Hi - planning a few trips...mostly tarmac but would like to be able to take on some dirt. Europe first then S America.

Been offered a 2022 GS310 at great price.....realise there would be some prep required but what do people think as a start point?

Is it easy to get uprated stuff for this model?

Many thanks
Gary

If I wanted a small, dirt capable bike for the road I'd be looking at a CRF300Rally, personally.

It may be worth having a look at Chris Scotts site as he did a review of the 310 - https://adventure-motorcycling.com/2019/11/29/bmw-gs310s-in-morocco/

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You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.

Hi Gary - have a read of this thread:

https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...n-deener-96279

...and see if it suits the kind of riding you're planning.

In a nutshell, it's a nice lighter-weight travel bike, with more than enough off-road performance for the kind of riding you're likely to ever want to do on a cross-country trip - with or without luggage. It offers a surprising turn of speed and will hold highway/motorway speeds all day if needs be (the most I did was 750 miles in a day, although also two back to back 650 mile days to get across the middle of the country) - so it doesn't give much away to a larger capacity/twin-cylinder bike in that regard.

It is relatively compact - which is both a good and bad thing of course, but for the solo rider there is more than enough room for you and any luggage you need to carry - it's not really a two-up bike though.

Fuel economy is good - 60-70+mpg, although once you start pushing 70mph or more, that does drop - as it would on most bikes, and especially smaller capacity singles. Range from the stock tank is around 150-180 miles - 200 is achievable but only really at sub 40mph 'trail riding' and back road speeds.

Reliability wise - I had a 2018 bike and it was pretty near perfect over the 18,000 miles I rode it that year - the only 'issue' was the headlamp bulb connector melted (easy enough to replace) but nothing mechanical ever let me down. note. it was one of those early models which was subject to the side-stand recall, and while mine was never a problem for the duration of that cross-country trip (back and fourth across north America three times essentially), I did ultimately take the bike in for the recall and the complete frame was swapped (mad!), so I'd say BMW do stand by their warranty in that regard - obviously that was only a very limited first-year production run thing, and if you're looking at a 2022 model that should not even be a concern now.


I'd say give it a ride if you can and see how it fits you - for the kind of all-road touring I suspect you'll be undertaking, I'd suggest it will be a little less compromised on the open road than a CRF300 (which as it happens is one of the bikes I own now), while not giving much if anything away on unpaved roads and tracks you might encounter in Europe or South America.

The only thing in the Honda's favour would be even lighter weight, but another 20Kg or so - but you need to weigh that up against the eagerness of the engine and long distance comfort.

Have fun deciding!

Jenny x

ps. It's also worth nothing that while the G310GS suspension is pretty basic, you can get away with it stock, while the CRF300 models really do need a better shock out of the box if you plan to carry any weight on them - the spring rate and damping is very soft as standard. Either bike is greatly improved with the Rally-Raid Products suspension or similar aftermarket upgrade.

Extremely helpful Jenny!! Many thanks

It's a good bike that can do everything you need. If it's a good deal, don't be shy to buy it.

The CRF 300 as others have mentioned, is better off road.
Versys-x 300 is better on road due to being a twin.

Both of these will probably be more reliable than the GS. But if it's a good deal don't be scared to pull the trigger.

I agree, if it's a good deal vs the CRF I would take it.
Big advantage: it's tubeless.
Since 2018 I and my groups have accumulated 1000s of kms on half a dozen 2018 rental 310s in Morocco which as of last month have individually clocked up >60,000 rental kms. So that's nearly a quarter million miles.
Thanks Jay B for the plug – latest Morocco gallery here, fwiw, with loads of 310s. You will see they've been adapted with locally made bashplates, crash bars and barkbusters; all prove their worth each time we use them.

If it suits you, the 310 will be loads more fun (or more secure) on good highways than a CRF and it's OK on the dirt. At 6' 1" I'm actually quite comfy. Much will be down to tyres of course. On every tour there's a short stretch of boring road where some insist on pegging it; last month's record: 142kph.
The biggest problem I find is standing up; the tank cover splays the knees and it's not sustainable (let alone with no risers and on narrow pegs). I only stand up when I need to or to stretch the legs but I bet a CRF will be better.

Economy wise, 85mpg (30kpl) is pretty standard for us; one heavy rider leaving it in 4th resulted in 70; as low as it gets. (I don't know if JMo is talking USmpg). That adds up to a good 340km to a tank.
I hear a 300L will get nearer 100mpg.

As mentioned, some had breaking sidestand lugs (new frames!) but even last month one was bending the pivot tab, leaning lower and lower. These are all 1st gen 2018s + this could be the way heavier renters mount and dismount. Another blew out it's shock oil, but by that mileage it made little difference ;-)
I'm amazed no USD forks have blown.
Various dashboard warning lights play up now which annoyingly means the ABS flips from both wheels to front only. Dust on sensors, I was told. Full ABS is fine on the dirt for the speeds we do. Neutral is hard to find, but for hard-pressed rentals I'd say they match a Jap equivalent for reliability and durability. Hats off to Indian manufacture!

Initially, much depends on what you've ridden before. The 310 looks big until you turn the throttle for the first time. But getting back on one after a week on an 890, brakes apart I found it easier to handle on slow dirt for no other reason than it was a whole lot lighter.

Now the engine's proven, I sometimes I wish BMW would spin off a 21/18 '310 Rally' or 'Adventure'. How hard can it be? It would be less awkward on the dirt, but lose out on all-day tarmac or ripping through the canyons.

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Adventure Motorcycling Handbook 8 • Morocco Overland 3 • Overlanders Handbook 2 • Twit

Yes, to answer Chris' question - I was talking US gallons (3.8 litres or thereabouts) - so you can expect appreciably more mpg with imperial gallons.

Jx

The only thing I would question is the name on the tank - when you're on the road in the middle of nowhere, any BMW is going to be harder to get parts/support for than a Japanese bike.

Just my two cents. Any bike is better than no bike.

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

Personally, I wouldn’t go for a bike just because it’s a bargain.

It’s more about you and the trips, once you decide that, then the bike will choose itself.
Riding around Europe - how technical will your off road routes be? How are your riding skills?
South America, same questions.
Time allowed v distance wanted to achieve - it’s a long way from Bogotá to Ushuaia.
Personality - Happy to ride at 60mph and look at the flowers?

By honest with yourself.