Honda has just revealed that it will launch the CB300R in India on February 8, 2019. This comes soon after the Japanese company’s previous announcement of the upcoming bike’s tentative price, which that was ‘under Rs 2.5 lakh’. This motorcycle will come to India via the CKD route and, like other premium bikes from the brand, will be sold through the 22 Wing World outlets.
The announcement of the launch date soon after the first CB300R announcement doesn’t come as a surprise, as we expected it to happen soon. Honda had previously announced that it would be launching a new product this financial year, which gave them time only till the end of March. Honda’s CB300R sits in the lower-half of the company’s neo-sports café styled offerings, internationally. However, in India, it is the only motorcycle other than the litre-class 2019 CB1000R+ to offer the new design language.
While the design may have many retro touches, the CB300R is quite well endowed in terms of modern-day features. The bike gets a LED headlight, fully-digital instrument cluster and a dual-channel ABS system that uses an IMU to improve front to rear distribution of brake intervention.
Taking care of suspension duties on the CB300R is a 41mm USD fork and a preload-adjustable monoshock, while braking is handled by a four-pot caliper at the front and a single-pot at the rear. The bike rides on 17-inch wheels at both ends, with a 110/70 section tyre at the front and a 150/60 section tyre at the back.
The Honda is powered by a 286cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve, DOHC, single-cylinder motor that is paired to a 6-speed gearbox. This engine makes 31.4hp and 27.5Nm of torque in the United Kingdom. While the specifications of the India-spec bike haven’t been revealed as yet, we can expect similar figures. While these power figures don’t appear to be the most impressive at this price point, its low kerb weight of 143kg does. If the India-spec CB300R maintains its kerb weight, it’ll be lightest bike in the segment.
After speaking to a few dealers, we believe Honda will price the upcoming sport-naked just below the KTM 390 Duke (Rs 2.44 lakh). At that price point, it will also take on the likes of the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 (starts at Rs 2.50 lakh) and the more expensive BMW G 310 R (Rs 2.99 lakh).
(All prices, ex-showroom, Delhi)
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
