I realised after a few 4-5 hour rides that this motorcycle was nowhere near the touring comfort of my Yamaha FZ-S.

BHPian skr recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Having bought the CB300R in a sudden spike of impulse and rage over Yamaha's nightmarish service, I realised months later that I had totally overlooked/was ignorant of some of the absolute basics. To cut down on long sentences and make it an easy read, I will discuss all the points in the bulleted form below. It is important to include some points to have better context on what I look for and how I am as a rider.

• I was mostly ignorant of the types of motorcycles at the time of purchase, and what they are supposed to do. Adventure Tourer is a genre that I had heard and seen, but didn't know much in detail. Again. I'm not overly bothered about on-paper specifications. If it makes me happy on a daily basis, it's a good bike.
• Having had the opportunity to be on the road for considerable periods owing to my work (Doesn't REQUIRE me to travel by motorcycle, but I chose to do it anyway), it was paramount for my motorcycle to have decent touring capabilities.
• I am quite skinny by build, so big, heavy bikes never really appealed to me. Neither does track performance. Considering 90% of the rides are about nimbly manoeuvring through daily city traffic, stray animals and an overwhelming number of idiots on the road, getting out of tricky parking spots, etc., I am more inclined to a practical daily bike which gives me a fair number of options and flexibility. I was greatly swayed by the weight of the CB. From the FZ-S v3.0, it was like upgrading to a doubly powerful bike with the same weight. The little test ride just blew me away in those 10-15 minutes honestly.
• I thought with a 300cc, my touring ability would be upgraded greatly, especially with a light, nimble-footed frame and such beautiful refinement. I didn't know much about riding characteristics, other than three basic postures, and I didn't at all find any committedness on the seating posture at the CB during the test ride.
• Touring ability, lightweight and slick manoeuvrability being paramount, I bought the CB assuming it was a perfect upgrade to the FZ-S (and I re-iterate, being absolutely fed up with the Yamaha service experience).
• While the above may sound a little doomed in its conclusion, it is quite the opposite, and this is why I chose to finally write this post. The CB300R is indeed a beautiful machine and I can guarantee this is going to be a one-of-a-kind view regarding its touring abilities, with a few little tweaks I have personally tried. So far, it has worked miraculously, touchwood, and it has cost me a nominal sum, but the difference in experience is quite frankly, beyond surprising.
• Realising after a few 4-5 hour rides that the CB was nowhere near the touring comfort of the FZ-S, I just went gung-ho on the internet searching for solutions. Tragically, there was not a single solution in sight, except the $650 (>₹50,000! ) Corbin seats, which are not available in India (add to that customs, taxes etc. if you are willing to import). Moreover, the long-distance comfort review on the Corbin seats is bad!
• The Zana handlebar risers had done a bit to ease the overall shoulder and palm fatigue over long distances (which wasn't overly concerning but was useful nonetheless), but the bum and back fatigue was proving to be the Achilles' heel. Air seats weren't doing the trick.
• Two fortuitous conversations, one with one of the BigWing (Dehradun) mechanics and another with my regular customizer, gave me the idea that I could perhaps ask some 'seatwala' to have a look. A Google search convinced me that if there was one place that could have a solution, it was a shop called Munna Lal and Sons in Chakrata Road, Dehradun. The limited reviews were all excellent, and motorcyclists raved about how good a job they had done. The reviews seemed genuine and I paid a visit.
• Initially they thought I just needed a soft foam, but on hearing the touring aspect, suggested a hard adv style base foam with another layer of soft foam on top. I told them as clearly as I could what I wanted exactly, i.e., the shape, seat height (which I did not want to change much as it was quite comfy anyway, especially with the risers installed).
