[Haroon]

If thats indeed the price BMW is looking at, its just ridiculous!

I would also tend to agree the 'BMW' R bike could be priced max 20k above the KTM Duke390 and probably the 310GS 40k above the Duke. A better alternative for Indian market is to sell it as 'TVS' at 30-40k less than the Duke. Anyway TVS is also a brand with a solid reputation and its in the same factory the baby BMW is being made so I dont see why Indian customers should shy away if it is indeed a well made, well performing bike with the TVS logo. In the past there have been cross-branding by Kawasaki & Suzuki on few occasions with the DL-1000, the Mean-Streak 1600 etc.

Besides, I would presume majority of the target customers for the 310 would be more comfortable with the service procedures/bills in a TVS service center than a BMW service center unless of course this baby BMW will be sold/serviced at TVS outlets.

[praful]

Originally Posted by Haroon

Besides, I would presume majority of the target customers for the 310 would be more comfortable with the service procedures/bills in a TVS service center than a BMW service center unless of course this baby BMW will be sold/serviced at TVS outlets.

I guess this could be one among the reasons why the launch is delayed in India.

Its a tough choice, if the G310 siblings are sold exclusively at BMW it would retain the 'premium' tag but affordability would be thrown out of the window given the obscene global pricing for servicing @ BMW.

The only logical route would be to go the Bajaj way, i.e. sell through different stores but service at slightly more premium service centers ala the old Bajaj Pro-biking concept.

[sathya.bhat]

Originally Posted by Hammer & Anvil

3.7L Ex Showroom is the current expected price.

Just plain ridiculous pricing IMO.
If BMW motorrad chooses maintain the premium tag using pricing and not by the quality of the bike alone, then they can drop hopes of any decent sales. India is very price sensitive market.

[jaganpec2002]

Originally Posted by sathya.bhat

Just plain ridiculous pricing IMO.
If BMW motorrad chooses maintain the premium tag using pricing and not by the quality of the bike alone, then they can drop hopes of any decent sales. India is very price sensitive market.

+1.

If this bike is going to be priced at such a premium then I am really worried about the service costs as well.

[driverabhi]

Originally Posted by Hammer & Anvil

3.7L Ex Showroom is the current expected price.

Could you please let us know the source of your information? If that is the price being considered, I am sure BMW will lose a huge customer base to TVS Apache RR 310S. I have been waiting for this bike since last year October and slowly have started to give up on it.
Also, if we compare BMW G310R with KTM Duke 390 (the latest model), the BMW lags behind in terms of bells and whistles.

I can only hope that BMW would launch this bike in India sooner than later and at a good price point that is comparable to KTM Duke.

[Urban_Nomad]

I just cant believe BMW would price it so absurdly. Many a times manufacturers would "leak out" such ridiculous numbers so that when it does launch at a "saner" price point; everyone thinks of it as the deal of the century

I also disagree that the BMW should be priced higher than the KTMs. Higher price for what? Lesser equipment, lesser power, no electronics package ... what? Its made in India, just like the Katoom

If fit and finish is the argument - please see the 2017 390 in person and see if you still think the same. Looks are subjective but 9/10 would agree that the "Spawn of the Beast" is just gorgeous, while the BMW does look a bit vanilla mixed with FZ. Not saying it looks bad, but the KTM is in a different league

The last argument one may have is the BRAND. Those who think KTM is just another brand, please spend some time on the internet to see what they are about. They are not just a desirable brand, they are EXOTIC. Check out how their offerings are priced vis a vis competition around the world

Simply put, this bike has to be priced lower than the 390 for at least someone like me to even consider it. Those that are happy to pay more simply for their perception (NOT reality) of a particular brand ... more power to you

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad

Looks are subjective but 9/10 would agree that the "Spawn of the Beast" is just gorgeous, while the BMW does look a bit vanilla mixed with FZ. Not saying it looks bad, but the KTM is in a different league

It's been so long after the 310R reveal that it has started to look old and dated to my eyes now, specially when considered against the ultra sharp new Duke 390. KTM obviously had time to consider the 310R design as well and come up with a stunner in the 2nd generation 390.

