Hi Fellow Automotive Enthusiasts
Being sitting on sidelines for many years reading the amazing content here, happy to finally join the wonderful community.
I have been anonymously browsing the forums and articles for over a decade every once in a while.
I was a TVS Scooty and Honda Activa rider in the school days early 2000’s and then got my HH Achiever 150 in college – Rode that with love for 4 years and then met with an accident when I had started working in Delhi after my masters in 2011 and quit the world of motoring for good.
Now with Cabs and Autos getting ridiculously pricey was thinking of buying a two wheeler for over the past year but could never make a decision.
Started contemplating getting an Activa then moved onto burgman street until I saw CB350 H’ness on the colony gate one day and immediately fell in love. Didn’t feel this exciting feeling in years and immediately started researching and watching reviews etc.
Took test ride of the CB300F and then CB350 and immediately knew CB350 was the one for me.
Still for the sake of making an informed decision went and took the test ride of RE Meteor 350 - Classic 350 and Scram 411 and Jawa.
Surprisingly Scram felt really punchy and fun to me and the new J-series Classic felt refined and easy to maneuver with a good long gear ratio made me think of getting one as it was a good feeling riding in the traffic.
But then not being a RE fan as such and over the years seeing RE classic 350 so much on the street I am not sure if looking at the bike everyday will make me happy and after hearing a multiple horror stories of RE being a well that needs offerings every year decided to stick to my gut feel of going for a Honda.
Also every long term review I see on YT or here have only praised the engine refinement and stress/maintenance free life so decided to close my eyes and say a Honda is a Honda
Special shoutout and thanks to
darklightning’s
Piccolo (Start of something new | Introducing Piccolo - My Honda CB350 Anniversary Edition Ownership Review) -
Sebrings Smurfy (Smurfy - My Honda CB350 Ownership Review) –
VN11’S and
sreejithsin’s reviews here – they have only made my decision stronger.
All this was happening in Jan-Feb but due to no availability in my fav color scheme of
metallic black and gray across all outlets in Delhi NCR – decided to wait for the new ’23 version to drop in March – April.
Sadly Honda’s Marketing and Distribution is extremely disappointing – after waiting for almost 30 days and piecemeal info coming in I have just done the booking 10 days ago with the hopes of the getting the bike by 1st week of April hopefully. (I have my doubts)
My preferred color scheme is no longer available and the new colors on offer are not much of my liking and I’m contemplating getting the CB350RS in red but even that is no longer showcased in the bike page on honda’s buggy bigwing website. The Dealer has assured that it is going to be available but I have my doubts as well.
Need the community to guide me on making a choice between the
#1 H’ness CB350 DLX PRO / Chrome and CB350RS and a specific color variant that will have decent road presence and in general your fav color scheme -
#2 Having gone through multiple road accidents in the past safety is a big concern for me and would need suggestions on a starter biker jacket and helmet recommendations for driving in the city of Delhi every day from home to work and occasional weekend morning rides around.
Will upgrade to long rides after 6-8 months of regular driving.
Considering the weather and that I tend to perspire more than average please advise the best options.
I have also gone through the respective threads and related targeted ads I get on Instagram :P
I think Rynox jackets and SMK Titan helmets seem to be a good place to begin
Will also visit Always riding store in Delhi as that’s near my home and see but considering the amount being spent on the bike and then the new comfort/SUV accessories set would request your recommendations keeping the budget constraints in mind.
Looking forward to connecting with you all and someday meeting in the morning rides.
TLDR – Booked the highness after waiting for 40 days for the new model – preferred color choice black silver metallic isn’t available anymore – need help in selecting one as delivery hasn’t started anyways
Can switch to CB350RS also as I love that in red but even that might not arrive soon so don’t know – pls advise