• The guys at Munna Lal were amazing not only with their expertise and work but also were willing to give useful suggestions. Once the framework of the hard foam was ready, it was pasted on to the nearly non-existent stock seat padding. They were more than happy to insist on me taking repeated test rides until the optimum ergonomics were established to my liking. It took around 4-5 rounds of test rides and consequent shaving off of the foam to get to what felt like a decent enough sweet spot, albeit with a little rise in the seat height, which is, of course, inevitable with the addition of all the foam. It was to a point where I could nearly flat foot. Their cooperation during the entire process was just exemplary.
• This was finished off with a half-inch layer of soft foam pasted on top of the hard foam.
• The final layer consists of the seat cover which was hand-stitched with great dexterity in a few minutes, which they claimed came with "guaranteed waterproofing". They worked even beyond their regular shop hours and never pressurized me to hurry on my decision.
• The pillion seat was also modified the same way, in addition to removing the incline of the seat and making it flat, the overall dimensions of the seat were also increased. It was fine for my wife for the short ride back home, but is to be tested over long hours.
• Completed a ~280 km ride through mostly twisties, and I can finally say, at least for solo touring, the issue is superbly sorted. 280 km in this terrain can be translated to roughly around 450-500 km through highways in the plains. Total ride duration was around 7 hours, and all I had was what I consider very normal soreness.
• On the way back, completed 125 km (around 2.5 hours) at a stretch with no breaks before finally stopping over for a well-deserved tea. For more context, these 125 km were post the initial 140 km, after which I had a few hours break to get some maintenance work done, meaning the stretch between 141-265 km of the ride approximately. Wearing a riding pant (Rynox Advento) also helped a great deal with the anti-skid factor really impressing me in terms of its fatigue-reducing qualities.
• During my search on the internet for touring solutions, I did not see a single opinion in either Indian or International forums which said it could be used for touring. The overall reviews for the post $600 Corbin seats are quite negative other than for short urban commutes, which is funny because short rides on even the stock cushion are totally fine and immensely enjoyable. Most reviews say it is impossible to ride more than 40-45 minutes without feeling discomfort. Hmm...
• THE PRICE: The entire seat customization process cost me ₹1,200/- (Rupees Twelve hundred, I haven't missed any zeroes) in total. This includes (for both rider and pillion seats) hard foams, soft foams, seat covers and the labour cost. I am quite in disbelief as to what a miraculously good job this small, innocuous shop has done.
• Additional points: The service quality at Honda BigWing Dehradun is decent. At least basic parts are available, hospitality is more than decent, the mechanics are all quite friendly, and service experience has been good over these 1.5 years and a tad over 18,500 km. For context, at the time of letting go of the FZ-S, I had covered an identical number of kilometres in around 23 months.
• This is a welcome change after the Yamaha service, which completely ruined the experience of a wonderful motorcycle, no matter how much I wanted to take care of it. At the time of exchange, the Yamaha had also run just over 18,500 km (between August, 2020 and July, 2022). I had done plenty of 12-13 hour rides on the FZ all over Uttarakhand, through good and terrible roads, and don't ever remember having any major issues whatsoever.
• No bike is and none will ever be perfect. While ADVs are a no-brainer as an all-rounder, it is good to know that there are ways to work around apparent handicaps. Motorcycles are not meant to be one size fits all, and everything I discussed is dependent on factors like the rider's height, weight, length of arms, feet, etc. But the experience is an eye opener on how there may be relatively easy solutions for one to explore instead of having to look for a new motorcycle entirely.
• The seats are yet to be tested for pillion comfort over long hours, behaviour with time, etc. Notwithstanding the aches produced by the stock seat, I've done plenty of post 100 km rides with my wife, the longest being from Dehradun to Shimla, a distance of around 240 km. Luggage troubles in the latter (not going into details for now) caused great bother and discomfort on the way to Shimla, which was down to my ignorance about packing soft luggage on a top rack, wrong mounting, coupled with using the luggage for the very first time. The return journey was slightly better. Luggage mounting is an issue I'll be looking to solve next.

