– 2018 Honda CBR300 R Sport Bike Review: Specs, HP & TQ Performance Info + More! (includes ABS CBR300R) –

The 300cc CBR you’ve came to know over the last few years is back again for 2018! But the most obvious question most want to know isn’t did the CBR300R return for 2018 but were there any changes on the 2018 CBR300R VS 2017 CBR300R? The only changes you’ll find on the 2018 CBR300R are color options. Last year we only had Red / Black to choose from but thankfully for 2018 Honda has decided to give us another color to choose from and that’s Matte Black Metallic. At the time of writing this, Honda has not released pictures of the new Matte Black Metallic CBR for 2018 so below you’ll only find pictures of the Red / Black combo. I will update this page though once the new pictures are released.

The CBR300R offers yet again the almost-perfect balance of beginner-friendly features and the typical Honda refinement that more experienced riders will appreciate. Light weight, superb handling, peppy power, unmatched build quality and attention to detail – combine all that with Honda’s famous reliability and the CBR300R is an instant winner. As usual, the 2018 CBR300R is available in two versions: the CBR300R and the CBR300R ABS with an Anti-Lock Braking System.

A lot of times these budget smaller cc bikes are overlooked by their larger counterparts like the CBR600RR / CBR1000RR etc saying that they are too slow or that beginner riders will grow bored of them too quickly. While that is true in some circumstances, I believe too many mark these off the list of beginner motorcycles to check out because they listen to advice from friends that couldn’t be further from the truth. Not everyone wants or “needs” a true supersport bike that will do the 1/4 mile in the sub 10 second mark. Nor do they want something so powerful and so capable with its big $$ suspension that even racers have a hard time pushing them to 100% of their capabilities. Supersport bikes like the CBR600RR / CBR300RR, GSXR600 / GSXR1000, ZX6R / ZX10R, R6 / R6 etc were designed and built to do one thing – to race! I’m not saying you can’t ride one daily or lug it around town etc but if you’re doing that then you paid that premium price tag when for nothing. Well, not for nothing as the sheer power they make is intoxicating and addicting with how they want to rip you off the seat when you roll on the throttle haha. However, you can have just as much fun with the smaller machines that are lighter in weight, easier to handle and very fun to throw around on winding mountain roads. Models like this CBR300R are substantially cheaper to purchase, cheaper insurance costs plus you can practically double their fuel mileage ratings with the 300 CBR posting up MPG ratings exceeding 70+! I’m not just saying all of this just to say it… I own a CBR600RR track bike but heck I have more fun on my Honda Grom that’s only a 125cc motorcycle than I ever had on my CBR sport bike while riding on the street. Horsepower doesn’t always equal fun is what I’m trying to get at but leave it up to me to type a novel when it could have not said in a lot less words. Tire prices compared to their larger cousins are another big factor as you can spend $300+ for a set of tires without blinking an eye on a 600 / 1000 cc sport bike and that’s not even counting labor to mount them. Long story short, if you’re in the market for a bike, look at the big picture and don’t take what some people tell you as the ‘gospel’ when it comes to what size bike YOU should get.

CBR Review Contents:

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Model overview
• 3. Key features

»»» Engine

»»» Chassis / Styling

• 4. CBR300R VS the Competition
• 5. Accessories
• 6. Quick overview (for those that want “short story” version)
• 7. Development
• 8. Technical Specifications

1. 2018 CBR300R | Introduction

A true lightweight sport bike can offer much of the excitement of a bigger machine and sometimes more, as every last scrap of performance can be accessed, used and enjoyed like I touched on above. For the less experienced rider, it’s a great platform from which to hone riding skills, and much more affordable in every respect – initial purchase, insurance, fuel and tires – than more higher-powered sports bikes.

– CBR300R Video Review of Specs –

Launched in 2011, the CBR250R has provided the perfect entry point into Honda’s Super Sport CBR range. Its compact size, involving single-cylinder engine, and looks inspired by bigger CBR machines – plus typically strong Honda build quality – have earned it a key position in Honda’s Super Sport line-up. Honda’s engineers went back to the drawing board for an upgrade to the CBR250R, and the result is what you see here with the 2018 CBR300R. The development of new CBR300R took two paths: more power and torque and a much stronger CBR identity with tight ties to the larger models.

