CB300R is Honda's international offering in the entry-level naked sports category. A sports bike much-awaited by enthusiasts in India. Why? There is only one answer, quality. You could blindly trust the build quality, says an admirer. Moreover, enthusiasts are expecting the same quality levels seen in international model here too. Is it true? Is it only about quality? What about performance? Well, here is our test ride report:
Global star
The CB300R was first launched in 2017. It then came as a replacement for the CB300F model, which was a naked bike with sporty looks. However, CB300R is a mix of sportiness and retro style.
Superb finish
When we first saw CB300R at EVM Honda Wing World Cochin, we understood why there is so much talk about the quality aspect - the build quality is pretty impressive. The paint quality and finishing too are top class.
Honda is calling it the Neo-Sports Cafe. It sports the chiselled looks of a street sports bike. The body panels are sleek. The round headlamp ooze quality and design excellence. The blacked-out engine and alloys stand out. The fuel tank is long and muscular. Knee recesses are deep and can comfortably accommodate your knees. The silver scoop next to it adds to its looks.
The CB300R shares its design elements with its bigger brother CB100R. Engine and other components are in black theme. There are some silver finishes at some places, which add to its premium feel.
The LCD instrument console is fully digital that is clearly visible in bright daylight too. It shows gear shift indicators, average mileage and instant fuel efficiency etc. It features a flat handle bar that supports an aggressive riding position. The quality of switches is top notch.
The position of horn switch could create some confusion initially. The bike is built around a diamond type trellis frame. It is designed in such a way that the rider’s weight is brought closer to the centre of the motorcycle.
The CB300R weighs only 147 kg thus making it a pretty nimble handling bike. Compared to its rivals like KTM Duke 390, BMW 310R, it weighs considerably less. The wheelbase is also shorter than the rivals at 1344 mm. The split seat offers good cushioning. You sit 800 mm off the ground (Duke 390 - 830mm, G310 - 785 mm) which makes it easy for short riders. The tail section gets a sporty design. The dual chamber exhaust on the rear sports contrasting black with chrome underslung.
Engine
The CB300R is powered by a 286.01 cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine. It churns out 30.4 bhp of peak power and 27.4 Nm of peak torque. The engine comes mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
The engine is very refined and delivers what is generally expected from a Honda. Throttle response is excellent. Though it has good low-end grunt, the mid-range is commendable. The power delivery is smooth. Ride comfort is another standout feature of the CB300R. Handling is sharp and you can filter through city traffic easily. Straight-line stability is good even at higher speeds. Even if you are riding for the first time, the CB300R offers you the same feel of a bike that you have been using for long.
The bike gets fat 41 mm USD forks up front and a seven-step pre-load adjustable monoshock at the rear. It also gets a dual-channel ABS (anti-lock braking system) with an inertia measuring unit which distributes braking of the ABS.
The motorcycle features disc brakes both up front and at the back with a radially-mounted, four-piston caliper taking care of braking duties up front and a single-piston caliper unit at the rear.
The last word
The CB300R boasts international build quality, classy looks and a sporty feel. The ride quality and performance too are superb.
Vehicle provided by ECM Honda Wing World Cochin Ph. 9895661188