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2018 BMW G310GS rolling review and mods

Jarrett - have you checked the Jenny Morgan's ADVRider link that was listed on page 1?

She has added the upgraded Rally Raid suspension to the GS310 and has done the TAT with the bike - her blog & comments on capabilities after the Rally Raid upgrade are very informative (she also did the same thing on a Honda CB500X with Rally Raid upgrade) here's the link again. https://advrider.com/index.php?threads/beemer-beemer-chicken-deener.1294883/

As Leon stated, upgrading the suspension is the main thing (but not a cheap solution) - also on the GS310 changing the sprocket size to get lower gearing can be helpful - this is also covered in Jenny's blog.
 
Thanks Tom, I need to read that.

I am on the hunt to find this:

Street legal
Fuel Injected
Liquid Cooled
35+ hp
6-speed transmission
Under 400 lbs.
Good, off-road capable suspension and clearance
Preferably 21/18 wheels
200 mile range
All-day comfortable seat

Seems like the 310 GS hits several of those in stock form minus suspension.

What I really want is a 400-500cc Africa Twin DCT :)
 
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Thanks Tom, I need to read that.

I am on the hunt to find this:

Street legal
Fuel Injected
Liquid Cooled
35+ hp
6-speed transmission
Under 400 lbs.
Good, off-road capable suspension and clearance
Preferably 21/18 wheels
200 mile range
All-day comfortable seat

Seems like the 310 GS hits several of those in stock form minus suspension.

What I really want is a 400-500cc Africa Twin DCT :)

Rally Raid Level 2 (old Stage 3) CB500X may be closest to meeting all you wants - except weight (goes about 430lbs) & 19" front wheel

Here's some additional video links you might find interesting.

Rally Raid GS310 Australia build / test ride video
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdKY8ko7Kf0"]Rally Raid Products BMW G 310GS - build, test, discussion, prep for adventure - YouTube[/ame]

Rally Raid GS310 - Juan Browne / Jenny Morgan detailed review video
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng7oFzQ9QHU"]Rally Raid BMW G310 GS Detailed Review - YouTube[/ame]

Rally Raid CB500X - Juan Browne / Jenny Morgan videos
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IeqS0zIUCA"]Rally Raid CB500X Adventure Level I vs. Level II - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lya5ylSRTSM"]Jenny Morgan's Rally Raid CB500X Adventure Build - YouTube[/ame]

Rally Raid CB500X vs Stock Africa Twin - Juan Browne video
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm-GiCs3tbc"]Honda Africa Twin and the Rally Raid CB500X Adventure Side by Side - YouTube[/ame]
 
The CB500X with RR LVL3 is still on my short list. I like the GS310 I just don't think I'd like riding it on the highway.
 
Picked mine up a couple weeks ago.
Great little bike for sure. Does just fine on the highway for me.
Farkling has begun with Rox Risers and new windshield.
More to come.
 
Thanks Tom, I need to read that.

I am on the hunt to find this:
KTM 690 or Husky 701
Street legalYes
Fuel InjectedYes
Liquid CooledYes
35+ hpAlmost double that
6-speed transmissionYes
Under 400 lbs.Almost 100lbs. less
Good, off-road capable suspension and clearanceYes
Preferably 21/18 wheelsYes
200 mile range150 in stock form lots of options to add
All-day comfortable seatSeat concepts or other

Seems like the 310 GS hits several of those in stock form minus suspension.

What I really want is a 400-500cc Africa Twin DCT :)

I realize there is a great gulf between the GS310 and 690/701. I think if you want a gravel road two track forest road bike the GS310 might be that bike. I think if you want to adventure a little further in the woods the 690/701 would be a better fit.

I would like to here how thumper_tx compares the GS310 to the older GS650 singles after he has it for awhile.

Leon any chance you are riding the GS down to Needville for the pie run this weekend?
 
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.

Kinda hoping Honda does a CRF450L Rally. That might be a sweet bike.

Only if they do a serious revamping of the maint schedule.

600mile oil changes and 1800 mile valve checks would make for an interesting BDR ride anyway.



Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
 
couldn't leave well enough alone LOL!:lol2:
got quite possibly the first LED headlight assembly in the states.

