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Motorcycle News - 2019 Honda CB300R Review – First Ride
https://ift.tt/2n61ACo  2019 Honda CB300REditor Score: 81.0%
Honda’s all-in when it comes to the small-displacement category, perhaps more so than any other manufacturer out there. With the popularity of the Grom, CBR250R, CBR300R, CB300F, and Rebel lines – and recent introductions of the forthcoming Monkey and Super Cub – it’s no wonder Team Red is proud to introduce its latest addition – the 2018 CB300R. In case you doubted the importance manufacturers place on small-displacement motorcycles, consider this: Since 2011 Honda has sold over 50,000 250cc-500cc sport models. In case you missed the italics, this means Honda isn’t counting the Rebel, Grom, CB500X, or CRF250L/Rally into this figure. That’s big, y’all. And, depending on the displacement category, more than half of those buyers are buying their first motorcycle. 
Styled after the CB1000R. Little siblings, like the CB300R, always want to be like their older brothers. When it comes to motorcycles in this category, a few things stand out. Easily accessible performance is at the top of the list, but other factors like price, reliability and dealer support weigh on the minds of new or returning riders also. In the case of the CB300R, forking over $5,000 will get you a solid motorcycle with the performance, reliability, and support you expect from Honda. You’ll also get some change back, too. A little more if you don’t opt for ABS (not recommended), a little less if you do (recommended). That new newNot just a CBR300R or CB300F with a funky gas tank and round headlight, the CB300R is an all-new model that just happens to share the 286cc Single in the other 300 models. The look is modeled after the CB1000R, with its sharp, almost futuristic lines and shapes. Honda calls it Neo Sports Cafe styling. In person, it just looks cool – which is refreshing to see since I’ve long wondered why small displacement motorcycles have always looked so…blah. 
New for 2019, the CB300R gets an inverted fork, radial-mount caliper, and a wave-like, hubless, floating 296mm rotor. Go beyond the obvious styling differences, and the CB300R distinguishes itself from the CB300F in other ways. The R models get an inverted 41mm fork and an improved shock from Showa, and as you work your way down the fork leg, you’ll notice a radial-mount brake caliper, too. The brake disc itself is a single 296mm wave design with no center hub; the full floating rotor mounts directly to points on the wheel. As mentioned, ABS is an option, and Honda has even gone so far as to incorporate an IMU (yes, really) into the ABS to detect and mitigate rear wheel lift. From there, the differences are a little harder to spot. Being an all-new model means there has to be something significantly different, and with the CB300R, that difference is the frame. The new trellis frame has reduced tube thickness and still uses the engine as a stressed member, but it’s mated to a separate pivot plate used to mount the swingarm (itself more rigid by 15%) and shock. On the engine front, there’s not much new to talk about here other than a redesigned intake tract offering a straighter shot into the throttle bodies. 
The 286cc Single might be the same, but everything around it is different, highlighted by a new frame and swingarm. One of Honda’s many goals was to make the CB300R as light as possible, and miraculously, Honda says the non-ABS version comes in at 313 lbs fully fueled, ready to ride – that’s a whopping 35 lbs less than the non-ABS CB300F. ABS versions weigh 317 lbs – 38 lbs less than a similarly equipped CB300F! The little engine that couldHaving been spoiled by the Kawasaki Ninja 400 I’ve been riding lately, it was tough to gauge what to expect from the little Honda. Its 113cc displacement disadvantage wouldn’t do it any favors, but its featherweight status is a definite advantage. This becomes instantly clear the moment you sit on the CB. It’s so easy to pick up off the sidestand. If you aren’t ready, a good lunge might pop you over the other side. At 31.5 inches from the ground, the seat isn’t particularly close to the ground, but being light should help reduce the intimidation factor for those who struggle in the inseam department. 
