CFMoto made its India debut last week with the launch of four products – the 300NK, 650NK, 650MT and the 650GT. The motorcycles arrived at competitive prices, and that should bother some of its rivals. In this post, we compare the technical specifications of the lowest displacement CFMoto product in the country, the 300NK, with those of its rivals - the KTM 390 Duke, the Honda CB300R and the BMW G 310 R.
Also Read: 5 premium 125cc motorcycle we wish to see in India
| Model | CFMoto 300NK | KTM 390 Duke | Honda CB300R | BMW G 310 R |
| Engine and Performance | ||||
| Engine | 292.4 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 4-valve, DOHC | 373.2 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 4-valve, DOHC | 286.01 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 4-valve, DOHC | 313 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 4-valve, DOHC |
| Max Power | 33.9 PS at 7,200 rpm | 43.5 PS at 9,000 rpm | 30.45 PS at 8,000rpm | 34 PS at 9,500 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 20.5 Nm at 8,800 rpm | 37 Nm at 7,000 rpm | 27.4 Nm at 6,500rpm | 28 Nm at 7,500 rpm |
| Transmission | Six-speed | Six-speed with assist and slipper clutch | Six-speed | Six-speed |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length | 1,990 mm | 2,002 mm | 2,028 mm | 2,005 mm |
| Width | 780 mm | 838 mm | 888 mm | 849 mm |
| Height | 1,080 mm | 1,274 mm | 1,053 mm | 1,080 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,360 mm | 1,357 mm | 1,344 mm | 1,374 mm |
| Seat Height | 795 mm | 830 mm | 800 mm | 785 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 150 mm | 185 mm | 151 mm | 165 mm |
| Tank Capacity | 12.5 litres | 13.4 litres | 10 litres | 11 litres |
| Kerb Weight | 151 kg | 163 kg | 147 kg | 158.5 |
| Suspension, Brakes and Tyres | ||||
| Front Suspension | Upside-Down Forks | Upside-Down Forks | Upside-Down Forks | Upside-Down Forks |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock | Monoshock | Monoshock | Monoshock |
| Front Brake | Disc (300 mm) | Disc (320 mm) | Disc (296 mm) | Disc (300 mm) |
| Rear Brake | Disc (245 mm) | Disc (230 mm) | Disc (220 mm) | Disc (240 mm) |
| Safety Net | Dual-Channel ABS | Dual-Channel ABS (Switchable) | Dual-Channel ABS | Dual-Channel ABS |
| Front Tyre | 110/70 R17 | 110/70 R17 | 110/70 R17 | 110/70 R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 140/60 R17 | 150/60 R17 | 150/60 R17 | 110/70 R17 |
| Prices (Ex-showroom Delhi) | ||||
| Price | INR 2.29 Lakh | INR 2.41 Lakh | INR 2.49 Lakh | INR 2.99 Lakh |
The CFMoto 300NK comes with features such as full LED lighting (headlamp, blinkers and taillight), a TFT screen with two display modes (Sport and Rain), upside-down telescopic front forks, a monoshock suspension at the back and dual-channel ABS. The 292.4 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 4-valve, DOHC engine's max power is at par with the rivals too - 33.9 PS at 7,200 rpm. The torque output, however, is lower than all its rivals - 20.5 Nm at 8,800 rpm. The CFMoto 300NK costs INR 2.29 lakh*, which makes it more affordable than its rivals. However, this price is introductory.
The KTM 390 Duke continues to be the most value-for-money product, with its long feature list and healthy performance numbers. Like the CFMoto 300NK, the KTM 390 Duke packs full LED lighting and a TFT display. However, the Austrian pocket rocket also gets Bluetooth connectivity to control functions like incoming calls, messages and music using the buttons on the left side switchgear. The 373.2 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 4-valve, DOHC motor churns out 43.5 PS of power at 9,000 rpm and 37 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. The engine comes coupled to a six-speed transmission with an assist/slipper clutch function. The dual-channel ABS on the bike can be turned off completely or used in Supermoto Mode that disengages the protection at the back. Lastly, the 390 Duke is the only motorcycle in its segment to come with a ride-by-wire throttle.
The Honda CB300R also benefits from full LED lighting and a digital display. However, unlike the CFMoto 300NK and the KTM 390 Duke, it uses an LCD display. The power output figure is lowest among its rivals. This bike's 286.01 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 4-valve, DOHC engine delivers 30.45 PS at 8,000 rpm and 27.4 Nm at 6,500 sprpm. The CB300R features the Japanese brand’s neo sports cafe styling, which makes it one of the most visually appealing bikes in the sub-500 cc segment. The retro styling is complemented by modern hardware and a relatively affordable price tag.
The BMW G 310 R is the most expensive motorcycle among the products mentioned in this technical specification comparison, retailing at a hefty INR 2.99 lakh* tag. Surprisingly, despite the expensive tag, the Bavarian product misses features like LED headlight, LED blinkers and an assist/slipper clutch. The performance numbers are higher than the CB300R and the 300NK, and the 313 cc, single-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled motor produces 34 PS at 9,500 rpm and 28 Nm at 7,500 rpm. The TVS Apache RR310, which uses the same engine platform as the G 310 R, recently received the assist/slipper clutch upgrade. The entry-level BMW Motorrad product could get the same hardware update.
We would also like give an honorary mention to the Royal Enfield Interceptor INT 650. The prices of the 650 cc parallel-twin cylinder engine-powered Royal Enfield start from INR 2.50 lakh* which is at par with the Honda CB300R and much affordable than the BMW G 310 R. In terms of performance, the 648 cc fuel-injected, oil-cooled, parallel-twin cylinder engine makes 47.65 PS of power and 52 Nm of torque.
Also Read: Honda CB300R vs KTM 390 Duke: Dyno test
The feature-packed CFMoto 300NK will give some of its rivals sleepless nights, although the Indian partner of the Chinese manufacturer, AMW Motorcycles, is yet to have a comprehensive dealers/service network. Currently, the CFMoto products are available in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Guwahati.
*Ex-showroom Delhi
