It has just enough safety stuff without becoming overbearing or overly complicated to operate., My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, As it's intended, the CB300R is a nice entry-level bike for beginner riders, but it's also fun commuter for riders of any experience level. Walking around the 300R, Hondas intent to create something new is clear. First is the aforementioned plank of a seat. Im a little late to the party, because Im shopping for a 18-19 now. My Can Am Spyders stability and comfort have been perfect for myself and my passenger wife. 1,787. Hondas all-in when it comes to the small-displacement category, perhaps more so than any other manufacturer out there. Looking around for a bike with a lower seat, yet powerful enough to ride 2 up comfortably I was more than a bit frustrated. It weighs exactly the same as a TVS Apache RTR 160 4V at 146kg, which is actually 1kg lighter than before. William most likely doesnt. And if what youre looking for is something easy to handle, lightweight and capable of cruising at 75 mph all day, with todays trendy neo-retro look and a sub-$5,000 price tag, make your way to your local Honda dealer (there are more than 1,200 nationwide) and ask to see the 2019 CB300R. Read our first ride review of the Kawasaki Z125 Pro. The LED front turn signals mounted just above the can are out of harm's way. The short wheelbase, comfortable, upright riding position and light weight combine to create an extremely agile, fun ride. This list seems not so much dedicated to those with short inseams than to include models from each of the manufacturers that are your bread and butter. This is a light bike, so the single front brake is plenty to keep things under control. Kawasaki KLX250$5,34935.0-inch seat (squishes way down under riders weight)304 lbs. In case you missed the italics, this means Honda isnt counting the Rebel, Grom, CB500X, or CRF250L/Rally into this figure. I am now 95 and riding my thirteenth motorcycle, a Honda Silverwing Scooter, and it is the perfect motorcycle for balance, wind protection, and all around comfort. This is how its always been. Well be putting more miles on our CB300R in the coming weeks, so look for a more thorough Road Test Review in the near future. A downside to used beginner bikes is that theyre, well, used and often outdated. Find out in our comparison test. The larger diameter of the clamped area gives you a direct connection to the bike and excellent steering feedback. It's also a. I found a Kymco Spade at an insurance auction. Honda CB300R Review - A life changing experience! Power delivery is smooth and controlled, and the tighter the twisties the better; keep the revs up and youll have just as much funif not moreas you would on a more powerful machine. I have a Piaggio Fly 150 and the seat height is 31. Displacement: 286cc Bore x Stroke: 76.0 x 63.0mm Transmission: 6-speed, wet multi-plate clutch Final Drive: O-ring chain Wheelbase: 53.3 in. super useful article, thank you! 4 foot fifteen and a half all up. Although it does not have the lean angle I desire, my H-D Softail Slim has been like a godsend to me. . I have had 21 bikes in the past years and now own an Indian Scout. A step or two firmer would be just right for my 165 pounds plus gear. I will be seeking an alternative, downsizing, because I am not getting any bigger. 286cc liquid-cooled 20-degree single-cylinder four-stroke. That said, the shock has a progressive response to bumps to provide a ride that's superior to plain vanilla hardware. Though primarily a Harley rider, he has an appreciation for all sorts of bikes and doesnt discriminate against any particular brand or region of origin. If I were shorter, this would be a stupid bike, as it is just too heavy, too hight a center of gravity (720 lbs). Plus, the lightweight and upright seating make it a blast to ride. I havent regretted the purchase for a single second. I ended up going for 3 wheels. Ive been riding for 30 years and the Honda monkey is the most fun Ive had on a bike since I was a kid on my ct70. Through it all, though, the little single cylinder hardly transmits any offensive buzz to the bars. Switched to a Suzuki Burgman (used) and eventually got a new 2014, 650 Burgman with ABS and love it. this does me no justice. Read our first ride review of the 2018 Royal Enfield Himalayan. Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, DOHC single, 4 valves per cyl. The CB300R is equipped with a compact 286cc single-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed transmission, pushing it to 30.1 horsepower and 20.2lbs.ft of torque. In areas with tiered licensing, it's a step-up bike, but in our market it's a small displacement bike that has enough oomph for the interstate roadways where you have to keep up with traffic and still have a little roll-on left in reserve.. HANDLING LIGHT, STRONG STEEL CHASSIS My CB wasnt equipped with Hondas dual-channel ABS system, available for an additional $300, but I doubt Id have felt it kick on anyway during this ride. It's just the thing for you nascent pegdraggers out there. Moving around on the bike was easy, and the tank offered solid contact for my knees. If the two are mutually exclusive then so be it. I am of the opinion that manufacturers could quite easily make bikes with adjustable rear subframes. Comparing motorcycle seats to wood slabs is common in this line of work and for good reason the metaphor is instantly relatable. Its so easy to pick up off the sidestand. In my mind, it competes with other small nakeds like the KTM Duke 390 ($5,299) the BMW G310R ($4,750) and Husqvarnas Vitpilen/Svartpilen 401s ($6,299). Correction: adjustable pegs (with gear changer level and rear break pedal). The 300R is so light, a few of the journos found ourselves having to recalibrate our turn-in points thats how quickly and easily we could toss the bike into corners. One of which has the lowest seat height of any manufacturer. Forget what people tell you, dry heat is still heat, so we climbed towards Big Bear Lake for better roads and temperatures. Why was it left out? We use data about you for a number of purposes explained in the links below. I currently have a 2015 Moto Guzzi V7 and a 2019 Kawasaki Z900rs. A four-bore Nissin anchor bites a 296 mm front disc, while out back, a single-pot binder and 220 mm disc take care of business. , I have been riding since 1966, and also have a 27 inseam. The Kawasaki Z900rs has a comfortable ride and a descent seat right out the box and the stock exhaust sounds great! A teensy-weensy LED taillight rides in the tip of the tail while the rest of the gear in the rear mounts to the mudguard assembly. Wanted to have a bike like these bikes, but Im only 411 I guess I have to give up this dream hahahah, Im 410 with a 24 inch inseam and 90lb. Honda NC750X$7,999 (2018 model, 2019 pricing TBD)32.7-inch seat478 lbs. While the factory touts all this new paint, it looks like for this year, Matte Pearl Blue is still the only color . Read our first ride review of the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS. A series of sweepers carried us up into the winding hill roads, and the CB seemed even more cheerful, if thats possible, as the turns got tighter and tighter. Aesthetics aside, Yamaha keeps bodywork to a minimum with only a vestigial belly pan and intake scoops that form the shoulders at the front end. Yes, I am a rabid Harley Fan. Swingarm flex is something which new riders should go ahead and make friends with, 'cause it's going to be much more important to them down the road. They might share engines, but the personalities of these machines are fairly distinct. You can buy a comfort seat for most so why not have the option of a low seat and lowering kit as well. However, I notice a high percentage of recent 1000cc VStroms and Versys up for sale used not so many of the 650cc versions. The beefier fork helped keep the front Dunlop planted and gave good feedback, and though some might view the meager power as a negative, none of the assembled journos, myself included, shared that thought. I wish I wanted one cb300r .buts ok Lets Im waiting for its sibling cb250r for reasonable price to launch in India. You have been successfully subscribed to Honda Powersports email updates, 2023 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Powersports Division, We use cookies to improve your experience on this site and show you personalized advertising. While they work well enough, the brakes also deserve a wood analogy. With more miles to break-in, Im confident this wont be an issue. It comes tuned with the appropriate amount of lateral flexion for good cornering feedback and behavior alongside stiff fore-and-aft rigidity. In person, it just looks cool which is refreshing to see since Ive long wondered why small displacement motorcycles have always looked soblah. Ducati Scrambler Sixty2$7,99531.1-inch seat w/ optional 30.3-inch seat403 lbs. Other considerations: if your legs are short, then likely so are your arms and fingers. The R models get an inverted 41mm fork and an improved shock from Showa, and as you work your way down the fork leg, youll notice a radial-mount brake caliper, too. It is a very good bike. Tell us what you love