Amongst the big bike reviews and endless YouTube minutes on one litre sports-bikes, Charley wanted to jump on our 2022 Honda CB300R to give her view on what day-to-day biking looks and feels like on todays roads. With a full fleet on demonstrators available, including the current CB range, the CB300R can be over-looked as an A2 compliant bike in favour of the CB650R. Charley gives her view on this pocket-rocket.
Lightweight superstar as described by Honda, and I can totally agree
286cc single cylinder liquid cooled 4-valve with 31bhp peak at 9000rpm, which is ever so slightly up on the previous model. Only ever so slightly, but it is made even more impressive by the fact that it has dropped no power despite the Euro 5 compliance.
New to this 2022 model is the slipper clutch, which means fewer and lighter gear changes. The 'slipper' element also means that it allows it to 'hop' through gears on aggressive down-shifts which prevents the rear wheel from locking up. Ideal for those newer or perhaps less travelled riders, or those, like me, who will always take the additional reassurance I can get when out on the bike.
Upgraded forks means that the CB300R now comes with those of the bigger CB650R sibling. The Showa 41mm separate function big piston upside down forks give superior performance and handling than the 2018 version. Brakes remain unchanged, and with good reason. The Nissin radial calliper gives more than enough stopping power for this size of machine. And ABS lean angle sensor which will detect if the bike is 'banked-over' again, making perfect sense to me.
Full LED lighting throughout, LED dash with a clear gear indicator for that extra reassurance. Seat height of a little under 800mm, with new seat covering improving the overall comfort of the bike. At 5'7, I had a planted foot on both sides, and more than enough comfort in the seat and riding position to have continued much beyond my one-hour test ride.
Colour choices from stealthy matt metallic black to that pop of colour and personality with yellow. I personally love this matt metallic blue; it really gives me the 'big bike'feel, despite its smaller appearance.
At only 144kg wet weight, this CB300R comes in at a whopping 24kg lighter than competitor Yamaha's MT-03. For me, this is a winning factor alone! For many of us, we love being able to take the bike out on a weekend without having to muscle the energy to move it around or navigate cautiously out of those café-stops.
Overall, this bike would be an ideal second bike or an A2 compliant step-up who loves the neo-café styling like the CB1000R. There is no denying, this bike will appeal too many and at only £5,098 with a choice of colour in stock, I don't see these hanging around for very long!
