2015 HONDA CBR300R
FIRST RIDE
P82
Gone is the single headlight
in favor of a more modern look-
ing twin headlight design, and
there is a sleeker windscreen
and reshaped mirrors. But the
CBR300R's new curves weren't
all about looks, the new body-
work and contours, combined
with a revised seat, result in a
slimmer profile, making it easier
to reach the ground with your
legs, though the seat height is
already at a low 30.7 inches. If
that's still too high, Honda offers
an even lower accessory seat for
the CBR300R.
But in stock form, the
CBR300R should fit most riders
just fine. It sits low to the ground
and the clip-on handlebars are
comfortably positioned—not too
high and not too low. And the
footpegs are just low enough to
keep you from feeling cramped,
even for my 6'1" frame. Adding to
the rider's sense of confidence is
its ultra narrow profile and light-
weight feeling. Throw in easy-to-
read instruments and you have a
comfy and well thought out cock-
pit.
On paper, it appears as though
the CBR250R has grown from
250cc in displacement to 300cc,
but in reality, its grown just 37cc,
from an actual 249.5cc to 286cc.
The 76mm bore, however, remains
the same, only the stroke has been
changed from 55mm to 63mm.
Throw in updates to the Honda
PGM-FI fuel-injection system and a
new exhaust system and you have
what Honda claims is a 17 percent
increase of horsepower.
On the road, the boost in pow-
er over the CBR250R is notice-
able but not dramatic. It has more
torque in the lower rpm range and
runs a bit stronger in the higher
rpm range as well. To make the
most of the CBR300R's power,
it's important to run out each gear
and make quick shifts through
the bike's six-speed transmis-
sion, which does a fine job mak-
ing the transition from one gear
to the other while under a load.
However, for just casual riding,
the CBR300R can be short-shift-
ed with good results.
The clutch has a light pull and
is progressive, offering good feel.
When you match the Honda's
New bodywork and seat gives the
CBR300R a new look and a slimmer
midsection.