or what we need to fix. As much as I like saving money, Ill pay the premium if required to get a bike that fits me and delivers the goods (hint, hint, sport bike manufacturers). More pressed steel plating makes up the engineered, yoke-style swingarm that's tuned for cornering. The engine also works extraordinarily well in real-world road-riding conditions, providing plenty of power both around town and out on the highway. Harley Davidson Low Rider 26.2 Do you know if they offer a lower seat height or a lowering kit? I think Hondas betting 300-class riders will prefer a lighter bike over more cargo options, and Id agree with them. If thats how theyre creating bikes that look like this, Im all for it. . The CB300Rs engine is designed with a minimum number of moving parts. Then fumed when you Well, William replied to a very valid comment. Read our comparison test of the Kawasaki Versys 650 vs Suzuki V-Strom 650. When it comes to motorcycles in this category, a few things stand out. Even the Rebel is cool. That wouldve been a shame. Ive owned a 2014 Harley Softail Slim for a few years now, and I absolutely love it! Suzuki DR-Z400S$6,74936.8-inch seat (its soft springs compress under a riders weight)317 lbs. The Honda CB300R is happier at lower speeds, where you can. When I retired from teaching I started riding again with a 250 honda scooter and then moved to NH and switched to a Honda Silver Wing. At that time I just decided to sell it as I was scared to ride in a nervous city like So Paulo, where I was living Now I want to ride again and, still, I feel a bit left out Motorcycles should have more adjustable features, like in a car. BMW F 750 GS$10,39532.1-inch seat w/ optional 31.1-inch seat or 30.3-inch seat493 lbs. Their new Rebel 300 & 500 thta replaced it is hideous at best, just plain Fn awfulyechh. To their credit, Big Red says a tail bag should be available (not yet confirmed for production), but if you want enough luggage for multi-day trips, youre probably looking at the wrong motorcycle. A Man on a VanVan Without a Planread the story! My present bikes are a Benelli Leoncino (a bit on the high side but right weight) a Triumph America and a Honda VT750, both the right height but too heavy. Many of the bikes on your list exceed 30 and despite their light weight, tippy toeing a motorcycle for many riders can do horrible things to a riders confidence. No need to remind the others that I was the New Guy. I am sorry to learn that Honda is no longer offering the Silverwing. We call our Silverwings the Goldwing of scooters. A Pro-Link mono-shock arrangement takes care of the rear end with a 4.2-inch stroke to soak up the abuse, but the obligatory spring-preload adjuster is the only suspension tweak. And, depending on the displacement category, more than half of those buyers are buying their first motorcycle. The instrument panel was easy to read except in the worst sunlight glare but you have to take your eyes pretty far off the road ahead to look down to see it,. The indicators themselves look like theyve been designed specifically for the new CB range, which is a massive improvement over dorky universal signals (looking at you, Yamaha). Would like a sports bike made for my size without modification. Its quick-steering, shorter than the 300F, and 35 pounds lighter (! The juice flows through a new slipper-type clutch that adds some insurance for the rear contact patch and delivers a light and smooth feel at the lever. That said, at the conclusion of our ride - which went beyond the 113-miles originally intended - we returned with two bars still showing on the gas gauge for the 2.7 gallon tank. It is on the toes for me at a stoplight. Most noticeable of all is the weight difference. If I could have a BMW R 1250 or a Goldwing with those specifications Id be a happy camper (well, a happy moteler anyway). Drew Ruiz photo. Suzuki VanVan 200$4,64930.3-inch seat282 lbs. Moreover, you can have a test ride of the bike for a better idea of comfort and ride quality by visiting the nearest dealer in your city. It is a shame that 32 seems to be the new standard for seat height, but thank you for putting this list together. Read our road test review of the BMW R nineT Pure, Can-Am Rykerstarting at $8,499 (600cc model)23.5-inch seat594 lbs. The things I want the most werent mentioned by most people and that is electronic cruise control followed by shaft drive. I am. Mayeb next time try and sort them by the 3 best in each category. Btw, Im 511 195 built and with the right shocks even bigger guys can enjoy this little rascals. I left a comment on this page 2 years ago but thought