BMW Motorrad to start India operation in October; G 310 R launch to be delayed

German motorcycle manufacturer BMW Motorrad is all set to kick-start its India operations, with emerging reports indicating this could start in October itself.

The disappointing news is that the most affordable BMW motorcycle, the G 310 R, will not be introduced in October, reports Overdrive. Heiner Faust, ‎vice president of sales and marketing at BMW Motorrad, told to the publication that the entry of the company in India has been streamlined in two steps. BMW Motorrad will launch almost all the high end motorcycles during the brand introduction, while affordable motorcycle range will be added later.

Faust pointed out that Indian paperwork and homologation process are taking time and that means G 310 R launch can be expected only in 2017.

Most of the BMW high-end motorcycles will be imported from the company's Berlin plant in Germany, while some of the bikes will also come from its plant in Thailand. The range of bikes for India will include S1000R, S1000RR, S1000XR, F700GS, F800GS, F800R, R1200G, R1200GS Adventure, BMW R Nine T and BMW K1600GTL.

The G 310 R has been developed in association with TVS Motor Company. The company had showcased G 310 R at the Auto Expo 2016 and the motorcycle has been undergoing testing in the country since then.

First premiered at EICMA 2015 in Milan, Italy, the G 310 R is powered by a 313cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine, which can churn out power of 33.5bhp at 9,500rpm and maximum torque of 28Nm at 7,500rpm, mated to a six-speed gearbox.

When launched, the G 310 R is expected to be priced from Rs. 1.8 lakh. The bike is exclusively manufactured at TVS plant in Hosur for the entire world market.