BMW unveils 'made in India by TVS' G 310 R motorcycle

TVS made it to the headlines sometime back when it announced its partnership with none other than BMW. It was an interesting announcement given that TVS's highest capacity motorcycle has all of 180cc while BMW does not have anything less than 500cc in its lineup. This gap is exactly what the two brands intended to bridge. Here is the result, the all-new BMW G 310 R.

Previewed in concept form a couple of months back before being unveiled in all its glory last month, the G 310 R has several firsts for a BMW. It is the brand's first single cylinder motorcycle as well as the first with an engine displacement less than 500cc. Developed by BMW in Germany, this compact sports bike would be manufactured in India by TVS Motor Company. Yes, the BMW G 310 R would be made in India for the world.

Visually, the G 310 R is one striking motorcycle that has an uncanny resemblance to some of its rivals from Japan as well as BMW's own S 1000 R. The striking V-shaped headlamp with its tiny mask on top, chiseled fuel tank, half-fairing and the tall rear gives this naked motorcycle an aggressive and athletic stance. A couple of other stand-out design elements are the upside-down forks finished in a shiny golden shade and the beefy, raked-up exhaust can.

Powering this compact BMW is an all-new 313cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine. That cylinder has four valves, two overhead camshafts and is fuel injected. Housed in a compact tubular steel frame, the engine produces 34 horsepower at 9500 rpm and 28 Nm of torque at 7500 rpm. Coupled with its light weight, compact dimensions and short wheelbase, this is going to be one swift and nimble BMW on road. Shod with a 110/70 R17 tire with a 300 mm  disc up front and a 150/60 R17 tire with 240 mm disc at the rear, the G 310 R is fitted with a 2-channel ABS as standard.

With the G 310 R, BMW now has an offering in its lineup for a whole lot of first-time riders with premium aspirations. Once in the fold, these folks would have a multitude of models to choose from within the lineup as and when they wish to upgrade. TVS, on the other hand, now has access to technology that its competitors in India can only dream of. Who knows, there could be even be a cheaper TVS-badged version of the same bike headed to the showrooms in India! Come on TVS, don't disappoint us.