2. 2018 CBR300R | Model Overview

The development approach for the CBR300R when redesigned took two avenues: more power and torque and a much stronger CBR identity than what was there with the previous CBR250R, with stronger visual echoes of its larger capacity siblings, giving a more direct taste of the CBR brand itself.

Firstly, the liquid-cooled engine was bumped-up to its now 286cc (originally 249cc) displacement, achieved through a longer stroke. It has also received upgrades to take full advantage of the increased power, torque and vibration that the larger capacity brings. Work has centred on the engine’s throttle response and power delivery, while a new CBR500R-style exhaust is both an aesthetic and functional upgrade.

The CBR1000RR was design inspiration for the CBR300R’s new look when Honda attacked it with its designers. Dual headlights closely mimic the bigger bike and aggressive styling for the fairing, fuel tank and seat unit are unmistakably CBR. The undercowl is also color-matched.

Compared to larger capacity twin-cylinder machines, the CBR300R is a more compact, lighter and more manageable package for both new and experienced riders, with significantly lower purchase and running costs complementing its flexible and accessible performance.

2018 CBR300R Models / Options:

• 2018 CBR300R
• 2018 CBR300R ABS (ABS = Anti-Lock Brakes)

2018 CBR300R Prices / MSRP:

• 2018 CBR300R Price – TBA
• 2018 CBR300R ABS Price – TBA

2018 CBR300R Colors:

• Matte Black Metallic (* Honda has not released pictures of the ‘Matte Black Metallic’ CBR300R just yet which is why you only see the red / black model pictured here. Once Honda releases the exact color-scheme they will be using with the matte black metallic paint, I will update this page.)
• Red / Black

2018 CBR300R Release Date:

• At the time of writing this, Honda has not made it official as to when the 2018 CBR300R release date is.

3. 2018 CBR300R | Key Features

»»»  3.1 CBR300R Engine

The CBR300R’s DOHC 4-valve engine retains its 76mm bore, but stroke was increased 8mm to 63mm to give the larger 286cc capacity from when it was originally the CBR250R that debuted in 2011. Compression ratio remains 10.7:1 and peak power of 30.5 HP / 22.7kW arrives at 8,500rpm with peak torque of 19.9 lb ft / 27Nm at 7,250 rpm – a healthy increase over the CBR250R’s output (26 HP / 19.4kW @ 8,500rpm and 17.5 lb ft torque / 23.8Nm @ 7,000rpm).

Countering extra vibration from the longer stroke, the balancer shaft is heavier and the engine’s frame mounts are stronger. The PGM-FI fuel injection – with 38 mm throttle bore – has been remapped with a focus on crisp throttle response across the rev range. A new CBR500R-inspired muffler design with larger internal volume adds big-bike style and a pleasing exhaust note.

The CBR300R’s single-cylinder engine offers many benefits. Because the number of moving parts is kept to an absolute minimum, the engine is more fuel efficient, and small details like the low-friction piston rings and iridium spark plug help reduce running costs.

Acceleration is greatly improved thanks to the larger capacity,and the six-speed gearbox’s final drive ratio has been lengthened for more efficient highway speed cruising. The 2018 CBR300RR MPG rating comes in at 71 MPG (30.2km/l), it can cover over 230 miles on one fill-up of the 3.4 gallon fuel tank.

The mechanical simplicity of the engine reduces servicing costs (oil changes every 8,000 miles is hard to beat!) – another essential element in creating a problem-free ownership experience. It compact size also helps create a bike that is lighter and more manageable than a multi-cylinder, and allows it be positioned perfectly within the chassis for an ideal front / rear weight distribution.

Want more details on the 2018 CBR300R engine? Make sure to check out the Development section near the bottom of the page!

• – 2018 CBR300R Horsepower: 30.5 @ 8,500 RPM (22.7 kW)
• – 2018 CBR300R Torque: 19.9 lb ft @ 7,250 RPM (27 Nm)
• – 2018 CBR300R MPG: 71 miles per gallon (30.2 km / l)

»»»  3.2 CBR300R Frame / Chassis & Styling

The CBR250R’s design inspiration had echoes of the Sport Touring VFR1200F. For the CBR300R, styling cues are taken directly from the Super Sport range-topping CBR1000RR with an angular silhouette and aggressive full fairing, color-matched undercowl, dual headlights and steeply raked rear seat unit.

