BMW G 310 GS vs Honda CRF300L Rally - Lightweight ADV Comparison & Test Ride

[@Sasqmoto]

I sat on the Honda and it felt like I was doing a wheelie. I ended up getting the bmw g310gs. I have a whole dedicated channel on the baby g.

[@Liberty4Ever]

Love your channel, dude.

[@billricheter5678]

Hondas are twitchy, always have been.

[@orthodoxguy2006]

I keep hoping they will add the abs button back.

[@rwriddell]

New to bikes, male, aged 66, 5' 10''. I bought a G310GS with Rally Raid two suspension upgrade. Done 4k miles in 6 months. The RR upgrade transforms the bike for on and off road, puts it top of its class.

[@rwriddell]

Same with me. 2018 G310GS with RR level 2 upgrade - excellent bike. Do I have a stalling problem - No! Not the most convincing review of either bike.

[@mygaragerules1990]

I’m considering a G310GS. Given the cost of the RR2 kit, do you think you’re better off with the upgraded G310GS instead of just getting a different bike in the first place?

[@rwriddell]

I recommend you buy a second hand, no worries with a FSH higher mileage, and add the RR2 kit, then you'll have an excellent light weight adventure bike.

[@davidmatthews3093]

The cost takes i5 out of its class. For the total cost there are much better motorcycles out there.

[@harmeetsingh3759]

I bought a BMW G 310 GS three months ago and have done close to 4k Km (~2.5k miles) on it and it doesn't stall like that (maybe an issue with your bike) you can easily start from a standstill in 2nd gear. I completely agree with you on the riding height, it is perfect for beginner riders with less than 6 feet of height.

[@waynebrunner1826]

2 months, 2k miles. Only issue has been the defective water pump @ 600 miles. Most important accessory was the Airhawk R seat cushion. Does everything I want!

[@Liberty4Ever]

I have a 2019 G310GS and it's prone to stall when starting from a dead stop. Beginning in 2021, a ride-by-wire throttle is used and the engine computer makes it much more difficult to stall. I may install a $820 Rekluse clutch when I need a new clutch, but for now I just rev it a bit higher and I'm careful to keep the clutch in the friction zone when starting from a dead stop. I also try to avoid starting in 3rd gear. 🙂

[@khabuda]

I had odd fueling issues with mine when I bought it, but I took it back to the dealership this year, and after a software update it's completely good to go.

[@MidCoastAdventures]

Owned both, and both are great machines 👍 Cheers for the up-load 😎

[@Liberty4Ever]

I bought a 2019 G310GS over three years ago as a 60th birthday present. A friend rode it and he bought a CRF300 L Rally. I'd always ridden small displacement dual sport thumpers so I liked his CRF300L with its greater off road performance but I was surprised how much engine braking it has. I do enjoy the road performance of my G310GS and it does well enough off road for my old man adventures but it needs a much larger fuel tank.

[@93jElwood]

The honda is the go anywhere motorbike!

[@Koivisto147]

scorpion exhaust sounds great on this bike. also going down one tooth on the front sprocket completely solved the stalling issue for me. I can take off in 3rd pretty easily now

[@nathanvoboril62]

My first bike is a 300l rally. So far I've put 440 miles on it, after owning it for 3 weeks. I'm 6'0", 200 lbs, and live in a rural area. Typically below 60 mph. First week I was absolutely terrified of how tall the bike was, and was stressing that I had bought the wrong bike. As of week 2, I am in love. I've got out of the break in period, seemingly both in the engine (printed break in is 300 miles), and the suspension. It seems the bike has kneeled to match my weight. When I picked it up, I could not flat foot either side. Now I can flat foot, and tippy toe on the other side. After stepping in a hole, I've come to love how light the bike is. I think if the bike had been that extra 30-40 lbs heavier I would have dropped the bike, instead of being able to keep it upright. I bought the rally with the notion that I was going to go offroad, and that opportunity came middle of week 2, after some heavy rainfall. After my lack of skill landed me at the bottom of a muddy hill, I was thankful for how low the 1st gear was. As well as how cheap a new mirror is. And the fact that the rally comes pre-equipped with bar end caps. My only complaint, that hr mentions in the video, is the wind noise from the windshield. A 40 minute commute (40-65 mph), kinda overloads my senses due to the wind noise. Its harder for me to focus on new rider thoughts, when my ears are being continuously assaulted by wind noise.

[@erich.4305]

I currently ride a 2003 BMW F650CS but plan to eventually replace it with the BMW G310GS. I rode a G310R and liked it but I like the riding position of the G310GS better.

[@jhock2781]

With some suspension work, you can absolutely rip off road on the CRF300L. It is the perfect road-biased dual sport. I dare say that it is as much fun off road as my CRF450RL.

[@funshine3571]

I had a 310gs and loved it until i wore out a crank bearing under 4k miles. Upon tear down the intake cam had some bad heeling. Sold it, bought a drz400sm and never looked back.

