BMW G310R vs Honda CB300F: An Impromptu Comparison

As a the new Associate Web Editor at Motorcyclist magazine, I've been relegated to one of the smallest bikes in the MC garage: the Honda CB300F. It's been a great daily commuter, so when Ari Henning and Zack Courts forwarded the invite to attend the North American press launch for BMW's new G310R, there was no question as to what I would ride from Huntington Beach to Los Angeles for the intro. Honda's CB300F is a direct competitor for the new G310R, and after riding both of these bikes back to back I felt a comparison between the two would be perfectly ideal.

Posture and ergonomics are important on any motorcycle, and when it comes to these two small naked standards, both of them position the rider in a very upright stance. While the tank on the BMW seems larger, it's actually smaller in capacity than the Honda's, and there's more distance from the seat to the bars. The seat on the Honda CB300F is also angled downward slightly toward the tank, which can make for some cramped riding conditions down south. Both bikes are capable of cruising at 70 mph, but protection from the wind is negligible. The bars on the Honda and BMW are both wide and gently slope downwards, and if you blindfolded me and asked me to tell the difference between them, I probably wouldn't be able to. Both bikes also annoyingly lack adjustable levers, which would be nice to see in bikes that are intended for smaller riders.

RELATED: Check out Motorcyclist's First Ride Review of the BMW G310R Here!

Controls on the BMW are intuitive, but Honda decided to swap the location of the turn-signal switch and horn buttons, which led to some embarrassing moments in traffic when I hit the horn button instead of the turn signal. On the flip side, the G310R’s switches are a considerable distance farther from the grips, which again is frustrating for those with smaller hands. The gauge cluster on the Honda is fairly barebones, showing only speed, engine rpm and fuel level, whereas the BMW excels in that area, displaying likewise with the addition of trip odometers, projected range, average and current fuel economy, and more.

Maneuverability is another key factor when it comes to small bikes, and both models are light on their feet and make direction changes easily. BMW’s G310R benefits from a longer swingarm, thanks to its backwards engine layout, and as a result is distinctly more stable. While the G310R’s upside down fork looks great, it lacks any adjustability. Not surprising for bikes in this price point, but I can’t help thinking that Honda’s right-side up fork not only saved on production costs, but operates much in the same manner. The suspension on the G310R also seems to be stiffer and sprung for slightly heavier riders than that of the CB300F.

The CB300F offers 286cc for your enjoyment, making a claimed 30.4 hp, while the G310R’s larger 313cc engine produces a claimed 34.0 hp. Not exactly what you’d call fire-breathing power by any measure, but enough to get you on your way. The BMW delivers this power in a very linear fashion, with no apparent hang-ups or steps in power delivery, whereas the Honda tends to “kick in” so to speak at about 7,000 rpm. Roll-on power is better with the G310R, which isn’t a surprise given the added displacement. This is exceptionally helpful when making a pass on the freeway, and a good comfort buffer to know that you have a bit more speed in the reserves. The The CB gets noticeably unstable when it meets any sort of road imperfection at highway speeds, whereas the BMW was relatively unfazed when presented with the same situation.

Which one would I choose if I was in the market? It’s a tough choice to be perfectly frank, but honestly I lean towards the Honda. It’s not that I don’t like the BMW, and for the suggested retail price of $4,750 ($751 more than the CB300F’s $3,999) you do gain slightly more displacement and performance, ABS, and a better dash display. While the Honda lacks ABS, the front brake has more feel and is more consistent in general, and the CB300F still handles freeway speeds well enough. It feels physically smaller (albeit not by much,) but a bit more refined overall. Either way, both bikes represent stellar values for newcomers to motorcycling or seasoned riders who place an importance on economy (both in terms of price and fuel mpg), ease of use, and maneuverability.