New Delhi: Most of Honda’s Indian portfolio in the sub-300cc two-wheeler segment consists of products made specifically for our market and does not include much of their international lineup. That could potentially change as the Honda XRE 300 dual sport bike has been spotted testing in India alongside the KTM 390 Adventure and BMW G 310 GS. This does not confirm its launch, but the fact that Honda is comparing the XRE 300 with its competitors means that the company is considering bringing this model to our market.
Honda XRE 300 Adventure Bike: Basics and Features
The Brazilian-spec Honda XRE 300 is powered by a 291.6cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine that supports flex fuel, meaning it can run on both petrol and ethanol. It delivers 25.4 hp at 7,500 rpm and 27.6 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm when running on gasoline, while running on ethanol (which is widely used in Brazil) increases output slightly to 25, 6 hp at 7,500 rpm and a torque of 28 Nm at 6,000 rpm. rpm Unlike the 6-speed gearbox that has become the norm, the XRE 300 has a more vintage 5-speed gearbox (similar to the Royal Enfield Himalayan). Although these underpinnings are much more basic than the competition, the Honda XRE 300’s ace up its sleeve is its off-road capabilities.
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Most bikes in this category have 19/17 inch alloy wheels that give them more stability on the road but hold them back. The Honda XRE 300 rides on 21/18-inch wire-spoke rims and boasts a massive 259mm ground clearance. This figure comes at the expense of accessibility, with the XRE 300 having a relatively high seat height of 860mm (even higher than the KTM 390 Adventure), although at 148kg dry weight it is significantly lighter than its rivals. Suspension is provided by a telescopic fork with a stroke of 245 mm and a monoshock with a stroke of 225 mm. Braking is handled by a 256mm disc at the front and a 220mm disc at the rear.
In terms of features, the Honda XRE 300 is not a particularly fancy machine and comes with a simple digital LCD display (no gear indicator) and full LED lighting all around. It is also equipped with ABS.
Honda XRE 300 Adventure Bike: Price, India Launch and Rivals
In Brazil, the Honda XRE 300 retails for the equivalent of around Rs 3.7 lakh, making it quite an expensive proposition if it is priced the same in our market. Since Honda has patented the XRE 300 moniker in India and the bike has been spotted testing alongside its main rivals, there is a possibility that Honda could launch the bike here. In terms of rivals, it will have to contend with KTM 390 Adventure, BMW G 310 GS, Royal Enfield Himalayan and Yezdi Adventure. The tested Hero 300cc adventure bike and Royal Enfield’s upcoming Himalayan 450 are also bikes that the Honda XRE 300 will have to contend with.
Honda XRE 300 ADV with flexible fuel support has been tested in India
Most of Honda’s Indian portfolio in the sub-300cc two-wheeler segment consists of products made specifically for our market and does not include much of their international lineup. That could potentially change as the Honda XRE 300 dual sport bike has been spotted testing in India alongside the KTM 390 Adventure and BMW G 310 GS. Although this does not confirm its launch, the fact that Honda is comparing the XRE 300 with its competitors means that the company is considering bringing this model to our market.
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Honda XRE 300 adventure bike: basics and features
The Brazilian-spec Honda XRE 300 is powered by a 291.6cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine that supports flex fuel, meaning it can run on both petrol and ethanol. It delivers 25.4 hp at 7,500 rpm and 27.6 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm when running on gasoline, while running on ethanol (which is widely used in Brazil) increases output slightly to 25, 6 hp at 7,500 rpm and 28 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. Unlike the 6-speed gearbox that has become the norm, the XRE 300 has a more vintage 5-speed gearbox (similar to the Royal Enfield Himalayan). Although these underpinnings are much more basic than the competition, the Honda XRE 300’s ace up its sleeve is its off-road capabilities.
Most bikes in this category have 19/17-inch alloy wheels that give them more stability on the road, but hold them back off it. The Honda XRE 300 rides on 21/18-inch wire-spoke rims and boasts a massive 259mm ground clearance. This figure comes at the expense of accessibility, with the XRE 300 having a relatively high seat height of 860mm (even higher than the KTM 390 Adventure), although at 148kg dry weight it is significantly lighter than its rivals. Suspension is provided by a telescopic fork with a stroke of 245 mm and a monoshock with a stroke of 225 mm. Braking is handled by a 256mm disc at the front and a 220mm disc at the rear.
In terms of features, the Honda XRE 300 is not a particularly fancy machine and comes with a simple digital LCD display (no gear indicator) and full LED lighting all around. It is also equipped with ABS.
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Honda XRE 300 Adventure Bike: Pricing, India Launch & Rivals
In Brazil, the Honda XRE 300 retails for the equivalent of around Rs 3.7 lakh, making it quite an expensive proposition if it is priced the same in our market. Since Honda has patented the XRE 300 moniker in India and the bike has been spotted testing alongside its main rivals, there is a possibility that Honda could launch the bike here. In terms of rivals, it will have to contend with KTM 390 Adventure, BMW G 310 GS, Royal Enfield Himalayan and Yezdi Adventure. Hero’s 300cc adventure bike under test and Royal Enfield’s upcoming Himalayan 450 are also bikes that the Honda XRE 300 will have to contend with.