[@billricheter5678]

Suzuki makes the best dual spot cycles

[@jamocerwin5841]

The Crf 300 l, has a magnificent torque, ideal when you get on more or less complicated tracks, the bike is a wonder for its lightness and simplicity, its defect is the rear shock absorber, but that with a small investment of about 300 euros you solve quickly. I'm delighted with my Crf'21!

[@hazeldejesus]

I think you said it really well. I don’t really plan to do serious off-road stuff but I might like to do the occasional dirt road etc which is why I’ve been looking at the BMW

[@RickRose]

Appreciate the comparison. I've been riding an XT250 (low seat height bike) offroad, and I have a Rally on order. Hoping I will be able to adapt. If not, they do have an LS model out this year. Much cooler paint scheme also!

[@KamionKing]

BMW kicks ass any day.

[@autom8ed]

The G310gs engine has many different characters depending on the rpm. Near redline even the 6th gear can be useful. The sound is really improved as well and sounds respectable at higher revs even for such a weak engine. Keeping it under 70 mph its quite an efficient little thumper and can get you up to 70 mpg in mixed riding

[@johndemmink3539]

You need me there to help😁 Hope things are good! KTM 390 next? Stalling, lack of torque or crank weight.

[@waynebrunner1826]

Riding a 310 for eight months. 265lbs, all highway I get 79 mpg in NE PA. I don't go over 72 mph. Great bike, but heavy for an old guy. Considering a honda 300 LS.

[@DailyMotor]

Trying that one here soon!

[@blackshuckthe3rd879]

@@waynebrunner1826 hi. Is 65/70 mph a good cruising speed on the gs310 or is 60 better.

[@waynebrunner1826]

@@blackshuckthe3rd879 Only depends on the road conditions and traffic. I have not yet found any need to ride the bike over 7k rpm's. It's very comfy at 70 mph.

[@chiefenumclaw7960]

Excellent review, much obliged. I'm a homer for both bikes.

[@paulbarber1960]

I have the G310GS 2023 model year, and the only fault for me is the low/uncomfortable seat. The seat cover has stretched in 1200 miles 😮 BMW, uk said it's perfectly normal 🤦‍♂️ I would like cruise control for long rides. After market exhaust, make more noise but don't increase performance. If this engine was 40+hp and the seat wasn't so sculptured and low it would be a perfect bike.

[@waynebrunner1826]

I almost sold my 310 the first two weeks because of the seat. Problem resolved with an Airhawk R seat cushion. I now have 7k on it.

[@BrianSmith-ql5nj]

Check out the versys x 300 if you get the chance

[@ognightrider8730]

It's not the throttle by wire causing the delay, it's lack of airflow

[@chadkline4268]

Maybe you need the ECU tuned to stop that stalling.

[@blackshuckthe3rd879]

I would have the 310 gs as I do 90% roads.

[@Liberty4Ever]

4:00 & 8:30 - You seem to hang around intersections in neutral a lot more than I do. I'm always in first, watching my rear view mirrors, ready to leave the scene of a rear end accident before it occurs. 14:25 - I can turn the rear ABS off on my 2019 G310GS but that button went away in 2021, probably for homolugation to satisfy some government regulator who wants to claim that she saved X lives by reducing road fatalities by mandating always on ABS, and never mind the 4X lives lost off road because ABS couldn't be disabled. Off road fatalities aren't on her spreadsheet so they don't count. To improve the ergonomics on the G310GS you might consider a 30 mm bar riser. It's an inexpensive upgrade that was a huge improvement for me. I'm 6'2" with long arms. I raised the bars up and pivoted them forward to open up the bike for my larger frame. BMW designed this bike for beginner (younger) riders and the Asian market. The baby GS looks like a larger and heavier bike than it is. It's far more nimble on the road than the small dual sport bikes I've always ridden. I've made a lot of mods and upgrades to my baby GS to optimize it for how and where I ride, with a few more to go. I do all of the regular maintenance and it's been 100% trouble free so it hasn't seen the inside of a dealership since I bought it on the internet and had it shipped to me.

[@JJJ-zs5nw]

I just did a demo ride on the 310. I haven’t rode in five years. I never stalled it. That is weird.

[@jordanfrangquist1474]

The BMW looks like something you’d by off of Amazon

[@osxar84]

What year model is that GS? I have a 310gs 2021 and I have no stalling issues what so ever. I've heard that it's a common issue with the 310 but I don't know if it only affects certain year models or just every other bike. I'm far from a pro so it's not like I'm trying to say that I'm so skilled that it doesn't happen to me. It just doesn't happen to my bike that's all.

[@orthodoxguy2006]

it was older models. they corrected it starting in 2021.

[@slickflyguy]

The KTM 390 ADV is better than both of those bikes with the features you get. I have a 2023 390 and I like it quite a bit and am impressed with what that 390cc single motor can do.

[@antoniorios3856]

It's also more expensive, soo

[@Swedeman999]

It's also a much taller seat height. Not everybody is a giant 😅

[@thegreenman2030]

Don’t know if you said it but if you don’t mind what’s your height and weight? I’m considering a 300 Rally, just waiting to see the new Triumph Scrambler 400x before I pull the trigger. I’m 6’2” around 220 now but plan to get it back down to around 200lbs.