I have invested quite a bit into accessorizing the bike, and here's a list of the accessories installed:

• Zana Top rack with plate and back rest. I don't use the back rest though.
• Zana Handlebar Risers
• Brake reservoir covers (front and rear)
• Pillion footrest add on
• Givi Windscreen
• SW Motech Crash Guard
• Grip Puppies handlebar cover, which I am about to change as it is starting to come apart.
• Barkbusters (first/second copy?) Handguards

I have attached a few images for reference.

Thanks for reaching the end, in case you are one of those rare beings who has made it this far from the start.

Cheers and Peace Out.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I have made no changes to the motorcycle. In fact, it hasn't been even washed or cleaned.

BHPian shokedm recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I bought my Honda CB300R last week from Pune Big Wing East. Ever since the start, I've noticed a few problems with it. So far, the bike has clocked 300 kms. Nothing has been changed on the bike (all stock) and I've followed the user manual's instructions on proper engine, brakes, and tire break-in. The bike has not been washed or cleaned at all, and definitely not used by anyone else but me.

I've listed the issues below, and I hope that Honda really takes their quality checks seriously:

Handlebar is bent, or the fork is out

While riding in a straight line, the bike leans to the left on its own. Even if I completely let go of the handlebar, the bike leans to the left immediately.

While riding in traffic for more than five minutes, my left hand begins to hurt due to this imbalance.

Loud Chain Noise

The chain started to make a sound within the first 200 kms. It sounds like it's brushing against something each time I drop a gear.

Defective RHS RVM

The bike was given to me with a defective RHS RVM. The mirror on the right is shaped like a left-hand side mirror, i.e. it is inverted. I've included a picture of this below. The first picture is of my bike with the inverted RHS RVM and the second picture is of my friend's bike who bought the bike with me. My question is, how in the world did this get through quality checks or even past the dealer?

I will be taking the bike to the dealer at the end of the week to see what solutions can be offered, but I'm looking forward to getting some guidance on these issues from fellow members.

I love Honda and have owned a Honda Unicorn (CB150) since 2006. The bike has done more than 1,50,000 kms and that in itself is a testament to Honda. That said, has Honda's quality gone down since? Is it worth investing Rs. 3,00,000 on a bike that may or may not be in perfect condition? Or did I just get a lemon?

Here's what BHPian hikozaru had to say about the matter:

It is eerily similar to what I faced in my long test ride. Really, it is unfortunate considering these are things you cannot identify in a PDI without putting miles on the odo.

Check your tyre pressures. I've found that my bike tends to tip in quite suddenly and goes into tank slapper mode quite easily on bumps (taking them both in a straight line as well as during lean) with low pressure. Hope it's an easy fix.

Here's what BHPian shokedm replied:

Thank you for the advice. I've filled up the tyres to the recommended 29 psi. I've noticed the wobble and it going into the tank slapper mode as well. Quite disheartening to say the least. I've also emailed HMSI to see how they propose to address these issues. I will keep our fellow BHPians posted.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The styling of the Honda CB300R is based on the CB1000R litre-class roadster.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has launched the 2023 CB300R. The Neo Sports Café Roadster is priced at Rs 2.40 lakh (ex-showroom).

The styling of the Honda CB300R is based on the CB1000R litre-class roadster. The bike has a circular LED headlamp, a muscular fuel tank with a short tail section and an upswept exhaust. It gets a digital instrument console, and now comes with an emergency stop signal and hazard light switch.

The CB300R is powered by a 286.01cc, single-cylinder engine that has been updated to comply with the BS6 OBD2A regulations. It produces 30.7 BHP and 27.5 Nm and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox via an assist slipper clutch. 

The CB300R rides on a 41 mm upside-down front fork and an adjustable monoshock at the rear. Braking is handled by a 296 mm front disc and a 220 mm disc at the rear supported by dual-channel ABS. The bike weighs 146 kg. 

The 2023 CB300R is available in two colour options: Pearl Spartan Red and Matte Massive Grey Metallic.

2024 Honda CB300R is powered by the same 286cc, single-cylinder engine as before.

Honda has taken the wraps off the 2024 CB300R for the global markets. It is likely to be launched in India later this year.

