Honda CRF300L spotted in India, could be launched

Honda’s dual-sport motorcycle, the CRF300L was patented in India a year ago and the bike has now been spotted in what looks like an Indian dealership. It is surrounded by Honda’s other products that are sole in India,  like the Unicorn and Dio. Does this mean that Honda is set to launch the CRF300L in India? It is too early to say. 

Honda is set to launch a new motorcycle under the BigWing umbrella on August 8 and speculation is rife about it being the Forza 350. Now that the CRF300L has been spotted, there is a chance that this could be it. If that is the case, Honda’s CRF300L will be the first dual sport to be launched by the company in India.

The bike gets a 27hp, 26.6Nm, 286cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, single-cylinder motor, which is the same engine that also powers the CB300R that’s on sale in India. The CB is now localised and we wonder if the CRF300L would be as well, although logic suggests otherwise. 

All said, the CRF300L’s, if launched, will boast of off-road credentials that are pretty solid. It has 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels that are shod with knobby tyres, and the chassis is suspended by a USD fork and monoshock with near 260mm of travel at both ends. The ground clearance too is a massive 284mm, and as expected, the seat height is a stratospheric 880mm. 

As for the design, it is a clearly a case of function over form, with minimal body panels and a flat and wide seat.

If and when this motorcycle goes on sale in India, we don’t expect it to be affordable. In fact, in the UK, the CRF at £5,699 (around Rs 5.47 lakh) costs £600 (Rs 58,000) more than the CB300R. Expect a similar or bigger price gap in India.

Let us know what you think about the Honda CRF300L. Should Honda launch it in India and would you buy it?