Quick Analysis
BMW G 310 GS
16.5 pts
Unweighted: 13 advantages
EnginePerformanceDimensionsBrakesTyresFeaturesOther
SUZUKI GSX-8R
14.5 pts
Unweighted: 8 advantages
EnginePerformanceDimensionsBrakesTyresFeaturesOther
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
Engine Specifications |
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| Cooling System | Liquid cooled system | — |
| Displacement | 313 cc | 776 cm3 |
| Engine Type | single-cylinder, 4-stroke engine with four valves and DOHC | 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC |
| Power | 34 PS (25 kW) at ~9,500 rpm | 81.8 bhp @ 8500 rpm |
| Torque | 28 Nm at ~7,500 rpm | 78 Nm @ 6800 rpm |
Performance & Efficiency |
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| Fuel Tank Capacity | 11 l | 14 L |
| Mileage | — | 23.8 kmpl |
Dimensions & Weight |
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| Kerb Weight | 169.5 kg | 205 kg |
| Seat Height | 835 mm | 810 mm |
Brakes & Suspension |
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| ABS | Dual Channel ABS | Dual Channel |
| Front Brake | Single disc 300 mm with a 4-piston radial caliper | Disc 310 mm Caliper - Front 4 Piston |
| Front Suspension | Upside down fork , Ø 41 mm | Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped |
| Rear Brake | Single disc 240 mm with a floating caliper | Disc Caliper - Rear 1 Piston |
| Rear Suspension | Cast aluminium dual swing arm | Link type, coil spring, oil damped |
Tyres & Wheels |
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| Front Tyre | 110/80 R19 | 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) |
| Rear Tyre | 150/70 R17 | 180/55ZR17M/C |
| Tyre Type | Tubelesss | Tubeless |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
Features & Technology |
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| Headlight | LED | — |
Other Specifications |
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| Battery | 12 V / 8 Ah | — |
| Bike Image 1 | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/g310gsracingred.webp | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/gsx8rmetallicmattblack.webp |
| Bike Image 2 | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/g310gscosmicblack3.webp | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/gsx8rmetallicmattswordsilver.webp |
| Cluster | Digital | — |
| Color Options | Racing Red Cosmic Black 3 Polar White with Racing Blue Metallic | Metallic Matt Black Metallic Matt Sword Silver Metallic Triton Blue |
| Cons | Seat height of 835 mm may be challenging for shorter riders. Fuel tank is only 11 litres, limiting long-distance touring range. Relatively expensive compared to entry-level adventure bikes in India. Single-cylinder engine vibrations can be felt at higher speeds on long rides. No advanced electronics or ride modes, which some competitors offer at this price point. | Doesn’t deliver the high-revving top-end excitement of inline-4 supersport motorcycles. Wind protection at very high speeds is modest and can feel tiring on long highway rides. Suspension tuning leans slightly firm, which can feel bumpy on rough roads. Weight is on the heavier side, noticeable at low speeds or during tight maneuvers. Not designed for hardcore track riders seeking extreme performance or razor-sharp handling. Fuel economy drops significantly when ridden aggressively. |
| Detailed Overview | When you swing a leg over the BMW G 310 GS in India, the first thing that strikes you isn’t a spec number — it’s the way the bike feels poised and ready, like it’s itching to turn the everyday commute into something a bit more special. Its heart is a compact but spirited 313 cc single-cylinder engine that’s liquid‑cooled and built with a four‑valve DOHC layout. On the road, it delivers about 34 PS of power and 28 Nm of torque, which translates into an engine that eagerly picks up pace from traffic lights and makes highway overtakes feel composed and manageable. There’s a crispness in the throttle response as you roll on, and because the unit is tuned for usable mid-range punch rather than just top-end bravado, it doesn’t feel strained when navigating busy city grids or climbing up highway ramps. What really sets the G 310 GS apart — especially in an Indian context — is how its engine integrates with the rest of the bike. It uses electronic fuel injection and a six‑speed gearbox that’s smooth and precise, making the everyday routine of changing gears feel natural rather than a chore. The slipper-style clutch helps ease off the engine braking during downshifts, which is a small touch riders appreciate when darting through traffic or easing into a tight corner on a winding stretch outside town. Suspension is usually where a motorcycle reveals its true character, and in this case, the long-travel upside-down fork