I’ve been riding this for about 9 months now and it’s been a blast. I’ve done nearly 9000km and I’ve done 2 major road trips of 2000 and 1800km. The bike is absolutely fantastic in the city and even out in the highway it’s a hoot. However where it is most fun is small twisty roads, where even if you don’t judge corners too well it won’t result in anything life threatening. Positives - 1. Great engine, loves to rev 2. Punchy low end 3. Sporty handling 4. Adjustable rear end 5. No major vibrations 6. Sounds great for a single, crackles and pop and all 7. Looks oh so good Negatives- 1. Luggage carrying capacity 2. Uncomfortable for passenger 3. Sporty positing so can result in sore knees, back and butt after a long day 4. Small tank is a major pain
I own this bike and a 2021 cbr600rr. This bike is so much fun to ride and much much easier to take out than the 600. So easy to whip around, easy to feel the friction zone, and a lot easier to maneuver Love it!
Practically perfect in every way, as Mary Poppins would say. When I passed my full-licence test back in February, I dug deep for a new 700 because I could. In hindsight, I think this would have suited me better: lighter, swift enough, very good looking. Ah well.
The CB300R is finally getting the love it deserves. Yes, most don't believe that the motor is a feisty little thing. I sold my 2019 CB300R after 3 1/2 years and 15k miles. I got a new 2022 Vitpilen 401. As good as the CB300R is, the Vit is greatly more refined and equipped for only $350 more.
Do you think the Vitpilen is too torquey/snappy for a first bike, or would you have gotten a Vitpilen instead of the CB300R for your first bike if you started over?
@@judge831 No, the 401s are the best beginner bikes. Throttle response is mellower than the Duke 390. I would have gotten a Vit when I bought the Honda but the price then was $6299 + $1500 shipping from Austria. It's now $5399 + $485 shipping, now made by Bajaj in India. And, the 2022 Vit has a quick shifter and adjustable suspension witch it didn't have in 2019. It's also A LOT prettier than in 2019.
@@georgekrpan3181 sad that its being built in india now. The indian ktms are full of problems including serious problems with the engine or little annoying ones like the dash fogging up after it sees water and a multitude of electrical issues. Vitpilens are also being built in the same bajaj factory. I was seriously considering a 390 duke but went with the cb300r because of these issues. Even the cb300r sold in india is produced there with less quality materials as far as i know
I’m finding myself really drawn to this nicely compact 300cc single cylinder bike… This really would be a perfect second bike, I personally wouldn’t feel safe on the roads on either a Grom or Monkey bike, or any other 125cc machine for that matter, but this little number would be the perfect alternative/solution to those bikes! It certainly would make a good garage companion to my Tracer 9-GT, I know that you have one of these also Mark. I’ve done 10,500 miles on mine now in the last 18-months. Still really enjoying it! 👍🏻
@@markpulling12 I've got a GSXR 600 K5 and an MT07 Tracer and the Bike i Spend most Miles on is the Wifes CBR250R. The Wifes other Bike, a 2021 MT03 seems a bit more Frugal on Fuel than this Bike as She never Drops below a 100 MPG, i myself get over 70 MPG on my Tracer which may Improve as i have just Put a 15 Tooth Sprocket on the Front as the 6th Gear was just to Tall, i must Add though that i Ride a Lot more Sedate than i used to.
@@MADTASS That’s interesting, I’ve never heard of anyone else seeing over 100mpg from their mt 03. Most people on YT report about 55 to 70. Mine’s showing 102.5 mpg at the present. Perhaps we’re riding more sedately than the others. I think it’s a brilliant bike as long as it fit you ergonomically.
Just picked up a new 2023 today (partially on the strength of great reviews like this one) because I wanted something a bit more powerful than the little Kawasaki Z125 Pro I bought a few weeks ago. I LOVE the little Z, but for the kind of rural back road exploration I like to do, I just noticed that for the short stretches when the posted limit is 50-55 mph, the Z struggles a bit, because other motorists tend to treat such roads as freeways. I'm not a beginner--most of the 14 bikes I've owned in the past were 1000cc or larger--but I'm discovering the joys of small-displacement bikes lately, and this one looks like a peach! Thanks.
G'day Mark from Australia, another great review, as you know already I'm a big fan of the CB range from Honda, I have ridden around Australia twice, once on CB 750 and the other a CB 1000, not one mechanical problem, and the 750 even towed my mate's BMW for 150 kms ( clutch problem), cheers mate Neil 🤠.
