Previously unveiled for other markets, the expected arrival of the Honda CBR300R in the United States has been confirmed by a press release from American Honda.
The biggest change from the prior model, the CBR250R, is an increase in displacement to 286 cc (via an increase in stroke). Additionally, the fairing is redesigned, and dual headlights debut. Four color schemes will be available (pictured below) and U.S. pricing will be $4,399 without ABS, and $4,899 with ABS. Honda says bikes will be in U.S. dealers this August.
Here is the press release with Honda, along with specifications for the new model:
CBR300R – Great for beginners and experienced motorcyclists alike, the new CBR300R now packs a 300-class engine that delivers a 17-percent boost in peak power compared to the CBR250R. With a full sport fairing, dual headlights and new exhaust system, the CBR300R takes its styling cues from Honda’s larger-displacement CBR® series. New seat shaping and side covers provide an easier reach to the ground. With more power, nimble handling, affordable price and low operating cost, the CBR300R makes every ride a fun one. Colors: Black, Red, Pearl White/Red/Blue, Matte Black Metallic/Yellow; Price: $4399 for the standard model, $4899 for ABS version; Availability: August 2014
| Model: | CBR300R / CBR300R ABS |
| Engine Type: | 286cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke |
| Bore and Stroke: | 76.0mm x 63.0mm |
| Compression ratio: | 10.7:1 |
| Valve Train: | DOHC; four valves per cylinder |
| Induction: | PGM-FI, 38mm throttle body |
| Ignition: | Computer-controlled digital transistor with electronic advance |
| Transmission: | Six-speed |
| Final Drive: | #520 O-ring-sealed chain |
| Suspension | Front: 37mm fork; 4.65 inches travel Rear: Pro-Link single shock with five-position spring preload adjustability; 4.07 inches travel |
| Brakes | Front: Twin-piston caliper with single 296mm disc Rear: Single-caliper 220mm disc Optional ABS (CBR300R ABS) |
| Tires | Front: 110/70-17 radial Rear: 140/70-17 radial |
| Wheelbase: | 54.3 inches |
| Rake (Caster angle): | 25° 30’ |
| Trail: | 98mm (3.9 inches) |
| Seat Height: | 30.7 inches |
| Fuel Capacity: | 3.4 gallons |
| Estimated Fuel Economy**: | 71 MPG |
| Colors: | Black, Red, Pearl White/Red/Blue, Matte Black Metallic/Yellow |
| Curb Weight*: | 357 pounds (CBR300R) / 364 pounds (CBR300R ABS) |
Can’t compare it with the Ninja 300.
The ninja is far more better than Cbr300.
More torque, more power, more speed and much more meen machine.
I can compare them easily. They’re in the same displacement class, both sport bikes of about the same size and weight. Benefiting its extra cylinder the Ninja will produce a few more horsepower while the CBR may well produce about the same torque peak but over a wider range than the Ninjette. The final and most telling is to test ride both under similar conditions. That tells a whole bunch more than simple wishfull thinking!
i have their 250 from ´11 and i havent regret it, im just about to go over 33000 km on it
total ridiculous to buy the 300cc to gain ridiculous 17% extra, the price for it will be high, if you want more hp and torque skip their 250 and 300 and go for their 500
Yes, trading the 250 for the 300 just for the incremental power gain wouldn’t make much sense. Honda is just staying with the market to keep up with Kawasaki who upped their 250 to a 300. Still a great learner’s bike. I know a fellow who is new to motorcycling with 2 years ago, bought a CBR250, rode it about a year, sold it to his uncle and now rides a CB500. He and his girlfriend ride two-up quite often and love it! Same broad torque curve as the 250/300 but more of it.
So funny. Remember when the CBR250R first came out, and we all said “Awesome! Where is the 290cc kit?” Fast forward to today — now Honda is just making it just as we always wanted. Awesome.
re: “Remember when the CBR250R first came out, and we all said “Awesome! Where is the 290cc kit?” Fast forward to today…”
…and it would seem some (read below) are STILL asking “where’s the 290cc kit”…?