up front paired with a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear makes the G 310 GS feel more confident than most bikes in its class. Hits and potholes on Indian roads are absorbed with surprising composure, and the suspension doesn’t chatter or feel overly harsh when you’re hitting uneven surfaces. Instead, it communicates what’s happening beneath you, giving a stable foundation whether you’re bombing through B-roads or cruising in city traffic. When it comes time to stop, the bike delivers real confidence. The sizeable 300 mm front disc with a radial-style caliper offers a reassuring bite that’s progressive rather than abrupt, and the 240 mm disc at the rear complements it well. Together with dual-channel ABS, this setup translates into a braking feel that’s both sure-footed and predictable — something you notice especially when rain-slick roads or sudden traffic require a firm hand on the lever. Looking at the physical feel and stance of the bike, its dimensions play a big part. With a kerb weight of around 169.5 kg and a seat height of about 835 mm, it strikes a balance between being accessible and offering that elevated, adventure-oriented riding posture. This isn’t a heavy adventure tourer — it’s light enough that filtering through morning traffic doesn’t feel like a wrestling match, but it carries enough substance that it doesn’t feel under-planted when you’re doing steady speeds on the highway. The wheelbase and upright ergonomics give you a commanding view of the road, and the bike’s compact footprint aids nimble lane changes and quick direction shifts throughout your ride. Tyres and wheels also reflect its dual-purpose nature: a tall 19-inch front tyre and a wide 17-inch rear tyre wrapped around sturdy cast aluminium wheels support a mix of on-tarmac stability and confidence-inspiring grip on less predictable surfaces. They’re tubeless radials, which means fewer worries about punctures and easier repairs — a practical advantage on rougher stretches outside metropolitan areas. On the utility side, the 11-litre fuel tank isn’t huge, but paired with around 28–30 kmpl real-world mileage, it still allows for respectable range between stops — something that’s useful once you’re out of the city and chasing horizon lines. The digital instrument cluster is clean and clear, giving you instant access to speed, gear position, trip info, and more without clutter, while LED lighting up front ensures you’re well-lit during early morning starts or night rides. An electric starter fires things up instantly when you’re ready to go. Small touches — like adjustable levers that let you tailor reach, a luggage rack that welcomes practical storage choices, and comfortable GS-style ergonomics — round out the ownership experience, making the bike feel well-thought-out. On long runs, you’ll notice that the seating and posture help reduce fatigue, and in city traffic, the bike’s responsiveness and light weight read as confidence-boosters rather than intimidating features. In real-world use across India’s varied roads — from smooth expressways to pot-holed urban stretches and everything in between — the G 310 GS doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard to be everything at once. It’s refreshingly honest: an adventure-styled machine with genuine capability that doesn’t overwhelm, a motor that’s eager but tractable, and chassis dynamics that deliver composure and agility in equal measure. For riders seeking an entry point into adventure touring without the bulk or intimidation of larger displacement bikes, this little GS feels like a machine that was built with everyday use and long-weekend exploration in mind — a tool that’s as ready for the traffic snarls of your daily commute as it is for the open road just beyond the city’s edge. | Riding the GSX-8R feels like Suzuki’s attempt to give you a middleweight sportbike that’s equally at home in everyday traffic, curvy mountain roads and spirited weekend runs. It packs a 776 cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke parallel-twin engine with DOHC and a 270-degree crank. That means it’s not just about straight-line speed — the 270° crank gives the engine a throaty, V-twin–like rumble and a broad, usable torque band instead of a peaky, high-revving nature typical of many sport-bikes. The “cross-balancer” Suzuki uses helps keep vibration in check, meaning that even on longer rides or in stop-and-go city traffic, the engine stays smooth and more comfortable than you might expect from a half-litre-plus street-fighter. The motor is rated to produce around 81–82 bhp at about 8,500 rpm and a healthy 78 Nm of torque at around 6,800 rpm. In real-life terms, you get strong mid-range punch — meaning overtakes on highways or quick accelerations from a traffic light feel confident without