Find out whether the Honda CB300R has what it takes to rival against one of the most feature-packed and value for money motorcycles of this segment
For those of you who are still not aware, Honda has launched the CB300R in India at a price of Rs. 2.41 lakh (ex-showroom) and its an aggressive price considering that it is brought into the country via CKD route and locally assembled.
The CB300R competes directly with the likes of the Bajaj Dominar 400, KTM Duke 390 and the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. That said, we will be comparing the CB300R with the existing Bajaj Dominar 400 in terms of their styling, engine, and performance, pricing and find out who will offer more value for money at this price point.
Honda CB300R Vs Bajaj Dominar 400 Styling Comparison
The Honda CB300R is a part of Honda’s Neo Sports café Portfolio and its styling has been inspired by the bigger and more powerful CB1000R. The motorcycle features a LED headlamp, taillamp, and side turn indicators while it also features an all-LED instrument cluster. While the motorcycle has a minimalistic styling approach and also looks compact from every possible angle.
The Bajaj Dominar 400, on the other hand, is a power cruiser which has been here in the Indian market for quite some time now. The motorcycle too gets all-LED headlamps, followed by a tiny windscreen. Hiding behind the tiny windscreen is a digital instrument cluster. The motorcycle looks huge and has a low slung riding stance.
The muscular fuel tank also helps give the motorcycle a dominating stance while it also houses a tank mounted instrument console as well which displays all the warning lamps. Compared to some other Bajaj products the Dominar surely looks well finished which add a premium feel to the motorcycle.
Compare the two motorcycles side by side and you will notice that the Honda CB300R is a much more compact and purposeful looking motorcycle. While the Bajaj Dominar 400 is a much bigger and muscular looking motorcycle. Fortunately, they both offer all the modern amenities (like all LED headlamp, digital instrument cluster LED taillamp, comfortable seats etc) that you expect from a modern-day motorcycle.
Honda CB300R Vs Bajaj Dominar 400 Engine and Performance Comparison
The Honda CB300R is powered by a 286cc, DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that produces about 30.9PS of peak power at 5500rpm and 27Nm of peak torque at 7500rpm. The engine comes paired to a 6-speed gearbox.
The Bajaj Dominar 400, on the other hand, is powered by a 373cc, Triple spark 4-valve DTS-i engine closed fuel injection, liquid cooled motor that produces about 35PS of peak power at 8,000rpm and 35Nm of peak torque at 6,500rpm. The engine is also paired to a 6-speed gearbox.
If we compare both the motorcycles in terms of their engine and performance then there is no doubt that the Bajaj Dominar stays on top because it gets a bigger displacement engine and also produces more power and torque than the CB300R.
| Specs | Honda CB300R | Bajaj Dominar 400 |
| Engine | DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine | Triple spark 4-valve DTS-i engine, closed fuel injection, liquid cooled |
| Displacement | 286 cc | 373 cc |
| Power | 30.9 Ps @ 5500 rpm | 35 Ps @ 8000 rpm |
| Torque | 27 @ 2700 rpm | 25 Nm @ 6500 rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 6-speed |
| Brake Front | 296 mm | 320 mm |
| Brake Rear | 220 mm | 230 mm |
| ABS | Yes | Yes |
Honda CB300R Vs Bajaj Dominar 400 Suspension and Brakes Comparison
The suspension duties on the Honda CB300R is handled by a 41mm USD fork and a preload-adjustable monoshock, set up towards the rear. Braking duties are handled by a 296mm front disc with a four-piston calliper and a 220mm disc and a single-piston calliper at the rear. First-in-class IMU based ABS comes as standard with the motorcycle.
The Dominar 400, on the other hand, uses a telescopic 43 mm fork towards the front and multi-step adjustable monoshock at the rear. For Anchorage, the Dominar relies on a 320 mm disc towards the front and a 230 mm disc for its rear. A dual channel ABS also comes as standard with the motorcycle.
Honda CB300R Vs Bajaj Dominar 400 Pricing Comparison
The Honda CB300R has priced at Rs. 2.41 Lakh (ex-showroom). The Bajaj Dominar 400, on the other hand, is priced at around Rs 1.63 Lakh (ex-showroom) which makes it one of the most affordable features packed motorcycle of its segment.
Honda CB300R Vs Bajaj Dominar 400 Comparison Verdict
If we compare the Honda CB300R and the Bajaj Dominar 400 based on their styling then the Dominar 400 surely has more road presence because of its muscular stance and bigger dimension. The CB300R, on the other hand, looks more compact and has a retro yet modern charm to it which will definitely attract everyone’s attention.
If we talk about the engine and performance then the Dominar 400 surely stays ahead because it not only gets a bigger displacement engine but also generates more power and torque at the same time. We are pretty sure that the Dominar will also be a quicker accelerating motorcycle than the CB300R.
Talk about the feature and the Honda CB300R does not stay far behind from its closest rival. Both the Dominar and the CB300R features an all-LED headlamps, fully digital instrument cluster, dual channel ABS system, etc. However, the competitive pricing is the major factor which keeps the Bajaj Dominar 400 ahead of the Honda CB300R.