BMW G 310 R to run on Michelin tyres; motorcycle to be launched early 2017

French tyre maker Michelin said on Friday that it would strengthen its focus on the premium two-wheeler tyre market. The company already supplies tyres to the premium bike maker Harley-Davidson for its Street 500 and Street 750 export-spec models in India. The company will also provide tyres for the G 310 R, the first product of TVS and BMW Motorrad alliance.

The motorcycle was recently caught testing with Michelin tyres in India. However, it was widely considered for export spec models only. With the new announcement of Michelin, it is clear that the G 310 R will come fitted with Michelin tyres right from its launch.

The launch of the G 310 R was scheduled to take place during this festive season. However, supply constraints seem to have derailed the plan, and reports say the launch has been postponed to early 2017. BMW G 310 R is one of the most-awaited motorcycle models in India. It is being manufactured for India as well as for the rest of the world at TVS Motor Company's plant in Tamil Nadu.

Expected to be priced less than Rs. 2.0 lakh in India, the G 310 R is powered by an all-new 313cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with four valves and two overhead camshafts, together with electronic fuel injection. It can churn out power of 33.5bhp at 9,500rpm and maximum torque of 28Nm at 7,500rpm, mated to a six-speed gearbox. The G 310 R measures 1,988mm in length, 896mm in width, 1,227mm in height and has a wheelbase of 1,374mm. It employs a 300mm disc brake at the front, and a 240mm disc brake at the rear.

The G 310 R will be the most affordable BMW Motorrad motorcycle in the country and it will go up against KTM Duke 390 and Mahindra Mojo.