The riding position has been subtly altered – while seat height remains 30.7 inches / 785 mm, ground reach has been improved with a narrower, re-shaped seat. For a sleeker look both mirrors sit on shorter arms.

A steel diamond twin-spar frame provides the backbone of the CBR300R’s chassis and features a rigidity balance carefully tuned for both a sporty dynamic in corners and stability at speed. Rake is set at 25°05′with trail of 98mm and wheelbase of 1,380mm / 54.3 inches; curb weight comes in at 357 pounds.

37mm telescopic forks and Pro-Link rear monoshock provide well-damped, reactive suspension that transmits plenty of feel to the rider. Cast aluminum wheels – rim sizes front 17 x 2.75 in and rear 17 x 4 in – wear 110/70-17 and 140/70-17 tires to provide a good combination of grip and agility.

ABS is an available option on the 2018 CBR300R: lightweight 2-channel ABS is married to the front 296mm disc/two piston caliper and rear 220mm disc/single-piston caliper, for powerful, yet controllable, braking.

4. 2018 CBR300R vs The Competition…

How does the comparison stack up when comparing the 2018 CBR300R vs Yamaha R3 vs Kawasaki Ninja 300? I won’t bore you with a spec sheet comparison as you can find those anywhere online of you Google the models mentioned above. I want to dive into a couple of details that many leave out of comparisons like the “cost of ownership” etc. I will touch on the usual spec differences between the CBR300R, R3, Ninja 300 models though like horsepower, price, MPG, seat height, power-to-weight ratio numbers etc in the table below.

2018 CBR300R vs R3 vs Ninja 300 Comparison of Specs

Model	Horsepower	Curb Weight	Seat Height	Power-to-Weight Ratio	MPG	Oil Change Intervals	Valve Inspection Intervals	MSRP / Price	ABS MSRP / Price
Ninja 300	35	379 lb	30.9 inches	0.092	70	7,600 miles	7,600 miles	$4,999	$5,299
YZF-R3	42	368 lb	30.7 inches	0.114	56	4,000 miles	26,600 miles	$4,999	*not available
CBR300R	30.5	357 lb	30.7 inches	0.085	71	8,000 miles	16,000 miles	$4,499	$4,999

* MPG ratings in the chart above are pulled from each manufacturers spec sheets.

Fuelly.com MPG Ratings from riders around the world:

• Honda CBR300R – 74.9 MPG
• Yamaha R3 – 56.7 MPG
• Kawasaki Ninja 300 – 55.4 MPG

As you can see in the chart above they are all three fairly close in all aspects. Yes, the 2018 R3 and Ninja 300 are slightly faster on paper than the CBR300R with more horsepower but keep in mind – are you buying this as a “race bike” or a daily commuter to have some fun with on pretty weekends and save some money too? If saving money is more important than the cheaper price tag of the CBR300R and it’s overall cost of maintaining might be more beneficial to you. The R3 and CBR300R are very similar with their oil change and valve inspection intervals but take a peek at how often the Ninja 300 is recommended by the owners manual to be back in the dealership. If you’re handy with tools and doing valve inspections and oil changes then you can help offset the costs but you’ll still be paying double in oil and oil filter costs.   Which 2018 300 cc sport bike / motorcycle is better? The 2018 CBR300R, R3 or Ninja 300? Only you can answer that… It’s whichever one will suit your needs the best when comparing. It’s the one that you like the “feel” of when siting on. It’s the one that stirs your soul the most when looking at it in the garage. The one you’ll be happier paying those payments on each month or stroking out that check for in one lump sum haha. * Information used in the chart above is using the 2017 models from Yamaha and Kawasaki as at the time of writing this post they have not announced their 2018 models but they will be the same and carry over models so the information will not be changing when compared against last years models.

5. 2018 CBR300R | Accessories

• Single seat cowl
• Tail pack
• Tank pads
• Light alloy front fork bolts
• Carbon look front fender
• Carbon look drive chain
• Immobilizer alarm
• U-lock

6. Quick Overview of Key Points

Honda’s CBR300R delivers a giant dose of performance and fun way out of proportion to its engine size. Even experienced riders can’t seem to wipe the smile off their face after a ride on this modestly-sized machine. And one ride will tell you why. It’s the sporting member of Honda’s 300 lineup, with a little more bodywork. The single-cylinder engine is light and narrow, making it easier to sit on the bike and get your feet on the ground at stops. And the single-cylinder powerband with its wide torque spread is perfect for both in-town or freeway rides. The light weight makes it responsive on twisty roads. But maybe best of all, the CBR300R offers excellent fuel efficiency, too.

