By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
BMW G 310 GS (0G12) vs Honda CB500X (PC 64 USD)
BMW G 310 GS vs Honda CB500X: long days, loaded bags, one choice to make.
Roll on out of a slow, tight turn, and the BMW G 310 GS's light throttle doesn't snatch as the bike eases off the corner. The Honda CB500X squats and hauls itself out of the bend.
So which one do you buy?
The G 310 GS has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Nose ahead: G 310 GS
Once the road starts to bend, the G 310 GS noses ahead. Your own skill counts for more than a gap this size.
The CB500X has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Narrow edge: CB500X
The CB500X should be a little cheaper to keep on the road. It's a small gap.
Daily commuting & city riding
A touch ahead: CB500X
Day in, day out, the CB500X nudges ahead in traffic. Credit simpler maintenance and easier everyday riding. It isn't a big enough gap to plan around.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Small edge: CB500X
For your first season, the CB500X makes slightly more sense. It's down to more comfort and easier controls. Fit and confidence at a standstill still come first.
What makes each one tick
G 310 GS
In a packed parking lot, the G 310 GS swings around on its wide bar, and there's no heft to wrestle. The front tucks into hairpins eagerly. Through town, the single doesn't shake or stumble as it pulls away from a stop. On mild dirt trails, the long-travel fork soaks up ruts.
CB500X
Whatever gear it's in, the CB500X's parallel twin pulls without begging for a downshift, and the upright seat keeps your back straight. A bump gets soaked up by the suspension before it reaches the seat. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, the twin doesn't drink much from its tank. Basic upkeep keeps the Honda's engine running for years.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The G 310 GS has the lower wet weight: 374 lb (170 kg) vs 439 lb (199 kg).
- The CB500X makes more peak power: 48 hp (35 kW) vs 34 hp (25 kW).
- The CB500X makes more peak torque: 32 lb-ft (43 Nm) vs 21 lb-ft (28 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not suited: G 310 GS
No long-distance verdict for the G 310 GS. It's made for something else entirely.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
G 310 GS
What owners say
Strengths
- Light and easy to manage
- Accessible and user-friendly
- Comfortable and roomy riding position
Trade-offs
- Reliability concerns with alternator and clutch
- Underpowered for highway cruising
Known problems to check before you buy
G 310 GS
- Alternator failure Premature alternator failure leads to battery drain and engine stalling, often at low mileage.
- Engine valve and crankshaft failures at high mileage A small number of owners have reported catastrophic engine failures, including valves breaking and crankshaft derangement, often around 30,000 miles (48,000 km). Possible link to extended valve inspection intervals.
CB500X
- Water pump seal leakage A small number of owners report coolant weeping from the water pump seal, typically appearing after several thousand miles and often self-sealing or fixable with a seal replacement.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 110/80-19
Where the spec sheets split
| G 310 GS | CB500X | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.9 in (835 mm) | 32.7 in (830 mm) |
| Wet weight | 374 lb (170 kg) | 439 lb (199 kg) |
| G 310 GS | CB500X | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 313 cc | 471 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder | Parallel twin |
| Power | 34 hp (25 kW) | 48 hp (35 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,500 rpm | 8,600 rpm |
| Torque | 21 lb-ft (28 Nm) | 32 lb-ft (43 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 7,500 rpm | 6,500 rpm |
| G 310 GS | CB500X | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 71 mpg (US) / 3.33 L/100 km | 65 mpg (US) / 3.6 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 2.9 US gal (11 L) | 4.5 US gal (17.1 L) |
| G 310 GS | CB500X | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 300 mm | 296 mm |
| Rear tire | 150/70-17 | 160/60-17 |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in (220 mm) | 7.1 in (180 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.1 in (180 mm) | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.1 in (180 mm) | 5.3 in (135 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| G 310 GS | CB500X | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| Luggage System | Option | Not offered |
| LED Headlight | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
