By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
BMW G 310 GS (0G12) vs KTM 390 Adventure SW (MY2023)
BMW G 310 GS vs KTM 390 Adventure SW: which one you'd rather spend the big miles on.
You'll feel the BMW G 310 GS drop into a slow corner off a light push on its wide bar. The KTM 390 Adventure SW flicks over off a fingertip.
So which one do you buy?
The 390 Adventure SW has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: 390 Adventure SW
In the twisties, the 390 Adventure SW asks a bit less of you to go quickly. It's down to better suspension and harder acceleration. Call it a modest edge.
Keeping running costs low
Edges it: 390 Adventure SW
On running costs, the 390 Adventure SW edges it. Not by enough to bank on.
Daily commuting & city riding
Narrow edge: 390 Adventure SW
Through rush hour, the 390 Adventure SW is a little easier to live with. What tips it: simpler maintenance and easier everyday riding.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
A touch ahead: 390 Adventure SW
Fresh off the training course, the 390 Adventure SW feels a bit more forgiving. The difference is more comfort. Only by a small margin, though.
What makes each one tick
G 310 GS
At walking pace in a packed parking lot, the G 310 GS turns tight circles on a clutch that takes up smoothly and a throttle that doesn't snatch. Its long-travel suspension soaks up the dirt roads and mild trails of the Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route. It isn't a hardcore off-roader. The plush fork sinks softly as the brake lever bites.
390 Adventure SW
On a twisty back road, the 390 Adventure SW's eager single keeps pulling out of each bend, and the chassis changes direction the moment it's asked. A mid-corner bump doesn't unsettle it. The WP APEX shock swallows it and settles at once.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The G 310 GS has the lower seat: 32.9 in (835 mm) vs 33.7 in (855 mm).
- The 390 Adventure SW makes more peak power: 44 hp (32 kW) vs 34 hp (25 kW).
- The 390 Adventure SW makes more peak torque: 27 lb-ft (37 Nm) vs 21 lb-ft (28 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither is a natural fit
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
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
390 Adventure SW
What owners say
Strengths
- Lightweight and flickable handling
- Adjustable WP APEX suspension
- Slick quickshifter (optional)
Trade-offs
- Grabby front brake
- Hard, wide seat
- Low handlebars for standing
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.
390 Adventure SW
- E-throttle moisture ingress leading to engine idle Recall 25V598000 Moisture can penetrate the electronic throttle assembly, causing erratic voltage signals and forcing the ECU to revert the engine to idle. The issue triggers a recall (NHTSA 25V598) affecting 2022-2024 390 Adventure models. Dealer replacement of the e-throttle assembly is required.
- Low-speed stalling Some owners report intermittent stalling when pulling away from traffic lights or at low RPMs, possibly related to fuelling or throttle calibration.
What they share
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
Where the spec sheets split
| G 310 GS | 390 Adventure SW | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.9 in (835 mm) | 33.7 in (855 mm) |
| G 310 GS | 390 Adventure SW | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 313 cc | 373 cc |
| Power | 34 hp (25 kW) | 44 hp (32 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,500 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
| Torque | 21 lb-ft (28 Nm) | 27 lb-ft (37 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 7,500 rpm | 7,000 rpm |
| G 310 GS | 390 Adventure SW | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 71 mpg (US) / 3.33 L/100 km | 64 mpg (US) / 3.7 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 2.9 US gal (11 L) | 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) |
| G 310 GS | 390 Adventure SW | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 300 mm | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 110/80-19 | 100/90-19 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-17 | 130/80-17 |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in (220 mm) | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.1 in (180 mm) | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.1 in (180 mm) | 7.0 in (177 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| G 310 GS | 390 Adventure SW | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Ride Modes | Not offered | Standard |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Option |
| 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.
