2026 Honda CRF300F First Look: 9 Fast Facts for the Trails

August 15, 2025

Honda has upped its trail bike game with a new flagship ride. The 2026 Honda CRF300F replaces the 250F and goes head-to-head with the Kawasaki KLX300R. Honda did more than just increase the 250’s displacement, so there’s quite a bit to discuss. Let’s get started.

Honda increased the bore by 6mm to up the displacement by 44cc. That tells you the boost in the motor is more about horsepower than torque, so expect the CRF300F to love to rev. Engine compression has been dropped from 9.6:1 to 9.3:1, though electric starting still fires the motor up at the push of a button.

A new exhaust system has increased volume to move the fuel charge along. The intake has not been changed—it’s still handled by a Keihin EFI system with a 34mm throttle body. As with all the CRF-F models, the 300 meets EPA and CARB standards, and has a USFS-approved spark arrester.

The 2026 Honda CRF300F is still air-cooled, but now there’s help. Honda has outfitted the 300 with an oil-cooler for rides on the hottest days. With it comes a new skid plate to accommodate the oil line.

A six-speed transmission is fitted into the bottom end. It replaces the 250’s five-speed gearbox. Also, the clutch has been beefed up with updated discs that are more heat-resistant to avoid slipping.

The suspension has been modified to handle the additional power. The fork, still a conventional design, gets firmer settings. The shock linkage is now aluminum, replacing steel. Wheel travel is unchanged—9.5 inches in the front and 9.1 inches out back. The bottom triple clamp is aluminum, replacing the 250’s steel part, now matching the aluminum top clamp.

The geometry has been tightened up a bit for sharper handling. The rake is reduced 0.4 degrees to 25.7 degrees, the trail shortened by a couple of millimeters, and the wheelbase is a tenth of an inch shorter. Also, the engine hangers have been reshaped, which Honda claims is “for improved handling and feel.”

The 2026 Honda CRF300F is a bit more bike than the 250. The seat height is up 0.2 inches, and the CRF300F’s curb weight is six pounds more than the 250F at 273 pounds with the 1.6-gallon fuel tank filled.

The plastic is updated. The radiator shrouds get the latest CRF-R shape and graphics. Also, the side panels are now secured with screws rather than tool-free snap-in rubber grommets.

Honda kept the price a buck below $5k. The 2026 Honda CRF300F has an MSRP of $4999, which is $500 lower than the ’25 Kawasaki KLX300R. The new CRF300F will be available in October, and we see a shootout brewing after our initial test!

Location photography by Willie Kessel

2026 Honda CRF300F Specifications

ENGINE

Type: Single-cylinder four-stroke
Bore x stroke: 77.0 x 63.0mm
Displacement: 294cc
Compression ratio: 9.3:1
Valvetrain: SOHC; four valves
Fueling: Keihin EFI w/ 34mm throttle body
Cooling: Air and oil
Transmission: 6-speed
Clutch: Wet multiplate
Final drive: 520 chain

CHASSIS

Front suspension; travel: Non-adjustable 41mm fork; 9.5 inches
Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted spring-preload adjustable Showa shock; 9.1 inches
Tires: Pirelli Scorpion XC Mid Hard
Front tire: 80/100-21
Rear tire: 100/100-18
Front brake: 240mm disc w/ Nissin caliper
Rear brake: 220mm disc

DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES