Honda launches XR300L and XR300 Rally off-road bikes in India at Rs 1.83 lakh and Rs 2.08 lakh

Honda has launched two new models in the off-road and adventure motorcycle market. The company has introduced the XR300L and the XR300 Rally in India. The ex-showroom price of the XR300L is Rs 1.83 lakh and that of the XR300 Rally is Rs 2.08 lakh.

Both bikes are made in India. They will be sold through Honda's BigWing dealerships, and bookings have begun.

Both bikes share the same engine, a 293.5cc single-cylinder, air and oil-cooled unit linked to the one in the CB300F, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. Compared with the XR300L sold in South America, the Indian model also has a change in exhaust routing.

The XR300L has a traditional dual-sport design. A slim body, a high front mudguard, a high-mounted exhaust and a slim tail section make it look ready for off-road riding. It has a long-travel telescopic fork at the front and a gas-charged Pro-Link monoshock at the rear. It runs on a 21-inch front and an 18-inch rear spoke wheel, has disc brakes on both ends and gets switchable dual-channel ABS.

In figures, the XR300L has a 7.8-litre fuel tank, an 830 mm seat height and 244 mm of ground clearance. Suspension travel is 260 mm, while the disc brakes measure 256 mm at the front and 220 mm at the rear.

The XR300 Rally leans more towards touring. It has a larger front fairing, a tall windscreen, knuckle guards and a 13-litre fuel tank. The cockpit has a 5-inch TFT display. Honda RoadSync provides smartphone connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation. It also has traction control and switchable ABS. The bigger tank and wind protection make it useful on long journeys.

On competition, the XR300L will take on lightweight off-road bikes such as the Hero Xpulse 210 and the Kawasaki KLX230. The Rally model leans towards adventure touring. Honda has kept a price gap of Rs 25,000 between the two bikes.