A few months ago, we got a chance to ride the Honda CB300R and, as it turned out, we were left completely impressed with a huge grin on the face. The new Honda sure has the grunt and zeal to fancy an enthusiast, it seemed.
This simply concluded that Honda is an extremely capable motorcycle in the segment. So, this, in turn, led me to the idea of pitting it against the segment-leader KTM 390 Duke – since we know KTM 390 Duke has revolutionised the idea of performance motorcycles ever since it came into existence – and see for how it goes.
But then, a hurdle came along, for one of my kind employees was keen on putting the third motorcycle to the list. A BMW, he said. In all honesty, the idea seemed quite feasible. So, the next thing we know, we had three motorcycles lined up outside the office. And here began an intense workout for our Honda CB300R vs BMW G 310 R vs KTM 390 Duke comparison.
Angry child!
In comparison, KTM 390 Duke is, without a doubt, the fastest motorcycle in this trio. And it’s got the pizzazz that young buyers crave. It’s sporty, edgy, chiselled and it’s got those sharp edges in almost every detail like the LED jawline, exposed frame, and the fuel-tank fairing. Plus, the snazzy orange shade makes it that much ostentatious in this trio.
Apart from the sharp and edgy panels, the KTM is also the only bike here that gets a fully-digital coloured TFT display for instrumentation. And if that’s not enough for the technophile, there’s also Bluetooth connectivity that lets you pair the instrument console to your smartphone. While all this sounds fascinating, it can be a bit cumbersome at times.
As its ‘Ready to Race’ tagline indicates, the KTM is just too fast for the streets. The 373cc engine offers meaty acceleration, and you’re left with revving the nuts out of this engine more often than not. With 43bhp and 37Nm of torque at its disposal, it also trumps both the Honda and the BMW. But it’s in the way it delivers the power and torque, that it feels more punchy and agile. While it may be a boon in traffic, the KTM struggles if ridden slow in traffic.
Sophistication at its best!
But the one that certainly not struggles in the traffic is the BMW G 310 R. The 313cc motor delivers some vibrations at idle, but the whole experience becomes buttery smooth as you gain momentum. While the 34bhp and 28Nm of torque are not the brightest in the comparison, BMW G 310 R feels plush and easy to ride in comparison to both. Sure, the engine is not as free-revving, but the linear power delivery will be a clincher for many.
But then again, you are certain to grab the G 310R mainly for bragging rights of flaunting that blue and white propeller logo. But even without that moniker, it looks sporty and understated. I personally like the golden-painted front forks and the neatly sculpted tank, for it exudes a big bike feeling in the head.
The quality levels are also better here than the KTM and on par with the CB300R. The bar-type instrument console looks a bit dated in comparison to the KTM’s, but its somewhat superior to that of the Honda.
Honda’s finesse!
Sure, it loses out some points for its negative LCD powered instrument cluster. But the fit-and-finish and the overall quality of just about everything here is even better than the BMW. And then there’s the phenomenal attention to detail that makes the Honda worth the extra penny.
In this comparison, Honda CB300R is the most compact motorcycle and it does look a wee bit small when lined up next to the other two. But I personally like this design for its retro-modern touches such as the round headlamp that’s packed with LEDs, and the short tail makes it the most attractive of the rear. The compact design also results in low kerb weight, for the Honda is the easiest to manoeuvre and potter around in any given condition.
And that’s what makes it the easiest to ride in the city. The 289cc engine might be low on displacement, but dare I say it’s any reluctant to rev or unleash the 30 horses and 27Nm of torque it packs. The engine is free-revving and the bike feels eager to rush through speeds at any given time.
So, it might be the easiest to live within the city, but it isn’t as brutally fast as the KTM or plush as the BMW. The lowest kerb and the relatively lesser heat emitting engine, although, means it’s the easiest to live in a city like Delhi.
Mechanical identities!
In the handling department, the BMW feels the sorest in the comparison. It’s not agile or nippy by any means, but it just can’t match the KTM or Honda for precision and steering feel. The Honda, on the other hand, feels peppy and nippy thanks to the low kerb and a light handlebar. You can easily tuck it into a corner, for the steering is just effortless.
But it’s the KTM that feels the most agile of the lot. The aggressive riding position ensures a committed riding position, and the front-biased posture further aids the riding dynamics of the KTM. All the bikes in this comparison are equipped with dual-channel ABS as a standard measure for safety. Of the lot, the brakes on the Honda felt the most progressive and offered a lot more initial bite.
Verdict
Well, if you haven’t made any guesses till now. The KTM must seem like the winner of this comparison, right? Well, as good and as exhilarating fast the KTM is, I wouldn’t just pick one for its shortcomings. It’s a brute to ride in the city and the committed riding position can have an adverse effect on the lower back after a few hours.
So, the BMW, then? For how proud it feels to own and ride a BMW to work every day, there’s no getting away from the fact that it’s just a TVS in expensive clothes at the end of the day. And then there’s the fact that it’s the most expensive of the lot, so it loses the points in the value-for-money department.
So, it all boils down to the Honda CB300R then. The Honda is light, peppy, easy to ride and won’t leave you with a backache after a couple hours of joyriding. And then counter in the fact that it will be the easiest to maintain in the segment, just adds to the whole experience. So, it, in fact, is the subdued Honda that tickles the heart at the end of the day. To read our full comparison, be sure to tune in to autoX.