it might be of interest to update my remarks. Ive been riding for the past 51 years and am 55 with a 28 inseam. It looks cool, goes well, and will likely turn some heads on campus with its styling. The list is for smaller riders AND budgets. I have a 28 inseam, and weigh 165 lbs. You have been successfully subscribed to Honda Powersports email updates, 2023 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Powersports Division, We use cookies to improve your experience on this site and show you personalized advertising. That also makes it at least 32 pounds lighter than its closest competitor, BMWs G 310 R. For perspective, 318 pounds what Hondas CRF250L dual-sport weighs; this is heavy dirt bike territory, on a highly capable street bike. But, from where I sit, much of these improvements either go unrecognized or lost in the fog of bigger, faster and more autonomous technology. 3 out of 4 aint bad, eh? This is just the thing for a new rider, though I still advocate for learning how to ride a non-ABS bike, 'cause stuff happens. The 286cc DOHC single is mostly unchanged, although Honda says the intake was revised slightly for better airflow, resulting in improved acceleration performance. For riders who demand a light, nimble, responsive, powerful, and economical machine that will turn heads on every cornernow's your chance. MZS Black Motorcycle Brake Clutch Levers Adjustable Short Compatible with GROM MSX125 2014-2022 | CBR250R 2011-2015 | CBR300R CB300F 2014-2021 | CBR500R CB500F/X 2013-2021 | CB300R Monkey125 2018-2021. My BMW K1300GT was fairly narrow at the front of the seat and I could get both feet on ground with my 29 inseam. Honda Shadow Phantom$7,89925.8-inch seat549 lbs. Manufacturers have tried every shape short of pentagrams for headlights over the years, and results really vary. Just a note: I did sit on a Kawasaki Ninja 650, and it did feel good. It is suitable even for short heigh people. Honda CBR500R$6,69930.9-inch seat419 lbs. I wear boots with a heel to help keep me flat footed and it seems to work well. RevZilla photo. Oh I am 63. 1 offer from $69.99. Felt that was a little to top heavy and trucks were able to push me around. I'll have the red, please.) Id say if you wear my size or larger, check your heel on a test ride. It fits me to a T. Some of the bikes on this list I might enjoy owning, but since here in the Northeast US our riding time is interrupted by winter, most of my riding is now recreational, as opposed to the daily commuting I used to do before retirement. Honda succeeded on two parts I dont always love about a motorcycle: the rear fender, and the turn signals. Its funny but like a lot of others I thought that the Helix was just plain ugly but eventually it just overwhelmes you into believing it is just a pure beautiful historic scooter that was way ahead of its time. One final note: scooters. Im looking for this too. I love it! I still think of Triumph Bonnevilles as the real motorcycle look. We also have a top notch dealer in SW Ohio, Cadre Cycle in Cincinnati. With the final drive ratio in top gear, the CB300R's top speed is right around 100 mph. My last bike was a BMW R75/7 full dress. The 300R also battles all those small used bikes on the market, ready for beginners to drop, stall, and sell a year later. The Guzzi has shaft drive and I love it! I have owned bikes up to 1500cc Honda Goldwings, but had to downsize to more manageable weight, and lower seat height. What color and design would you like? Down low, a counter-balancer helps tune out some of the vibes from the mill to deliver smooth power within reason, of course, it Neo-Sports Caf still a one-lunger after all. Read our first ride review on the 2019 Honda CB300R Honda CBR300R 2019 Honda CBR300R Honda. Read our first ride review of the 2018 BMW G 310 GS. Read our road test review of the 2019 BMW F 750/850 GS. Styled after the CB1000R. A molded, spoiler-type front fender leads the way and shunts the wind around the inner fork tube. Drew Ruiz photo. The ones that I am most inclined to consider are not made by the big four Japanese companies or by Harley Davidson, and so dealer accessibility is also a consideration. My first bike, at 16, was a Hodaka Ace 90, and I wanted my last bike to have the Same easy to live with character, especially important was easy on and off and easy to pick. Or fastest delivery Thu, Jan 26. 