light, Give Way or Stop sign. It’s comfortable
enough for short trips (I didn’t do longer than
an hour to be fair), but as mentioned it’s that
mix of the assured road holding with that agility
which that sets it apart.
It’s only when you feel a little rebellious on a
clear motorway that you will realise that big
bike punch is not part of the deal. Selfish really,
wanting it all. There’s a slight buzz of vibration
as you head north of open road speeds, but
there’s no reward to be had there anyway.
The front Bybre calipers combine well with
the ABS integrated rear. I didn’t run them on a
racetrack, but after having a careful check that
no one was behind, gave them the big handful
(it still takes me a couple of goes to get the
courage) and they do a demon job in typical
road conditions. Not so sadly… I didn’t get to
try them in the rain, but I’m positive they would
save your bacon if requested at a late moment.
At around (ahem…) 92kg with my gear on (very
heavy gear, obviously), the suspension gave
good feedback while still maintaining enough
of a plush ride for urban riding. I actually
touched the footpeg ‘feeler’ on a kerb when
getting a bit spirited. It wasn’t intentional, but
that assured feedback promotes and rewards
accuracy and those big tyres help with some
decent lean angles.
Jacked on its side-stand I have to admit the
G310R is a sharp looking bit of gear, and gives
a taste of that BMW class. I genuinely enjoy
not lugging the extra bulk of a bigger, or even
middle weight, bike around town, something
which really helps the G310R deliver in the
commuting stakes.
If you are happy to pay for a bit of class,
want to be comfortable and forego out and
out acceleration for performance of a more
agile nature, take the G310R for a run. Good
times are guaranteed.
KIWI RIDER 69