needing to wring the engine out to the redline. That balance makes the GSX-8R versatile: capable of quick, enthusiastic blasts when you want sporty fun, but also manageable in city commutes or everyday riding. The 6-speed gearbox helps you extract that torque smoothly, and the bike comes with a bi-directional quick-shift system built in. In practice that means you can shift up or down without pulling in the clutch — a real bonus if you like brisk, crisp gear changes during sporty riding or just want ease while navigating traffic. Suzuki hasn’t compromised on the chassis: a steel frame built around the engine keeps the bike slim, compact, and well-balanced, while an aluminum swingarm adds to nimble handling and stability. The geometry — with a wheelbase of 1,465 mm, moderate rake/trail (25° / 104 mm), and a curb weight of 205 kg — positions the GSX-8R in that sweet spot where it feels stable at speed yet flickable enough when carving through corners. Suspension plays a big part in how the bike behaves on real roads. Up front there are inverted telescopic forks from SHOWA (oil-damped, coil-spring), and at the back a link-type mono-shock. That setup gives you a controlled, firm ride when pushing hard — helpful for sporty riding — but also enough compliance to absorb bumps, potholes or rough patches you might encounter on Indian roads or during longer rides. The balance leans toward sporty control without making the ride harsh. When it comes to tyres and wheels, the GSX-8R runs on 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels with 120/70 ZR17 front and 180/55 ZR17 rear tyres — high-performance radials from Dunlop (RoadSport 2) with good wet-grip and durability. That means cornering, braking and overall grip feel confident — even if road conditions are not ideal. The braking setup — twin discs up front and a rear disc, with ABS — helps ensure your stopping power matches the bike’s punch. As for packaging, the GSX-8R isn’t overly bulky: at 2,155 mm long, 770 mm wide, and 1,135 mm tall, with a seat height of 810 mm, it manages a sporty footprint without feeling unwieldy. For many riders, that translates into reasonably manageable maneuverability in city traffic or narrow roads — though at 810 mm seat-height and 205 kg weight, taller riders will feel more at home; beginners or shorter riders may find the seat quite firm and the weight noticeable when stationary. Fuel-wise, a 14-litre tank gives a decent range, and the bike returns, according to official WMTC figures, about 23.8 km per litre under mixed usage. That’s respectable for a middleweight sportbike — meaning for many of your urban rides, weekend joyrides or moderate touring, the fuel economy remains fairly practical rather than thirsty. The electronics and rider aids make a strong case for the GSX-8R being more than just raw hardware. A 5-inch colour TFT display serves as the meter console, giving essential info at a glance. The throttle is ride-by-wire, giving smooth control over power delivery, and there’s a selectable riding-mode system (with Active, Basic and Comfort modes) that lets you tailor throttle response and torque delivery to conditions — useful when switching between city traffic, wet roads, or spirited riding. Add in traction-control (adjustable), low-rpm assist to ease traffic starts, and an easy-start button — and you have a package that aims for practicality without stripping away sportiness. Styling and ergonomics matter too, and Suzuki seems to have paid attention. The GSX-8R carries a sharp, modern sportbike stance — aggressive fairing and front design, slim rear, exposed seat rails, compact proportions — that signals performance without going overboard. The riding position is slightly sporty: the forward-positioned “hip point” and mildly aggressive handlebars let you lean into corners confidently — but it’s not so extreme that city commuting becomes uncomfortable. Putting all this together — power, chassis, suspension, electronics and practicality — the GSX-8R feels like Suzuki’s answer for someone wanting a “do-it-all” middleweight bike: capable of daily commuting, fun weekend rides, spirited canyon runs or moderate touring without forcing you to compromise too much. It isn’t the most powerful in its class — but the balance it strikes, especially with torque-rich engine, rider aids, handling and usability, may make it a very compelling all-rounder, especially in markets like India where roads, fuel economy and versatility matter. Lastly, in terms of cost, the bike is priced at around ₹ 9.25 lakh (ex-showroom, for the base/standard variant). That positions it quite competitively in the mid-range sportbike segment, offering a lot of modern features and a usable engine without the premium price tag that heavy superbikes carry. If I were telling a friend which kind of rider this bike suits best: the GSX-8R is ideal for someone who wants a sporty, engaging ride — but not at the cost of everyday usability. If you commute, do city traffic, occasional highway runs, weekend joyrides or light touring, this one fits beautifully. If you’re after raw top-end speed or hardcore track performance, it might not blow away everything — but as a balanced, real-world sportbike, it’s one of the stronger contenders in its class right now. |
