The Sub-400cc Naked Brawl

The Honda CB300R is all set to return to the showroom next month after a near-two-year hiatus. In the meantime, the KTM 390 Duke received a bunch of technical updates, and we also witnessed a series of price hikes. Meanwhile, BMW not only introduced the G 310 R with a host of changes, but it also slashed its price by a massive margin. Bajaj too reworked its power cruiser to make it friendlier for long hauls.

Are the slipper clutch and minor updates enough to keep the Honda CB300R in today’s market, especially with the competition upping the ante? Let’s find out:

Engine

The Honda CB300R features the smallest engine of the lot, so naturally, the performance figures aren’t comparable to the Austrian naked or its Indian cousin. However, the Honda’s torque comes close to BMW G 310 R despite a considerable difference in displacement. That said, the Beemer benefits from the Idle Speed Increase, which essentially is the ‘GTT Plus’ feature from the TVS Apache RR310, allowing the engine to chug along at low speeds without clutch or throttle inputs.

But when it comes to pure performance, there is no beating the KTM 390 Duke. It continues to rule with its manic performance and relatively lightweight construction. Though the Dominar uses the same engine, Bajaj has tweaked it to suit the Dominar’s intended purpose. Add to that its 193kg kerb weight, and the Dominar is the heaviest motorcycle here.

Underpinnings

Upside down forks, alloy wheels with identical tyre sizes, and disc brakes at both ends backed by dual-channel ABS -- these four bikes have a lot in common. Of course, the suspension tune is different on each bike to suit its character. However, the CB300R is the only motorcycle here to get a monoshock with linkage. The theoretical advantage is a smoother ride with the linkage taking care of minor undulations.

Given the hooligan nature of the KTM 390 Duke, the Austrian manufacturer has equipped the bike with switchable ABS, allowing you to switch off the ABS at the rear. Among these bikes, this feature is unique to the Duke.

Dimensions

The Honda CB300R doesn’t have the biggest engine. However, considering it’s the lightest bike by a fair margin, the Japanese naked should be more enjoyable. Furthermore, its taut wheelbase means it’s more nimble. On the other end of the spectrum is the Dominar, which has the longest wheelbase here and also is the heaviest. Though Bajaj hasn’t revealed the seat height of the Dominar, it is likely to be the shortest in this group. Overall, the Dominar is the friendliest for long hauls, and the newly added touring bits are the icing on the cake.

Features

The KTM 390 Duke takes the win here in one sweep. In its latest iteration, the KTM features a TFT display with smartphone connectivity to manage music and calls. Furthermore, last year, the Austrian bike maker equipped the bike with a bi-directional quickshifter, although the system is a bit rudimentary.

We would have loved to see a better instrument console on the other Beemer and the Honda, especially for the price these bikes demand.

Price And Verdict

The Honda’s lightweight, gorgeous neo-retro styling and brand value are the only things working in its favour, at least on paper. Though it is the lightest bike here and it has witnessed a slight performance bump in the BS6 guise, it doesn’t have the features, making it difficult to recommend, especially given the competition.

While KTM has performance and features to entice you, the Dominar will woo you with its comfort. The BMW sits right in the middle, with its friendly ergonomics, relatively light construction, and a peppy engine. Also, at its current price, it doesn’t seem like a bad deal either. Lastly, you get the bragging rights of owning a Beemer.