When it was time to swap the Honda Insurgent 1100T DCT check bike for one thing new to assessment, I watched because the bagger-styled cruiser was wheeled away and just a little yellow CB300R was moved into its place. My trip residence would certainly be much less comfy than the trip up, and I imagined I’d sorely miss the extra accessible energy of the 1100. However after the primary few miles, I used to be reminded why I’m hesitant to relegate approachable, smaller fashions solely to the “newbie bike” class.
That’s to not say the Honda CB300R isn’t beginner-friendly, as a result of it definitely is. Powered by the identical liquid-cooled 286cc Single discovered within the Honda Insurgent 300 and totally faired CBR300R, sporting a light-weight weight of solely 316 lb, and providing a fairly quick attain to the bottom with its 31.6-inch seat peak, it carries Honda’s well-known reliability matched with an easy-to-ride profile. Happily, “beginner-friendly” just isn’t the antonym of “enjoyable.”
The Honda CB300R entered the lineup for the 2019 mannequin 12 months as a alternative for the CB300F. It sported up to date styling and a number of modifications geared toward decreasing weight by greater than 30 lb in comparison with the F. In 2022, the CB300R obtained a number of different updates, together with a slip/help clutch, customary ABS, and a Showa SFF-BP fork – helpful additions for riders of all expertise ranges. For 2025, the CB300R is offered in Matte Black Metallic or the eye-catching Pearl Mud Yellow of our check bike with an MSRP of $5,149.
However the great thing about the mannequin is that it stays uncomplicated. I like enjoying round with trip modes, traction management ranges, changes, smartphone connectivity, and different cool options as a lot as the subsequent rider, however typically they are often simply as distracting as they’re helpful. If you’re driving a CB300R, all you’ve obtained to deal with is the trip itself.
And what a enjoyable trip it’s. You realize what they are saying about driving a gradual bike quick, and that’s definitely true of the CB300R. It strikes via its 6-speed gearbox rapidly, and Honda claims respectable horsepower and torque figures of 31 hp at 9,000 rpm and 20.2 lb-ft at 8,000 rpm. It’ll sustain with interstate speeds of about 75 to 80 mph with minimal fuss, however that’s not the surroundings by which the CB300R feels at residence. Dashing alongside backroads is when the bike is at its happiest.
What makes the bike actually gratifying is how nimble it’s. With its mild weight and a brief wheelbase of 53.2 inches, it has fast steering and simply falls into turns with little enter from the rider. The bike’s flickable nature and lack of wind safety makes it really feel such as you’re driving sooner than you really are. Whereas I’ve been testing the bike, there have been a number of instances throughout which I used to be certain I used to be driving past the pace restrict, solely to look down on the LCD show and understand I wasn’t. Having enjoyable with out risking a dashing ticket is sort of a low-calorie cookie – all of the pleasure with out the guilt!
Up entrance, a 41mm Showa SFF-BP inverted fork gives 5.1 inches of journey however no adjustability, whereas the rear is taken care of with a Professional-Hyperlink shock providing 5.2 inches of journey and 7-step spring preload adjustability. I discovered the suspension to be simply advantageous for my each day driving, offering assured dealing with. I’ve heard from some riders who’re greater than I’m that the rear suspension feels too comfortable in its customary setup, however as a light-weight at 110 lb, I felt like the usual setup was a bit stiffer than I wished.
Whereas wanting on the bike, the seat seems to be on the skinny facet. Surprisingly, I discovered it to be far much less harsh on my bottom than I anticipated. It isn’t plush, nevertheless it’s well-shaped, and I observed no soreness or fatigue after a pair hours of driving. Since I’ve shorter legs than most, my knees had been removed from utilizing up the area supplied by the knee indents within the plastic cowl over the gas tank, however I think about they’d be helpful for riders with longer legs. The seating place is impartial and cozy.
Slowing issues down are a single 296mm entrance disc with a 4-piston radial-mount caliper and a 220mm rear disc with a 1-piston floating caliper. The Nissin brakes felt satisfactory for an entry-priced bike – not premium, however ok for all sensible functions, though I might’ve loved extra brake suggestions. ABS as an ordinary function is a welcome addition, particularly for newer riders.
Whereas I’ve been having fun with this bike on rural backroads near residence, I think about the CB300R would additionally make a fantastic commuter bike for these in additional populated environments. Its fast steering and quick wheelbase would make navigating tight alleys a breeze, and I loved good gas consumption of 73.5 mpg on common. The gas tank solely holds 2.6 gallons, and despite the fact that complete vary is about 190 miles, the gas mild got here on round 130 miles.
As you’d anticipate, baggage choices are minimal on the CB300R. There’s a storage compartment below the passenger seat (unlocked with the ignition key) that’s sufficiently big to suit the guide, your paperwork, and some instruments. When you have extra to hold than that, you’ll wish to carry alongside a backpack. Honda doesn’t supply accent baggage for the CB300R, however I’ve gotten good use out of my Nelson-Rigg Commuter tailbag strapped onto the passenger seat, providing sufficient room to retailer a carton of eggs and a pair baggage of espresso after a visit to the shop.
GEAR UP
I solely have a pair nits to select in regards to the CB300R. One is battery entry. Attending to the battery requires eradicating the plastic fuel-tank cowl and seat, and even then, you’ll should elevate up the true gas tank to achieve the battery. I don’t have to entry the battery fairly often, however once I wished to connect a cable for my Kemimoto heated gear within the winter, I needed for simpler entry.
The devices are straightforward to learn, however the shift mild initially was an annoyance. As delivered, it was set to flash at 7,000 rpm, which was distracting, however I found out find out how to alter it anyplace from 4,000-10,500 rpm, and I ended up setting it to its highest stage.
Greater than any specs, tech, or styling, what retains newbie riders driving is having enjoyable. The Honda CB300R affords that after which some. It’s flickable, light-weight, unintimidating, and reasonably priced – all qualities that skilled riders can even admire. In the event you’ve left behind the bigger-is-better mindset and are on the lookout for a small bare to toss round, or if you happen to’re out there for a enjoyable second bike for brief rides or commuting, the CB300R is value your consideration.
2024 Honda CB300R Specs
- Base Value: $5,149
- Web site: Powersports.Honda.com
- Guarantee: 1 yr, unltd. miles
- Engine Kind: Liquid-cooled Single, DOHC w/ 2 valves
- Displacement: 286cc
- Bore x Stroke: 76 x 63mm
- Horsepower: 31 hp @ 9.000 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
- Torque: 20.3 lb-ft @ 8,000 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
- Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/help moist clutch
- Last Drive: Chain
- Wheelbase: 53.2 in.
- Rake/Path: 24.7 levels/3.7 in.
- Seat Peak: 31.6 in.
- Moist Weight: 316 lb
- Gasoline Capability: 2.6 gal.
