mortals. Some want to eat up miles on the freeway, I'll take the time penalty of the two lane state routes.

If you're not sure, do a couple day trips as shake down runs to find where your happy place is. Ride the ride that you want, and not what someone else tells you it should be. Color me jealous!

 

That's good advice. Also, develop your own daily Modus Operandi (MO).

My daily MO is to ride until circa mid afternoon and stop somewhere that has cell or wifi coverage. I use that coverage to decide on a hotel (or more rarely, a camping location) and I make a reservation directly with that hotel or location. Then I ride there. If it turns out I chose too far for the trails I'm riding, I get off the trails an hour or so before dark and ride paved roads the rest of the way in.

Also, stop when you feel the need or conditions are voting against you. For instance, as I type this, I'm sitting at a small country store on Section 7 of the Great Ohio Adventure Trail while I wait for a storm cell to pass. If the trails get too muddy, I'll bail early for the hotel rather than risk injury. Pic...

 

To each his/her own but I sold my 310 since I found it to be a bit too small especially since some of the freeways have raised their speed limits to 75 mph or more. I would love to see what the new 450 GS is going to be like and what the price point will be. If the price is too high, I would get something around 500cc used. IMHO.

 

IMO:
(1) The best motorcycle to ride is the one you already have; otherwise, you have to choose a new motorcycle; outfit the new motorcycle; and climb the new motorcycle's riding and maintaining learning curves.
(2) The motorcycle you have will always have something for which there is a better bike. However, going down that road leads to decision paralysis, expensive churning, and constant dissatisfaction with everything you do (not limited to motorcycles).
(3) The use of "honest" (the "H" in "IMHO") in any post is an automatic disqualifier.
(4) I discount the posts of anyone who sold their G310 and is still actively posting on a G310-specific site.

 

Jerry makes some good points here, especially #2.
If folks do an honest analysis of the purpose they intend for a bike, narrow down to 2 or 3 choices & make their best effort at the time of purchase, then things like a change in speed limit becomes irrelevant.
Did someone actually buy a G310GS for freeway riding? If so, there's bigger problems than the model of motorcycle...