Honda CB300R test

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A small roadster with a neo sport cafe look for A2 licenses … and others

Single cylinder, 286 cm3, 31.4 hp at 8,500 rpm, 27.5 Nm at 7,500 rpm, 143 kilos with full tank, € 5,399

Honda has completely renewed its range of CB: after the CB1000R and CB125R whose tests have already been published on Le Repaire, it is the turn of the all-new CB300R to be scrutinized by our test department.. And that is good news, because a complement to the range, which is more accessible to A2 licenses, is always good to take. Speaking of taking, let’s take a step back and tell ourselves that in this new CB saga, with a "neo sports cafe" look as Honda claims, there is an empty seat around the family table. A CB650R with a four-cylinder mid-size and A2 clampable would have its place. Finally we say that, we say nothing.

Honda CB300R review

Still, if it fits well into the family, the CB300R remains a compact machine, almost small and it is therefore "bigger CB125R" than "small CB1000R". It does not matter: accessibility is the key to attracting A2 licenses and we will immediately see, in the paragraph below, that the CB300R shows its cards with a certain mastery..

Discovery

Honda CB300R headlight

Available in four colors, this CB300R is therefore accessible. And she doesn’t need to put in a lot of effort to prove the sincerity of her approach. It is not only thin, it is also light with 143 kilos fully loaded, while its saddle perched at 799 mm still makes it accessible to the greatest number. So here is a motorcycle that is not intimidating and with which we will not be too bothered during parking maneuvers. Casually, here is a criterion that can block many beginners.

Honda CB300R

For the rest, the finish is correct in the genre, with some small upgrading touches, such as the LED front light, the scoops in brushed aluminum on the sides, or the presence of a solid inverted fork and a caliper. radial brake. The exhaust is a bit massive, however, but maybe it is a designer trick to accentuate the ‘big bike’ side..

In the saddle

Honda CB300R instrumentation

Like its cousins, the CB300R has a very complete digital dashboard, except that there is no gear indicator engaged. For the rest, the controls fall naturally to hand, with this reservation that Honda persists in offering us commodos where the horn and turn signal controls are reversed compared to a kind of international standard to which even BMW has ended up. to bend. It seems you get used to it, even if it’s typically the kind of controls you should be able to operate without even having to think about the thing for a nano-second..

Honda CB300R Commodos

Engine and transmission

If Yamaha and Kawasaki motor their little roadster with a twin cylinder, Honda has chosen, like BMW and Husqvarna / KTM, a good old single cylinder. Old is not the exact term because this block is modern and demonstrates both good flexibility and good elasticity: the torque is 27.5 Nm at 7500 rpm and the maximum power is 31.4 hp at 8500 rev / min and it is assisted by a 6 box which even accepts that one goes up the reports on the fly. That’s not all: Honda promises great efficiency with an average consumption announced at 3.3 l / 100. Not bad is not it ?

Honda CB300R engine

In the city

A flexible and sufficiently lively engine, a compact machine, a good turning radius, mirrors that mirror, here is an ideal package to make this CB300R the perfect little commuter. The icing on the cake: a little space under the saddle to accommodate a disk unit.

Honda CB300R test drive in town

On motorways and main roads

We tell ourselves that this kind of small motorcycle has nothing to do on the main roads. Well, it is wrong, even if the roots of true happiness will be found elsewhere. Nevertheless, the 286 cm3 single cylinder lengthens the stride well and on a German part of our test route, we were able to send the odometer beyond 150 km / h without any particular problems, without unwanted vibrations, nor without having the feeling that we were going to take the connecting rod in the face without delay. If we want to remain more reasonable with the mechanics, on long journeys, in particular, we will note then that at the maximum torque speed, ie 7500 rpm, we find ourselves at 120 km / h in the last report. Obviously, no stability problem arose on the expressways used during our test..

Honda CB300R road test

On departmental

We can never say enough about the benefits of lightness! The CB300R is obvious on the secondary network, by its voluntary engine (roughly, it tows efficiently from 5000 to 8000 rpm) and its chassis which does not require any particular manual and which delivers instantly. Admittedly, by attacking a little, we discover that the suspensions are a bit flexible, but whether on a ride or in a little more edgy mode, the CB300R succeeds in this great conceptual gap of making itself accessible to the greatest number while spinning the banana to the more experienced biker.

The Honda CB300R on a curve

Part-cycle

Entry-level motorcycle does not mean cheap motorcycle: we noted the presence of an inverted fork, 41 mm and which debates on 130 mm, assisted by a rear monoshock, which is adjustable in preload and which debates on 107 mm. The tires are Dunlop GPR 300, effective when hot and will not be faulted; their reasonable dimensions (110/70 x 17 in front, 150/60 x 17 behind) guarantee great agility.

Honda CB300R fork

Brakes

A simple front disc, of course, but it still measures 296 mm and it is pinched by a radial caliper with 4 pistons, just that! We know of larger motorcycles less well equipped. At the rear, it is a 220 mm disc, with single piston caliper. The system is efficient, dosable and progressive and the ABS is rather well calibrated.

Honda CB300R brake

Comfort and duo

Well, it’s a roadster and small, what’s more. So we will not expect miracles, even if the CB300R does not hold the board of fakir either. For the duo, it will not be paradise either, with a small saddle and micro notches in the backrest that act as "grab handles".

Honda CB300R seat

Consumption / autonomy

10 liters of gasoline is not huge, but the announced consumption of 3.3 l / 100 already guarantees 300 kilometers of autonomy. In reality, Honda never exaggerates much on the consumption announced and we did not manage, during this test, to exceed the mark of 4/100. This is an argument that will appeal to a little tight purses. The presence of a fuel gauge is a plus.

Honda CB300R tank

Conclusion

It’s cute, consistent, easy to handle, and its level of performance is enough that the bike isn’t frustrating, even on the big axles. The whole is a typical Honda product: it looks good, it is not a crazy personality but the homogeneity is impossible to fault and in the end, for everyday use, whether you are a beginner biker or confirmed, this CB300R gives a good level of efficiency. What even to wonder if, in reality, we need more ?

Curve exit with the Honda CB300R

Strong points

  • Nice look
  • Ease of handling
  • Versatility
  • Voluntary motor
  • Lightness
  • Impec for small riders
  • Sobriety

Weak points

  • Spartan duo
  • Saddle a little hard in the long run
  • Reverse blink / horn switches (it’s shadock)
  • Tall riders will feel a bit cramped

The technical sheet of the Honda CB300R

Test conditions

  • Itinerary: a daily trial week in Paris
  • Motorcycle mileage: 3000 km
  • Problem encountered: none

Competition: BMW G 310 R, Husqvarna 401 Vitpilen, Kawasaki Z300, KTM 390 Duke, Yamaha MT-03,

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