749A1B92-6843-44A5-A73E-DD238A51F9CD_zpsjvuszalz.jpg


E48BAC5D-9C53-42BB-B5E2-69F0392E972A_zpsdrkkznms.jpg
 
I like it, with the new shock it is nimble yet stable, rides good and is eager to go.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Generally it would require taking the whole front end apart, side panels, tank cover, and front plastics. But I discovered it was possible to squeeze the headlight out and pop the new one in making it pretty easy.
The new light has a standard connections for the main light and the marker lights.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Generally it would require taking the whole front end apart, side panels, tank cover, and front plastics. But I discovered it was possible to squeeze the headlight out and pop the new one in making it pretty easy.
The new light has a standard connections for the main light and the marker lights.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro


How much brighter is it than the factory light? Do they make one for my BMW GS 650 twin?
 
How much brighter is it than the factory light? Do they make one for my BMW GS 650 twin?

compared to the stock light with the stock bulb it is a fare bit brighter and puts out a much wider pattern.
yes they do!
from a American web site https://mattgeckoleds.com/shop?olsPage=products%2Fled-headlight-f800gs-and-adv-f800r-f700gs-f650gs

from the Chinese supplier the American site probably gets theirs from
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Headlamp-Assembly-For-BMW-F800GS-F700GS_60749785277.html?spm=a2700.7724838.2017115.23.318c56e0esW8JF
 
compared to the stock light with the stock bulb it is a fare bit brighter and puts out a much wider pattern.
yes they do!
from a American web site https://mattgeckoleds.com/shop?olsPage=products%2Fled-headlight-f800gs-and-adv-f800r-f700gs-f650gs

from the Chinese supplier the American site probably gets theirs from
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Headlamp-Assembly-For-BMW-F800GS-F700GS_60749785277.html?spm=a2700.7724838.2017115.23.318c56e0esW8JF


The install sounds way simpler on my BMW. Looks like 2 screws.
 
just two bolts and a pair of plugs and a bit of twisting and tugging.
 
after almost three months wait my side racks finally came in on Christmas eve!
ready for Alaska now LoL
well, I'll start with Canada first.
04327026-54BC-4B4A-AABE-BE37A177BD8D_zpslumwidzu.jpg


also got a rotopax 1 gal container that will be going inside the left case in that big empty spot.
 
well it is time for a update.
on August 31st a group of us were enjoying a nice alternative pie run right up to the point my bike died and put me on the side of the road.
plugged in the conveniently on hand GS911 and it showed 8.8 volts in the battery. I also happened to have a noco gb40 jump pack on the bike and hooked it up to put some power in the battery so we could relocate from out in the sun 5 miles from anything.
called in the rescue squad and the 310GS took the ride of shame on the rack on the back of a jeep.
tuesday the 3rd of September I dropped the bike off at BMW and there it sits still today and will still be there till middle of October at best because, surprise! the 310 charging system is prone to failing and there are no parts available any place.

so I did the one thing I could. I went and bought a new HONDA!
 
well it is time for a update.
on August 31st a group of us were enjoying a nice alternative pie run right up to the point my bike died and put me on the side of the road.
plugged in the conveniently on hand GS911 and it showed 8.8 volts in the battery. I also happened to have a noco gb40 jump pack on the bike and hooked it up to put some power in the battery so we could relocate from out in the sun 5 miles from anything.
called in the rescue squad and the 310GS took the ride of shame on the rack on the back of a jeep.
tuesday the 3rd of September I dropped the bike off at BMW and there it sits still today and will still be there till middle of October at best because, surprise! the 310 charging system is prone to failing and there are no parts available any place.

so I did the one thing I could. I went and bought a new HONDA!
Plus post again, I cant see the pic of the new bike for some reason

⤵️⬇️⤵️⤵️⬇️. Thanks, maybe I'll run into it
 
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Gripes:

Zero flywheel, easy to stall off the line.
Pathetic sidestand, got aftermarket plate.
Plastic skidplate
Crap rear shock
Intake snorkel sound that sounds like a constant rod knock.
Bars too low for off roading.
Stock tires 90% street bias
BMW service / warranty slow slow slow
Tad bit slow, a known issue for a 310, lol

Loves:

Defeatable ABS standard
85mph all day long non-stressful highway riding ability is amazing for only a 310cc machine
Overall comfort, it disappears under you on the road
Flickable, handles great (on smooth roads)
Fuel Economy: 65 mpg real world.
Alibaba has a world of aftermarket cheap doo dads
Great rack from the factory
Basic, easy to use, non intrusive gauges
Super smooth fueling in 100% of conditions
Under $5k brand new with 2 yr registration in AZ.
Warranty 3yr 36k miles

Overall opinion: Not sure if I should keep it. My CBR500R / X Hybrid does everything as well or better. I just need 3 more inches suspension travel to match the BMW.
 
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