2022 Honda CB300R - Performance, Price, and Photos, Yamaha provides some homegrown competition, a nice entry-level bike for beginner riders. Excuse me if I dont shed a tear for the problems you kids with 27-28 inch inseams are having. Suzuki V-Strom 650starting at $8,79932.9-inch seat470 lbs. Read our road test review of the 2018 Honda NC750X. Honda has you covered with a stock pillion pad, grab rails and fold-up footpegs. When possible weve included a link to our review, making it easy for you to get a real ride evaluation. .Oh wait! Enter your ZIP code below to get a free insurance quote. A minor gripe was right-foot-to-exhaust clearance. Harley Davidson Deluxe 25.9 Another point of frustration for me is small tanks. Model: CB300R A CHASSIS AND A DYNAMIC Honda's fun performance and super agile nature are largely due to its weight. The only bike that fits me like a glove is the Ninja 400 but I wanted 600ccs so I sat in he Ninja 600 and it felt too big for me! Its 113cc displacement disadvantage wouldnt do it any favors, but its featherweight status is a definite advantage. The 286cc Single might be the same, but everything around it is different, highlighted by a new frame and swingarm. The supple spring rate is just right for a bike this size. Honda CBR650R$9,39931.9-inch seat456 lbs. Dont think well need that! I scribbled in my notes. I found myself wishing my test bike was red like this one. FREE delivery Fri, Jan 27. How did the Himalayan stack up against the Kawasaki Versys-X 300 and BMW G 310 GS? The engine also works extraordinarily well in real-world road-riding conditions . I enjoy touring or at the least long day trips. If our Policy changes in the future, we will notify our customers and website users of any such changes by posting an updated policy on our website. Adding a modern twist to the retro caf-racer style, the new CB300R is built to give its rider the perfect BigBike to show-off all of his unique moves. I wish I had bought the Vespa 300GTS though, so I can go out on the freeway. OTHER Model ID. The steering head and triple tree set a rake angle of 24.7 degrees with 3.7 inches of trail, both deep in the nimble territory over a short 53.3-inch wheelbase. Still looking. Russell Roberts Again, this is just another sign of Hondas intended placement for the bike an urban runabout also capable of a quick freeway blast to the local mountains. Beginning our descent back to Colton, I collected my thoughts on the brakes. As the front of the bike is fairly low, youd have to take your eyes off the road to check them anywhere else. Not a bad idea. Note I am referring to using them legitimately not abusing them such as in rain. The battery is 52 volts, 21 amp hours, $800 from Luna. Not so with a 300R. The little frame made you want to ride the bike like a dirt bike. Riding the 2019 Honda CB300R to Big Bear Lake in California. Displacement: 286cc Im 53 with a 29 inseam and Im not out of the ordinary for females. A new shorter swingarm with a gull-wing design on the right side allows the new muffler to be mounted as far inboard as possible for mass centralization. Its 60 percent thinner than previous designs, and gives you readouts for engine rpm, speed, and fuel level. I love the bike as far as low center of gravity and low seat height but its not a distance machine. Well maybe rather than having a little popat William you should rename the article to Best bikes for nearly short people how you can even consider something like a Versys or Vstrom for short riders is ludicrous. Suzuki GSX250R$4,59931.1-inch seat392 lbs. The 2022 Honda CB300R has a starting sticker of $4,949 MSRP. There are too many over-sized, over powered, and over weight (but utterly beautiful and sexy) offerings. The rear monoshock was a little soft, but the CB300R packs seven positions of preload, up from the CBRs five, and not even a contest against the non-adjustable rear shock in the 300F. The CB300R's compact single-cylinder engine is a jewel with a free-revving, responsive nature. Unsprung weightthe tires, wheels, and brakesare super-important in a sportbike. When I do, I want a bike with some degree of performance as well as comfort, something I can add a windscreen and some soft bags and do more than a one hour ride with a stop at the tavern. I weigh about 95 pounds and when I lean the bike over at a standstill (just testing), it feels like it would go down at about 20 degrees, and I would have to lay it down. Read about Ducatis updates to the 2019 Scrambler lineup. It took me this long to realize the tank wasnt actually metal, but two richly painted plastic covers. Base MSRP: $5,049. Read our 2019 Honda Super Cub C125 first ride review. Join the Motorcycle.com Weekly Newsletter to keep up to date on all things motorcycling. For more details, you can read our review, which includes comprehensive specs, or click on