The wait is over: BMW launches G 310 R and G 310 GS in India. Prices, details and specifications here.

BMW Motorrad India has been living in shadows with its rarely-sighted CBU motorcycles in the country. However, the tables might have turned with the launch of the new G 310 R and the G 310 GS.

The new CKD models that are manufactured at the TVS’ Hosur Plant in Chennai, was launched on June 18, with the G 310R carrying a price tag of Rs 2.99 lakhs and the G 310 GS costing 3.49 Lakh.

While the Apache RR 310 and the BMW’s latest twins sport the same engine, the newly launched models have a racing variant as well as an adventure-touring variant. Both the race-spec model as well as the mini-adventure tourer have already been spotted in the showrooms, noting that booking for the bikes began two weeks ago.

The Indian automobile industry, in the past decade, has seen a exponential growth in the range of entry level bikes. Thus in order to perform well in the market, BMW had to have a game plan to pull itself out from the mundane. However, the company’s brand perception and its product value might give it an edge over its potential rivals.

Considering the price range in which the bikes have been placed, it will lock horns with the KTM Duke 390 and its upcoming adventure-sport KTM 390 Adventure along with the slightly high priced double-cylinder Ninja 400.

More about the 'twins'

The BMW G 310 R and the G 310 RS sports the same engine and the state of tune. Both bikes will carry the 313-cc, liquid cooled, single-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed transmission that puts out a maximum power of 33.5hp and 28 Nm of torque.

The G 310 GS which is an entry-level adventure tourer inherits its looks from the R 1200 GS. If compared to its sibling and the first bike under the TVS-BMW collaboration, the G 310 R has a lower seated body with race tyres and shorter suspension forks. Meanwhile, the GS will have a larger tyre at the front and a multipurpose tyre at the back.