The CB300R is a street bike featuring a circular LED headlamp with raised handlebars and a stepped seat offering an upright riding position. Honda hasn't made any changes to the design of the bike for the 2024 model year. The bike is now available in two new colour options: Matte Black Metallic and Pearl Dusk Yellow.

2024 Honda CB300R is powered by the same 286cc, single-cylinder engine as before. This unit produces 30.70 BHP @ 9,000 rpm and 27.5 Nm @ 7,500 rpm and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox via a slipper clutch.

The CB300R is equipped with an upside-down front fork and a mono-shock at the rear. The brake setup consists of petal-type discs at both ends, assisted by dual-channel ABS. The bike rides on 17-inch alloy wheels shod with Dunlop 110/70R-17 section front and 150/60R-17 section rear tyres.

Honda hasn't revealed the exact number of CB300Rs that are affected by this issue.

Honda has issued a recall for select units of the 2022 CB300R in India over a crankcase cover issue.

According to the company, the right crankcase cover of the bikes may have a manufacturing defect, which may cause the sealing plug to come loose due to the heat-induced low retention force. This may result in the engine oil splashing out, which could in turn set the hot parts of the bike on fire. The hot oil could also cause injuries to the rider.

Honda will reach out to customers of the CB300R to notify them about the recall and get their bikes inspected at their nearest BigWing dealership. Customers can also enter their bike's vehicle identification number (VIN) on BigWing's official website to check if their CB300R is among those affected by this issue.

Honda has notified all dealerships across India to replace the affected parts on these bikes. The replacement of parts will be done free of cost even if the bike is out of warranty.

The Gixxer or Gixxer SF may be a better alternative, but both of these bikes don't have the combination of the higher upright seating position and suspension setup which the V-Strom has.

BHPian whencut86 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I test-rode the V-Strom 250 today and came back very impressed. I ride a CBR250R and with my return to the office starting, was looking for a change and a lighter bike with more upright seating. My CBR250R is a TN registered one and I shifted to Bangalore just before COVID and so was thinking of exchanging the CBR for a new bike so that I won't be stopped by cops anywhere also spares for CBR are getting hard to get nowadays. I wanted a bike only for urban conditions with very minimal highway or weekend rides.

I was having the CB300R in mind with its 146 kg weight and light and flickable nature within the city and wanted to test ride this. I dropped into the Aryan Suzuki showroom at Hoodi today since I was on my way to the office and was handed over the keys of the V-Strom 250 for a test ride without any questions asked further. Told the Sales Advisor I would go for a longer 9-10 km ride and come back and was told no issues with that.

I am 6 ft tall and did not have any issues with the seat height and was comfortably able to flat foot. The seat height is a boon in city traffic since with its SUV-like seating you see the road far ahead and can plan overtakes or navigate with ease. This is a wonderful change from the 784mm seat height of CBR to the 835mm seat height of the baby VStrom.

The suspension felt plush as my CBR if not better and that is saying a lot about the suspension setup of the baby VStrom. I was sceptical about the suspension setup post all the initial review videos but I have no complaints post the test ride. This is perfectly comfortable for urban conditions and rides well over broken patches of roads and tattered tarmac.

The engine doesn't require too much shifting in traffic and this is a very welcome thing in Bangalore traffic. Loved the tractability of the engine from low speeds to higher gears. The ride was a mix of stop-and-go traffic and some open stretches and absolutely no complaints here about the power delivery. The CBR may deliver power slightly better but there is nothing to hold against the VStrom 250 in this regard since I could maintain low speeds without having to downshift in traffic and the engine pulled cleanly from those speeds once traffic cleared.

