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The Honda H’Ness CB 350 (sure, it is referred to as the Highness!) is Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India‘s newest weapon to take the battle to Royal Enfield’s doorstep within the entry-degree trendy traditional phase. It’s a phase dominated by Royal Enfield; extra particularly, by the Royal Enfield Classic 350, which accounts for 90 per cent of Royal Enfield’s total gross sales. Honda‘s been eyeing the 350 cc trendy traditional phase for someday, and felt it is time to shake issues up, and so the all-new Honda H’Ness CB 350 made its debut a couple of months in the past. After ready months for His Highness to point out up for a check trip, we have lastly been granted an viewers.
Also Read: Honda H’Ness CB 350 Priced At ₹ 1.85 Lakh
The H’Ness, (bizarre title for a bike, in the event you ask me), however a reputation which HMSI feels shall be potent sufficient to tackle the ‘royals’ within the phase – pun meant. But it is not more likely to be a walkover; Royal Enfield’s model power is known, and driving a Royal Enfield is as a lot a press release, as is a life-style crammed with emotion and keenness. So, is the Honda CB 350 ok to put declare to Royal Enfield’s reign within the 350 cc motorbike phase? We spent a while with the Honda H’Ness CB 350 to try to search some solutions.
Also Read: All You Need To Know About The Honda CB 350
Design
The Honda CB 350 appears interval right. With design inspiration taken from Honda’s storied CB collection vary of roadsters, the brand new H’Ness CB 350 oozes outdated world attraction. The lengthy and large gas tank with the retro-styled Honda badge is a particular nod to Honda roadsters from the ’70s and ’80s. The spherical headlight has that traditional attraction, but it surely’s LED, as is the retro-styled taillight. The flip indicators have an outer ring that are illuminated on a regular basis, with the spherical-formed blinkers. Overall match and end is sort of good, with excellent paint high quality.
Also Read: Honda CB 350 Specifications Comparison With Rivals
The alloy wheels are shod with tubeless tyres from MRF and are available in 19-inch entrance and 18-inch rear mixture. The design of the alloys enhances the neo-retro silhouette and even the fenders are completed in chrome to underscore the retro enchantment. The barely upswept exhaust can be completed in chrome, and as quickly as you fireplace up the one-cylinder engine, it begins up with a pleasant sounding thump; clearly, it has been tuned to resemble the trademark thump of a Royal Enfield, however the CB 350 in truth, sounds sharper and louder than the Royal Enfield Classic 350.
Performance & Dynamics
The engine’s state of tune, and the specs present that Honda has clearly developed the CB 350 to take the combat to established rivals on this phase. The 349 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine produces 20.Eight bhp at 5,500 rpm, however the 30 Nm of torque is greatest in school, and peaks at a low 3,000 rpm. That interprets to an pressing pull as you’re employed the gears in metropolis speeds, and 100 kmph is achieved very quickly. Top pace is properly over 125 kmph, and 90 -100 kmph is a relaxed place to be in. In truth, out on the freeway, you may cruise sedately at 90-95 kmph all day, with some further oomph for overtakes.
Also Read: Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Review
But regardless of the low-finish torque, the gears have to be labored, together with engine revs and downshifts are required, which makes the Honda really feel fairly completely different from the character of the Royal Enfield engines we’re used to. But total refinement ranges from the counterbalanced engine are actually very good, and the slip and help clutch gives a light-weight really feel on the lever. Gear shifts are slick, so working the 5-pace gearbox is rarely an issue, however the design of the gear lever does get in the way in which, and will have been higher, ergonomically. The engine nevertheless, would not thoughts being revved, so regardless of the slender energy band, and tall gearing, the CB 350 would not disappoint.
