Honda H’ness CB350 vs CB350 RS

H’ness CB350

CB350 RS

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India, Private Limited (HMSI) have launched two CB versions in the Indian market recently H’ness CB350 and CB350 RS, looming around the modern-retro segment. H’ness CB350 is inspired from the bigger engine capacity family member Honda CB1100 EX, while CB350 RS looks like the Scramblers at first glance. ‘RS’ stands for Road Sailing according to Honda in CB350 RS. H’ness CB350 and CB350 RS aim to attract customers from all age groups right from young riders to older ones. H’ness CB350 is more on the classic base while CB350 RS is on the sporty street side.

Engine Specs

H’ness CB350

CB350 RS

H’ness CB350 and CB350 RS share a BS6 compliant 350CC single-cylinder air-cooled 4 stoke Programmed Fuel-injected engine producing max power of 21bhp @5500rpm and 30Nm torque @3000rpm clubbed with a 5-Speed transmission. The engine has been co-developed with Honda Japan. Bikes are fitted with Telescopic shock in the front and Twin-Hydraulic in the rear, instrument cluster is circular with a analog speedometer and digital window for the clock, ODO meter, fuel gauge, gear, etc.

So what’s different?
On the front, both bikes are mounted with identical LED headlamps, the H’ness gets a chrome ring and RS have a cut out for a metal semi-circle ring with a brushed metal touch to extenuate the sportiness of the bike. Both bikes can be differentiated from their rear end fitments, H’ness tail lamp is somewhat circular sharpened fitted on the rear fender while the RS tail lamp is tucked under the rear end of the seat. LED turn indicators on H’ness are circular and eye-shaped for the RS alongside the smoked black front and rear fenders, on the other hand, H’ness is dressed in chrome fenders. Front Fork Boots and Skid Plat are two add-ons on the RS. These were the cosmetic aspects of both the bike, technically speaking the H'ness & RS gets a main shaft coaxial balancer where the main shaft is added in the rear of the cylinder to balance the position & mass with a balancer shaft located in the rear of the cylinder to eliminated vibration from the engine. Both bikes are designed on a Half Duplex Cradle Frame.

Features H’ness CB350 & CB350 RS

1. Assist and Slipper clutch
2. Dual-Channel ABS
3. Selectable Torque Control
4. Average/Mileage Indicator
5. Gear Position Indicator
6. Distance to Empty
7. Battery Voltage Meter
8. Hazard Switch
9. Traction Control
10. Dual Tone Colour
11. Type-C charging port
12. Side Stand with Engine inhibitor

H'ness CB350

CB350 RS

H’ness CB350 comes in two models DLX & DLX Pro and CB350 RS is available in the Standard version, all of the above features are included in the DLX and RS's Standard variant at the same time H'ness DLX Pro version has some extra features like the Smart Phone Voice Control System, Dual Tone Colour, Dual Horn. H’ness CB350 & CB350 RS has a tank capacity of 15 L and an expected mileage of about 35-40Km/L. Front wheels for both bikes bolts in 100/90 19M/C 57H tire, while H’ness rear wheel is of 130/70 18M/C 63H and RS is of 150/70-17M/C 69H MRF Zappers.

Pricing
H’ness CB350 is priced at ₹1.86 Lakh for DLX variant & ₹1.92 Lakh for DLX Pro variant and CB350 RS Standard version is priced at ₹1.96 Lakh, all the prices are Ex-showroom across India. H’ness CB350 and CB350 RS will be sold only through Big Wing Dealership across India.

Colour
CB350 RS comes in Dual-tone shades Black with Pearl Sport Yellow & Radiant Red Metallic whereas H’ness CB 350 is available in 6 colour variants DLX – Precious Red Metallic, Peral Night Star Black, Matte Marshal Green Metallic, and DLX Pro – Pearl Night Star Black with Spear Silver Metallic, Athletic Blue Metallic with Virtuous White, Matte Steel Black Metallic with Matte Massive Gray Metallic. The company also offers a 3+3 years warranty which includes an Annual Maintenance Contract, Road Side Assistance, Engine Health Assurance (Teams and Condition Apply).

Rivals
H’ness CB350 will stand against the most popular vehicle Royal Enfield Classic 350, Jawa Standard, and the Benelli Imperiale 400 while CB350 RS will be against Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and the upcoming Bajaj and Triumph motorcycles.

Royal Enfield Classic 350

Jawa Standard

Benelli Imperiale 400

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

In the end all it comes to a choice between all black (CB350 RS) and all chrome (H’ness CB350). If you love classic design then choose the H’ness CB350 and if you what a street smart bike then go for CB350 RS.