BMW G 310 R vs KTM 390 Duke vs Mahindra Mojo XT 300 vs Bajaj Dominar 400 vs Benelli TNT 300: Spec Comparison

With the BMW G 310 R’s launch date edging closer, we compare it with its competitors on paper

Update: BMW G 310 R and G 310 GS Launched In India

The long-delayed BMW G 310 R and GS are scheduled for a launch on July 19th. With some well-established players in the 300cc naked motorcycle segment, the G 310 R has a huge challenge ahead of itself. Whether it betters the competition, only a road test can tell. Until then, we compare how the naked motorcycle stacks up against some of its competitors on paper.

Engine -

Powering both the BMW G 310 R and GS is the same 313cc, water-cooled single-cylinder engine that is also seen on the TVS Apache RR 310. This motor delivers 34PS of power at 9500rpm and 28Nm of torque at 7500rpm, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. While the more adventure friendly, GS, will have more low-end torque for better offroad performance, the naked streetfighter version will be more street tuned with a more easy going nature to combat our traffic.

The KTM 390 Duke has been quite a hit ever since its launch, owing to its performance, agility and features. Its 373.2cc, single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine produces 43.5PS of power and 37Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The highest in this comparison.

The Mahindra Mojo XT 300 has been in our market for quite a while now. However, during its time, the motorcycle has failed to leave an impression on the masses, mainly due to its looks and handling dynamics. It's also the least powerful motorcycle in this segment. The XT 300 is powered by a 295cc unit, which churns out 27.19PS of power at 8000rpm and 30Nm of torque at 5500rpm.

Bajaj' Dominar 400 has had an impressive run since its inception, thanks to a nifty list of features and an easy going engine. Its 373.3cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine is sourced from the 390 Duke but makes 37PS of power and 35Nm of torque.

The Benelli TNT 300 shares its engine with the 302R. This 300cc twin-cylinder engine produces 37PS of power and 26.5Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox.

Features -

In terms of features, the Bavarian bike gets an LCD display, which displays necessary information such as rev-counter and gear indicator, a dual trip meter, engine coolant temperature information, fuel level and range. However, while it gets an LED taillight, the headlamp isn’t an LED unit, which we think is a big miss, considering its rumoured “premium pricing.”

The updated KTM 390 Duke, on the other hand, gets a TFT instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity that offers music, phone and messaging functionality. The signature upside-down pitchfork headlamp is an LED unit and comes with integrated DRLs. In addition to this, the 390 Duke also gets ride-by-wire, a slipper clutch and different ABS modes - (On, Supermoto and Off).

The Mahindra Mojo XT 300 gets a semi-digital instrument console with a digital display on the right and an analogue cluster on the left. It also gets twin-pod 70W headlamps with LED DRL, LED tail lamps and the famous twin-exhaust units. Since this list isn't impressive, we feel the Mojo might have a hard time to cope up with the more feature packed G 310 R and the 390 Duke.

Bajaj has packed the Dominar 400 to the brim with features as compared to the other sports-cruiser in this list, the Mojo. This includes all-LED headlamps, LCD instrument cluster, ABS and a slipper clutch. While this list may not be as extensive as the 390 Duke, it’s the second most feature packed bike when compared to the more expensive Mojo and TNT 300.

While the Benelli TNT 300 may be a looker, its feature list isn't as impressive. The TNT 300 packs a semi-digital instrument console which displays basic readouts. It misses out on features like LED headlamp but does get LED DRLs and an LED tail lamp, which isn't very impressive considering its competitors offer a lot more.

Underpinnings -

BMW has equipped the G 310 R with a tubular space frame, which is suspended upon USD forks at the front and a monoshock unit at the back. Braking is taken care of by 300mm front and a 240mm rear disc brake, with ABS as standard. At 158.5kg, the G 310 R is lighter than every motorcycle on the list and has an 11-litre fuel tank.

For suspension duties, the KTM 390 Duke uses WP manufactured USD forks at the front with an open cartridge technology and a monoshock at the back which comes with pre-load adjustment. Helping the bike come to a halt is a 320mm front disc brake and a 230mm rear disc, with ABS as standard. It tips the scale at 164kg (kerb) and packs a 13.4-litre fuel tank.

The Mahindra Mojo XT 300 employs USD forks at the front and a monoshock unit at the rear. While braking is done by 320mm front and a 240mm rear disc, it misses out on ABS. Being a tourer, it packs a massive 21-litre fuel tank. However, the Mahindra is also one of the heaviest motorcycles in this comparison, at a whopping 182kg (kerb).

Unlike every entry on this list so far, the Bajaj Dominar 400 packs conventional telescopic forks at the front and a multi-step monoshock setup at the back. However, when it comes to braking, the Dominar shares the same setup as the Mojo with a front 320mm and a rear 230mm disc brake. It tips the scale at 182kg (kerb) and has a fuel tank capacity of just 13 litres, which is a bit of a disappointment, considering Bajaj has touted it as a sports-cruiser.

The Benelli TNT 300 follows suit as the other bikes and offers more premium USD forks along with a monoshock suspension setup at the rear. Braking duties are handled by dual discs up front and a single disc brake at the rear. ABS is optional here. The TNT is the heaviest motorcycle on the list at 197kg (kerb). It packs a 16-litre fuel tank.

Prices -

The BMW G 310 R, is priced at a premium, costing Rs 2.99 lakh, which doesn't sit well with potential buyers, given the KTM 390 Duke retails for Rs 2.25 lakh while being the better motorcycle on paper. Meanwhile, in the sports cruiser segment, the Bajaj Dominar 400 retails for Rs 1.48 lakh for the disc brake variant and Rs 1.62 lakh for the ABS variant.

The Mahindra Mojo XT 300, on the other hand, retails for Rs 1.63 lakh. Clearly, the Dominar takes the cake on paper for being the more value for money offering. With the future of Benelli unclear for now, there aren’t many showrooms of the company that haven’t shut. Before that, the Benelli TNT 300 retailed for Rs 3.29 lakh for the standard model. But with Benelli’s strong vision for India, we hope to see the TNT 300 make a comeback (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi).