New Honda CB350 Launched, Will Rival Royal Enfield Bullet

Honda has launched the new CB350 in India, and finally put an end to the mystery, “Just what the heck is BABT?” Quite anticlimactically, Honda’s social media teaser, BABT, just stands for “Bold Alone Bolder Together”. What does it mean? Well, aside from the ramblings of some recent MBA graduate from Honda India’s marketing team coming off a weekend long bender, nothing! As for the bike, the new CB350 is the third and most affordable entry in Honda India’s CB350 series. With prices starting at Rs 1,99,990 (ex-showroom Delhi).

This new motorcycle is built on Honda’s CB350 platform, which also underpins the H’ness CB350 and the CB350RS. So there are many things in common, but some not.

Same Engine

So it’s powered by the same 348.36cc single-cylinder air-cooled motor that makes 21PS at 5500rpm - the same as the H’ness and CB350RS, and 29.4Nm at 3000rpm, which is 0.6Nm less than the H’ness and RS. That said, we believe that this difference could have come from the CB350’s redesigned exhaust, or might even be down to a measurement difference. The 5-speed gearbox along with its slip-and-assist clutch have been carried over as well. And it too gets Honda’s HSTC traction control system.

Almost the same underpinnings

Other mechanical bits such as the disc brakes (310mm front and 240mm rear), with dual channel ABS, are carried over from the H’ness and RS. We suspect the chassis and the front suspension are identical too, but the twin rear shocks are now gas-charged. And unlike the H’ness which gets an 19/18-inch wheel setup, the CB350 is running on 18-inchers at both ends.

Different Design

The big change on this new CB350 is its more retro design, almost a direct RE-rip off in some ways. The fenders are now full-length and in full metal; the tank is rounder and gets rubber grip pads; the fork stanchions have metal covers; the exhaust has been changed to a pea-shooter style, and even some of the colours with their minimal badging, such as the Matte Dune Brown, are a total throwback to the earlier Royal Enfield Classic Desert Storm. It’s also available in four more colours - Precious Red Metallic, Pearl Igneous Black, Matte Crust Metallic and Matte Marshal Green Metallic. The CB350 gets split seats, which are also available in a tan colourway, adding to the RE-like feel.

But for a touch of modernity, it features a semi-digital instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity and voice assistance as well as all-LED lighting.

Whom is it for?

Clearly the target audience for the new CB350 are Royal Enfield buyers, specifically Bullet buyers. With the latest J-platform Bullet 350 coming off as rather divisive between Bullet fans, Honda believes this CB350 might just scratch that old-school Bullet itch for some. Honda even claims that this redesigned pea-shooter exhaust has been specifically designed to create that low-pitched thump.

But where it falls short of the Bullet is in terms of price. The CB350 starts at Rs 2 lakh for the DLX variant and goes to Rs 2.18 lakh for the DLX Pro variant. The new Royal Enfield bullet can be had for Rs 1.73 lakh, although it doesn’t get as many features. Honda is also offering a 10-year warranty package (3 year standard + 7 year extended) on the CB350. The New CB350 will be sold through Honda’s Big Wing dealerships across the country, with deliveries starting soon.

All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.