Honda has dropped the CB300R motorcycle without much noise in the Indian market after half-baked availability and sales in six years. The CB300R was initially released as a fully knocked-down (CKD) unit in 2019 but withdrawn in 2020 following the introduction of more stringent BS6 emission standards, but briefly reintroduced in early 2022, with localised parts. Nevertheless, according to Honda dealers, the bike cannot be booked anymore and all current stocks are sold by the middle of 2025. Honda has also phased out the motorcycle off its official Indian webpage, and this is an indication that the product has completed its sale cycle in the nation.
CB300R Design
The CB300R was designed with a neo-retro appearance as a roadster with a 286cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder with about 31 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 27.5 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm, using a smooth 6-speed gearbox. It was also the lightest bike of its kind at only 146 kg and had agile handling and reasonable performance on the road to the highway. Nevertheless, the CB300R had stiff competition with competitors, including the KTM Duke 390, Triumph Speed 400, the offerings by Royal Enfield, among others, most of which offered more advanced functions and broader availability.
Sales Report
The sales volumes are grim. Honda sold just a unit of Bar Honda CB300R in the final quarter of the first quarter of 2025, as per the figures of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). This was also not helped by the limited availability in just a few cities and dealer networks. It was also aided by the fact that despite a minor update in the end of 2023, there were no subsequent updates to keep the CB300R afloat in the now highly competitive 300cc market.
It is reported that Honda is probably releasing space in its portfolio to an upcoming Rebel 300, which will have the same engine but be styled differently and potentially have more features. The relatively high price of the CB300R at about₹2.19 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) was also a contributing factor to the struggle especially when the rivals were offering more at the same or lower price.
This is a phasing out of a chapter of Honda in the neo-retro roadster segment of India, but the used CB300Rs are still available in the market at decent prices. It is unclear whether Honda will introduce a redesigned CB300R or switch to the Rebel 300 entirely, but the essence of the brand being more oriented to the updated models that would meet the requirements of the new emission standards and evolve with the consumers is obvious.
Summary
Finally, the success of the Honda CB300R in India shows how the challenges of the mid-capacity motorcycles sector are conclusions of the innovation, price, and supply factor. Although the bike received recognition because of its light weight design and handling, this was not enough to cut a permanent niche in the middle of intense competition and constantly changing market needs.
