Outlook – June 29, 2019

1 JULY 2019 OutlOOk 43

The sub-400cc segment has been gradually gaining momentum, and the arrival

of the Honda CB 300R has only made things even more exciting for enthusiasts.

words: JaRed Solomon // photography: YaSH dHoka

t

he sub-400cc segment is brimming

with products from international

manufacturers, such as KTM,

Kawasaki, Honda, BMW, Benelli,

Yamaha and Suzuki – plus, of course,

all the Indian manufacturers. Now, the

KTM 390 Duke is without a doubt one

of the best global products under 400cc,

which has also tasted incredible success

here in India. The BMW G 310 R isn’t

bad either – it alone now accounts for a

majority of BMW Motorrad’s bike sales

across the planet. Let me also mention

the fact that both these bikes are made

right here in India.

Honda has now launched their little

roadster in India – the CB 300R – which

has certainly added some flavour to the

sub-400cc segment. The CB 300R was

first showcased at EICMA 2017, along

with the bigger CB 1000R. The little 300

looks almost identical to its big brother,

as both bikes share what Honda calls

the Neo Sports Café design. The bike

has certainly got a lot of character, but

what I don’t like is the massive exhaust

• it seems out of place – and the really
  boring side mirrors. Side note – it also
  gets disc brakes with dual-channel ABS
  as standard.

The CB 300R gets a single-

cylinder 286cc engine. It’s

actually quite impressive

and can pump out 30bhp

and 27Nm of torque. It feels

incredibly smooth, as you

would expect from a Honda,

with overall wonderful

refinement. The engine is

mated to an equally impressive

6-speed gearbox. At first,

you may not find its power

figures to be impressive, but,

trust me, this little engine

packs a mighty punch and

it’s accelerates briskly. If

you’re a throttle-happy rider,

this little roadster does not

disappoint. The reason the

CB 300R is so quick on its feet

is that the bike only weighs

145 kilograms. That’s nearly

20 kilograms lighter than the

KTM 390 Duke.

Not only does the lightness aid

acceleration, but it also assists the

handling. The bike is so light on its feet

that it’s incredibly easy to manage and is

capable of making any rider feel confident.

The riding position is upright, but your

legs rest in an aggressive

riding position. The wide

handlebar also feels nice.

The steering is light and easy,

with great feedback from the

front wheel. The bike feels

properly planted all the time

and remains very stable. In

traffic, it’s even better, as you

can easily navigate through

jams without much effort.

Is it a good purchase

then? Well, `2.4 lakh (ex-

showroom, Delhi) is what

this bike will cost you. You

could get a KTM 390 Duke for

that price. You could also get

the new RE Interceptor 650

Twin for that price. That’s

all true, but it’s also true

that the CB 300R is far more

comfortable to ride and its

Honda badge means that it’s

probably the most reliable machine out

of the lot. But what makes the CB 300R

unique in the segment is its unbridled

fun factor. This speedy little roadster

will always keep you smiling, no matter

when or where you’re riding it – and

that’s worth every penny.

See the Honda CB 300R in

action on our YouTube channel.

Honda CB 300R

Engine: 289cc / Single-Cylinder / Liquid Cooled Transmission: 6-Speed Power: 30bhp @ 8,000rpm

Torque: 27.4Nm @ 6,500rpm Price: `2.4 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi)

pros

l Excellent

handling

l Exhilarating

acceleration

CoNs

l Massive exhaust

l Boring mirrors

X-faCtor

This bike offers you

everything, from

sport bike handling

and thrilling

acceleration

to brilliant

ergonomics,

comfort and Honda

reliability.