• Disc Brakes |
  • The CBR300R features a 296mm front and 220mm rear hydraulic disc for excellent stopping power and brake feel.

• Anti-Lock Braking System (optional) | 
  • ABS—available on the CBR300R—can be a big help in making controlled stops in less-than-ideal conditions, like on wet pavement or when there’s sand or other debris on the road. It’s the perfect choice whether you’re using your new bike as a commuter or just riding it for fun, since it helps you stop with added confidence.
• Analog / Digital Instrumentation
  • The CBR300R’s digital gauges with analog tachometer provide vital riding information in a styled, hi-tech instrumentation package featuring digital speedometer, fuel gauge, coolant temp, tripmeter/odometer and clock.

• Supersport Styling | 
  • The CBR300R features full-cowl Supersport styling and dual headlights, increasing aero efficiency and carrying the styling cues from our CBR-RR series.
• Single-Cylinder Engine | 
  • A single is the perfect choice for a bike like the CBR300R. It’s light, simple, fuel efficient and features a broad powerband with plenty of low-revving torque—just what you want in your first motorcycle, but geared for comfortable cruising at highway speeds.
  • The 286cc single-cylinder engine is thoroughly modern in design thanks to its dual overhead camshafts driven by a Hy-Vo-type chain, forked roller rocker arms, four-valve head, shim-style valve adjustment, counterbalancer shaft and liquid cooling.
  • The CBR300R’s single-cylinder engine produces a broad torque curve with peak torque generated at an easily accessible 7000 rpm. Peak horsepower kicks in at 8500 rpm, well before the 10,500-rpm redline—further testimony to the wide spread of power. Such power characteristics facilitate smooth, responsive operation while also returning impressive fuel economy.
  • The crankshaft runs in plain bearings for quieter operation, and the big end of the connecting rod spins in a low-friction needle bearing.
  • Because it features a counterbalancer, the CBR300R engine is a smooth runner. You get the narrow overall width and power advantages of a single along with the smoothness of a multi-cylinder bike. The engine countershaft sits lower than the mainshaft to further reduce the front-to-back engine dimension. It’s located so close to the crankshaft that the balancer weight passes between the two crank weights to keep the engine as compact as possible while boosting mass centralization.
• Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) |
  • The (PGM-FI) system continuously monitors several variables to ensure the correct fuel mixture for the existing riding and atmospheric conditions, thereby delivering optimal performance and remarkably crisp throttle response over a wide range of operating conditions, plus increased fuel economy. Fuel injection also means the CBR300R starts right up, even in cold weather. Compared to a carbureted bike, it also helps reduce emissions and enhance performance and fuel efficiency.
  • The PGM-FI system incorporates an Idle Air Control Valve (IACV) to minimize torque reaction and smooth responses to small changes in throttle position. This is accomplished through gradual reductions of air and fuel intake when the throttle is opened and closed.
• Transmission | 
  • The six-speed transmission works in concert with the engine’s broad power delivery to produce quick acceleration plus admirable fuel economy during top-gear cruising.
• Frame / Chassis |
  • Diamond twin-spar steel frame plus a 37mm front fork and Pro-Link® single-shock rear suspension provide impressive handling and a comfortable ride.

• Pro-Link® Rear Suspension | 
  • The CBR300R uses a single-shock preload-adjustable rear suspension that not only gives you a smooth ride but helps enhance handling as well, like some of our larger sport models.
• Narrow Seat & Low Seat Height | 
  • A low 30.7-inch seat height does more than help make sure the CBR300R fits a wide range of riders. It makes it easier to put your feet down at stoplights and in parking lots—a big confidence builder. Plus, we offer a Honda Genuine Accessory seat that lowers seat height even further!
• Under-Seat Storage | 
  • Removing the rear passenger seat provides a lockable area to throw a map, gloves or a spare set of sunglasses.

• Passenger Ready | 
  • A separate passenger seat, integrated grab rail and standard passenger footpegs mean you can take a friend along when you go riding—another example of the CBR300R’s versatility.
• Weight |
  • Curb weight of only 357 pounds gives the CBR300R outstanding maneuverability and helps instill rider confidence.
• Riding Position |
  • Sporty ergonomics keep the rider perched in a well-balanced seating position to deliver a natural feel and comfortable stance even over daylong rides.
• Wheels |
  • 17-inch cast wheels return big-bike feel and handling traits.

