2014 Honda CBR300R - First Look

Upping the ante on one of Honda’s best-selling streetbikes.

Honda recently took the wraps off the brand-new CBR300R sportbike at the China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition in Chongqing. The show, the largest in China, has been held annually since 2002.

Although Honda doesn't release official sales figures to the media, it is no secret that the CBR250R has been a red-hot seller since its release in 2011. Out of the gate, the littlest CBR was priced right (under $4000), and offered the quality and refinement that we've come to expect from Honda over the years.

Honda's closest competitor, Kawasaki, one-upped Big Red in 2013 by replacing the Ninja 250 with the Ninja 300. Priced in the right ballpark at $4799, the new Ninja quickly regained market share in the category Kawi has owned for more than a decade. So, it's no real surprise that Honda has taken the same bigger-is-better concept to heart.

The only question that remains is this: will the bike will find its way to the U.S. in 2014? With the trend toward manufacturers building identical models for all worldwide markets, and the success of the 250R in the America, we think it’s a slam-dunk. Look for the new CBR300R to go on sale in early 2014.