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Honda adds grunt to its 2014 CBR300R

  •   • Step up on Super Sport ladder
      • More power and torque
  •   • Faster throttle response
  •   • CBR1000RR style

    A true sporting lightweight, says bikemaker Honda, offers much of the excitement of a bigger machine with access to every last scrap of performance for maximum enjoyment.

    And, for the less experienced rider, it offers a great platform on which to hone riding skills. It's also much more affordable in every respect.

    GALLERY: 2014 Honda CBR300R

  • "Its predecessor, the CBR250R launched in 2011," Honda said, "provided a perfect entry point to Honda's CBR range. Its compact size, single-cylinder engine and CBR heritage look, underscored by typically strong Honda build quality, have earned it a key position in Honda's Super Sport line-up."

    The all-new 2014 Honda CBR300R, therefore, is the next step up...

    Honda says the creation of the CBR300R involved two major objectives: more power and torque and a much stronger CBR identity. Visual echoes of its larger-capacity siblings give the CBR300R a more direct taste of the CBR brand.

    CBR1000RR-INSPIRED

    The water-cooled engine is now 286cc, achieved through a longer stroke, but Honda says the increased capacity is only one change. "The CBR300R has received a series of upgrades to take full advantage of this increased power and torque," the company says. "Work also focused on throttle response and power delivery and a new CBR500R-style exhaust has meant aesthetic and functional upgrades."

    The CBR1000RR, Honda added, was the design inspiration for the CBR300R's looks. Two headlights closely mimic the bigger bike and the styling for the fairing, fuel tank and seat are unmistakably CBR.

    "Attention to detail remained important so the under-cowl was also colour-matched to add a premium feel."

    SAME BORE, LONGER STROKE

    Against larger-capacity twin-cylinder machines, Honda says, the CBR300R is more compact, lighter and more manageable, even for experienced riders, while is price and running costs "complement its flexible and accessible performance".

    The CBR300R's DOHC quad-valve engine retains its 76mm bore but stroke has been increased by eight mm to 63mm to create the 286cc capacity. Compression ratio remains 10.7:1 and peak power of 22.7kW arrives at 8500rpm, peak torque of 27Nm at 7250rpm

    These figures, Honda says, are a "significant" increase over the CBR250R's output of 19.4kW at 8500rpm and 23.8Nm at 7000rpm.

    The PGM-FI fuel-injection (38mm throttle bore) has been remapped to focus on crisp throttle response throughout the rev range. A new CBR500R-inspired exhaust silencer design with larger internal volume adds big-bike style and a pleasing exhaust note - all of which helps to give the CBR300R a claimed fuel-consumption figure of 3.3 litres/100km from its 13-litre fuel tank.

    THREE PAINT JOBS

    The mechanical simplicity of the engine also reduces servicing costs, "another essential element in creating a problem-free ownership experience", says Honda.

    A steel diamond twin-spar frame provides the backbone of the CBR300R's chassis that rides on cast aluminium 17" rims shod front/rear with 110/70-17 / 140/70-17 tyres. Kerb weight is 164kg.

    Stopping power comes from 296mm disc/two piston caliper up front and 220mm disc/single-piston caliper at the rear,

    The CBR300R will be available in Ross White Tricolore, red and black and sold with 24-month unlimited distance warranty and a year's free roadside assistance.

    Price: R56 990 (inc VAT and rider training course).
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