Overall, I was very happy with the V-Strom 250 and was thinking this doesn't deserve all the flak it is receiving from reviewers. Agreed this is not an enduro or hardcore adventure bike but for urban needs and highway touring this is a perfectly capable bike. The Gixxer or Gixxer SF may be a better alternative to this bike, but both of these bikes don't have the combination of the higher upright seating position and suspension setup which the V-Strom has. A very flickable and easy to live within the city and personally V-Strom 250 ticks all the boxes. Compared to the CB300R, this is heavier by 21 kg but I guess I can live with this considering all the other positives.

The exchange discount of 7000, free insurance and free jacket are the offers still on though the extended warranty and waiver of labour for first paid service are no longer part of the offer. Sounds like a decent deal to me and would see how best to exchange a TN-registered bike in Bangalore and get a good deal for this during the exchange.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

After 36 days of waiting, the parts arrived broken and now I'm forced to wait another 2 weeks.

BHPian mrgawde recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

31st of July - Delivery of Bike by Honda Big Wing Mumbai

I bought my first motorcycle, a brand new red CB300R from Honda Big Wing (Worli Showroom, Mumbai). Words cannot describe how excited I was! If only I knew that this was the start of a long painful journey dealing with Honda Big Wing and their representatives. Within the first 20 mins of riding the bike on the very first day the engine cool light had come on, I was a bit surprised as there was no traffic on the streets and it wasn't a particularly hot day. I decided to let some time pass and see if the issue persisted. Since this is my first bike, I never knew what a radiator should sound like so I assumed the bike was functioning normally, since it was a brand new bike.

In the next 4 days, I took the motorcycle on quick 5 minute rides across town, the cool engine light would switch on and off occasionally.

4th of August - The Incident

5 days after my purchase of the bike I was travelling on the highway in heavy traffic. I noticed that the engine light was on and for the first time I felt the heat of the engine on my legs. A taxi driver who was passing told me coolant was leaking from my bike. In a state of shock and disbelief, I had to swerve through traffic to get my bike to the side of the road and immediately smoke started billowing from the engine. At this point I was panicking and wasn't sure what to do, the dealer did not even provide me with an RSA number. So my first priority was to shut off the engine and walk the bike to a secure area. In the midst of this, a nearby samaritan told me sometimes the coolant for a new bike is topped up extra and that I shouldn't worry. In the next 30 minutes of my efforts to get my motorcycle back safely, I had to run it fast through cool air and take regular stops when that wasn't an option. I am very thankful to the taxi driver who pointed out that the coolant was leaking. Being a new driver, being in such a startling situation could have led to a much worse accident, thankfully I am alright.

5th August - Visit to service centre (First day at the service centre)

The next day, I took my bike to the Worli service centre. Upon investigation, they found that the fan in my bike wasn't spinning and looking deeper found a piece of cardboard jammed inside the fan.

A BRAND NEW MOTORCYCLE CAME FROM HONDA BIG WING WITH CARDBOARD STUCK INSIDE THE RADIATOR.

I was in a state of disbelief. The level of negligence was just too high, and that too for a premium motorcycle. I shudder to think of what could have happened due to their negligence, thankfully I am alright despite Honda Big Wing's best efforts. After coming to terms with the fact that they sold a motorcycle with a piece of cardboard stuck in the radiator I asked on what the process would be to repair their own error. They told me the part isn't available in stock and will need to be ordered and that it could take about 2 weeks. I left the bike at the service centre and went home.

2 weeks later (14 days at the service centre)

I would be in constant touch with the service head of Honda Big Wing for Mumbai (Frank) and the sales lead of Honda Big Wing Mumbai (Vijay), unfortunately, there were no updates. At one point the service head sent me an invoice for the parts that needed replacement. I was a bit taken aback as the fan had broken due to cardboard that they had forgotten to remove inside the radiator on a 5-day-old bike! Deliver a faulty bike and make the customer pay for its repairs?

I maintained contact with the team in hopes that my bike would come back to me. On the 23rd of August (2 Weeks after the bike was left at the service centre), I was told the parts were still in the pending state which means that they have not even shipped the order from Delhi. I was told that the order would take another 10 days. Throughout this painful process, the service lead was quite rude and never bothered keeping tabs on my particular case, in fact, I had to call him and remind him each time. This is definitely not the service I expected from a premium 2-wheeler brand.

