BMW Motorrad recently launched its smallest supersport in India as the G 310 RR. It has a handful of rivals in the sub-400cc (supersport) segment as the TVS Apache RR 310, KTM RC 390 and the Ninja 300. In this piece, we compare the Beemer with its Austrian rival and see which one fares better on paper.
Styling
The BMW G 310 RR features a split LED headlight and LED illumination all around. The bodywork is muscular and the finish appears to be premium. BMW offers the G 310 RR in two trims: Standard and Style Sport. In the base trim, the bike comes draped in Black Storm Metallic and the Style Sport covers the G 310 RR in BMW’s standard livery with White, Black, Blue and Red colours.
Meanwhile, the KTM RC 390’s latest generation is inspired by the brand’s MotoGP race bike. It now looks more docile with the new LED headlight setup and boomerang-like LED turn indicators. The KTM RC 390 looks quite sporty and is available in two colours: Factory Racing Blue and Orange.
Features
Apart from LED illumination all around, the BMW G 310 RR also features a fully digital vertical instrument console. It offers the basic readouts like a speedometer, odometer, fuel level gauge, trip meter, temperature bar and a gear position indicator. It also gets three ride modes – urban, rain and sport – and dual-channel ABS. The KTM RC 390 gets LED illumination all around, Bluetooth compatible TFT display, a traction control system, lean-sensitive ABS and a quickshifter.
Engine
BMW has plonked a 312.2cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine in the G 310 RR. It develops 33bhp and 27.3Nm in the sport mode and 25bhp and 25Nm in the other two. The motor is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. On the other hand, the KTM RC 390 is powered by a liquid-cooled 373cc single-cylinder mill that develops 42.9 bhp and 37 Nm. It’s mated to a 6-speed gearbox and gets a bi-directional quickshifter as well.
Hardware
BMW has equipped the G 310 RR with 41mm USD front forks and a monoshock. Its braking hardware comprises a 300mm single front disc and a 240mm rear disc with dual-channel ABS. The Beemer rides on 17-inch alloys wrapped in Michelin's 110/70 front and 150/60 rear tyre. KTM has equipped the RC 390 with WP USD front forks and a preload-adjustable monoshock. Its braking setup consists of a 320mm front and a 230mm rear disc with lean-sensitive ABS. It too rides on 17-inch wheels but gets Metzeler 110/70 front and 150/60 rear tyres.
Price
BMW has priced the G 310 RR at Rs 2,85,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) onwards and the KTM RC 390 retails at Rs 3,16,070 (ex-showroom Delhi). Compared to the G 310 RR, the RC 390 costs notably more, but it also gets a better package overall, on paper.
