BMW G 310 R versus Harley-Davidson Nightster Special
BMW G 310 R
Harley-Davidson Nightster Special
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- Comfort
- Price
- Pillion compatible
- Engine
- Sound
- surprisingly sporty approach
- great TFT display with map navigation
- Mobile phone connection with easy-to-use app
- excellent Harley entry-level bike
- Driving performance absolute
- Rearview mirrors could be a little bigger
- for this price a bit much plastic
- carelessly laid cables
- slippery seat
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.005 mm Height : 1.080 mm
Seat : 785 mm
Weight : 158.5 (max: 345 ) kg
Length : 2.250 mm Height : 1.140 mm
Seat : 715 mm
Weight : 225 (max: 420 ) kg
Engine
Displacement: 313 ccm
Hub: 62 mm
Hole: 80 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 975 ccm
Hub: 66 mm
Hole: 97 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Riemen
Aisles: 6
Performance
Performance: 34 HP at 9.500 U/Min
Torque: 28 NM bei 7.500 U/Min Tank contents: 11 Litre
Consumption: 3 l
Reach: 330 km
Performance: 90 HP at 7.500 U/Min
Torque: 95 NM bei 5.750 U/Min Tank contents: 12 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 213 km
Chassis
Lattice tube (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-Down 41 mm (travel 140 mm) Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 131 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 110/70 R17
Rear tyres: 150/60 R17
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
Showa telescopic fork 41 mm (travel 114 mm) Rear suspension:
Stereo struts, spring base adjustable (travel 76 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 100/90-19 57H
Rear tyres: 150/80B16 77H
Brakes
Single disc (∅ 300 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 240 mm)
floating mounted single disc, Brembo, axial, 4-piston fixed caliper (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, 1-piston brake caliper (∅ 260 mm)
Conclusion - for whom is it suitable?
So: Who is the small BMW G 310 R suitable for? For small and light people, of course. Those who simply want to ride a motorcycle and place little value on riding performance.
It is ideal for people who answer the question asked at the beginning whether a scooter would not be the better choice, with the handiness and driving pleasure of the BMW G 310 R. If the concept motorcycle is superior to that of the scooter, then here.
The Japanese competition is usually a bit more expensive than the BMW (wouldn't have thought I'd ever write this sentence). However, it usually exhausts the 48 hp limit of the driving licence class A2 and brings a little more peace than the BMW, which some consider to be hilarious.
But: After initial scepticism, one thing is clear: make sure the G 310 R is really fun. Who would have thought that?
The test bike was provided to us by Bergmann & Söhne.
Conclusion - what sticks
Nightster or Nightster Special, that's the question! We would go for the new Special, if only because of the pillion seat, which you can use quite well every now and then. We particularly liked the great new cockpit and, above all, its ease of use, including the app. Whether you really need it is certainly a matter of opinion, but at least it works splendidly, which cannot be said of all competitors.The test bike was kindly provided to us by Harley Davidson Kiel for this test. There are the Nightster Special and the Standard Nightster as demonstrators - among many other chic Harleys. A visit to HD Hiel is always worthwhile, if only because of the wide range of used machines. You can also take a wonderful tour around the Westensee - let's go!