the bikes name to be taken directly to the manufacturers page. The dash holds a shift light, but it must come on awfully high, since I ran it nearly to redline and never saw a wink. Ive been riding for almost 50 years and the most expensive motorcycle I ever bought was brand new 1976 BMW R90/6 for about $3400, as I recall. I have been riding since 1974. Somehow in the entirety of the Internet, there does not seem to be such a list. The cyclops headlight makes another crucial historical connection, and it splits the night through the power of the LED projector for good two-way visibility. By using the any of our websites and/or making online requests of products, you agree to the terms and conditions of EPGs Policy. Honda buffs up its is lineup for MY22 with the freshly-tweaked CB300R naked-sport machine. And the LED taillight is super thin for a clean, low-profile look. Following the posting of such non-material changes, your continued use of any EPGs websites will constitute your acceptance of these changes and you will be bound by such changes. https://soupysperformance.com/. Otherwise the Rebel might be the way to go, though I prefer the style and ergonomics of this. Handling has been improved with a 41mm non-adjustable Showa inverted fork replacing the old 37mm standard unit, a wider handlebar mounted for a more upright riding position, and a more horizontally-mounted rear shock with a larger piston valve and 7-position adjustable preload. I find walking it back hard then I am on my toes. This keeps the market pressure up on the smaller-displacement CB300R. Lastly, and this Im certain is a result of our test units only having 100 miles on the odometer, shifting felt just a touch notchy. Seat heights seem to be getting higher. and Im glad you did!! Even 29 inches would be a real struggle for may short riders. The CB300R uses a premium tapered handlebar. Rake/Trail: 24.7 degrees/3.7 in. A dual overhead cam times the four-valve head with roller-rocker arm actuation and shim-type valve-lash adjustment. The maximum torque output of the bike has remained the same, but it now features a slip-assist clutch in addition to its six-speed gearbox. The Softail Slim is almost 700lbs. The Triumph Bobber is missing from this list. Keeps up with others and doesnt get pushed around. The F is far from heavy, but when hopping off one and onto another, the brain has to recalibrate for the extra mass. Imagine the opposite of that. Budget friendly? Kawasaki Vulcan 900starting at $7,99926.8-inch seat617 lbs. Maybe it has partly to do with seat width in the front. Given how thin and hard the seat already is, I doubt Honda will offer a shorter one. I have a 28 inseam and agree that a 32 seat height is far from small rider friendly. Check out that clean cable routing along the frame. Read Monkey Butt 500 about riding 500 miles in one on a Yamaha XT250, BMW G 310 R and Honda Rebel 300. Read the full policy here: https://epgmediallc.com/privacy-policy/. Please leave Harleys out as they cant compete with the japs on bang for buck or reliability! As a short rider (53 with 25.5 inseam), I can tell you 100% that leaving viable options out because of an artificial price constraint, and instead including bikes that are affordable but completely unfeasible due to seat height does not do people like me any favors. Certainly designed for a new rider, the 2021 Honda CB300R . Final Drive: O-ring chain And the optimized intake layout helps improve initial acceleration. An elegant LCD gauge display is a nice touch for a sub-$5000 motorcycle, but its a little hard to read in direct sunlight. Hondas first stop was Redlands University, which perfectly aligns with a target market for this motorcycle. Honda chose Californias Big Bear Lake and the surrounding canyon roads for the first ride on the CB300R, so I packed my bags to see what this new bike was all about. Having been spoiled by the Kawasaki Ninja 400 Ive been riding lately, it was tough to gauge what to expect from the little Honda. The advantage to scooters here is the pass through floorboard type deck where you can comfortably have one foot up and one foot down, and also still be able to walk it around when necessary, like if I have to back it up. There's precious little storage space under the seat on the CB300R. Honda CB300R Pricing. The CB300R's compact single-cylinder engine is a jewel with a free-revving, responsive nature. I am going to have to agree with you! It would be great if you simply ran a comprehensive list of ALL motorcycles at 30/760mm or less, including cases where there is some factory low seat option of some higher bike.