Honda has showcased the new CBR300R in the 12th China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition in Chongqing, China. This bike is expected to replace the CBR250R globally.

The new CBR300R will be built in Thailand, where the CBR250R is currently produced. From Thailand it will be exported to international markets, which may very well include India.

The CBR300R looks different from the CBR250R, which looks VFR inspired. The CBR300R derives most of its looks from the CBR family, and the looks are similar to the CBR500R and the Fireblade. The ‘V’ shaped headlamp from the CBR250R has been binned in favour of dual headlights, inspired by the Fireblade. The entire styling is Fireblade inspired and hence much more sporty and lighter than the CBR250R.

The engine in the CBR300R is a single cylinder. liquid cooled, fuel injected motor displacing 300cc, which is expected to produce 30-35 bhp of power. The torque from the engine is expected to be around 25Nm. Essentially its the same engine from the 250R, and has been bored up to increase the displacement to 300cc. The top speed of the bike is expected to go up from the 250R’s 150-ish kmph to about 170kmph. The weight of the bike is expected to go down by a few kilos, as the 300R adopts the Fireblade’s design philosophy, with sportier design and lighter panels. The CBR250R weighs in at 167 kilos, and the 300R is expected to tip the scales at about 150 kilos. This decrease in weight is a good news for the bike’s performance.

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The increase in power and speed is likely to be accompanied by bigger brakes up front, and possibly at the rear too. C-ABS will be available as an option in the CBR300R.

The naked Duke390 has left the CBR250R feeling expensive. Hence, the CBR300R is competing with the Duke390, in terms of price as well. The 300R should be priced in the range of the existing 250R or at most a slight bit more. Any steep increment in the pricing and the Indian market may be put off.

For now, the CBR300R is a direct competitor to the Ninja 300, albeit with slightly lesser power. The emerging market CBR family currently members to CBR150R, CBR250R, CBR300R, CBR400R, CBR500R. A 600R may be in the pipeline, to directly compete with the Kawasaki Ninja 650. We may also see Honda release the 300R separately, with the 250R still in production locally, as done by Kawasaki with the Ninja 250 and Ninja 300. But this is a lesser possibility.

Overall, the 300R will be an effortless touring machine, with enough low end grunt to be sensible in city conditions too. Expect the pricing to be the same or a tad higher than the CBR250R. So if Honda prices the CBR300R sensibly, they can expect decent sales in the quarter litre segment.

source: https://goo.gl/73kp5p - indiancarsbikes