7. 2018 CBR300R Development

Engine

Below, we’ll dive deeper into the minds of the genius’ that designed / engineered this gem of an engine that’s being used in the 2018 CBR300R. Is it the highest output engine in its class? Nope. If you’ve ever ridden the CBR300R or CBR250R and CRF250L that both use the same powerplant, you have to admit that this engine is quite the little package and hard to believe it’s a single-cylinder with just how smooth it is. If you’re anything like me, I love to read the nitty-gritty details that go into a bike as I find it rather fascinating at what all it does take to bring a bike to market. I think we forget a lot of the time at just how much work goes into bringing us these toys that we all love to ride so I’m going to start adding these “Development” sections to most of my 2018 Motorcycle Reviews so everyone can get all of the info available if they want to take the time to soak it all in.

The CBR300R engine was developed by aiming at a global single-cylinder engine that transcends regions, while being sporty and eco-friendly at the same time, with a look ahead at the next generation.

To fulfill basic performance requirements as a sport bike while setting higher targets for environmental performance, a DOHC was chosen as the valve system. DOHC improves combustion efficiency by reducing the weight of the reciprocating portion of the valves. This selection also allows us to freely choose the included valve angle, the port shape, and the shape of the combustion chamber. The choice of DOHC contributes to improved product appeal as a sports bike as well as to performance.

For the valve system, a roller rocker arm was adopted by a DOHC engine motorcycle for the first time in the world. A low-friction valve train with a smaller cylinder head was achieved through an ultra-compact layout for the roller rocker arm. The choice of a shim design for valve tappet adjustment reduced the rocker arm weight, while friction was reduced by setting the valve spring load to a low level. For better maintainability, the shim can be replaced without removing the camshaft.

To reduce blow-by gas and oil consumption, a spiny sleeve was adopted for the cylinder sleeve. Small spines have been added to the outer surface to improve cooling performance and help reduce distortion of the inner cylinder’s shape. In addition, centrifugal casting allowed a thin, uniform wall thickness, which aids weight reduction. For emission measures, an O² sensor is combined with the built-in air induction (AI) system and a catalyzer is fitted inside the exhaust pipe to comply with Euro 3 emission regulation. The power unit complies with other environmental regulations such as Thailand’s sixth emission standards, for which the evaporator system (evaporative emission control system) was put in place for the Thai model.

In the area of engine performance, a short-stroke engine was chosen to improve responsiveness in making the bike’s sporty characteristics easy to handle. The resulting bore stroke is on a par with that of CBR1000RR, Honda’s high performance, super sport bike. In designing the crankshaft, no efforts were spared to reduce weight in order to lower the inertial mass while achieving additional weight reduction in the piston and connecting rod. Sufficient cooling performance was ensured by conducting a high-efficiency cooling water flow analysis based on a CAE simulation to give higher output. To ensure that output characteristics are stress-free and powerful from low to high rpm ranges, charging efficiency was improved. Additional measures for higher efficiency include straightening from the air cleaner to the exhaust pipe. Valve stems have been made thinner, although valve diameters are large for both intake and exhaust. This valve design is coupled with a wide opening angle and a high-lift cam to improve intake/exhaust efficiency. To achieve output characteristics that are easy to handle at low speed and smooth rev-up at high rpm, the intake/exhaust systems were thoroughly analyzed to adopt the ideal port/pipe length and bore size.

Honda’s original new-generation crankshaft mechanism was used to realize an engine full of high-quality feel while maintaining high output.

First, a metal bearing (half-split, press-fit) was chosen for the crank journal for the first time on a Honda single-cylinder motorcycle. A cast-iron bush was selected for the crank bearing section in order to improve the rigidity of the crankcase housing and control changes crank journal’s oil clearance arising from thermal expansion. In this way, the design takes productivity into account with an eye toward a global roll-out, while improving quietness at the same time.

Second, while using a built-up type crankshaft that allows the big end of the connecting rod to be used as a low-friction roller bearing, the optimal crank web shape was realized as a result of a computer analysis of strength and rigidity. This ensures high rigidity on a par with a solid type crankshaft.

