Honda launched the H’ness CB350 with the aim of competing against the Royal Enfield Classic 350. However, it has created its own place in the classic motorcycle segment. As compared to RE Classic 350, H’ness CB350 feels more premium, and it acts as an entry-level motorcycle for beginners. Currently, the H’ness CB350 is available only at the BigWing dealership, which is located in only a few locations. Still, the bike has attracted a lot of customers throughout the country.
Honda H’ness CB350 Design
The H’ness CB350’s design is a blend of classic-looking motorcycles with modern features. That kind of gives it a retro look. The H’ness CB350’s features appear to be heavily influenced by those of its larger sibling, the CB 1100 EX. A circular headlight, a curved gasoline tank, a tan leather seat, cut fenders, and a chrome-finished exhaust all appeared to be taken from the CB 1100 EX. However, the CB 1100 EX is entirely out of production since 2018.
Meanwhile, the inclusion of blacked-out components and alloy wheels adds to its contemporary appearance. The tail area is nicely done—not too complex, not too somber.
Honda H’ness CB350 Engine, power, and transmission
The Honda H’ness CB350 is powered by a 348.36 cc BS6 engine that produces 20.78 horsepower and 30 Nm of torque. The Honda H’ness CB350 has an anti-lock braking system with both front and rear disc brakes. This H’ness CB350 motorcycle weighs 181 kg and has a 15-liter fuel tank. The engine is also counter-balanced making it more refined. Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), Honda’s jargon for traction control, is standard on the motorbike.
Key Dimensions, Wheels, and brakes
The chassis of the bike is made of a half-duplex cradle frame, which is supported by telescopic forks at the front and dual shock absorbers in the rear. This gives the bike an overall wheelbase of 1441 mm. Combined with the low mounting position of the engine, the H’ness has easy maneuverability in traffic.
The wheel has 7 y spoke design alloy wheels. The front wheel is 19 inches in diameter and rolls on 100/90 tubeless tyres. The rear wheel is smaller, measuring 18 inches in diameter, but it rides on wider 130/70 tyres. The overall length of the bike is 2163mm, it has an overall height of 1107mm with a seat height of 800mm, and the ground clearance is 166mm. The fuel tank capacity of this retro bike is 15 liters, whereas its dry weight is 181 kg, making it lighter than the Himalayan and Classic 350. The single 310mm front and 240mm rear discs stop the 181kg (kerb) motorbike, and dual-channel ABS is standard.
Honda H’ness CB350 features
Despite its vintage appearance, Honda has packed the CB350 with contemporary technology. The lighting system is entirely LED, and the instrument panel is semi-digital. The instrument cluster displays important data such as real-time/average mileage, distance-to-empty readouts, battery voltage, and a gear position indication.
It also has a USB connection embedded into the cluster for smartphone connectivity (restricted to the DLX Pro variant). When the console is linked to a smartphone, the rider may use voice commands to manage calls/music and even access turn-by-turn navigation. The left handlebar also gets a multifunction switchgear, similar to the one seen on the KTM 390 Duke.
Honda H’ness CB350 colors, variants, price, and rivals
Honda H’ness CB350 has two variants to offer – DLX and DLX Pro. The Honda is also offering an Anniversary edition now. DLX which is a basic variant is priced at Rs. 200386 and DLX Pro comes at Rs. 205386. The H’ness Anniversary Edition is available at Rs. 207886.
H’ness CB350 is available in 4 exotic colors – Mat Massive Grey, Precious Red Metallic, Matte Marsal Green Metallic, and Pearl Night Star Black.
The Honda CB350 H’Ness competes directly with the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Meteor 350 in 2021. Other notable rivals in the sector include the Benelli Imperiale 400, Jawa, and the recently introduced Royal Enfield Hunter 350. The Honda CB350 competes in its price range with the Royal Enfield Himalayan and the Bajaj Dominar 400.
