When it was time to swap the Honda Rebel 1100T DCT test bike for something new to review, I watched as the bagger-styled cruiser was wheeled away and a little yellow CB300R was moved into its place. My ride home would surely be less comfortable than the ride up, and I imagined I’d sorely miss the more available power of the 1100. But after the first few miles, I was reminded why I’m hesitant to relegate approachable, smaller models solely to the “beginner motorcycle” category. 

That’s not to say the Honda CB300R isn’t beginner-friendly, because it certainly is. Powered by the same liquid-cooled 286cc Single found in the Honda Rebel 300 and fully faired CBR300R, sporting a light weight of only 316 lb, and offering a reasonably short reach to the ground with its 31.6-inch seat height, it carries Honda’s well-known reliability matched with an easy-to-ride profile. Fortunately, “beginner-friendly” is not the antonym of “fun.” 

The Honda CB300R entered the lineup for the 2019 model year as a replacement for the CB300F. It sported updated styling and a host of changes aimed at reducing weight by more than 30 lb compared to the F. In 2022, the CB300R received a few other updates, including a slip/assist clutch, standard ABS, and a Showa SFF-BP fork – useful additions for riders of all experience levels. For 2025, the CB300R is available in Matte Black Metallic or the eye-catching Pearl Dust Yellow of our test bike with an MSRP of $5,149. 

But the beauty of the model is that it remains uncomplicated. I like playing around with ride modes, traction control levels, adjustments, smartphone connectivity, and other cool features as much as the next rider, but sometimes they can be just as distracting as they are useful. When you’re riding a CB300R, all you’ve got to focus on is the ride itself. 

And what a fun ride it is. You know what they say about riding a slow bike fast, and that’s certainly true of the CB300R. It moves through its 6-speed gearbox quickly, and Honda claims respectable horsepower and torque figures of 31 hp at 9,000 rpm and 20.2 lb-ft at 8,000 rpm. It’ll keep up with interstate speeds of about 75 to 80 mph with minimal fuss, but that’s not the environment in which the CB300R feels at home. Dashing along backroads is when the bike is at its happiest. 

What makes the bike truly enjoyable is how nimble it is. With its light weight and a short wheelbase of 53.2 inches, it has quick steering and easily falls into turns with little input from the rider. The bike’s flickable nature and lack of wind protection makes it feel like you’re riding faster than you actually are. While I’ve been testing the bike, there were a few times during which I was sure I was riding beyond the speed limit, only to look down at the LCD display and realize I wasn’t. Having fun without risking a speeding ticket is like a low-calorie cookie – all the pleasure without the guilt! 

Up front, a 41mm Showa SFF-BP inverted fork provides 5.1 inches of travel but no adjustability, while the rear is taken care of with a Pro-Link shock offering 5.2 inches of travel and 7-step spring preload adjustability. I found the suspension to be just fine for my daily riding, providing confident handling. I’ve heard from some riders who are bigger than I am that the rear suspension feels too soft in its standard setup, but as a lightweight at 110 lb, I felt like the standard setup was a bit stiffer than I wanted. 

While looking at the bike, the seat appears to be on the thin side. Surprisingly, I found it to be far less harsh on my backside than I expected. It isn’t plush, but it’s well-shaped, and I noticed no soreness or fatigue after a couple hours of riding. Since I have shorter legs than most, my knees were far from using up the space offered by the knee indents in the plastic cover over the fuel tank, but I imagine they’d be handy for riders with longer legs. The seating position is neutral and comfortable. 

Slowing things down are a single 296mm front disc with a 4-piston radial-mount caliper and a 220mm rear disc with a 1-piston floating caliper. The Nissin brakes felt adequate for an entry-priced motorcycle – not premium, but good enough for all practical purposes, although I would’ve enjoyed more brake feedback. ABS as a standard feature is a welcome addition, especially for newer riders. 

While I’ve been enjoying this bike on rural backroads close to home, I imagine the CB300R would also make a great commuter bike for those in more populated environments. Its quick steering and short wheelbase would make navigating tight alleys a breeze, and I enjoyed good fuel consumption of 73.5 mpg on average. The fuel tank only holds 2.6 gallons, and even though total range is about 190 miles, the fuel light came on around 130 miles. 

As you’d expect, luggage options are minimal on the CB300R. There’s a storage compartment under the passenger seat (unlocked with the ignition key) that is big enough to fit the manual, your documents, and a few tools. If you have more to carry than that, you’ll want to bring along a backpack. Honda doesn’t offer accessory luggage for the CB300R, but I’ve gotten good use out of my Nelson-Rigg Commuter tailbag strapped onto the passenger seat, offering enough room to store a carton of eggs and a couple bags of coffee after a trip to the store. 

GEAR UP

• Helmet: Scorpion EXO Covert FX 
• Jacket: Alpinestars Stella Gravity Drystar 
• Airbag Vest: Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 
• Gloves: Kemimoto Heated Waterproof Touchscreen 7.4V  
• Pants: Fly Racing Butane Overpants 
• Boots: Highway 21 Axle Leather Waterproof 

I only have a couple nits to pick about the CB300R. One is battery access. Getting to the battery requires removing the plastic fuel-tank cover and seat, and even then, you’ll have to lift up the real fuel tank to reach the battery. I don’t need to access the battery very often, but when I wanted to attach a cable for my Kemimoto heated gear in the winter, I wished for easier access. 

The instruments are easy to read, but the shift light initially was an annoyance. As delivered, it was set to flash at 7,000 rpm, which was distracting, but I figured out how to adjust it anywhere from 4,000-10,500 rpm, and I ended up setting it to its highest level.  

More than any specifications, tech, or styling, what keeps beginner riders riding is having fun. The Honda CB300R offers that and then some. It’s flickable, lightweight, unintimidating, and affordable – all qualities that experienced riders can also appreciate. If you’ve left behind the bigger-is-better mindset and are looking for a small naked to toss around, or if you’re in the market for a fun second bike for short rides or commuting, the CB300R is worth your consideration. 

2024 Honda CB300R Specs 

• Base Price: $5,149 
• Website: Powersports.Honda.com 
• Warranty: 1 yr, unltd. miles 
• Engine Type: Liquid-cooled Single, DOHC w/ 2 valves 
• Displacement: 286cc 
• Bore x Stroke: 76 x 63mm 
• Horsepower: 31 hp @ 9.000 rpm (factory claim) 
• Torque: 20.3 lb-ft @ 8,000 rpm (factory claim) 
• Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch 
• Final Drive: Chain 
• Wheelbase: 53.2 in. 
• Rake/Trail: 24.7 degrees/3.7 in. 
• Seat Height: 31.6 in. 
• Wet Weight: 316 lb 
• Fuel Capacity: 2.6 gal. 

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Source: RiderMagazine.com