Crankshaft rigidity is enhanced further and quietness is improved by placing the balancer’s driving gear on the right cover inside the clutch housing -a design that narrows the distance between the left/right crank bearings and places a ball bearing at the tip of the crankshaft right side. For vibration, a primary balancer was chosen to produce a high-quality single-cylinder engine.

Frame / Chassis

Honda’s development objectives for the frame and chassis include fusing flexibility with a rigid feel at a high level through mass centralization and satisfying the sporty feel a rider gets the moment they mount the bike. Development also aimed to provide a basic riding performance that covers body size, dimensions, driving stability, and riding position; these factors were optimized for riders of all kinds from beginners to experienced riders so that they can feel the fun of maneuvering -a fundamental element of motorcycle riding. A rider should be able to use the bike casually in everyday life, go touring at times, and enjoy a sporty ride at other times.

More specific objectives included the following:

• A frame that will realize agile handling and steady maneuverability characteristics as a 250cc full-cowl sport model
• A sporty riding position that takes into account a level of comfort and ease of handling that will satisfy customers around the world
• A secure suspension capable of supporting the ride that the rider wants and maximizing bike performance
• The first introduction in its class of Combined ABS, which provides customers with a sense of security

Riding Position

The riding position takes into account the body size and shape of customers from a global standpoint to broaden the range of riders to include people of small and large stature, so that as many people as possible can fully enjoy the bike. Furthermore, a sporty riding position that is stress-free and makes it easier to handle the bike was realized by considering how people use bikes in various countries, including touring from a congested urban area over highways to suburban areas and taking a sports ride on a winding road. The seat has realized an easy reach to the ground that provides a sense of security through optimization of its hardness and shape. By not hindering the movement of the rider or passenger, the functional shape allows them to enjoy even a long ride in comfort and ease.

Frame Dimensions

With the CBR300R, Honda aimed at straightforward handling that is agile and yet provides a sense of security. Toward that end, agility and high turning performance were obtained by employing a newly developed compact engine, shortening the wheelbase, and optimizing the front-rear weight distribution while concentrating heavy components at the vehicle’s center of gravity. At the same time, weight reduction, straightforward handling with a sense of security, and reduced vehicle vibration were achieved by optimizing the position of the engine mount and the frame rigidity balance.

Rear Suspension

Adopting a Pro-link suspension allows a light and more compact rear suspension to be realized. This suspension demonstrates progressive characteristics (increases/decreases occur gradually) and high road tractability through ratio optimization.

This Pro-Link suspension makes the ride more stable by moderating damping force characteristics for a softer ride during short travel and by boosting the damping force characteristics for sure damping with a long stroke length during extended travel. In this way, the suspension features damping force characteristics that change progressively, and having a compact suspension layout near the center of gravity contributes greatly to improved driving stability. The Pro-Link rear suspension has a functional advantage in that the cushion stroke length increases at a greater rate in proportion to the stroke length of the rear axle portion. That is, this mechanism has progressive characteristics (increases/decreases occur gradually); the cushion arm and connecting rod function so that the cushion stroke is shorter in the range where the rear axle does not move much and gets longer as the rear axle movement reaches a higher range.

In addition, the five-position preload adjuster can be adjusted to respond to the rider’s preferences, riding in tandem, and other demands. Proper toughness along with high rigidity has been achieved through a 574mm rear swing arm and 60 × 30mm pipes with square sections. Because the plastic inner fender also serves as the chain case, high design quality and weight reduction were achieved while reducing splashes of mud and chipping on the vehicle body, rear cushion and ABS modulator.

Brakes

The brake design takes into account all types of roads and riding environments in the world. A more powerful braking force is secured by installing a front brake consisting of a two-pot floating caliper attached to a floating disc with large 296mm diameter and a rear brake consisting of a large diameter, one-pot caliper attached to a 220mm diameter disc. A newly-developed resin-molded brake pad with the same effectiveness as a sintered pad has been introduced to realize a brake system that makes the rider feel secure whenever they use it during an urban ride, long-distance touring, or a sports ride. In addition, for the first time in the world as a 250cc motorcycle, specifications have been set to incorporate Combined ABS, which combines a front/rear wheel interlocking brake system with an anti-lock brake system (ABS). This Combined ABS is a Honda-original brake system in which the front/rear wheel interlocking brake generates a braking force ideally distributed between front and rear wheels, and high deceleration is obtained when the foot brake is applied, but this system assumes a sports ride when the hand brake is applied (on the front wheel), thus allowing the front brake to function independently. Furthermore, the anti-lock brake system limits unexpected vehicle body movements due to wheel lock and releases riders from excessive tension even during sudden braking or under slippery road surface conditions such as rain. Thus, surer braking force can be secured with normal operation.

