Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India recently launched the CB300F, a street naked motorcycle at a starting price of Rs. 2.26 lakh (ex-showroom). The Japanese brand’s mid-size motorcycle portfolio consists of CB300R, CB300F and CB350 twins. Now, Honda is planning to launch another bike in this category in form of the dual-sport motorcycle, the XRE300. Spotted testing for the first time in India, the ADV is compatible to run on flex-fuel (E85) in addition to the regular petrol. Interestingly, the same bike in sold in the Brazilian market, and we expect Honda to launch a similar spec model in India.
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Honda XRE 300: Test Mule Design Details
Going by the spy shots, the XRE300 looks unmistakably an adventure motorcycle, all thanks to its tall stance, long travel suspension and a pair of spoke rims. Having a closer look at the design, the ADV sports a hefty fairing upfront accompanied by an extended beak, in the typical ADV fashion. It gets an all-LED headlamp, LED indicators, an all-digital LCD instrument cluster, a hinged fuel lid and a raised handlebar. The single-piece seat offers an uplifted platform for the pillion with an integrated top rack and grab handles. An aluminium swing arm and an open chain drive complete the rear profile of the ADV. In Brazil, the XRE300 comes in three different variants, namely Adventure, ABS and Rally.
Honda XRE 300: Mechanicals
The XRE 300 rides on 21-inch front and 19-inch rear wheel shod with off-road biased 90/90 (front) and 120/80 (rear) tyres. Being a Honda, it weighs just 148 kg (Dry), and sports a seat height of 860mm. The ADV character is reflected by its 259 mm ground clearance. The suspension duties are done by a set of conventional telescopic forks at the front and a pro-link rear mono-shock. It gets dual channel ABS as standard with 256 mm front disc and 220 mm rear disc brakes. The bike sits on an extremely agile and tough semi-double crib chassis and comes with a fuel tank capacity of 13.8 litres.
Honda XRE 300: Powertrain
The Honda XRE300 uses a 291.6 cc DOHC single-cylinder air-cooled engine compatible with both petrol and ethanol. The power output from the motors is rated at 25.4 bhp and 27 Nm of peak torque. The transmission is a simple 5-speed unit.
Honda XRE 300: India Launch, Expected Pricing and Rivals
As the bike is spotted for the first time, we can assume that it is undergoing the first phase of testing. Honda can take up the opportunity to unveil the XRE300 at the 2023 Auto Expo with the market launch expected by the first half of 2023. In terms of pricing, we expect it to be priced around the Rs. 3 lakh ballpark. Once launched, the XRE300 will rival the likes of BMW G310 GS, KTM 390 Adventure, Royal Enfield Himalayan and Yezdi Adventure in its segment.
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