Test rode it for a few minutes. Absolute fun and agility is what its all about. I have Zero complaint about the performance of this machine. And looks wise too almost perfect really. Just wish it's a little big the overall body of the bike. As a 5'11 well built guy, I kinda make it look small when sitting on it
Kind of makes us wish the 500 was a single cylinder and a little lighter. 47bhp isn't a lot for a 189kg machine. That said, I haven't checked how the overall dimensions compare to this little one
Currently doing my a2 licience and this bike will be my first and last, great power, best looking naked i seen, a slip on exhaust, licience plate holder is a must. Great review btw
Honda CB300R is underrated in the UK. I now live in Thailand where a 300cc motorbike is considered a big bike. I would say it was more fun to ride than the heavy fat CB500s and more like a powerful Honda Grom/Monkey The good thing about the CB300R is that it is really good in Bangkok City jams being narrow for filtering , short wheel base and steep forks for manoeuvring round stationery vehicles in traffic jams.
Well said. 300s and 400s are more suitable for SEA countries, where the roads are narrow and lots of traffic jam. I owned a cb300r as well, and would want to treat it with Samco Sport rad hose kit. However, the company said the model is not popular in EU, so they don't plan to create the kit for it. Oh well...
@@thailandstreetscenes I purchased the CB300R (revised 2022 model with gear indicator, slipper clutch etc.) in August 2022 when it became available in Thailand. Highly recommend it for Thailand as it can be serviced and repaired at any Honda dealer though best to go to the dealer before so they can order an oil filter for it before the service.
@@johntheaccountant5594 I'm looking at buying a 2018/2019 model. Shame there's no gear indicator on those models, but I'm quite sure it's possible to have one installed. Yeah, that's the great thing about having a honda here in Thailand, so many dealerships service centres in every city .
Really wish more effort was put into passenger accommodations the misses doesn’t ride often but she’s not 90 lbs either and that makes me look at other bikes I don’t want too when small cc shopping
I agree with everything you say about this bike. I rode one at a local Dealership last week, and I LOVED it. The ONE change I would make would be to put a GOOD aftermarket seat like a Corbin on it.... I'm 68, semi-retired, and have been a rider since my teens. I don't have the "Need for speed" anymore. I'm looking for a nic all around aching as a commuter for my 11 Mile ride to work, and hen play with it a little on my days off. I'm currently without a Bike at the moment. My wife does not want to spend the money on something this "New", but I feel the little 300 would meet my needs until I can't ride anymore. I expect to be able to ride another 5-10 Years. I've test ridden two of these machines and I don't need anything bigger or faster. This IS a good all around machine!
What made me really look up was that weight - yes, Honda confirms 143kg kerb, and they usually really do fill the tank. Makes me look at this with more interest than one of the RE 350s. And the price - not RE cheap but less than Honda's own 350 scooters - the sh350 would be a twist and go city and light highway alternative but for a few hundred more. I'm interested.
Something like the enfield hunter should be cheaper.. Honda uses lighter alloys to keep weight down to around 144kg kerbweight.. The New Hunter weighs around 181kg with a full tank. That is 37kg heavier.. Enfield uses classic steel and iron in their frame and engine parts.. Like other cheaper chineese bikes such as the Zontes ZT310-T that weighs 193kg their frames and engine parts are rather heavy.. I think the meteor weighs 190.5kg with a full tank.. This makes it rather planted and stable at 100km/h... but 20.2hp to 190kg of weight.. That is just a little to soft for European motorways..
Mark, thank you once again! I've added 2 more bikes to my collection, 2 of which you helped me purchase, this one and the Forza 350 maxi scooter. The Forza is really sensible and pragmatic with that storage, but this is more fun to zip around on when you have no plans and simply want to ride around for fun. I picked up the blue one here In Australia. I was so close to pulling the trigger on the hunter 350, but wasn't so keen on doing the valve clearances myself. These Hondas have those long service / valve clearance checks, it's hard to look over. Have a good 2023!
I really liked my 2018 CB300R, Everything you said there is spot-on.. I would have kept mine, but I found the gearing quite short so when I tried the NC750X DCT I was sold. Great review and well put together. Thanks
ive done all the motorway biking 85+mph that i need to do and dual carriageways... its not stimulating biking... i just enjoy plodding scenic B roads etc nowdays..a lot less stress and more fun..this lil honda might very well be replacing my nc700x i never use..
