By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
BMW G 310 GS (0G12) vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 (MY2024)
BMW G 310 GS vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: long days, loaded bags, one choice to make.
You'll feel a pothole fade into the BMW G 310 GS's soft suspension while you sit tall behind the wide bar. The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450's Showa suspension and big front wheel don't flinch at that hit. It stays settled where the pavement turns to rock.
So which one do you buy?
The Himalayan 450 has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
Slight edge: Himalayan 450
Once the asphalt stops, the Himalayan 450 noses ahead. The reason: more low-end pull. Tires and your own skill can easily cancel that out.
Keeping running costs low
By a nose: Himalayan 450
On running costs, the Himalayan 450 edges it. Not by enough to bank on.
What makes each one tick
G 310 GS
At walking pace, the G 310 GS swings through tight U-turns without a fight at the bar. Corner entry doesn't take more than a nudge on the grips, and the bike drops in without hesitating. It's breathless at highway speeds. The upright perch keeps city traffic in clear view.
Himalayan 450
The Himalayan 450's single pulls just as willingly up a freeway on-ramp as up a loose climb. It gets playful once it's spinning. The brake lever hauls the bike's 437 lb (198 kg) down through a 320 mm front brake. There's room to stretch out on its supportive seat.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The G 310 GS has the lower wet weight: 374 lb (170 kg) vs 437 lb (198 kg).
- The Himalayan 450 makes more peak power: 40 hp (29 kW) vs 34 hp (25 kW).
- The Himalayan 450 makes more peak torque: 30 lb-ft (40 Nm) vs 21 lb-ft (28 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Wrong job for both
Big miles aren't where either one shines. You'll be watching for the next rest stop.
There's no real gap on commuting and twisty roads. Sit on both and let fit and price decide.
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
Himalayan 450
What owners say
Strengths
- Powerful and lively Sherpa engine
- Capable suspension and off-road manners
- Comfortable, roomy ergonomics
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.
Himalayan 450
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
Where the spec sheets split
| G 310 GS | Himalayan 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.9 in (835 mm) | 32.5 in (825 mm) |
| Wet weight | 374 lb (170 kg) | 437 lb (198 kg) |
| G 310 GS | Himalayan 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 313 cc | 452 cc |
| Power | 34 hp (25 kW) | 40 hp (29 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,500 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| Torque | 21 lb-ft (28 Nm) | 30 lb-ft (40 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 7,500 rpm | 5,500 rpm |
| G 310 GS | Himalayan 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 2.9 US gal (11 L) | 4.5 US gal (17 L) |
| G 310 GS | Himalayan 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 300 mm | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 110/80-19 | 90/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-17 | 140/80-17 |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in (220 mm) | 9.1 in (230 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.1 in (180 mm) | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.1 in (180 mm) | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| G 310 GS | Himalayan 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Modes | Not offered | Standard |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Standard |
| Adjustable Seat Height | Not offered | Standard |
| LED Headlight | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
