The Sub-400cc Naked Brawl

Published December 9, 2021
Views : 7172
4 min read

The Honda CB300R is back from its slumber, but it could be a little too late

The Honda CB300R is all set to return to the showroom next month after a near-two-year hiatus. In the meantime, the KTM 390 Duke received a bunch of technical updates, and we also witnessed a series of price hikes. Meanwhile, BMW not only introduced the G 310 R with a host of changes, but it also slashed its price by a massive margin. Bajaj too reworked its power cruiser to make it friendlier for long hauls.

Are the slipper clutch and minor updates enough to keep the Honda CB300R in today’s market, especially with the competition upping the ante? Let’s find out:

Engine

Specifications	Honda CB300R	KTM 390 Duke	BMW G 310 R	Bajaj Dominar 400
Engine	286cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-valve engine	373.2cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-valve engine	313cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-valve engine	373.3cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-valve engine
Power	31PS @ 9000rpm	43.5PS @ 9000rpm	34PS @ 9500rpm	40PS @ 8800rpm
Torque	27.5Nm @ 7500rpm	37Nm @ 7000rpm	28Nm @ 7500rpm	35Nm @ 6500rpm
Gearbox	6-speed	6-speed	6-speed	6-speed

The Honda CB300R features the smallest engine of the lot, so naturally, the performance figures aren’t comparable to the Austrian naked or its Indian cousin. However, the Honda’s torque comes close to BMW G 310 R despite a considerable difference in displacement. That said, the Beemer benefits from the Idle Speed Increase, which essentially is the ‘GTT Plus’ feature from the TVS Apache RR310, allowing the engine to chug along at low speeds without clutch or throttle inputs.

But when it comes to pure performance, there is no beating the KTM 390 Duke. It continues to rule with its manic performance and relatively lightweight construction. Though the Dominar uses the same engine, Bajaj has tweaked it to suit the Dominar’s intended purpose. Add to that its 193kg kerb weight, and the Dominar is the heaviest motorcycle here.

Underpinnings

Specifications	Honda CB300R	KTM 390 Duke	BMW G 310 R	Bajaj Dominar 400
Frame	Diamond type	Steel trellis	Steel trellis	Perimeter frame
Front suspension	41mm Showa USD	43mm WP USD	41mm USD	43mm USD
Rear suspension	Link-type monoshock	monoshock	monoshock	monoshock
Front brake	296mm disc	320mm disc	300mm disc	320mm disc
Rear brake	220mm disc	230mm disc	240mm disc	230mm disc
Front tyre	110/70-17	110/70-17	110/70-17	110/70-17
Rear tyre	150/60-17	150/60-17	150/60-17	150/60-17

Upside down forks, alloy wheels with identical tyre sizes, and disc brakes at both ends backed by dual-channel ABS -- these four bikes have a lot in common. Of course, the suspension tune is different on each bike to suit its character. However, the CB300R is the only motorcycle here to get a monoshock with linkage. The theoretical advantage is a smoother ride with the linkage taking care of minor undulations.

Given the hooligan nature of the KTM 390 Duke, the Austrian manufacturer has equipped the bike with switchable ABS, allowing you to switch off the ABS at the rear. Among these bikes, this feature is unique to the Duke.

Dimensions

Specifications	Honda CB300R	KTM 390 Duke	BMW G 310 R	Bajaj Dominar 400
Wheelbase	1353mm	1357mm	1380mm	1453mm
Ground clearance	mm	185mm	NA	157mm
Fuel tank capacity	10-litres	13.5-litres	11-litres	13-litres
Seat height	800mm	830mm	785mm	NA
Kerb weight	146kg	167kg	164kg	193kg

The Honda CB300R doesn’t have the biggest engine. However, considering it’s the lightest bike by a fair margin, the Japanese naked should be more enjoyable. Furthermore, its taut wheelbase means it’s more nimble. On the other end of the spectrum is the Dominar, which has the longest wheelbase here and also is the heaviest. Though Bajaj hasn’t revealed the seat height of the Dominar, it is likely to be the shortest in this group. Overall, the Dominar is the friendliest for long hauls, and the newly added touring bits are the icing on the cake.

Features

	Honda CB300R	KTM 390 Duke	BMW G 310 R	Bajaj Dominar 400
TFT Console	No	Yes	No	No
Smartphone Connectivity	No	Yes	No	No
Quickshifter	No	Yes	No	No

The KTM 390 Duke takes the win here in one sweep. In its latest iteration, the KTM features a TFT display with smartphone connectivity to manage music and calls. Furthermore, last year, the Austrian bike maker equipped the bike with a bi-directional quickshifter, although the system is a bit rudimentary.

We would have loved to see a better instrument console on the other Beemer and the Honda, especially for the price these bikes demand.

Price And Verdict

Honda CB300R	KTM 390 Duke	BMW G 310 R	Bajaj Dominar 400
Rs 2.50 lakh (expected)	Rs 2.87 lakh	Rs 2.60 lakh	Rs 2.17 lakh

The Honda’s lightweight, gorgeous neo-retro styling and brand value are the only things working in its favour, at least on paper. Though it is the lightest bike here and it has witnessed a slight performance bump in the BS6 guise, it doesn’t have the features, making it difficult to recommend, especially given the competition.

While KTM has performance and features to entice you, the Dominar will woo you with its comfort. The BMW sits right in the middle, with its friendly ergonomics, relatively light construction, and a peppy engine. Also, at its current price, it doesn’t seem like a bad deal either. Lastly, you get the bragging rights of owning a Beemer.