What, no Repsol version?
🙁
Kawasaki should counter with a Ninja 600…….
And history repeats.
To those that think the baby ninja is superior for its extra cylinder, I must respectfully disagree. Maybe on paper the ninja is faster, but I rode both bikes back to back in the same week and thought the baby cbr was a much nicer riding and more fun bike.
I don’t know why Honda didn’t just make it a 350 and price it the same as the Ninjette.
I’m guessing the same reason this isn’t a full 300, the engine parts couldn’t be bored/stroked enough to get there. They can’t sell enough outside of their main markets where 250cc is a “catch weight” to warrant a unique engine for it.
Now that I think about it, why pay $5000 for a 350 when you can buy the 500 for $5800. Maybe Honda knows more about building and selling motorcycles than I do.
Quite possibly? 🙂
If all you want is a bike that will go A-to-B economically and reliably, I can’t think of a better choice.
I think it’s better than just simple A to B eco transportation. I’ve ridden the CBR250, although I really don’t fit it at 6’8″! It’s fun with quite usable power, just what someone first getting their feet wet. It’s a very competent package at a great price. As a 300 it will stay competitive in the market while delivering tons of smiles. Isn’t that what it’s all about?
I have to admit, even though I’m not a fan of the motor choice, the 80’s kid in me just LOVES the saftey-green “Tron-stripe” version…very era-correct video game look.
+1
Looks great but still falls short when compared to Kawasaki’s nifty little 300cc TWIN..!
When will we see a CB300?
My wife has the CBr250r and it is a great little bike, especially for a beginner. She isn’t afraid of it and it is very fun to ride. After a weekend riding in upstate NY (there are so many good roads in NY) she is already envisioning the next bike for the x-country trip we are planning for next year.
This is great news. I’m happy there are some rational 1st (and city) bike choices out there. I do wish it were a twin, but as far as singles go, this bike is a winner.
Too heavy. I was hoping for something under 300 pounds and 450cc.
Honda also needs to build a v-twin 1200cc to go against the new nakeds from Europe.
And then a v-four literbike with 200hp and 400 pounds to replace the aging cbr1000rr.
I always feel Honda plays it safe and ends up missing the mark.
These three bikes would put Honda up front where they belong.
Re: “Too heavy.”
Want to play? Gotta pay. Hitting that number would put this in a different price class. We’ll see how it plays out in the US with the KTM.
Those 3 bikes are fringe product, not sales drivers. I guess you could say the same of the whole US motorcycle market. Honda is making money by selling bikes like the one in this article in Asian companies. FWIW there is a new VFR coming, as well as the promise of a V-4 superbike.
I’m sure people will line up to pay $10,000 – $12,000 for this sub 300 pound 450 Honda and no doubt for the $20,000+ V-4 you are asking for.
Light cost money, this is an economical bike. For the price the CBR seems like a good deal to me. Look at the comparison to the old 305 below. Better in every way for a lower pice.
re: “i always feel Honda plays it safe and ends up missing the mark.”
it’s how they roll.
re: “These three bikes would put Honda up front where they belong.”
unfortunately you’re projecting. they’re not concerned with being up up front in regard to motorcycles. at least not in those categories.
“And then a v-four literbike with 200hp and 400 pounds to replace the aging cbr1000rr”.
Sorry folks, I have to say it: this is the dumbest thing I’ve read here in months.
don’t be too hard on ’em. unlike the V5 rumour (which took FOREVER and a day to die off), Honda only have themselves to blame this time round. they went on record saying they were going to produce a V4. personally, i still contend they are going to produce fu#$kall…?
why…?
’cause you don’t design goofy things like that “akira” bike, while simultaneously playing displacement games (knowing you only have a single cylinder) calling something a “300”, when it’s really only a 286…? and then suddenly release cutting edge kit worthy of the letters HRC.
engineering has a signature. when you ignore what they’re saying and look at what they’re DOING, it all becomes clear.
