Paper Fight: BMW G 310 GS BS6 vs Royal Enfield Himalayan

  • Published October 5, 2020
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Does the new, upgraded Beemer have what it takes to trump the mighty Himalayan, spec wise?
G 310 GS spec comparo

BMW Motorrad unveiled the Euro 5/BS6-compliant BMW G 310 GS globally last week. This small-capacity ADV is all set to be launched along with its naked sibling, the BMW G 310 R, on October 8. Other than the price, we know pretty much everything about the BMW G 310 GS BS6. So let’s see how the latest baby GS stack up against its only Indian rival: the Royal Enfield Himalayan.

Engine:

G 310 GS engine

Specifications

BMW G 310 GS BS6

Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6

Engine

313cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 4-valve engine

411cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine with oil cooler

Power

34PS @ 9500rpm

24.31PS @ 6500rpm

Torque

28Nm @ 7500rpm

32Nm @ 4000-4500rpm

Gearbox

6-speed with assist and slipper clutch

5-speed

BMW Motorrad has managed to make the G 310 GS’ engine comply with BS6/Euro 5 norms without hampering its output figures. It makes the same amount of power and torque as before. This liquid-cooled engine makes its peak power and torque higher up the rev range, compared to the long-stroke motor in the Royal Enfield Himalayan. The added displacement, coupled with the torquey nature of the long-stroke engine, help in making more torque earlier down the rev range compared to the baby Beemer. This is a crucial aspect when it comes to effortless off-roading. On the other hand, the BMW G 310 GS BS6 gets ride-by-wire for a smoother throttle response along with adjustable brake and clutch levers. Its highway-faring 6-speed transmission also gets assist and slipper function for extra practicality and safety. The 169.5kg kerb weight of the Beemer should also play a big role in making the bike sprightlier than the 199kg (kerb) Himalayan.

Underpinnings:

Specifications

BMW G 310 GS BS6

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Frame

Tubular spaceframe

Half duplex split cradle frame

Front suspension

41mm inverted fork with 180mm spring travel

41mm telescopic fork, 200mm travel

Rear suspension

Preload adjustable monoshock with 180mm spring travel

Linked monoshock, 180mm wheel travel

Front brake

300mm disc with radial caliper, ABS

300mm disc with floating caliper, ABS

Rear brake

240mm disc, ABS

240mm disc, ABS

Front tyre

110/80 R-19

90/90 - 21

Rear tyre

150/70 R-17

120/90 - 17

The Royal Enfield Himalayan is easily the superior choice if you’re looking for an off-road-friendly adventure tourer. Its longer travel front fork, coupled with the large front spoke wheel with block pattern tyre, should help in going over harsh terrain effortlessly. On the other hand, the BMW G 310 GS is still a road-biased tourer with alloy wheels. It also gets radial tyres which should improve cornering confidence thanks to their stronger sidewalls, compared to conventional tyres. Additionally, these tubeless tyres can also handle punctures much more easily than the tubed ones in the Himalayan. As far as braking is concerned, the G 310 GS’ front radial caliper should theoretically offer better feedback and progression. This along with its lighter weight should make the baby GS a more agile motorcycle than the Himalayan, at least on paper.

Dimensions & features:

G 310 GS BS6 console
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Specifications

BMW G 310 GS BS6

Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6

Wheelbase

1420mm

1465mm

Ground clearance

NA

220mm

Fuel tank capacity

11 litres

15 litres

Seat height

835mm

800mm

Kerb weight

169.5kg

199kg

Despite its off-road-friendly credentials, the Royal Enfield Himalayan has an accessible seat. However, moving around in tight parking spaces could require a bit more effort due to its hefty 199kg weight. When it comes to munching miles, the Himalayan should offer better range between fuel-ups thanks to its larger 15-litre fuel tank. It also has a much longer wheelbase, which should add stability on the straights.

As far as the features are concerned, the Himalayan gets a halogen headlamp with LED tail lamp and bulb indicators. It has a fairly info-laden semi-digital instrument cluster with a gear position indicator, an electronic compass, and an ambient temperature readout. BMW Motorrad has sadly retained the same fully digital instrument cluster as before. But make no mistake, it still shows useful information like distance-to-empty and gear position among other run-of-the-mill bits. We would have appreciated it if BMW Motorrad had offered a TFT screen with smartphone connectivity as a part of the BS6 update, though. That said, it does get other useful bits like 4-position adjustable brake and clutch levers as well as an all-LED lighting system.

Price & Verdict:

BMW G 310 GS BS6

Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6

Rs 2.85 lakh

Rs 1,91,401

BMW has done a stellar job by making the G 310 GS a lot more accessible for more riders by giving it a major price cut of Rs 65,000 from its BS4 model. Despite the massive price cut, it still doesn't undercut the Royal Enfield Himalayan’s aggressive price tag. Overall, if you’re looking for a not-so-expensive adventure tourer that doesn’t shy away from going the less travelled path, the Himalayan is a perfect choice. If you like a comfortable motorcycle that’s capable of munching miles on the highway at speed and turn heads everywhere it goes, the BMW G 310 GS BS6 does make a really good case for itself. 

(All prices ex-showroom Delhi)

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