After another 10 days of waiting (24 days at the service center)

The service lead began to stop answering my calls. I was not incessantly, but it seemed that they had not procured the part yet. Finally, once they answered, I was told the order was in a 'pending' state. It had now taken 24 days to get a fan from Delhi. They refused to escalate the matter or offer any timeline for the repair.

10th of September - The parts finally arrive! Or have they? (36 days at the service centre)

36 days after I dropped off my bike at the service centre I get a call from the service lead. He informs me that the fan they ordered has arrived broken. I was now beyond annoyed, I asked them what they could do to fix it, and they said they'd order a new fan which would take another 2 weeks!!! The service lead even had the gall to suggest 'glueing' the old fan as an option if I am impatient. What a joke! It seems that Honda Big Wing doesn't care about their customers after a sale. How can a premium line of motorcycles have such terrible support? I didn't have the motorcycle for more than a week and now I am waiting for it for more than a month. If I had known about the terrible attitude that Honda Big Wing would carry and that I would have to wait for a month for my new motorcycle, just for it to feel like a patched-up second-hand one, I would have rather gone for a KTM Duke 390.

Here's what BHPian neil.jericho had to say on the matter:

It's unfortunate that you have had to suffer at the hands of a callous and indifferent Honda dealership. You certainly have the patience of a saint.

Do you have pictures of the bike, the damaged fan and the piece of cardboard that was stuck in it? If you do, please post them.

First things first, go to the Honda Big Wing website, and pull up the email ID or Contact Us box for the page. Explain your predicament. Put a link to this thread. I'm sure that this thread is getting widely circulated in the motorcycling community, both within Bombay and outside it. The last time I used this approach (though I'm not a Honda customer), the local Honda Big Wing dealership contacted me within 30 minutes and things began to move very quickly. It's no surprise that they don't want to escalate the matter internally. How are they going to explain to the company and the higher-ups at the dealership, that they didn't properly do the PDI on your motorcycle?

Secondly, ask the local dealership to source the part from another Big Wing dealership, if it's going to take another 2 weeks. It's surprising to hear your local Honda dealership take such a laid-back approach to your problem.

Thirdly, if you are on social media, leverage it to your advantage.

Also, have you asked for a loaner bike? You should.

In this case, there is no reason for you to pay for the fan and/or any other associated parts.

I hope the staff at the Honda dealership finally see some sense and bring this to a speedy conclusion.

Here's what BHPian swiftnfurious had to say on the matter:

Well - a very sad way to start the ownership. Having problems in a vehicle is ok - how the issues are resolved is what brings trust to that brand! After having a not-so-good experience with the service centre or parts availability for my CBR 250, I stopped recommending Honda vehicles to my friend circle.

The product may be super good, but the problem starts when something goes wrong! What good is a product if the parts are not available when it breaks?

From what I read on the groups, someone has to be extremely lucky for the Honda guys to even provide any support and that's exactly why the dealerships act high-handed.

I honestly don't have much good advice for you, maybe sending the link to this thread to Honda's social media might work. Else, the time & effort-consuming Customer court proceedings are the only way!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The headlight performance is very poor. This is by far the biggest blunder from Honda which is more than the pricing to say the least.

BHPian amvj recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

First service update:

Odometer Reading: 673KM

Service charge: Rs: 2003

Service Center: VFM Honda, Ulsoor (Halasuru), Bangalore

I got appointment yesterday by filling an online form.

Service advisor called me yesterday and asked me to come to the service center by 9.30AM on Monday.

Weekday is the best time to get service. Saturday is the worst day as the place is flooded with CB350 H'ness. People are buying them in bucket loads.

8.40am - Started from my home

9.41am - Reached the service center. Service center starts at 9.30AM.

