Hi - planning a few trips...mostly tarmac but would like to be able to take on some dirt. Europe first then S America.

Been offered a 2022 GS310 at great price.....realise there would be some prep required but what do people think as a start point?

Is it easy to get uprated stuff for this model?

Many thanks
Gary

If I wanted a small, dirt capable bike for the road I'd be looking at a CRF300Rally, personally.

It may be worth having a look at Chris Scotts site as he did a review of the 310 - https://adventure-motorcycling.com/2019/11/29/bmw-gs310s-in-morocco/

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You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.

Hi Gary - have a read of this thread:

https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...n-deener-96279

...and see if it suits the kind of riding you're planning.

In a nutshell, it's a nice lighter-weight travel bike, with more than enough off-road performance for the kind of riding you're likely to ever want to do on a cross-country trip - with or without luggage. It offers a surprising turn of speed and will hold highway/motorway speeds all day if needs be (the most I did was 750 miles in a day, although also two back to back 650 mile days to get across the middle of the country) - so it doesn't give much away to a larger capacity/twin-cylinder bike in that regard.

It is relatively compact - which is both a good and bad thing of course, but for the solo rider there is more than enough room for you and any luggage you need to carry - it's not really a two-up bike though.

Fuel economy is good - 60-70+mpg, although once you start pushing 70mph or more, that does drop - as it would on most bikes, and especially smaller capacity singles. Range from the stock tank is around 150-180 miles - 200 is achievable but only really at sub 40mph 'trail riding' and back road speeds.

Reliability wise - I had a 2018 bike and it was pretty near perfect over the 18,000 miles I rode it that year - the only 'issue' was the headlamp bulb connector melted (easy enough to replace) but nothing mechanical ever let me down. note. it was one of those early models which was subject to the side-stand recall, and while mine was never a problem for the duration of that cross-country trip (back and fourth across north America three times essentially), I did ultimately take the bike in for the recall and the complete frame was swapped (mad!), so I'd say BMW do stand by their warranty in that regard - obviously that was only a very limited first-year production run thing, and if you're looking at a 2022 model that should not even be a concern now.


I'd say give it a ride if you can and see how it fits you - for the kind of all-road touring I suspect you'll be undertaking, I'd suggest it will be a little less compromised on the open road than a CRF300 (which as it happens is one of the bikes I own now), while not giving much if anything away on unpaved roads and tracks you might encounter in Europe or South America.

The only thing in the Honda's favour would be even lighter weight, but another 20Kg or so - but you need to weigh that up against the eagerness of the engine and long distance comfort.

Have fun deciding!

Jenny x

ps. It's also worth nothing that while the G310GS suspension is pretty basic, you can get away with it stock, while the CRF300 models really do need a better shock out of the box if you plan to carry any weight on them - the spring rate and damping is very soft as standard. Either bike is greatly improved with the Rally-Raid Products suspension or similar aftermarket upgrade.

Extremely helpful Jenny!! Many thanks

It's a good bike that can do everything you need. If it's a good deal, don't be shy to buy it.

The CRF 300 as others have mentioned, is better off road.
Versys-x 300 is better on road due to being a twin.

Both of these will probably be more reliable than the GS. But if it's a good deal don't be scared to pull the trigger.

Personally, I wouldn’t go for a bike just because it’s a bargain.

It’s more about you and the trips, once you decide that, then the bike will choose itself.
Riding around Europe - how technical will your off road routes be? How are your riding skills?
South America, same questions.
Time allowed v distance wanted to achieve - it’s a long way from Bogotá to Ushuaia.
Personality - Happy to ride at 60mph and look at the flowers?

By honest with yourself.