BIG Red has pulled out surprises in the past and I don’t expect that to change but I think the pace certainly will and has. With a company in the auto business which is facing some looming challenges in regards to pollutants and efficiencies, I’m sure their crack engineers are there. A case in point, Honda just late this past year introduced a much more eloquently designed hybrid system in the Accord. It differs mostly from that all too popular model from another firm in that its propulsion under about 45 mph is all electric motor. By doing so, and only coupling the engine through a clutch above that speed it does away with any conventional transmission. I took a drive in one. It’s eerily quiet most of the time unless more generator power is called for and the whole process goes undetected and is seamless. Overall net effect is that it drives normally, braking is as normal as can be (other hybrids can’t always claim that) and its mileage is right up there knocking at that other well known model. I was so impressed I ordered one! So no doubt, total innovation in motorcycle development may not be first on their corporate mind?
From Tom R: “Sorry folks, I have to say it: this is the dumbest thing I’ve read here in months.”
Tom R, you need to turn to page 106 of the August 2014 issue of Motorcyclist. Aaron Frank would disagree with you.I’m feeling quite vindicated by my comments about Honda. Thanks to Aaron Frank.
Ha ha ha ha..”17%” lool
i keep my 250
Seventeen percent is a decent extra nudge and quite noticeable at that displacement level. For people in the market today, now with Kawasaki increasing their Ninjette to 300cc it makes sense to stay in the game.
I don’t see why Honduh can’t make a 500cc single of this. In the 80’s, they brought the 500cc Ascot to market, so they must have figured a big single was worth the investment.
See Stinkywheels response below…
They should have made the stripes blue so they could name that last paint scheme “TRON”.
Looks nice, great mileage but I think a bit porky for a “300 Class” single. An X, faux-adventure, version would be a good addition to the lineup but this one does look to have a fairly upright riding position. A good first bike.
So will they be announcing a CRF300L? That might get me to the dealership.
A friend of mine bought the 250L a couple weeks ago so we sat around speculating about the 300L for a bit. I’m disappointed in the cc increase though. Even a CRF250 big bore kit brings it up to 296cc… 10 cc more.
Yes, but Honda achieved the displacement gain through stroke alone. Assuming the same bore increase is possible, the big bore kits should now bump displacement to 342cc.
I would have liked to see that al of that displacement come from the factory, but then what would they sell us three years from now?
re: “we sat around speculating about the 300L for a bit. I’m disappointed in the cc increase though. Even a CRF250 big bore kit brings it up to 296cc… 10 cc more.”
that’s your first clue about how serious they are (or perhaps aren’t) at competing in the segment. the engineering doesn’t lie.
Or better yet. CRF350L!
How far have we come in 50 years?
1963 Honda 305 Dream, 28HP, 351#, $665.
2014 Honda CBR300R, 30HP, 357#, $4,399.
What is $665 paid in 1963 in today’s dollars? $5,097.
Just sayin’.
Considering the CBR’s brakes, chassis, fuel injection, suspension, lighting, fairings, modern materials and not to mention reliability and longevity can be had for less than what a 305 Dream cost in its day, I’d say we’ve come a very long way indeed.
The ’63 CA77 was advertised at 25hp but for only $595! The CB77 305 Superhawk was 27.5hp and $665.
Central bank planning. Pay back borrowed money with dollars having less value.
Apparently not far enough for people to realize that there is more to bikes than simply HP figures.
Sorry, it’s still not a twin. Such a nice looking bike with a dirtbike engine. I think it’d be a lot more versatile as a twin, not just an around town bike. Can’t see a racing series starting with this bike like the Kaw has done.
re: “Honda says bikes will be in U.S. dealers this August.”
full stop.
I was just at a Honda dealer yesterday, wondering when the CBR300 was coming. Cool. My wife is planning to take the MSF course, so maybe we can get one for her to ride, as I don’t think my Bonneville would be a good first bike for her to ride. I’ll have to thoroughly test ride it though 🙂