BMW Motorrad India launched the new improved 2020 Model Year BS6-compliant BMW G 310 R in the Indian market at the price of INR 2.45 lakh ex-showroom for the G 310 R. The G 310 R is built at the German brand’s partner – TVS Motor Company’s Hosur manufacturing facility in the southern states of India. The new model comes not only with a BS6 compliant engine but also a few added features. In this comparison let find out how the BMW Roadster fares against its direct rivals the Corner Rocket – KTM 390 Duke and the World’s Favourite Indian – Bajaj Dominar 400.
Powertrain:
The 2020 BMW G 310 R is powered by a BS6/Euro5 compliant 313cc, single-cylinder, reverse-inclined, liquid-cooled, four valves, fuel-injected DOHC motor that produces 34 Hp of power and 28 Nm of torque matched to a 6-speed gearbox with self-reinforcing assist/slipper clutch. On the other hand the KTM 390 Duke is powered by a BS6 compliant 373.2cc single-cylinder 4-stroke liquid-cooled unit that makes 44 Hp of power and 37 Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed gearbox with PASC assist/slipper clutch. While the Bajaj Dominar 400 whose powertrain is based on the KTM 390, comes with a BS6 compliant 373.3cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 4-valve triple-spark fuel-injected DOHC unit 39.4 Hp of power and and 35 Nm of torque matched to a 6-speed gearbox and a wet multi-plate slipper clutch.
Electronics Package:
While the KTM 390 Duke was equipped with Bosch EMS with Ride-by-Wire, BMW in 2020 upgraded the G 310 R with ‘Electronic Throttle Grip’ – throttle-by-wire technology. The Bajaj Dominar comes with a conventional cable-operated system. BMW Motorrad also upgraded the G 310 R with BMW LED Technology headlamps, LED tail lamps and LED turn signal lamps and the competition also features all-round LED lighting. But the KTM 390 Duke also offers a Bi-directional Quickshifter as standard. The KTM 390 Duke offers a full-colour TFT display with KTM MyRide smartphone connectivity. The BMW G 310 R features an LCD backlit digital instruments cluster and the Bajaj Dominar 400 features a negative LCD backlit instruments console.
Dimensions:
The BMW G 310 R naked Roadster comes with a wheelbase of 1,380 mm, 785 mm of seat height and tips the scales at 164 kg fully-fueled and road ready. The KTM 390 Duke on the other hand comes with a 1,357 mm of the wheelbase, 175 mm of ground clearance and 830 mm of seat height and 149 kg of dry weight. The Bajaj Dominar 400 comes with a 1,453 mm of the wheelbase, 157 mm of ground clearance and tips the scales at 187 kg of kerb weight.
Chassis, Suspension & Brakes:
The BMW G 310 R features a Tubular space frame with a load-bearing drive unit and tubular steel rear frame that rides on 41mm upside down front fork suspension with 140mm of travel, spring pre-load adjustable monoshock on alumunium swingarm of the rear with 131mm of travel and 310mm front with radially bolted calliper on the front with 240mm rear disc brakes with BMW Motorrad ABS (Dual Channel). The KTM 390 Duke comes with a steel trellis frame that rides on 43mm WP APEX front upside down fork with 142mm of travel and WP APEX preload adjustable monoshock rear suspension with 150mm of travel. It also comes with 320mm single disc on the front with radially mounted calliper and 230mm single disc on the rear equipped with Bosch 9.1MP Two Channel (Supermoto ABS). The Bajaj Dominar 400 features a beam-type perimeter frame that rides on 43mm upside down fork suspension with 135mm of travel, Nitrox assisted monoshock on the rear with 135mm of travel and 320mm front disc and 230mm rear disc brakes equipped with a dual-channel ABS.
Price:
The newly launched BMW G 310 R is priced at INR 2.45 lakh ex-showroom, India while the KTM 390 Duke is priced at INR 2.53 lakhs ex-showroom and the Bajaj Dominar 400 is priced at INR 1.98 lakh ex-showroom.
Bajaj Dominar 400