Same risk for the Aquila as well. The RC390 was only facelifted this year and the generation change is pending. The goalpost might be shifted far ahead as soon as they feel that they have scored their goal.

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad

The last argument one may have is the BRAND.

I'm prepared to pay a 20-30k premium over the KTM 390 for the BMW brand and unquestionable quality. KTM might be big internationally, but somehow I believe Indians have a big soft corner for the BMW brand.

But 3.7L ex-showroom for a bike made by TVS in India just because it's branded as a BMW?

[Urban_Nomad]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

I'm prepared to pay a 20-30k premium over the KTM 390 for the BMW brand and unquestionable quality. KTM might be big internationally, but somehow I believe Indians have a big soft corner for the BMW brand

Unquestionable quality alone demands that premium, no crutch of Brand Value required here. But declaring a bike's quality unquestionable even before it has launched is a bit of a stretch for me. Then again, it could be the Brand perception talking here

[VW2010]

I'm prepared to pay a 20-30k premium over the KTM 390 for the BMW brand and unquestionable quality

What BMW owners never talk about is the price they pay more than the purchase price to get that unquestionable service. Quality is still a question. Ever wonder why so many used BMW including some our own members picked up are resold at such a low price?

Anyway, forget about the price. This launch to getting it on the floor IMHO is very long. I saw this bike in flesh between Bangalore and Chennai and I first thought it was simply an RTR. Post this new 390 launch this bike looks pretty ordinary now except for the badge. If its going to not even compare in performance with 390 i can only see buyers buying this bike like bullet buyers of last few years. Its not as bad a buy as a bullet but its no longer giving me the excitement even by the looks of it.

[AtheK]

No doubt the duke 390 looks better from any way you may look at it. BMW is just banking on brand value to sell it, Akula already looks better and with all spy shots looks a proper good looking faired bike. Maybe BMW wants to make money just out of engines in this segment(Akula getting them the numbers), and G310r just gracing showrooms for the mere reason it had to be launched.

[sathya.bhat]

Now, I don't know what to say to this.
I pinged @BMW_Motorrad_IN asking expected date for the launch of G310R. Their reply is very disappointing.

[AtheK]

BMW G310R pushed to next year.

BMW G310R is one of the most awaited bikes. In spite of this, when BMW India announced their official entry into India in April 2017, the G310R was not on the list of bikes they put up on sale in the country. The reason, BMW India will not launch the made-in-India G310R here.

Yes. This statement comes from Vikram Pawah, Head, BMW India. In an interview with TOI, Mr Pawah confirmed that the G310R will not be launched in India in 2017

Source: https://www.rushlane.com/bmw-g310r-s...-12202059.html

[Wheels_Of_Fire]

Yes, it seems like the G310R will not see the lights of the Indian showrooms this year.

[Vivek.bk]

Disappointing indeed. 2018 launch would be too late as potential competition would be high in the market for the 300-500 cc segment.

[Hammer & Anvil]

Originally Posted by Vivek.bk

... potential competition would be high...

There is no potential competitor to this bike anywhere on the horizon. The only rumors (strong ones) are the Dominar in ADV format, a KTM 390 in a rugged format- but not ADV- and God knows if anyone else is coming to this 300-500 party, other than the Benelli 302.... the rumoured TRK402 and the other Italian Brand with its ADV bike, I forget the name (recently revived by their new Chinese owners.)

The primary pieces of the 310 BMW are going overseas and Feb 2018 is the India release, if I am to believe my sources- and this is to either heighten the anxiety over the 3+ cost and then- 'Be grateful you have it...'

The pricing for the GS310 came from dealers who were being briefed about the bike and the Akula and the cross questioning about who will sell what, and how to address possible scavenging of sales(addressed as highly unlikely.)

Disclaimer: Fun rumors, but they could always be true.