WEIGHING IN

Honda rolls out the CB300F. Sporty aggression is the focus here, but is it really the point?

- Janak Sorap

Making motorcycles is a tough business, and making good motorcycles is even more so. But at the same time, no motorcycle is a bad motorcycle. It is also the responsibility of the manufacturers to understand the need correctly and develop a machine that slots itself in that targeted space and market in the most favourable manner. That said, Honda India had been playing around by sending out teasers of a new machine, which fueled weeks of speculation on what it might be. While some thought it would be a powerful maxi-scooter, others were betting their money on a dual-purpose offering. It turned out to be neither of the two, as Honda felt there's a growing market in the streetfighter segment in the international market, and hence, decided to bring in a derivative of it. To find out more about it, Honda had invited us to Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad to get our hands on an all-new bike.

WAIT, WHAT'S THIS?

This is the CB300F. And if you were wondering if it's based on the CB300R, or shares some of its underpinnings with the Hness CB350's powertrain, you'd be wrong. Honda has built this motorcycle from the ground up the chassis, powertrain, and other components are all-new. In terms of inspiration, the CB300F gets it from the internationally-sold CB500F, which holds a popular demand in the do-it-all naked street bike segment. Yes, it does remind one of Hornet 2.0, but the similarity is because of the same design language used. Otherwise, both motorcycles are quite different from one another.