New Honda XR300L and XR300 Rally break cover in India
Honda India has just pulled the wraps off a new XR300L and XR300 Rally, although there is no mention yet of whether they’ll make it out of Asia.
Honda has pulled the covers off a raft of new bikes destined for India, including two new lightweight trail bikes, in the form of the XR300L and XR300 Rally.
The reveal included updated versions of the ADV 160, CB500, CB350S (or GB350S as it’s known in the UK), and Rebel 300 and 500. It was the two trail bikes that got the most attention, though, with the lightweight and A2-compatible adventure bike segment currently seeing significant global growth.
The XR300L has been developed as a dual-purpose machine, blending genuine off-road capability with the sort of everyday usability that commuters and weekend trail riders are looking for. Power comes from a 293.5cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine with an oil cooler, while Honda says the emphasis has been placed on keeping the bike light, easy to handle and confidence-inspiring. Long-travel suspension should also make it more than capable of tackling green lanes and rough tracks, before heading back onto the asphalt for the ride home.
The more adventure-focused XR300 Rally takes the same foundations but adds equipment aimed at riders planning longer trips. Drawing inspiration from Honda's Dakar-winning machines, it gains rally-style bodywork, improved wind protection and touring-focused ergonomics, positioning it as the bike for riders wanting to cover distance as well as venture off the beaten track. Indian reports also suggest the Rally will feature Honda RoadSync smartphone connectivity, helping to distinguish it from the more stripped-back XR300L.
Although Honda hasn't confirmed full specifications, both bikes appear to share the same platform and engine as the CB300F sold in India, meaning output is likely to sit around the 25bhp mark. They also feature 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wire-spoke wheels, switchable dual-channel ABS and chassis hardware designed with off-road riding firmly in mind.
The big question for UK and European riders is whether either bike will make the journey west. Honda has so far only confirmed the models for India, where they'll be built locally, and there has been no word on international availability. Here in the UK, we already get the CRF300L (£5,899) and CRF300L Rally (£6,599), which were both updated for Euro5+. That probably limits the appeal of bringing another, slightly cheaper option to an already crowded market.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
