Honda XR300 L and XR300 Rally Launched; Range Starts At Rs. 1.83 Lakh (Ex-sh)

Honda has finally brought its adventure-ready 300s to India. The XR300L is priced at Rs. 1.83 lakh and the XR300 Rally at Rs. 2.08 lakh (both ex-showroom, Bengaluru). Bookings are open at Honda BigWing outlets.

When Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India showed off ten new products in July, the two XR models were the ones off-road-minded riders kept coming back to. Now they have price tags. Both bikes are made in India, and they give Honda its first real entry into the affordable dual-sport space here.

Read more: 2026 TVS Apache RTR 310 Gets a Variant Update; Here's All That's New!

Two bikes, one platform

The XR300L is the pure dual-sport. The XR300 Rally costs Rs. 25,000 more and keeps the same core hardware, but adds the equipment you would want on a long-distance ride.

Both are powered by a 293.5cc, single-cylinder, air- and oil-cooled engine, closely related to the motor in the CB300F, with a six-speed gearbox. Honda hasn't published India-spec power and torque yet. The CB300F-based unit makes roughly 24-25 hp and 26 Nm in other markets, so expect similar numbers here. The Indian bikes also get revised exhaust routing compared to the South American XR300L, which is likely linked to local emission norms.

XR300L: the trail-first one

The L looks like a proper dual-sport. It has a slim body, a high-mounted front mudguard, a narrow tail and a raised exhaust.

• Suspension: a long-travel telescopic fork up front and a gas-charged Pro-Link monoshock at the back, with roughly 260 mm of travel.
• Wheels: a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear, both wire-spoke.
• Brakes: a 256 mm front disc and 220 mm rear disc, with dual-channel ABS. You can switch off the rear ABS for off-road riding.
• Electronics: Honda Selectable Torque Control (traction control).
• Dimensions: an 830 mm seat height, 244 mm ground clearance, and a 7.8-litre fuel tank.
• Console: a simple LCD unit.

The 7.8-litre tank is the L's limitation. It suits trails and weekend rides, but it will want regular fuel stops on longer routes.

XR300 Rally

For the extra Rs. 25,000, the Rally changes the bike's character more than its mechanicals.

• Wind protection: a larger front fairing, a tall windscreen, and knuckle guards.
• Fuel capacity: a 13-litre tank, 5.2 litres more than the L.
• Instrumentation: a 5-inch TFT console with Honda RoadSync, which brings smartphone connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation.
• Retained hardware: the same 21/18-inch spoke wheels, Pro-Link rear suspension, traction control, and switchable ABS.

Expect the Rally to sit slightly taller and weigh a little more than the L because of the bigger tank and bodywork. Honda hasn't confirmed those figures yet.

At a Glance

Rivals and pricing

The XR300L takes on the Hero XPulse 210 (Rs. 1.68-1.77 lakh) and the Kawasaki KLX230. It costs a little more than the Hero but brings a considerably larger engine. The Rally, at Rs. 2.08 lakh, has fewer direct rivals because it offers a fairing, TFT, and navigation at a price that is still below most 300cc-plus adventure tourers.

Read more: Mahindra Thar Electric Spotted Testing For the First Time: New Details Here

Our take

Honda has pitched both bikes sharply. The L is a straightforward, accessible way into off-road riding from a brand known for reliability. The Rally speaks to buyers who want something that can also handle highway touring. The final verdict will depend on real-world performance, and we'll know more once we ride them.