▲ As the years wind down, we're getting more and more interested in smaller capacity bikes. Gone are the days when we wanted (or were even able) to pilot seven litre V8 Boss Hogs, or 1845cc Indian Dakota Fours (a la Alan Forbes) or 2,300cc Triumph Rocket Threes, come to that. Lately, we're more apt to be slavering over pint-sized singles and twins (and are still waiting for a suitable contender from Hinckley Triumph—but no doubt that will come. Maybe). So it's only natural that the above 2022 CB300R Honda would catch our eyes (if not our hearts). The 286cc liquid-cooled single is said to be good for 31bhp @ 9,000rpm. The torque is rated at 20lb-ft @ 7,750rpm—which feels a bit mean to us, but you have to take these things as a whole rather than peck idly at passing technicalities, right? As you'd expect, if not demand, the engine is Euro5 compliant. Other features include a Showa Separate Function Big Piston inverted front fork, a five-setting pre-load adjustable rear shock absorber/damper, a slip-assist clutch, a single four-piston front radial Nissin caliper operating on a 296mm hub-less floating disc, and two-channel ABS. The overall package looks, to our eyes, more workaday than exciting. But if Honda feels it will sell, we're not arguing. Also available in red, blue and black. The price is around £4,900 and you can get your mitts on one in May/June this year (2022).

MOTORCYCLE NEWS

January 2022

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