FAIRED FANTASIES

Is the Keeway K300 R trying to tread the line between visually fun and practically fantastical?

- Keshav Teiva Poumai

The 300-400cc supersport segment is something of a puzzle in the Indian market. If one was to argue that visuals, and not performance, is the most important thing for this type of bike, it would be a very long day. And with respect to that, we take a deeper look into what exactly Keeway intends to establish with the K300 R.

The Keeway K300 R is quite the looker, with a sharp, focused-looking front-end, braced on either side by prominent daytime-running lights, and all the shapely bodywork, muscular side panels, and overall butch styling, make it look quick even when parked. Keeway is already showing off its design proficiency in places like the tail unit, with its LED tail-light and through-body aero tunnels, not to mention that it is designed by the same firm that designs KTM motorcycles.

This being a Chinese motorcycle, we expected some rough edges, but there wasn't really anything that really stood out negatively. Other than the switchgear feeling basic and the weirdly located horn button, the build quality feels pretty solid. Further, it gets upside-down forks with radial brake callipers, and a preload-adjustable mono-shock unit at the rear.