Final August, I purchased myself a bit of birthday current. A 2022 GMW G310GS, my third-first bike, one thing I hoped would ferry me from Brooklyn to the Trans-Mass Path and New Jersey’s Pine Barrens. However, once I wrote up the acquisition, lots of the feedback on that piece echoed an identical chorus: “It’s too small, you’ll wish to improve, don’t waste your cash.”
Now, 9 months later, I’ve offered the GS. It’s off to a brand new newbie in Jersey, and I’m making an attempt to improve to one thing greater: A Yamaha Tenere 700, BMW F800GS/F850GS, or perhaps a Honda Africa Twin. But, I keep that these feedback had been mistaken — I don’t have a single remorse over shopping for my little 310GS.
My G310GS didn’t ferry me to the Trans-Mass Path or the Pine Barrens, however it did loads of shuttling me round Brooklyn. Within the metropolis, the place I’ve spent most of my miles, it could be the proper bike — snug over potholes, mild sufficient to muscle into a motorbike rack, and nice on gasoline whereas racing towards the G practice.
These components additionally made it excellent for studying. I used to be snug on that bike in a manner that had beforehand been reserved for my mountain bike, driving round with no arms or standing on one foot. In some way, improbably, I managed to by no means drop the BMW throughout these shenanigans. I doubt I’d’ve managed the identical feats — in consolation or in maintaining the rubber aspect down — on a much bigger, heavier bike.
However that GS didn’t simply ferry me round Brooklyn. It additionally carried me out to Connecticut, to go to household, and that’s the place the cracks began to indicate. A single cylinder might not be a difficulty whereas sitting at New York stoplights, however sitting at 7,000 RPM on the freeway for 2 straight hours made it hand-numbingly buzzy. The 310 educated me across the metropolis, helped me actually be taught the basics of motorcycling, however it’s not really an journey bike.
And that’s what I’m in search of now. A motorcycle that handles six-hour freeway journeys as simply as an unmaintained hearth highway, one thing that’s really limitless in its functionality. Hopefully, one thing in that vein is coming quickly. Watch this area.
I perceive the enchantment of shopping for one bike to final endlessly. It’s what I’m aiming to do now. However I received’t bury my G310GS in my reminiscence, as a result of it is the bike it should be. It’s the proper newbie bike, and I don’t for a second remorse shopping for it. So once I inform my associates, and all of you readers, I’ll inform them what I noticed in it and the way it turned out to be. Goodbye, my German-designed Indian-built sweetheart. There’s no one higher than you.