BMW G 310 GS versus Harley-Davidson LiveWire ELW

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW G 310 GS

Adventure
Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson LiveWire ELW

Naked

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2017 bis 2024~
Built von 2020 bis 2024~
RRP 6.600 €
RRP 32.995 €
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Pros:
  • Off-road capability
  • Comfort
  • Processing
Pros:
  • Acceleration
  • Electronically fully equipped
  • good brakes
  • easy handling
Cons:
  • Achievement
  • Price
Cons:
  • expensive
  • Reach

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.420 mm
Length :
2.075 mm Height : 1.230 mm
Seat :
835 mm
Weight :
170 (max: 345 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.490 mm
Length :
2.135 mm Height : 1.080 mm
Seat :
780 mm
Weight :
251 (max: 430 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Single cylinder 1 Cylinder
Displacement: 313 ccm
Hub: 62 mm
Hole: 80 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: Electric motor
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Riemen
Aisles: 1

Performance

Maximum speed: 143 km/h
Performance: 34 HP at 9.500 U/Min
Torque: 28 NM bei 7.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 11 Litre
Consumption:
3 l
Reach:
330 km
Maximum speed: 175 km/h
Performance: 105 HP at 8.000 U/Min
Torque: 116 NM bei 15.000 U/Min
Reach:
158 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Lattice tube (steel)
Front suspension:
Upside-down 41 mm (travel 180 mm)
Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 180 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 110/80 R 19
Rear tyres: 150/70 R 17
Frame type:
Bridge frame
Front suspension:
SHOWA SFF-BP (travel 115 mm)
Rear suspension:
SHOWA BFRC (travel 115 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR17 58W
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR17 73W

Brakes

Front brake
Single disc ( 300 mm) Rear brake
Disc ( 240 mm)
Front brake
Double disc, Brembo four-piston monobloc radial mounting ( 300 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, Brembo dual piston ( 260 mm)

Good, but not cheap

So you can imagine enjoying day trips or the ferries of everyday life on normal routes with the BMW G 310 GS. For the big tour she is rather too unrelaxed. BMW is calling for around 6,050 euros for this model. The question then arises as to who should buy this. Sure, it is suitable for beginners qua law. But as a pure beginner bike a bit expensive.

BMW's 310 series has clear qualities. If you can do without the rather limited touring ability anyway, you should take a look at the already mentioned G 310: Here you can save another 700 Euros.

The test bike was provided to us by Bergmann and Söhne in Pinneberg near Hamburg.

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: 6.050€
  • Used (3 years old): 3,700€
  • Years of construction: since 2017
  • Availability: good
  • Colours: black, blue, white

Conclusion - what sticks

Riding an electric motorcycle is a bit like riding a car scooter. Put on it and "gas" against. No transmission, no clutch, no switch, no engine jerks, no sound, no stench, no heat dissipation, no exhaust, no nothing at all. It's hard to describe how it feels live. On the one hand, we were fascinated by it, on the other hand, it is actually a cultural break for long-established bikers. You have to get used to it.

Nevertheless, we are sure that there will be more electric motorcycles in the future. But there will probably also be combustion engines for a long time. Why shouldn't both technologies be able to exist in parallel? In any case, we are always surprised by the force with which the opponents of electric vehicles smash their opinions about such machines into the keys. See comments on our review on YouTube. Guys, stay relaxed, no one forces you to buy such bikes.

The test machine was kindly provided by Harley-Davidson Hamburg.

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of construction

  • Price: 33.000€
  • Used (1 year old): 30.000€
  • Availability: since 2019
  • Colors: black, yellow, orange