10.00am - Water wash done. Then the bike was moved outside to let the water drain and other bikes were currently in the ramp.

11.00am - The bike was then moved for service. There is no admission in the service area, but here are the list of items I was able to see from the customer lounge.

• Radiator fluid top up done

• Chain was cleaned and lubed

• New gasket for oil filter

• Oil filter cap was cleaned with air jet

• Oil filter changed

• 1.5L new oil added from 2 oil cans (1L each). They returned 500ml oil to me.

• Electrical items were checked.

12:10-12.30PM: I received the vehicle and don't remember the exact time.

Issues / Niggles

• Some chain slack / noise - During the service it was adjusted.

• Gear lever (shifter) is slightly higher and the service advisor mentioned that it's not possible to adjust. May be I need to check with someone else.

• Very, very poor headlight. This is by far the biggest blunder from Honda which is more than the pricing to say the least. I need to look for some after market accessories.

• Useless rear brakes. Rear brakes feel like sliding a block of cheese over the floor.

Removed the Sari guard during the weekend. Finding a suitable bolt was a bit of a task and finally able to get it from a local bike shop.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I've been sitting on this blasted question of 'What bike?' for about 2 years now, without any real need or reason to buy one.

BHPian Sudarshan42 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Did the headline grab your attention? Did it make you wonder what sort of scatter-brained fellow would have such a wide range of needs, budget and consideration set? Well look no further- welcome to my idle musings on what my next motorcycle should be; musings so idle that my mind has well and truly become the devil's workshop.

Speaking of the devil, the epic poem Inferno by Dante Alighieri divides hell into 9 concentric circles, each home to those guilty of a particular sin. The first circle is where I do some of my best work, and it's aptly titled Limbo. I've been sitting on this blasted question of 'What bike?' for about 2 years now, without any real need or reason to buy one. Yet I can't seem to dispel it from my mind for one reason or another. After all, the souls in Limbo are not punished directly, but are condemned to "suffer harm through living in desire"; their punishment is to be left desirous of salvation.

Ok, enough of all that. Now let's talk about bikes.

I currently ride a Pulsar 220F, and have owned 2 Thunderbirds in the past. All of these bikes have been hand-me-downs of sorts, with the 2 T'birds passed on to me by dad. The Pulsar 220 I ended up owning because of a misunderstanding with my cousin- you see, my indecision extends back to 2017, when I borrowed his bike for a few weeks just to try it out and see if it works for me. During which time, said cousin in a typically impulsive move went and bought himself a Classic 350 from a friend. My dad misconstrued that as "Oh my son has basically stolen that other boy's bike, let me pay him for his troubles."- and ended up transferring twice the amount of what one would pay  So I ended up stuck with that one unintentionally. Mind you, that bike is no slouch- I have loved riding it. I'm so hard-pressed to find a replacement with that exact combination of soft cushy suspension, decent mid and low end grunt, looks that aren't exactly 'to die for' but aren't half bad either, and that fill-it-shut-it-forget-it ownership experience.

Here's what BHPian comfortablynumb had to say on the matter:

If you could mention the purpose for which the bike would be used (city only, highway only, mixed usage), people can give better suggestions. Based on the text quoted above, my recommendations are Apache 200 4v, Gixxer 250, Honda CB 350.

Meanwhile, here are some existing threads for you to go through:

Buying advice: Hero Xpulse vs TVS Apache RTR 200 vs Honda Highness vs Others

Looking for a faithful companion for the next 2 years | Which motorcycle should I buy?

What bike at 40? What do you call this urge at this age?

Which motorcycle for a short person?

Which commuter bike for city rides?

The Usual Bike Dilemma: Interceptor vs CB350 vs G310R

Need a comfortable commuter with great ride quality | Is Unicorn still worth buying?

What comfortable middleweight bike for 500 km/day trips (once a month) and city commutes?