ABS Brakes (ABS = Anti-Lock Brakes)

The combined ABS model is equipped with a three-pot caliper in front, front/rear wheel speed sensors that detect the condition of the vehicle, and an ABS modulator with a built-in ECU. The ECU processes information from wheel speed sensors and controls the feed of hydraulic pressure to the caliper. Advanced braking performance was achieved in step with maneuverability by placing heavy items such as ABS modulator near the center of gravity of vehicle body. The combined brake system is designed to assist braking operation. The basics of braking concurrently operating the hand brake (front wheel) and the foot brake (rear wheel) according to the circumstances should not change. ABS is not designed to shorten braking distance, but assist braking operation. Therefore, just like with vehicles without ABS, it is necessary to follow save riding practices such as decelerating sufficiently before cornering. The system does not control reckless driving.

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Is the 2018 CBR300R the perfect bike for everyone? Nope. What bike is “perfect” for everyone though? Is the CBR300R perfect? Nope. It is hard to find faults though on the CBR300R as Honda took what was wrong with the CBR250R and fixed it to create the CBR300R. Could the CBR300R use more high-end adjustable suspension? Yes but that is me being picky with my background of sport bikes and what I use them for which is track-duty and carving the mountains etc to where I need and can utilize that adjustability. In the grand-scheme of things, most people that are eyeing the CBR300R won’t ever need and or want to touch the adjustment knobs on their suspension and if Honda threw that money at better suspension for the 1% of people out there it would upset the majority because the bike would then demand a higher price-tag. For those of us that want a 250 cc / 300 cc ‘super sport’ bike that takes this small package and throws more horsepower and high-end suspension at it, we all need to join hands and pray that Honda brings the All-NEW CBR250RR to the USA haha! Could the CBR300R use a slight horsepower increase? In my opinion, yes it could but what’s the old saying “You can’t have your cake and eat it too”. Honda couldn’t give it too much more power though as then you wouldn’t have a large enough performance gap between the CBR / CB 500cc family which would then eat into their sales numbers. Only you can answer if the CBR300R has enough power to keep you happy. If you’re worried about it not having enough power, there’s an easy way to solve that – find a CBR300R or even a CBR250R and take one for a test ride. Yes the CBR250R is down on horsepower but it’s going to give you a very good idea of what you’ll be working with on the CBR300R. If you find the 30 horsepower isn’t enough to keep you happy but want to stick with Honda, I would recommend you check out the CBR500R as you’re going to get an extra 20 horsepower! That may not seem like a lot if you’re coming from the ‘car world’ but on motorcycles you’ll find out that 20 horsepower is quite the increase in performance. I wouldn’t start with the CBR300R and modify it thinking you’re going to increase the horsepower enough to keep you happy and you’ll burn through quite the large stack of cash only to find out the power gains are very minimal at best. Here’s a little bit of math to think about, you could drop $1,000 into your CBR300R to maybe and I do mean maybe gain 5-6 horsepower whereas you could’ve spent just a little more than that $1,000 and got into the 500cc CBR500R or CB500F from Honda (CB500X if you’re into the adventure style bikes) and got that extra 20 horsepower right off the bat and it’s still bone-stock and reliable as ever because you haven’t tampered with it yet. I’m getting a little long-winded again like I did at the start of this page when I meant to just touch on this topic haha.

Thanks for checking out my Detailed Review on the 2018 CBR 300R! I hope the information was of some help while you research the CBR300R. If so, please take a second and slap that Like Button and Share as well as browse around the site and see if anything else catches your eyes. Thanks again guys!

* Disclaimer: This is all my opinion and nothing more, take it for what it is and it’s nothing more than motorcycle banter from an enthusiast that likes to ramble on from time to time. I do make mistakes from time to time when it comes to the detailed specs, if you see a mistake please comment below and give me a heads up so I can correct it. Thanks as always for checking out the site!

