2022 Honda CB300R Audit Review | Report

Before BS6 regulations took effect in India, the Honda CB300R was briefly on sale. It was one of the nicest bikes you could buy at the time, but few people actually bought it. This is because the CB300R was sold here as a CKD motorcycle, which meant that it was very expensive. The BS6 version of the Honda has been relaunched, and this bike is locally manufactured. Additionally, it receives some small but meaningful changes over the old model.

Honda’s fun performance and super agile nature are largely due to its weight. It weighs exactly the same as a TVS Apache RTR 160 4V at 146kg, which is actually 1kg lighter than before. The latest generation KTM 250 Duke weighs well over 160kg without fuel. This means the bike is nearly 30 kilos lighter, and that’s amazing.

Honda has done a great job with the rider ergonomics, despite the bike’s small appearance. Its 801mm seat height will appeal to short riders, but tall riders will also appreciate the spacious seat and a footpeg position that is sporty, but not cramped. The international spec CB gets a brand-new Showa Separate Function Big Piston upside-down fork, but the Indian model gets a fork from Endurance. Although that doesn’t sound as fancy, this bike’s suspension is very well balanced between sportiness and comfort. 

The bike has a solidly damp feel to it, but it also handles rough roads well, and the as whole set-up felt very comfortable as to what this bike is meant to be. It’s a similar story with the tires – this bike gets MRFs instead of the BS4’s Michelins. But those were Michelin Pilot Streets, which are mediocre tires, and the MRFs are just as good, if not better.

Honda’s overall carrying is normal – light, easy, and neutral. It edges confidently, and despite its lightweight, its high-speed handling is reasonably stable and predictable. The brakes are a Nissin setup similar to the BS4 model, but while overall performance is adequate, they could use a bit more initial bite. The bike, as before, receives a dual-channel ABS system with an IMU, or inertial measurement unit, for even more accurate performance.

From a first view, the only difference appears to become the color scheme, with the CB now sporting 2 new color schemes. However, if you look very closely, you’ll notice that the exhaust muffler is just a little different, and the bike has a golden USD fork. The LCD display is similar, except it now includes a gearshift indicator. So this is especially useful on this bike, so because the gear is so short that you’ll quickly find yourself inside the top 3 speeds even now in busy traffic.

Honda has again put the horn switch in which you would ordinarily expect to encounter the indicator button, which will be a constant cause of annoyance. Luckily, the bike now has a side step aside engine kill mechanism, something you missed on the previous model.

The 286cc, four-valve liquid-cooled engine design remains the same, however, the engine is now BS6 certified. Power has increased by 0.6hp for a total of 31.1hp, albeit it is now generated 1,500rpm higher at 9,000rpm. Max torque remains unchanged, but the 6-speed gearbox now has a slip-assist clutch. We’ve also noticed that the bike sounds very different, with such a louder, more brassy voice emanating from its massive exhaust.

With its relatively light clutch and rapid acceleration, the tiny CB is great fun in the city. However, it may also be quiet and comfortable because of its incredibly short gearing, which allows you to ride around nice moderate speeds with higher gears. Fuel efficiency is also fairly good, and both city and highway stats were relatively similar to one other, which is likely due to the short gearing.

This bike punches much beyond its weight in terms of pure performance. The acceleration from 6,000 to 9,000 rpm is surprisingly rapid, and this bike is faster than most people imagine. The top speed will be near the estimated 150kph, but the true pleasure will be in the acceleration. In our testing, the CB went from 0-to 100 in under 6.6 seconds, which is far faster than any other bike with this much power.

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

TYRES & BRAKES

FRAME & SUSPENSION

Photo Credit: hondabigwing.in