Just when the 300cc motorcycle segment excitement seemed to calm down, Honda has launched the updated CB300R in India at Rs 2.40 lakh ex-showroom. The 2023 Honda CB300R competes directly with the BMW G 310 R and the recently launched TVS Apache RTR 310, rekindling the competition in the class.
So if you are out looking for a 300cc street naked, which of the three should you choose — the 2023 Honda CB300R, TVS Apache RTR 310, or the BMW G 310 R? Here’s a detailed comparison.
Honda CB300R
The 2023 Honda CB300R draws its design inspiration from the larger CB1000R litre-class street naked and sports minimal bodywork with a round headlight, side-slung exhaust, split seat setup, and a wide handlebar. The riding posture is sporty but not aggressive and the motorcycle is a comfortable ride be it in the city or on open highways.
On the equipment front, the 2023 Hinda CB300R gets 17-inch alloy wheels, USD forks, adjustable monoshock at the rear, disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS, a digital instrument cluster, LED lighting, and more.
TVS Apache RTR 310
The Apache RTR 310 is a new motorcycle based on the same platform as the BMW G 310 R and features a sharp design language, with a sculpted tank, angular headlight, aluminium subframe, split seats, and a large, side-slung exhaust.
On the equipment front, the RTR 310 gets adjustable USD forks, an adjustable rear shock, 17-inch wheels, a TFT instrument display with phone connectivity, disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS, cooled rider’s seat, cruise control, cornering cruiser control, cornering ABS, cornering traction control, wheelie control and rear lift-off control.
BMW G 310 R
In essence, the BMW G 310 R is the same motorcycle as the RTR 310, but different. The G 310 R also sports a sharp design language, but not as much as the RTR 310, and gets the same side-slung exhaust and a wide handlebar, however, the seat is a single-piece unit.
On the features front, the G 310 R gets USD forks, a rear monoshock, a digital instrument console, dual disc brakes with dual-channel ABS, LED lighting, 17-inch wheels, and more.
Engine specifications
All three motorcycles are powered by a single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine mated to a six-speed gearbox. The TVS Apache RTR 310 is the only motorcycle on offer with a bi-directional quickshifter while the other two do not have that option.Also, amongst the three, the TVS Apache RTR 310 is the most powerful.
| Specifications | CB300R | RTR 310 | G 310 R |
| Displacement | 286cc | 312cc | 313cc |
| Power | 31bhp | 35bhp | 33.5bhp |
| Torque | 27.5Nm | 28.7Nm | 28Nm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 6-speed | 6-speed |
So which of the three should you buy?
Amongst the three motorcycles, the TVS Apache RTR 310 is the most equipped with a host of electronic aids and mechanical adjustability, while the G 310 R and the Honda CB300R offer the basics. However, pricing plays a key role here as the Honda’s Rs 2.40 lakh is the most affordable, while the BMW G 310 R’s Rs 2.90 lakh is the most expensive.
The top-spec Apache RTR 310 costs Rs 2.63 lakh ex-showroom, which takes the sweet spot between the two motorcycles, while also offering so much more. Amongst the three, the RTR 310 is our pick, however, for an additional Rs 50,000, the new KTM 390 Duke makes more sense.
