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CBR300R

Honda CBR300R ABS 2022 : Road Test

By General Posts

by Kyle Smith from https://www.hagerty.com/

Picture this: You’re hanging around the Rock Store at the top of Mulholland Highway with your rental Camry the day before you fly home. The leather-clad crowd around praises the virtues of the GSXR600 chassis and the electronics package on the R1 for what seems like hours before a voice from the ether comes down and declares that, in fact, all of that sucks. Instead the holy follow the real truth of Slow Bike Fast.

This truly enlightened rider who belongs to that voice is astride a miniscule machine that looks like a sportbike that stayed in the dryer just a bit too long and has an exhaust note like a mix of an old enduro machine and the Singer your mom used to repair your jeans way back when. Is this person insane or a prophet? There’s only one way to say for sure. I took the Honda CBR300R out for a week of playing in the canyons alongside some high-horsepower (and highly capable) machines to see if it truly held up.

This 250cc-400cc market segment is now a packed class, with the KTM RC390, Yamaha R3, Kawasaki Ninja 400, and Suzuki GSX250R all competing for both attention from new riders and track rats alike. That is two very different subsets of buyers but it all boils down to similar wants and desires: Reliability, approachability, and fun factor.

Honda comes right out and calls the 300 a commuter machine in some of its press materials. It is an evolution of the CBR250R which lived from 2011 to 2015, after which the engine was upsized to the current 286cc. The non-ABS equipped model comes in at $4,899 plus $600 in destination and freight charges. Add in the well-tuned ABS, as seen on our test bike, and the price rises to just $5,099. Either trim can be had in grand prix red or matte gray metallic.

The engine is not the main reason I would recommend this bike though. It’s the chassis that gives the baby CBR the most fun character. A scant 30” seat height is the first thing that stood out when I threw my leg over the bike for the first time. My 32” inseam means that I am rarely bothered by seat heights, but the CBR’s lower seat combined with the narrowness of the chassis to feel playful to me. Riding through twists and turns was an absolute delight.

Straight line speed was not astonishing, but the Honda still moved quickly enough to be safe and fun. Unfortunately, those canyon roads were a place the CBR’s suspension really showed its pricepoint and intended use case. The fork is sprung on the soft side and the rear begs for more rebound damping.

The dash consists of a simple analog sweep tachometer and LCD display for speed, distance, and other necessary measurements. Simple and functional. A cable-pull clutch and hydraulic front brake round out the rider touchpoints.

The ready-to-ride weight comes in at just 354 pounds and it very much feels like it. The single front brake measures just 296mm diameter, with 220mm rear disc and the combination has no problem slowing the CBR. The ABS threshold is fairly high, as we had to work to get it to intervene but it cycled quickly and consistently once engaged.

(Editor’s note: I think the 320cc Yamaha R3, which I’ve ridden quite a bit, feels even lighter on its feet — Jack Baruth)

The CBR is a delight to ride just about everywhere. The only place it fell short was highway riding. Honda claims a top speed just shy of 100mph, but 70mph felt busy on the little machine and the tach needle fluttered in the top third of its range. Will it do it? Yes. If that is your main use though, the larger CBR500R is likely a better fit.

Once off the superslab we had no trouble racking up miles on the comfortable seat. The bike just was not tiring to ride like most small-displacement bikes tend to be.

The low seat height and light weight combine with smooth controls to make a very beginner-friendly package.

It’s also one that veteran riders will find playful to ride–this is the core of “Slow Bike Fast.”

The little CBR is not the perfect motorcycle, but it is a great second (or third) bike; delightful to ride, and once you have one you will likely find yourself reaching for its keys more than you would think.

Honda Drops Hot Upgrades for 2021

By General Posts

by Silvian Secara from https://www.autoevolution.com

Of all the models mentioned in the company’s recent announcement, the 2021 PCX takes the cake for being the most innovative.

Given the abundance of exciting announcements made by motorcycle manufacturers as of late, we’re inclined to believe that 2021 is becoming a promising year for the two-wheeler realm. The latest statement to support that claim was made by none other than the almighty Honda, which revealed details on as many as four new entry-level machines for the 2021 and 2022 model years.

First and foremost, the company’s scooter lineup will have the honor of welcoming an updated PCX that boasts a 157cc single-cylinder powerplant. Back in 2009, this bad boy was unleashed on the U.S. market as PCX125, gaining an array of steady upgrades ever since. Besides a modest displacement boost, the newcomer prides itself with a modified chassis that offers “reduced weight and improved cornering performance.”

Additionally, the 2021 Honda PCX comes equipped with a 30-liter storage unit below the seat and Honda’s state-of-the-art Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) setup. In addition, each and every lighting component is an LED item. This tasty piece of Japanese machinery will hit dealerships as early as March, with an MSRP of $3,799 for the base model. On the other hand, the ABS variant will cost you an extra 200 bucks, which is what you might refer to as a bargain.

As we move down the scooter range, we’ll come across a fresh Metropolitan hosting a generous amount of storage space for your convenience, including in-dash and under-seat compartments. Should you be looking for a “European-style scooter engineered to embody American practicality,” you’ll be able to get your hands on a 2022 Metropolitan in April, for just $2,499.

Next up, the manufacturer’s insanely customizable Ruckus will also make an appearance for the 2022 model-year. The 49cc superstar retains the unmistakable design language that made it special in the first place, as well as the vast majority of its main characteristics. At the end of the day, why would you change a recipe that works so well? This rugged little thing will be priced at $2,799, and we should expect it to hit dealerships during the same month as its Metropolitan sibling.

Last but not least, the final entry from Honda’s 2021 small-displacement goodness is none other than the revered CBR300R – “a single-cylinder machine capable of conquering tight city streets or twisting back roads.” Customers may opt for the base variant, which can be purchased in April for a mere $4,799, while its ABS counterpart could be yours for $4,999.

In terms of paintwork options, the PCX will be clad solely in Pearl White, while the Metropolitan will be available in Pearl Soft Beige or Coastal Blue. Furthermore, Honda’s Ruckus wears either White/Pearl Blue, Gray or Midnight Blue/Tan from the producer’s color palette. Finally, the beloved CBR300R comes dressed in Grand Prix Red or Matte Gray Metallic.