With a kerb weight of 181 kg, the Honda H’Ness CB 350 feels gentle on the transfer, and it stays fairly planted and secure. The half duplex cradle body gives ample stability and even when cornering, it feels fairly planted, and assured. Overall trip high quality is sort of good and comfy, and hustling the CB 350 over potholes, speedbreakers and damaged tarmac, gave us no purpose to complain. Even round lengthy sweeping corners, the bike stays secure, and it is comparatively light-weight to make it really feel agile, for an entry-degree trendy traditional.
Also Read: Honda H’Ness CB 350 Platform Could Have More Models
Tech & Ergonomics
The speedometer is a single-pod analogue unit, but additionally encompasses a small digital display screen with a protracted listing of options. It will present you a clock, gas gauge, gear place indication, distance to empty, common gas consumption, battery voltage meter and twin journey meters. The inform-story lights characteristic a facet-stand indicator which additionally acts as an engine inhibitor, so when you’ve got the facet stand down, and have interaction a gear, the engine robotically cuts off. The instrument console additionally has a telephone charging level within the type of a USB C port. The left switchcube on the highest-spec DLX Pro variant additionally has buttons to scroll by way of the menus on the digital show, however annoyingly, the horn button place has been swapped for the flip indicators (a recognized Honda characteristic these days), which is able to take a while used to.
The prime-spec DLX Pro variant is available in twin-tone colors and two loud horns, together with the Honda Smartphone Voice Control System (HSVC). It does require a separate helmet-mounted Bluetooth speaker system, which is able to price anyplace between ₹ 5,000-8,000 on the Honda Big Wing dealership, however there are cheaper choices additionally obtainable within the gray market. The voice management system permits the rider to make use of a devoted Honda RoadSync app by way of which options like alerts on incoming calls, music playback and audio directions for navigation.
Safety
There’s additionally Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), Honda-speak for traction management system, which is a phase-first, however probably not wanted with a motorcycle with this type of efficiency. On moist roads and low traction situations although, it might show to be useful. Brakes are fairly good, and supply respectable chunk to shave off speeds in a rush. There’s additionally twin-channel ABS which makes pressing braking a protected and measured expertise, with none pointless drama.
Also Read: Honda H’Ness CB 350 Prices With Rivals
Prices & Variants
The Honda H’Ness CB 350 is accessible in two variants. The base DLX variant is priced at ₹ 1.85 lakh (Ex-showroom), whereas the highest-spec DLX Pro variant is priced at ₹ 1.90 (Ex-showroom). The DLX Pro variant will get twin-tone colors, twin horns with chrome end, and the Honda Smartphone Voice Activated System, with Bluetooth connectivity, though the helmet mounted speaker system must be bought individually. For the marginally larger value, it is the DLX Pro which makes extra sense. And at these costs, the Honda H’Ness CB 350 will compete with the Royal Enfield Classic 350, Royal Enfield Meteor 350, Jawa and even the Benelli Imperiale 400.
Verdict
The Honda H’Ness CB 350 is among the most costly bikes in its phase, barring the Benelli Imperiale 400. But even then, it will get phase-first options just like the voice-activated, fingers-free, Bluetooth connectivity, in addition to customary traction management, and LED lighting. The CB 350 actually gives a degree of high quality and refinement that’s noticeable and really commendable. The engine is easy, the throaty exhaust notice good, and the dynamics properly-sorted. Everything in regards to the bike speaks volumes a few sure degree of finesse that’s tough to disregard. It’s undoubtedly a properly-rounded product and has the opportunity of creating a brand new benchmark within the phase.
The solely limitation is that the H’Ness CB 350 is simply being bought by way of the Honda Big Wing community, which has restricted numbers pan-India, however Honda intends to extend the community by as much as 50 dealerships throughout India by March 2021.But Honda will nonetheless have its activity minimize out, and regardless that the battlelines have been drawn, dethroning Royal Enfield will not be straightforward. The solely method to discover out is to match the CB 350 head-to-head with Royal Enfield’s newest, the Meteor 350. But that is one other story, and a face-off we promise to let His Highness bask in, and for us to evaluate, earlier than the yr is over.
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(Photography: Prashant Chaudhary)
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