8. 2018 CBR300R Technical Specifications

2018 CBR300R Specifications

Model	2018 CBR300R ABS	2018 CBR300R
Engine Type	286cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
Bore x Stroke	76.0mm x 63.0mm
Compression Ratio	10.7:1
Induction	PGM-FI; 38mm throttle body
Ignition	Computer-controlled digital transistorized w/ electronic advance
Transmission	Six-speed
Final Drive	520 chain
Valve Train	DOHC; four valves per cyclinder
SUSPENSION
Front	37mm telescopic fork; 4.65 in. travel
Rear	Pro-Link® single shock; 4.07 in. travel
BRAKES
Front	296mm single disc; ABS	296mm single disc
Rear	220mm single disc; ABS	220mm single disc
TIRES
Front	110/70-17
Rear	140/70-17
Rake (Caster Angle)	25º 30′
Trail	98mm (3.9 in.)
Seat Height	30.7 in.
Ground Clearance	5.7 in.
Wheelbase	54.3 in.
Fuel Capacity	3.4 gal.
Color	Matte Black Metallic, Red/Black
Curb Weight*	364 lbs.	357 lbs.

Service Manual: 61K3301 Owner’s Manual: 31K33A10 Engine: Specification, Units: mm (in) Cylinder arrangement: Single cylinder inclined 20° from vertical Bore and stroke: 76 x 63 mm (2.99 x 2.48 in) Displacement: 286 cm³ (17.4 cu-in) Cylinder compression at rpm: 1,294 kPa (13.2 kgf/cm2, 188 psi) @ 490 rpm Intake: 0.16 ± 0.03 (0.006 ± 0.001) Exhaust: 0.27 ± 0.03 (0.011 ± 0.001) Recommended engine oil/classification/viscosity: Pro Honda GN4 4-stroke oil/API: SG or higher, JASO T 903 standard: MA/SAE 1 Oil capacity after draining/engine oil filter change: 1.5 liters (1.6 US qt, 1.3 Imp qt) Final Drive: Specification C/S sprocket: 14 Rear sprocket: 36 Drive chain size (x) links: 520 x 108 Cooling System: Specification Recommended antifreeze/concentration: Pro Honda HP Coolant or ethylene glycol antifreeze Coolant capacity,radiator and engine: 1.10 liters (1.16 US qt, 0.97 Imp qt) Fuel System: Specification Type/throttle bore: PGM-FI/38 mm (1.5 in) Carburtetor/throttle body ID #: GQ9JA Idle speed (+/- 100 rpm): 1,400 ± 100 min-1 (rpm) Fuel pressure at idle: 294 kPa (3.0 kgf/cm2, 43 psi) Throttle grip/lever free play: 2 – 6 mm (1/16 – 1/4 in) Suspension: Specification Recommended fork fluid: Pro Honda Suspension Fluid SS-8 (10W) Fork fluid capacity/and level: 331 ± 2.5 cm3 (11.2 ± 0.08 US oz)/ 150 (5.9) Tires: Specification Front  Size: 110/70-17M/C 54S Cold tire pressure: 200 kPa (2.00 kgf/cm², 29 psi) Rear  Size: 140/70-17M/C 66S Cold tire pressure: 200 kPa (2.00 kgf/cm², 29 psi) Battery/Charging System: Specification Charging system type: Triple phase output alternator BatteryCapacity/Model: 12 V – 6 Ah/YTX7L-BS Fully charged: 13.0 – 13.2 V Needs charging: Below 12.3 V Normal: 0.6 A/5 – 10 h Quick: 3 A/1 h Regulated voltage at rpm: Measured BV < Measured CV < 15.5 V @ 5000 rpm Alternator charging coil resistance: 0.1 – 1.0 O Lighting Equipment: Specification Hi: 12 V – 55 W Lo: 12 V – 55 W Brake/tail light: 12 V – 21/5 W Front turn signal/running light bulb: 12 V – 21 W x 2 Rear turn signal light bulb: 12 V – 21 W x 2 Ignition System: Specification Ignition system type: Computer-controlled digital transistorized with el Ignition timing (F mark): 10° BTDC at idle Standard – NGK: SIMR8A9 Spark plug gap: 0.8 – 0.9 mm (0.031 – 0.035 in) Ignition coil peak voltage: 100 V minimum Ignition pulse generator peak voltage: 0.7 V minimum

* Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride
Meets current EPA standards. Models sold in California meet current CARB standards and may differ slightly due to emissions equipment.