I currently have a Yamaha XJ6n and I am looking into the lower capacity bikes due to commuting a lot but i still want something within the a2 range due to having to ride an a2 bike for two years to then upgrade to an a license. I really like the looks of these but where I live, I am unable to use all the power for my bike. Loving this blue colour. Might have to pop down to my local dealership and have a look.
Gr8 review as always Mark. I was looking at a used 300r just a couple of days ago and after watching your reviews (and seeing you lift the bike off the stand with one hand) I think I may try one for a test ride. I really like light weight bikes - this model is only 10 kilos heavier than the 125cc and the 500cc has a huge weight increase jump.
got one for nocking about on easy maintenance. wishes lift bobbins at back for tyre changes. niggle. And if this was a 350 would have been world beater for nipping to work on. otherwise grate bike. greatest gearbox i have ever road and ive had a few bikes no clunk to 1st gear
Hi James ....tough choice...the zontes is a bit more power and cheaper...the honda feels smoother and a bit nicer to ride and lighter Personally I'd pay a bit more and get the honda cheers mark
hi Mark, any chance you could review and compare with this lil Honda the similar BMW? Talking about the G 310 R, which is also a single cilinder, 313 cmc motor, 30 something bhp. Can't find this CB300R in my country, so I'll probably look at some other beginner bikes. The little bmw is of interest to me, and I can't really find a lot of good quality reviews done in Europe.. Mostly in Asia and US, but not sure they are very relevant (in terms of roads, traffic and weather conditions). Thanks and keep it going!
Hi Marian ...I'm hopefully doing some reviews over the next few months with a local ish BMW dealer so may well be able to review the 310 at some point Best wishes mark
Hi Mark , as a very short rider , can you get a lower seat for this bike ? or can the seat be adjusted ? Thank you for a fantastic review of this beautiful machine
Hi Sean yes there are low seat options ...have a Google...plus you could get the bike lowered ... something like a lust racing kit ...it's not a big job Best wishes mark
@@kyledaw876 yes what I meant was I wonder if the lexmoto uses the same engine as the Voge 500 which is a clone of the CB,500,x I see they look totally different .... leave it with me I'll have a ring round Cheers mark
Mark can you recommend a bike that's a halfway house between the CB300r and the CB500f? The 300 seems a bit underpowered for daily touring, as the revs are quite high at motorway speed, but the 500 seems too heavy, with an extra 50 kilos to lug around but only 15 more bhp. My sweet spot is something with 40 bhp and 160 kilos.
Hi will close contest but for me the Honda would just win as I wasn't too keen on the sloping seat on the z400 ...the Kawasaki is a bit faster but the Honda is perfect as a runabout Best wishes mark
Oh thanks Robert....I knew it was on its way I'll give them a shout asap but the weather is looking rubbish next week.. will review it on the next decent day hopefully Cheers for that 😊
Hey, Mark. I wondered why I hadn't seen any of your videos in my links. It seems I was unsubscribed. I have no idea why. Anyway, I've rectified this and will get up to date, mate. Nick
@@raoulduke3770 since the other 'little' bikes are heavier and you already have a big bike... perhaps the Honda for its light weight making it feel a little more like a toy, and easier to man handle in tight traffic
@@wolfpackpete6408 I like the Honda for the better components (forks, brakes) but was looking for Marks opinion on how they compare to each other. He seemed to enjoy them all.
Hi all the info re height and me on the bike is in the first five minutes But I'm 170 cm ...you should be fine at 189 cm but maybe look at the cb500f which is bigger or even the cb500x Best wishes mark
I suppose the size and weight is the reason you go for it. If you want a light bike with a low stay height then it's hard to beat. I wouldn't pay a bit more for a bike I didn't want even if it was a little quicker.
@@letni9506 Totally Agree, it will do 90 mph and you can have so much more fun, i very rarely go over 70 mph on the wifes CBR250R and i still go home Smiling with a Clean Licence.
Even though you're a fairly small guy, looking at you on the bike there's clearly no way anyone is gonna sit behind you. Bike's just too physically small for approx half the male population. Tiny tank plus no flipping mainstand grrr what's that all about? Save up your money a buy the CB500X instead. Edit: and as for 16k valve checks .. I'd rather do it twice as often on an old bike like a Superdream because it's ten times less work.
