BMW G 310 R versus Harley-Davidson Pan America Special
BMW G 310 R
Harley-Davidson Pan America Special
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- Comfort
- Price
- Pillion compatible
- Engine with lard and character
- Extremely well equipped incl. semi-active chassis
- Large TFT touch cockpit with mobile phone connection (incl. navigation system)
- Plenty of space for driver & passenger
- Suitable for smaller pilots thanks to "Adaptive Ride Height"
- Driving performance absolute
- Payload could be higher
- Short service intervals
- no quick shifter available
- no gimbal
- Operation requires training
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.005 mm Height : 1.080 mm
Seat : 785 mm
Weight : 158.5 (max: 345 ) kg
Length : 2.270 mm Height : 1.510 mm
Seat : 850 mm until : 875 mm
Weight : 258 kg
Engine
Displacement: 313 ccm
Hub: 62 mm
Hole: 80 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 1.252 ccm
Hub: 72 mm
Hole: 105 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
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
Performance: 152 HP at 8.750 U/Min
Torque: 128 NM bei 6.750 U/Min Tank contents: 21 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 385 km
Chassis
Lattice tube (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-Down 41 mm (travel 140 mm) Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 131 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 110/70 R17
Rear tyres: 150/60 R17
Three-piece alloy frame with tube, cast and moulded parts, motor supporting (aluminium) Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, 47 mm, with electronically adjustable semi-active damping system (travel 191 mm) Rear suspension:
Central spring strut with automatic electronic adjustment of spring preload and semi-active control of compression stage and rebound of damping (travel 191 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70R19 60 V
Rear tyres: 170/60R17 72 V
Brakes
Single disc (∅ 300 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 240 mm)
Double disc, radially mounted four-piston monobloc fixed caliper brakes (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, single-piston floating caliper brake (∅ 280 mm)
Conclusion - for whom is it suitable?
So: Who is the small BMW G 310 R suitable for? For small and light people, of course. Those who simply want to ride a motorcycle and place little value on riding performance.
It is ideal for people who answer the question asked at the beginning whether a scooter would not be the better choice, with the handiness and driving pleasure of the BMW G 310 R. If the concept motorcycle is superior to that of the scooter, then here.
The Japanese competition is usually a bit more expensive than the BMW (wouldn't have thought I'd ever write this sentence). However, it usually exhausts the 48 hp limit of the driving licence class A2 and brings a little more peace than the BMW, which some consider to be hilarious.
But: After initial scepticism, one thing is clear: make sure the G 310 R is really fun. Who would have thought that?
The test bike was provided to us by Bergmann & Söhne.
Conclusion - what sticks
I really like the new Pan America. Above all, the optics have done it to me. The machine looks like a V8 MuscleCar or like a locomotive, which then became a motorcycle. Of course, this bike polarizes and especially the front will not appeal to everyone. But rather so than uniform porridge. The Harley has character and is immediately recognizable on 10 km.With the Pan Am, Harley has not only shown courage, but also put together an amazingly good adventure bike in the 1st throw. It will certainly not overtake the GS, but we are sure: This bike will already find its buyers. Maybe even the travel enduro faction, which would like to ride something different, something special. Well done, Harley!
The test bike was provided to us by MTK, the Harley-Davidson dealer in Kiel.
