- Honda XRE 300 spied testing in India
- It is being benchmarked alongside KTM 390 Adventure and BMW G 310 GS
- Could be showcased at the Auto Expo 2023
The Honda XRE 300 adventure motorcycle has been spied testing in India yet again, hinting at a possible launch sometime next year. The motorcycle was spotted alongside the KTM 390 Adventure and the BMW G 310 GS, which gives us an idea about what Honda is benchmarking it against.
According to our sources, the XRE 300 is undergoing the initial phase of testing somewhere down south India, and there are high chances that the bike is being tested at the Big Rock dirt park. This also means that the official launch could still be some time away, and we can expect Honda to showcase it at the 2023 Auto Expo.
Taking into consideration it is benchmarked against its European rivals, we can expect the Honda XRE 300 to be priced around Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom). That said, what will set it apart from the competition is that the XRE 300 is a proper dual-sport motorcycle, complete with wire-spoke wheels, shod on knobby tyres, and a long-travel suspension setup. The KTM 390 Adventure and the BMW G 310 GS are essentially road-biased adventure tourers with mild off-roading capabilities, at best.
Powering the XRE 300 is a 291cc single-cylinder, air-cooled motor that is good for 25.5bhp at 7,500rpm and 27Nm at 6,000rpm. The engine is mated to a five-speed transmission. The modest power figures and the torque-heavy specs hint at better low-end and mid-range performance. But, that is something we can confirm only after riding the motorcycle.
As far as cycle parts are concerned, the Honda XRE 300 comes equipped with telescopic front forks that get 245mm travel, while the rear gets a Pro-Link mono-shock with 225mm travel. The motorcycle rides on 21/19-inch wire-spoke wheels at the front and back. The Brazilian-spec model rides on Metzeler Enduro 3 Sahara tyres.
Talking about its features, the XRE 300 gets full-LED lighting, a digital instrument cluster, and dual-channel ABS. There’s also a luggage rack that is a standard fitment, while the tank capacity stands at 13.8 litres. Another thing that could work in its favour is that the ADV tips the weighing scales at just 148kg (dry).
