Honda Rebel 300’s Chinese Rival Unveiled In Tech-savvier Avatar

The 300cc V-twin cruiser Benda BD300 has been updated with traction control system, slipper clutch and more

Chinese manufacturer Benda Motorcycle is well-known for its uniquely-designed, feature and performance-packed motorcycles. One of its popular cruisers, the Benda BD300 (also known as Benda Chinchilla V2, if the translation is correct) has been updated for 2022. The updated 300cc V-twin cruiser comes with several technological and feature updates, making it an even more wholesome proposition than before.

The cruiser has been updated with a new traction control system. It retains the slipper clutch supplementing the six-speed transmission (linked to a belt drive), but gets a new single-sided twin slash-cut exhaust layout. The 298cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine makes the same power and torque as before: 30.5PS and 25.3Nm, but the internals have been tweaked to offer better refinement. 

The motorcycle’s digital instrument cluster now has a 36 percent larger viewable area. It features a gear position indicator, clock, tachometer and other run-of-the-mill information. There’s no smartphone connectivity, which is a little disappointing. The all-LED lighting system has been retained. Oh, and the cruiser also comes in three new colour schemes: white, grey and black. 

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Benda has also updated the brake pads while the braking system is the same as before: disc at both ends with dual-channel ABS. The cruiser employs an inverted front fork and twin rear shock absorbers, and rolls on 16-inch alloys wrapped with meaty 130-section front and 150-section rear tyres. 

While the prices haven't been revealed, we reckon it will more or less be in the same ballpark as the current pricing, which starts from CNY 19,980 (equivalent to around Rs 2.32 lakh). All in all, these practical updates are welcome and will help the company fend off competition from Honda Rebel 300, as well as the upcoming Harley-Davidson 300cc cruiser. Sadly, this motorcycle will not make it to India, but if you're looking for sub-400cc cruisers, the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is worth considering.