[@DailyMotor]

5'10", 165. You'll need a stronger rear shock if you go with the 300 Rally, unless you just plan on doing on-road, in which case you could crank the preload and be okay.

[@thegreenman2030]

@@DailyMotor I’m looking at mostly backroads, gravel and dirt roads. Nothing technical and don’t plan on doing any overnight or camping trips on it where it would be weighted down with lots of gear.

[@4f00d]

@@thegreenman2030forget the 400x if you wanna try some light off-roading, forest roads nothing serious, lots of reviews says its only name "scrambler" and look but not capable motorcycle, its just road bike with knobby tires and with very stiff suspension

[@leeinwis]

Stalling can be a valve clearance thing..

[@wilson5377]

Nice comparo review!👍 It's a 💯% uniquely "Ride Red" all the way, for most of us, at least.👌😎🤙 Knowing what a machine's capabilities are out of the box is fairly important to avoid turning it to something that it isn't. As for the rest, it's really down to a matter of choice, i guess.✌ Whichever you guys prefer, drive safe, enjoy your rides!✌🤙

[@stevehoward3981]

I had the Honda and it blows. I have a 310 GS now and really like it. Watch itchy boots on her Honda. It’s been a part more times than a three dollar watch.

[@davidmatthews3093]

Your BMW would not have got through Noraly’s first series. You obviously have no idea about what her bike has been put through. It’s reliability has been a real credit to Honda. Your BMW is simply not in the same class.

[@stevehoward3981]

@@davidmatthews3093 I owned that bike and it’s crap. I know it’s been through a lot but the engine should not have failed so many times. I would not take a 310 there either. You obviously have no idea what you are talking about. My guess is you haven’t owned either but consider yourself an expert lol

[@leeinwis]

I have the CRF with 11.5k miles on it and never a problem .

[@toddestes786]

The Honda crf300 rally has 22.7 hp and 16.7 lbs of torque but definitely feels a bit more powerful than the bmw ….the bmw has 29.5HP and feels very flat almost no feelable torque at all the bmw motor is junk not even bmw made ….made by a company in India ….the bike has the bmw stying but crap for an engine .i own both these bikes and had them dyno tested in stock form

[@highcountrypioneer3025]

The gs310 has 33.6 bhp. Stop putting out incorrect information. Sincerely a crf300l rally owner.

[@toddestes786]

@@highcountrypioneer3025 aah excuse me !! I own both these bikes and I 💯 put out factual information….best regards

[@toddestes786]

@@highcountrypioneer3025 that’s incorrect the bmw g310gs has 29.5 horsepower so eat your words there pal

[@kenny4k]

​@toddestes786 it's 34hp@ 9500rpm with 21lb-ft@7500rpm

[@toddestes786]

@@kenny4k those have to be factory numbers because they are usually blown up the ones I put were from stock bikes on a Dyno jet just like the one cycle world uses

[@Kiyoti]

...3 minutes into the video and it is evident your a Honda fan guy.

[@davidmatthews3093]

I’m not sure what the point of this comparison is. You have taken one of the best small dual sport bikes on the market and compared it with the adventure looking road bike from BMW then ridden them in town and on very straightforward gravel tracks. As an experienced motorcyclist I see the BMW as a bit of a joke, a badge to bring in the unwary while the CRF is a serious machine.

[@captnhuffy]

Dirt. dirt. Dirt. Dirt. !!!!!

[@NotisSenju]

I think it's a crime to compare the 310 gs to any honda.

[@billricheter5678]

Nope. Hondas should t be compared to suzuki, Yamaha or kaws

[@billricheter5678]

That stalling makes the gs not worth buying. Inexcusable

[@billricheter5678]

Hondas are ok, but they are twitchy and you don’t feel the road. Suzuki and Yamaha much better

[@billricheter5678]

Breaking the law riding between cars. Not right bud

[@DailyMotor]

It's legal here in CA

[@billricheter5678]

@@DailyMotor really, sorry then

[@doctorprepper8106]

Riding between cars is the advantage of motorcycles

[@Dreamscythe1]

@@doctorprepper8106 legal in some places but dangerous, a friend died about 11 years ago when splitting between cars he got smoked by someone not paying attention coming out of a parking lot

[@georgechrysaphinis6761]

I bought the 310 GS as my first bike and held on to it for a couple of years, covering 2000km. I rode it on b-roads, twisties and gravel roads. Surprisingly easy to ride on the gravel roads and also copes fairly well with more difficult terrain if you manage the clutch properly. Does best on tight, slow to medium speed roads which suit its chassis/engine/gearbox characteristics. Pleasant enough to own and ride, but can get boring after a while. The engine certainly lacks character. Have the Honda crf 300l on order as a replacement. Had considered a mid capacity adventure bike as an upgrade, with their more characterful twin cylinder engines but figured I’d ultimately end up having more fun on the lighter, go-everywhere crf 300. Intend to do a lot more off-road riding and exploring where low weight and a “tractor” engine are key.

[@Sch3ll3]

Very good video. Thank you for the efort 👍.