BITE THE BULLET
Honda’s H’ness CB350 seems to be taking a leaf out of Royal Enfield’s book. But is it worth the read... erm, ride?
HER HIGHNESS HAS FINALLY arrived’, read the Honda chap’s text. I rushed downstairs to take the delivery of the Honda H’ness CB350 that had finally arrived for this test on a flatbed after two months since its launch. “SIR, YEH TOH ROYAL ENfiELD HAI”, exclaimed my security guard after the tempo driver carefully unwrapped the sanitised motorcycle to sanitise it again. The guard wasn’t completely wrong. Parked next to my long-term Interceptor 650, it really did look like a younger twin but even more blingy. The long wheelbase, typical roadster silhouette, round headlamp and indicators meant that it felt right at home in the company of the bigger but familiar RE. I went to bed that evening expecting the very same riding experience as well.
The next morning I started my ride to the shoot location. Now the meeting point usually takes roughly 45min from where I live but the Honda had me surprised at the first instance itself. I reached the spot in just 20 minutes but it was 5:30am in the morning, so I wondered if it was the post-Covid traffic situation that had a part in it. However, a lot of credit goes to the CB350 here (H’ness makes me laugh every single time I say it, so let’s stick to this).
Unlike the RE in my garage, the CB350 has a very different approach to its power delivery. It isn’t tractable like how you’d expect a neo-retro machine to be. In fact, it’s just the exact opposite. The motor has no
grunt in the low range (no tacho so can’t specify rpm) so you have to constantly work through gears to find the correct engine speed. And unless you’re wringing its neck, it hesitates to move. When going over bumps at about 20kmph, I literally had to shift down one too many times to get going. The near 350cc motor develops almost the same amount of torque and power as the Meteor 350, but the delivery is poles apart. It even reminded of the KTM 250 Adventure that I had ridden just a week ago. The engine doesn’t allow you to laze around and expects you to hit the limiter every single time. And that’s exactly what had made me reach the location before time. Thankfully, this is a Honda which means refinement runs deep in its veins. In fact, it is so refined that it feels simply out of character for a machine of this particular kind.
The gearbox is super slick as well – again a typical Honda trait and the slip and assist clutch adds to the comfort. The clutch is featherlight and that’s why it isn’t that big an issue to work through the gearbox. Amidst all this, the articulated exhaust note eggs you on to push harder. It doesn’t really sound like a thumper and reminded me of my Rotax stroker go-kart from 20 years ago; especially at high revs. It’s so loud that a group of Harley owners stopped and asked me if this was the 350cc motorcycle that Harley is working on. They also invited me to ride with them which means, HOG memberships are guaranteed! (Take that Royal Enfielders!)
The ride to Aamby Valley saw the CB350 over highways, twisties, potholed B-roads and everything else. What I enjoyed the most was its agility – so wellbalanced is the chassis that you never feel the heft. It’s a 181kg motorcycle with an athletic build making it feel like a 160kg. Handling is marred only by the thin rubber and if I were to put it better, I’d say that this feels like a shrunken Street Twin. The ride is not very cushy
and the CB350 does get unsettled over bumpy patches of road. Even slow-speed rides feels quite firm. The rear suspension bottomed out with my weight (85kg) on several occasions, so if you want to go to Ladakh with a pillion and luggage, this might not be your best option.
A big plus point has to be the brakes. They are sharp and very communicative. The features list is impressive with traction control (why though?), a Bluetooth-enabled cluster which works only with a headset, lit-up indicators and that Honda badge. However, this Honda seems to try too hard to be a Royal Enfield and loses its own identity in the process. It feels like a naked, trapped in a retro body, waiting to come out of the closet. Don’t get me wrong; this isn’t a bad motorcycle at all. In fact, it’s bloody brilliant. But this segment requires something that’s full of heart, oozing with character and the whole experience simply fails to deliver on this front. The gear ratios are too tall, the ride is slightly stiff and the engine feels very awkward, suddenly making the exhaust note sound like EDM in a world of symphony orchestras.
Add to all this, the challenge of the CB350 being sold only at 40 dealerships across the country with a price tag that’s higher than the Meteor 350, and you’re in a curious situation.
Now, I must rush back home to let my security guard know that this is not a Royal Enfield! ⌧
IT’S SO LOUD THAT A GROUP OF HARLEYS STOPPED AND ASKED ME IF THIS WAS THE 350CC THAT HARLEY IS WORKING ON