You’re sitting high and in command on the CB300R, perfect for running about in the urban jungle. The other thing instantly noticeable is just how hard the saddle is. Comparing motorcycle seats to wood slabs is common in this line of work and for good reason – the metaphor is instantly relatable. The CB300R’s seat feels like a wooden slab covered in leather. It’s hard, but at least Honda positions this bike as a short- to medium-distance motorcycle, so no one’s getting fooled. Once rolling, the 300R feels instantly familiar. It’s not the fastest motorcycle on the planet, but I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it could get up to 65 mph. It’ll go faster, but don’t expect to get there in a hurry. Again, this is just another sign of Honda’s intended placement for the bike – an urban runabout also capable of a quick freeway blast to the local mountains. Through it all, though, the little single cylinder hardly transmits any offensive buzz to the bars. This despite having to run northward of 7,000 rpm on the highway. 
The CB300R might be an entry-level motorcycle, but it delivers feedback even expert riders can appreciate. Speaking of mountain runs, Honda’s 113-mile route for the assembled press to sample the CB300R took us from Honda’s Rider Education Center (a must-see if you’re even thinking about joining the moto ranks, dirt or street) up to Big Bear, which would be bringing us as high as 8,000 feet in elevation. Throughout the climb, the 286cc engine performed admirably – steadily chugging along even in sixth gear. If a slightly more rapid ascent was needed, a downshift was enough to scoot along without worrying about car traffic. Get to the twisty bits along Highway 38, and the new chassis and suspension components come into their own. The 300R is so light, a few of the journos found ourselves having to recalibrate our turn-in points – that’s how quickly and easily we could toss the bike into corners. The beefier fork helped keep the front Dunlop planted and gave good feedback, and though some might view the meager power as a negative, none of the assembled journos, myself included, shared that thought. Modest horsepower means the rider has to master the fundamentals like proper shifting and maximizing momentum, which is exactly what a new or returning rider should be doing. In that regard, the CB300R nails it. 
The CB300R goes through squiggly roads like a bicycle. It’s as light as one, too. Just to make sure my feelings were justified, Honda also brought along a CB300F to ride back-to-back. You sit “in” the F model as opposed to “on” the R model, though the F’s seat is more plush. Pegs feel higher on the F model, and the bars are a bit narrower, too. Most noticeable of all is the weight difference. The F is far from heavy, but when hopping off one and onto another, the brain has to recalibrate for the extra mass. As good as the CB300R is, there are some blemishes. First is the aforementioned plank of a seat. It’s hard and uncomfortable but tolerable for the medium distances it’s intended. While they work well enough, the brakes also deserve a wood analogy. I expected more bite and more power when squeezing the lever, which made it a little comical when remembering the ABS is equipped with an IMU to keep the rear end down. “Don’t think we’ll need that!” I scribbled in my notes. The CB300R has an elegant LCD dash that looks more modern compared to the CB300F. However, its black background with white lettering is harder to see in broad daylight than the F’s traditional white background with black lettering. Lastly, and this I’m certain is a result of our test units only having 100 miles on the odometer, shifting felt just a touch notchy. With more miles to break-in, I’m confident this won’t be an issue. 
An elegant LCD gauge display is a nice touch for a sub-$5000 motorcycle, but it’s a little hard to read in direct sunlight. What to do, new rider?Coming in at $4,649 ($4,949 as-tested with ABS), the CB300R is a fun motorcycle, ideal for students or urban dwellers who don’t need to ride long distances at a time. That said, at the conclusion of our ride – which went beyond the 113-miles originally intended – we returned with two bars still showing on the gas gauge for the 2.7 gallon tank. It looks cool, goes well, and will likely turn some heads on campus with its styling. If you’re past college age, it’ll still look equally as cool in front of the coffee shop or in front of the office.
The competition is stacked in the small displacement field, but if the looks of the CB300R appeal to you, putting one in your garage will be a decision you won’t regret. Available in either Chromosphere Red or Matte Gray Metallic, they are arriving in dealers now.
Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy August 2, 2018 at 06:53PM Leave a Reply. |
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