Haojue DR300 Showcased At 2018 Chongqing Mobo Fair
Haojue Motorcycles produces small-displacement bikes for Suzuki in China
Haojue Motorcycles has unveiled the DR300, which is essentially a Suzuki GSX-S300 underneath, at the Chongqing Mobo Fair in China. The company also manufactures other models such as the Suzuki Inazuma, GSX-250R and the V-Strom 250 for Suzuki in China. The fact that Suzuki recently patented the GSX-R300 (faired version) and GSX-S300, which are expected to be unveiled at the 2018 EICMA, hints at the Japanese manufacturer’s intentions to target developing countries, which may include India.
In terms of design, the Haojue DR300 looks like a scaled down version of the GSX-S750. However, it manages to look sharp and sporty thanks to features such as an all-LED headlamp with DRLs, LED taillights, an all-digital instrument cluster, clip-on handlebars, a well-sculpted fuel tank with tank extensions, split seats that sit above a raised tail section and an upswept exhaust.
The Haojue DR300 houses a Suzuki GSX-S300-derived 298cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled motor. Going by the blueprints revealed some time ago, the bike uses a steel tubular frame where the engine acts as a stressed member.
Suspension duties are handled by upside-down forks up front and a monoshock at the rear, which will most likely have some form of adjustability. Its 17-inch wheels come wrapped in 110 section tyre up front, while the rear gets 140-section rubber. Notably, both tyres are from Pirelli. Disc brakes at both ends take care of braking duties and dual-channel ABS seems to be a part of the standard equipment.
Considering that Haojue only produces bikes for the Chinese market, it’s highly unlikely that the DR300 will make it to India. That said, it’s quite possible that Suzuki might introduce the GSX-S300, or even a 250cc version of it, in India, taking into account the ever-growing sub-300cc motorcycle segment in the country. If the GSX-S300 makes it to India, it will go up against the likes of the KTM 390 Duke, BMW G 310 R and the Dominar 400.
Image courtesy: Newmotor.com.cn
Gaurav Sadanand
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