Most of Honda’s Indian portfolio in the sub-300cc two-wheeler segment consists of products made specifically for our market and doesn’t include much of their international line-up. This could potentially change, as the Honda XRE 300 dual-sport motorcycle has been spotted testing in India, alongside the KTM 390 Adventure and the BMW G 310 GS. While this doesn’t confirm its launch, the fact that Honda is benchmarking the XRE 300 against its rivals means that the company is considering this model’s launch in our market.
XRE 300 being tested alongside rivals from KTM, BMW
Capable of running on ethanol as well as petrol
Honda XRE 300 adventure bike: underpinnings and features
The Brazilian-spec Honda XRE 300 is powered by a 291.6cc, single-cylinder air-cooled engine that is flex fuel capable, which means it can run on petrol as well as ethanol. It makes 25.4hp at 7,500rpm and 27.6Nm of torque at 6,000rpm when run on petrol, while running it on ethanol (which is widely used in Brazil) bumps up output figures marginally to 25.6hp at 7,500rpm and 28Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. Contrary to the 6-speed gearbox, which has become the norm, the XRE 300 has a more old-school 5-speed gearbox (similar to the Royal Enfield Himalayan). While these underpinnings are much more basic than the competition, the Honda XRE 300’s ace up its sleeve lies is its off-road credentials.
Most bikes in this category run a 19/17-inch cast alloy wheel set-up, which lends them greater stability on the road but hampers them off it. The Honda XRE 300 runs on wire-spoke rims sized 21/18 inches and boasts of a massive 259mm of ground clearance. This figure does come at the expense of accessibility, with the XRE 300 sporting a rather tall 860mm seat height (even taller than the KTM 390 Adventure), although with a dry weight of 148kg, it is significantly lighter than its competitors. Suspension duties are handled by a telescopic fork with 245mm of travel and a monoshock with 225mm of travel. Braking duties are handled by a 256mm disc at the front and a 220mm disc at the rear.
In terms of features, the Honda XRE 300 isn’t a particularly decked out machine and comes with a simple LCD digital display (sans a gear position indicator) and full LED lighting all around. It is also equipped with ABS.
Honda XRE 300 adventure bike: pricing, India launch and rivals
In Brazil, the Honda XRE 300 retails for the equivalent of approximately Rs 3.7 lakh, making it a rather expensive proposition if it is priced the same in our market. Considering that Honda has patented the XRE 300 moniker in India and the bike has been spotted testing alongside its chief rivals, there is a possibility that Honda might launch this bike here. In terms of rivals, it will have to contend with the KTM 390 Adventure, BMW G 310 GS, Royal Enfield Himalayan and Yezdi Adventure. Hero's 300cc adventure bike that's under testing and Royal Enfield’s upcoming Himalayan 450 are also bikes that the Honda XRE 300 will have to square off against.
What price would you pay for the Honda XRE 300 if it is launched in India? Let us know in the comments section below.