Here's what BHPian am1m had to say on the matter:

Test ride, test ride, test ride. Comparisons online, opinions from others and Excel sheet comparisons can go on forever and are fun in their own way, but a bike that 'ticks all the boxes' on paper may not "do it" for you when you actually ride it and a bike that seems not-suitable theoretically might just end up being a whole lot of fun when you take it for a spin. More than most cars, bikes have a way of defying the specs. So have fun and take a lot of test rides of all the bikes you are considering.

And do pen down your impressions of them, head-to-head comparos are pretty rare. In particular, I'd be very interested in your FZ25 vs. Gixxer 250 impressions.

Here's what BHPian drt_rdr had to say on the matter:

Pulsar 250 seems to be a great bike. The riding position is a bit forward set for comfort but easily manageable for the city. I personally wouldn't let the lack of dual channel ABS stop me from buying it. Dual channel ABS is a great thing to have. But it's overrated for such low capacity machines. In my eyes, it's all the better that Bajaj has cut costs with single channel ABS while providing practically more valuable stuff like the slipper clutch. I mean, if I'm commuting in the city, I'd much prefer my clutch to be effortless (which I'd be constantly using throughout the journey 5 days a week), than be covered for the possibility of the rear locking up once in a blue moon. Wish the other 250s and 300s provided the option for single channel ABS so that I don't have to pay for stuff I don't need. I'd anyway take the fuse out.

Don't get me wrong. ABS on the front wheel can be a very useful thing to have. But on the rear wheel, not so much. Front slides can possibly turn the handlebar and take control away from you in a second, they're dangerous. But rear slides are much easier to manage since the rear wheel's freedom of movement is more limited and the slides are more predictable.

I recently had a crash offroad thanks to the front locking up. It's not my first crash this way and it still scared the shit out of me because I was thrown off the bike before I knew what was going on. But the rear locking up is a ho-hum event and throughout all these years of riding, only once have I fallen due to a rear lockup, and that was because I was riding over rocks and couldn't find good footing to recover from the slide.

On the road, slides are a less common occurance. Unless you're one of those who uses the rear brake more than the front, chances of the rear locking up are low. Dual channel ABS only comes in very handy during the rainy season or if you're a particularly inexperienced or careless rider.

All said, I'm not trying to persuade you to think "single channel ABS good". Just giving information based on my personal experiences and observations.

Also, if you're dilly dallying on buying a bike of the same class as you 220, I'd say keep your 220 and just get a Yamaha Aerox instead. Seems like it makes more sense to have a scooter. I mean, it scratches your itch for something new, while also scratching your itch for decent performance, and all the while, also being easily usable by your other family members. You also get variety for your commutes. Does the morning feel spirited? Take the 220 out. Are you having a lazy morning? Take the scooter out. Etc.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The naked steetfighter rivals the likes of the Bajaj Dominar 400, KTM Duke 390, BMW G310R and the TVS Apache RR310.

Honda has launched the 2022 CB300R in the Indian market. The bike is priced at Rs 2.77 lakh (ex-showroom). The updated BS6-iteration of the motorcycle was first showcased at the 2021 India Bike Week (IBW). The 2022 CB300R will now be assembled locally.

The motorcycle carries forward the same bodywork and design as the previous model, albeit with a few subtle updates. The CB300R now comes with golden forks, along with a blacked-out headlamp bezel and radiator shrouds. Honda has also updated the design of the exhaust, giving the motorcycle a sportier look. The 2022 Honda CB300R now comes in two new colours: Matte Steel Black & Pearl Spartan Red.

The motorcycle also comes with LED lights all around, a new LCD display with a gear position indicator and a shift light.

Powering the 2022 CB300R is an updated 286cc single-cylinder 4-valve DOHC engine. It produces 31.1 BHP @ 9,000 rpm and 27.5 Nm @ 7,500 rpm and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox with slip & assist clutch as standard. The suspension and braking setup remains identical to the old BS4 model.

The 2022 Honda CB300R will be sold via the brand's 88 premium BigWing dealerships across the country. Bookings for the motorcycle are now open.