Forget The Honda CB200X, This Is The ADV We Need

Published August 27, 2021
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2 min read

The 2021 Honda XRE 300 stands for what ADVs are all about -- minimal, engaging, and tread-anywhere machines

Honda has a proven record in adventure and trail motorcycles. Though the newly launched CB200X is not the best example, Honda Brazil displayed the brand’s mastery with the launch of the XRE 300 -- a dual-purpose bike we’d love to see here in India.

The 2021 Honda XRE 300 is a minimal, no-nonsense motorcycle meant to munch miles and tread treacherous trails with poise. That said, the bike maker hasn’t compromised on the styling. It is easily recognisable as a Honda, thanks to its tank extension and the iconic Honda Red paint job. Like most modern machines, the Honda XRE 300 comes with all-around LED illumination.

Honda has equipped the XRE 300 with a 291.6cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine putting out 25.4PS at 7,500rpm and 27Nm at 6,000rpm. This engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Seems a bit vanilla, right? Here’s why you are mistaken:

The Honda XRE 300’s motor is cradled in a semi-double-cradle chassis suspended on a telescopic fork offering an astounding 245mm travel (5mm shy of the XPulse Rally Kit’s fork travel). At the rear, a link-type monoshock with 225mm travel has been deployed, which, for reference, offers 5mm more travel than the one in the XPulse Rally Kit. A 256mm disc up front and a 220mm disc at the rear drop the anchor on this motorcycle.

Like the true-blue ADV, the Honda XRE 300 comes with a 21/18-inch wheel setup, shod with dual-purpose tyres. The bike boasts an SUV-shaming ground clearance of 259mm, and as you would expect from a bike of this genre, the seat height is fairly tall at 860mm.

The Honda XRE 300’s capability in the dirt hasn’t hindered its highway potential. Honda has equipped the bike with a 13.8-litre fuel tank, an aluminum top rack carrier, and dual-channel ABS (a non-ABS version is available as well).

The 2021 Honda XRE 300 carries a sticker price of BRL 20,390 (Rs 2.87 lakh) for the ABS version and goes up to BRL 20,890 (Rs 2.94 lakh) for the Adventure and Rally variants. Honda has patented this bike for our market, but we are unlikely to see this in India anytime soon. So, for now, your best bet is the Royal Enfield Himalayan or perhaps the Hero XPulse 200 with the rally kit, if you intend to put some serious hours on the trails. Wondering how is it to live with the kit? Head to this story.