Following on from unveiling the twin-cylinder CL500 scrambler at EICMA last year, Honda showed its smaller derivative, the CL300, at the beginning of this year. The motorcycle’s design has now been patented in India.
- Same 286cc engine as CB300R, but making 5hp less
- Shares its main frame with the Rebel 300
- Rolls on 19-inch/17-inch alloy wheel set-up
Honda patenting the designs of overseas models in our nation is nothing new – the brand has been doing this for a long time, mostly to protect its intellectual property. In the recent past, we’ve seen the new Transalp adventure bike and Forza 350 maxi-scooter patented in India. But there are some factors to suggest that Honda could launch the CL300 in our market.
The biggest factor in its favour is that the 286cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine powering it is already sold in India, albeit in the CB300R street naked, where it makes 5hp more. Another factor is that in markets where the two bikes are sold together, the CL300 is slightly cheaper than the CB300R.
However, Honda has managed to localise the CB300R to some extent in India, which has allowed it to manage a fairly competitive Rs 2.77 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) price tag. If the CL300 is priced similarly, Honda will have to achieve a similar level of localisation for that bike as well, meaning finding vendors, sourcing components and setting up an assembly line.
Nevertheless, with the scrambler format proving to be increasingly popular in our market, there is a chance that Honda could put in the investment and bring the CL300 to our shores. However, there is no official communication from the company to either support or discourage this, so only time will tell.