| Expert Review | MotoAutiv Team | MotoAutiv Team |
| FAQ (Manual Override) | Q: What is the engine type? A: The engine is a 313 cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-stroke unit with DOHC and four valves. Q: What is the power output? A: The bike produces 34 PS of power. Q: What is the torque? A: The torque is 28 Nm. Q: What is the mileage? A: The mileage is approximately 28–30 kmpl. Q: What type of transmission does it have? A: It has a 6-speed manual gearbox. Q: What type of fuel system does it use? A: It uses electronic fuel injection. Q: Does it have ABS? A: Yes, it comes with dual-channel ABS. Q: What type of brakes does it have? A: It has a 300 mm front disc with radial caliper and a 240 mm rear disc. Q: What is the front suspension? A: It has an upside-down telescopic fork with long travel. Q: What is the rear suspension? A: It has a cast aluminium dual swingarm with preload-adjustable monoshock. Q: What are the tyre specifications? A: The front tyre is 110/80 R19, the rear tyre is 150/70 R17, and both are tubeless radial tyres. Q: What is the kerb weight? A: The kerb weight is approximately 169.5 kg. Q: What is the seat height? A: The seat height is 835 mm. Q: What is the fuel tank capacity? A: The fuel tank capacity is 11 litres. Q: What type of battery does it use? A: It uses a 12 V / 8 Ah maintenance-free battery. Q: What type of headlight does it have? A: It comes with an LED headlight. Q: What type of starter does it use? A: It has an electric starter. Q: What kind of instrument cluster does it have? A: It has a fully digital display showing speed, gear position, trip information, and more. | Q: What is the mileage? A: The mileage is about 23.8 km/l under mixed riding conditions. Q: What is the fuel-tank capacity? A: It has a 14-litre fuel tank. Q: What is the engine displacement? A: The engine displacement is 776 cc. Q: What type of engine does it have? A: It uses a liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC parallel-twin engine with a 270° crank. Q: What kind of transmission does it use? A: It has a 6-speed constant-mesh manual gearbox. Q: What are the tyre sizes? A: The front tyre size is 120/70 ZR17 and the rear is 180/55 ZR17. Q: What kind of suspension does it have? A: Up front there's an inverted telescopic fork (oil-damped, coil spring), and at the rear a link-type mono-shock (oil-damped, coil spring). Q: What is the kerb weight? A: The kerb weight is 205 kg. Q: What braking setup does it use? A: It features twin disc brakes at the front, a disc brake at the rear, and includes ABS. Q: What kind of electronics / riding aids does it offer? A: It includes ride-by-wire throttle, selectable riding modes, digital instrumentation, and rider-assist features for better control and usability. |
| Fuel System | Electronic fuel injection | Fuel injection |
| Price Variants | | 324973 | | 988550 |
| Pros | Compact and lightweight adventure bike, making it very manageable in city traffic and narrow streets. Refined engine that delivers smooth power and strong mid-range torque, perfect for both urban commuting and occasional highway runs. Comfortable long-travel suspension that absorbs potholes and rough Indian roads effectively. Strong and predictable braking with dual-channel ABS for enhanced safety. High-quality build and premium feel typical of BMW motorcycles. Good ergonomics and upright seating that reduce fatigue during longer rides. LED headlight and digital instrument cluster improve visibility and usability. Tubeless radial tyres provide better grip and easier maintenance. | Strong and usable mid-range torque that makes the bike easy to ride in the city and lively on open roads. Smooth engine character thanks to the 270° crank, giving a refined feel even at higher speeds. Comfortable yet sporty riding posture that works for daily use as well as weekend rides. Agile handling with good stability, making it confidence-inspiring for both new and experienced riders. Modern electronics like riding modes, traction control, ride-by-wire, and quick-shifter add convenience and safety. High-quality build and attractive, modern styling with a sharp fairing and sleek proportions. Versatile enough for commuting, spirited cornering, and even moderate touring. |
| Starter | Electric | — |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6 Speed Manual |
