Official: 2018 Honda CB300R Sports naked revealed | EICMA 2017

Weighing just 143kg, and with a 799mm-high seat, the 2018 Honda CB300R echoes the styling of its ‘Neo Sports Café’ stablemates – the new CB125R and CB1000R.

The DOHC single-cylinder four-valve motor – the same as in the CBR300R – makes 31bhp (23kW) @ 8500rpm and 20lb-ft (27.5Nm) @ 7500rpm, driving the rear wheel through a six-speed gearbox. Honda says the engine has been designed with a minimum number of moving parts, in order to reduce maintenance costs.

Low-friction piston rings, a high-density radiator and an iridium spark plug are all claimed to help deliver an economy of 85mpg, which means the 10litre tank should give a range of up to 186miles.

The frame is a tubular steel lattice, with a pressed steel swing-arm that’s hung from a single rear shock with preload adjustment. The 41mm upside-down forks are unadjustable, rotating through 40° with the fat bar-style aluminium handlebars offering a 2.3m turning circle.

The 296mm floating front disc has no hub, and is bitten by a four-piston Nissin caliper. Both the front and rear brakes feature ABS that’s modulated for front and rear distribution through an inertial measurement unit (IMU).

The headlight (the thinnest ever on a Honda), taillight and indicators are all LED, while the thin LCD dash shows speed, revs, fuel level and gear position.

SPECIFICATION: 2018 Honda CB300R