How I bought a Honda CB300R: Pros and cons after 2500 km and 3 months

The total cost of the motorcycle including RTO, insurance and extended warranty came out to be Rs 2.80 lakh.

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Hey everyone! Before diving into the bike review, let me share a bit about my biking background.

I've always had a fascination with automobiles since my school days, thanks to all those magazines I used to read. However, during my public examination days, I lost interest, and then the lockdown happened, causing me to spend the first year and a half of college online. Since no one in my family rode motorcycles, my mom bought a second-hand Honda Unicorn 150 and encouraged me to learn to ride. At first, I was hesitant, but I gradually learned by watching YouTube tutorials. It was frustrating initially, but as I spent more time with the bike, I fell in love with riding.

When the college reopened and I moved into a hostel in Coimbatore, seeing my friends and classmates commuting to college on their bikes made me want to ride too. During my 4th year, I stayed in a PG and brought the Unicorn to Coimbatore. Having a bike made life much more convenient during college.

Now, Why a new bike?

The Unicorn was perfect for its purpose. It never gave me any trouble, and despite being a 7-year-old bike, the engine still felt smooth and refined. However, seeing my friends upgrade to new and more powerful machines stirred a craving in me. The final nudge came when one of my friends bought the Honda CB350 H'ness. With only one semester left in college, I decided I wanted to commute on a new bike before it ended. I discussed it with my parents, and to my surprise, they agreed!

Bikes Considered

I had always admired the Kawasaki Ninja 300. One of my friends owns one, and after riding it, I realized the allure of a twin-cylinder engine. However, at almost ₹4.1 lakh on-road, it didn’t seem practical. My friend also mentioned that it only gives around 21 kmpl in the city, and the maintenance costs are quite high. This made me set a budget of ₹3 lakh, including all safety gear.

I didn’t want a KTM or Yamaha. Both are great machines, but I was looking for something exclusive. There are just too many orange bikes and R15s on the road. I also wanted something in the 300cc range.

I briefly considered the Triumph Speed 400, but the design felt more suited for when I enter my 30s. I realized that a naked or faired bike would be more enjoyable in my younger years, saving the cruisers for later.

I also considered the Honda CB350 H'ness and CB350RS. I had gone to the delivery of my friend’s H'ness, and that’s where I saw the RS, CB300R, and CB300F. After riding my friend's H'ness and experiencing the smoothness of the engine, along with Honda’s reliability, I knew I wanted a Honda. But I had to decide which one.

Deciding Factor

I was torn between the CB350RS and the CB300R. The RS seemed more practical, but the 300R seemed more fun. Then I watched a review of the CB300R on a YouTube channel called "Arun Ennum Naan," and that video helped me finalize my decision.

Buying Experience

In April, I visited Honda BigWing Coimbatore - Central. I was greeted by a sales executive, and after asking about the CB300R, I was told the bike was rare, with no test rides available. They only ordered it from the factory once booked. I inquired about a ₹10,000 discount for customers aged 18 to 25, which was valid only until the end of April. However, the bike had to be billed before the month ended to avail of the offer. I left the showroom with the executive’s contact details.

At the end of April, I visited Honda BigWing Salem - Central, about an hour from Namakkal. The experience was pleasant. As soon as I mentioned the CB300R, the staff asked for my license, handed me a helmet, and gave me the keys for a test ride. They recommended I test it on the highways to fully experience the bike’s potential. It was my first time riding the CB300R, and I was impressed by the power, though the engine felt slightly rough, probably due to the bike having clocked 20,000 km as a test vehicle.

Back at the showroom, I asked about the discount, and the salesperson mentioned that it might be extended until the end of May. I explained that I’d only be able to take delivery at the end of May or early June, and he was fine with it.

I booked the bike the next day with an advance of ₹5,000. The wait began. By May 15, I called the executive for an update, and he mentioned that three bikes (two red, one black) were on their way, and he would try to bill one in my name. A week later, he called to say the bike had arrived. I went to the showroom with my mom to inspect it. Though I couldn’t turn it on due to a disconnected battery, my mom chose the bike based on its numerologically favorable chassis number.

The total cost, including RTO, insurance, and extended warranty, came to ₹2,80,000. After making the payment in installments, they took the bike for registration to Namakkal, where I opted for a fancy number. Everything went smoothly.

I chose to take delivery at the showroom with my family and close friends present on May 28th. They wrapped the bike in a black cloth, which I unveiled with my grandfather. After some customary pooja and photos, I started the bike. The dealership also gifted me a special CB300R helmet, but since it was an L size and I’m an M, I asked for a replacement. Unfortunately, L was the only size available.

We then took the bike to the Sai Baba temple for blessings before bringing it home.

How is the Bike?

The CB300R is an absolute joy to ride, with an incredible power-to-weight ratio. Its 286cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine produces 31 PS and 27.5 Nm of torque. At just 146 kg, it feels like a pocket rocket. There’s always enough power to zip through traffic or make quick overtakes on the highway. Despite weighing the same as my Unicorn, it feels much lighter while handling.

I’ve taken the bike on several long trips (for me, long means 150 km ) and it’s been a blast on highways. However, its lightweight can feel a bit unnerving at speeds above 120 km/h, though more experienced riders might handle it better.

Pros:

• Smooth engine performance at all speeds; only minor vibrations on the footpegs and handlebars after 120 km/h.
• Mileage of 30 kmpl on highways and 27 kmpl in Coimbatore city traffic. Heating is minimal and rarely noticeable.
• Butter-smooth gears and clutch - very satisfying to operate.
• Nissin-branded brakes with dual-channel ABS work perfectly.
• The power-to-weight ratio makes it easy to maneuver in traffic and provides a real sense of power when needed.
• Premium fit, finish, and paint quality.
• Sporty but comfortable riding position—not as aggressive as the R15 or MT15.
• It’s a real head-turner—gets compliments from bystanders and at petrol stations.
• The suspension is well-balanced, offering a comfortable ride.

Cons:

• The 9.7L fuel tank, with a 1.7L reserve, limits the range to 250-300 km depending on your riding style.
• The pillion seat is inadequate, with no grab handles. It’s also a bit loose, a common issue with the CB300R.
• Traction control would have been a nice addition.
• The first gear could be a little taller.
• The LED indicators and rear lights feel flimsy due to their plastic build.
• A range indicator in the instrument cluster would be a welcome feature, especially with the small tank.
• The headlight could be better—it’s adequate for night riding, but the throw could be improved.
• No official accessories available for the CB300R at the Honda showroom. You’ll need to rely on third-party options like Zana.

Conclusion:

This is a fantastic city bike, and if you can tolerate a little discomfort, you can even take it on longer rides. I’ve seen people do cross-state rides on their R15s, so this would definitely be more comfortable in comparison. Previously retailing at ₹3,30,000, it’s now available for ₹2,80,000, with a 10-year extended warranty—definitely value for money if you’re not too concerned about extras like riding modes or Bluetooth connectivity, which most people rarely use.

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