Honda CB350RS

Price: The CB350RS comes in 4 variants: DLX, DLX Pro, DLX Pro Dual Tone, and the New Hue Edition. The DLX starts at a price of Rs 2,14,856, the DLX Pro and DLX Pro Dual Tone at Rs 2,17,857, and the price of the New Hue Edition stands at Rs 2,19,357 (all ex-showroom Delhi).

Design: The CB350RS is designed to be a more youth-oriented motorcycle than the H’ness 350. The bike incorporates several design elements that make it stand out, like the ring around the LED headlight, new LED turn indicators, and an underseat LED tail lamp. There’s also the addition of a bash plate, a more upward angled exhaust, a sportier grab rail, as well as chopped and blacked-out fenders at both ends. The bike, overall, has a sportier and more modern appeal to it thanks to the flatter handlebar and stubbier tail section. The colour schemes on this bike are also snazzier than the H’ness.

Features: The CB350RS uses the same semi-digital instrument cluster that the H’ness does, and it comes with smartphone connectivity with voice-based turn-by-turn navigation and voice control features. That said, only the DLX Pro, DLX Pro Dual Tone, and the New Hue Editions get the connected features.

Engine: Powering the CB350RS is the same 348.36 cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine we’ve seen on the H’ness, and it produces 21.07 PS at 5500 rpm and 30 Nm at 3000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The engine being the same on both bikes has led to the CB350RS having both the advantages and disadvantages that we have seen on the H’ness. On the good side, the engine refinement is amazing and the rider won’t have to deal with vibrations even at higher speeds. When it comes out the disadvantages, the main one is lack of bottom end torque but once you get past the initial lack of grunt, the bike is able to provide a very good experience when riding in city traffic. The other issue which has to be highlighted is the gearing, which is a bit too tall and makes overtaking all the more difficult. Riding in hilly areas doesn’t feel that good either as the bike feels lacking when it tries to go uphill.

Suspension, Brakes & Other Details: Suspension is handled by a telescopic fork at front and twin shock absorbers at the rear, and braking duties are taken care of by 310mm disc up front and a 240mm disc at the rear, with dual-channel ABS as standard. The bike has a kerb weight of 179kgs and a tank capacity of 15 litres. The seat height comes to 800mm and ground clearance is 168mm.

Rivals: If you want a retro-riding experience at the price of the CB350RS, you could also take a look at the Jawa 42, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350, Royal Enfield Scram 411 & the TVS Ronin.

Variants: The Honda CB350RS is offered in four variants: DLX, DLX Pro, DLX Pro Dual Tone and the New Hue Edition. All the variants except for the DLX come with smartphone connectivity, and the only other differences in the other variants are the colour schemes.

Honda has recalled units of the CB350, CB350RS and H’ness CB350 over faulty camshafts and wheel-speed sensors. Check out the details here.

The Honda CB350RS is a more modern sibling of the Honda CB350 H’Ness, with a hint of ruggedness, thanks to the block-pattern tyres. It’s Honda’s second 350cc bike in India.