[ShamratHz]

Originally Posted by Toxic_Drake

Hello to all the BHPians,

I'm a young enthusiast looking for a retro motorcycle. My primary usage is for city commutes and occasional long drives. To be true I'm not accustomed to travelling up of 100km in bikes and have done all my long trips in a car.

But I'm now looking to expand my biking horizons and looking for a retro motorcycle. Two great options that I shortlisted were the RE Bullet 350 and the Honda CB 350 (not the H'ness).

But it has come to a point where one of the bikes is in the heart and other in the mind.

You can blindly go for the 'new' Bullet 350. All the concerns that you're raising have already been dealt with by the company, except maybe the service quality bit. But even Bigwing can't guarantee that, as service quality largely depends upon particular service center executives.

Overall, Royal Enfield has upped its game manyfold. You'll enjoy every bit of the motorcycle.

(The decision is yours to take, by the way!)

[VividSiv]

Originally Posted by Toxic_Drake

Hello to all the BHPians,

I'm a young enthusiast looking for a retro motorcycle. My primary usage is for city commutes and occasional long drives. To be true I'm not accustomed to travelling up of 100km in bikes and have done all my long trips in a car.

But I'm now looking to expand my biking horizons and looking for a retro motorcycle. Two great options that I shortlisted were the RE Bullet 350 and the Honda CB 350 (not the H'ness).

But it has come to a point where one of the bikes is in the heart and other in the mind.
Seriously speaking, I'm looking forward for group rides and a community to join in bangalore desperately. So, that was the main flaw I could find in the Honda. Even the tall gearing in the Japanese brand did not bother me.

I request all the owners and senior enthusiasts to help me make the decision. Also if any CB 350 community in Bangalore, can you pls drop the details

I am riding Hness around an year and have done 12500kms on it.

Test Drive both the bikes and decide. wrt Hness test drive it properly and check whether you are feeling any tail bone pain because of the ultrasmooth rear suspension. In the first week when I started riding Hness, I hot sever tail bone pain and immediately added carbon racing tilted handlebar riser. Added seat covers from Sahara seats and added some more cushioning to the seat. Now I feel Lot better but little pain is still there. As I am coming from RE Thunderbird(75000kms), the riding position in the Hness is bit different.

Otherwise mechanically the bike is awesome. Weight distribution is great. Gearshifting is accurate. Fit and finish is good. Bit High tech.

WRT RE Bullet. The J-series Engine is awesome. It still produces that beat that accompanies the exhaust note but not to the extent of the outgoing Engine. Lot of improvement in the overall product compared to the 2015 model TB that I owned. Features wise bit less.

WRT riding groups, I am not sure whether we have proactively ask the Bigwing guys to add to a group, Till now I didn't got any call regarding any upcoming ride.

Final call is yours. Again if you are selecting Hness, Please do a long test drive in all kind of roads. because for shorter ride there is no back pain but during the 100kms trips I felt the pain more. I didn't felt the same when I was riding Thunderbird. I am suspecting the ultrasmooth rear suspension is the culprit but I am not sure.

Also This bike doesn't have a distinct character to it. After some time of Riding you will feel like you are driving a powerful Unicorn :-) not a large bike... :-)

[Chacsf]

Honda launched their 350 series for a reason. That reason is Royal Enfield. While both bike are equally good and have their own merits and shortcomings, but the rides by Royal Enfield are on another level. Yes, there are other groups available and startups are trying different mixes too in order to provide a great experience to riders and camaraderie, so far nobody has been able to beat Royal Enfield at their game - which is their motorcycling brotherhood and the idea of belonging.

The way they have been able to arrange accomodation, etc. on short notices in area like Leh, they are already a modern legend. As a bike alone, chances are Honda's engine will last a long time but in the same way I know people still rocking their '87 Bullets with them cast iron engines and won't trade them for the world.

[VaishnavChidamb]

Hey TD, I own a CB 350RS since a year and clocked close to 6000 kms here are my 2 cents. Since these bikes are mechanically same I would be able to relate there.

- I really love lightness of the clutch and the sound just builds character.
- Can happily cruise at 100kms/hr all day.
- It just sticks to the road, which is confidence inspiring. Great stability.

Recently had a chance to do a 440km round trip with a friend who happens to own a new Bullet 350. We exchanged in between for close to 100kms stretch. My observations on the Bullet 350.

- Vibrates past 80kms/hr. You cannot use the rear view mirror post 80kms/hr as everything will be blur
- Post 80 not much confidence inspiring. May be cuz of the small section tyre at the rear.
- Did not like the sound much it fades as you rev higher.

Also, Do not expect much from Honda's bigwing in bangalore to organise rides as they are pretty inactive on that front. Honda's Mangalore bigwing is really great in organising rides. You can visit their respective instagram handles you will get an idea but I feel you will find lots of groups in bangalore for riding.

[asininite]

I would not recommend the CB350 due to the lapse in build quality. A simple Google search titled 'CB350 rusting' will show many posts on reddit, bike review websites and even in team-bhp. I've also seen many other cases, such as paint chipping and the horn assembly bracket breaking off on a 2 day old bike from reddit. My suggestion would be to consider these cases before thinking of purchasing the Honda.

Links : https://www.reddit.com/r/indianbikes/s/Nhe0AHAFBc
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...-cb350-rs.html (Paint chipping & rust issues found on my 11-month old Honda CB350 RS)

[that_sedate_guy]

Originally Posted by Toxic_Drake

Hello to all the BHPians,

I'm a young enthusiast looking for a retro motorcycle.
The heart's choice - RE Bullet 350

The mind's choice - Honda CB 350

Gonna be a very long reply cause I don't know to type short.
Considering the amount of the Hondas scampering about in Bangalore, there's no surprise that the CB350 is a solid motorcycle. It's similar in many aspects to the RE but with lesser vibrations, overall better build quality and similar/(marginally better) riding dynamics.

Go for the Honda if you're someone who will be using the bike for 75 city errands and 25% outskirts. And of course you'll need to ride it with a low gear high rev method to squeeze the juice out of it. Out on the highways, don't wring the throttle at any speed you like and expect the bike to pull from there. You'll need to downshift before overtakes. Of course, depends on the rev bands where the engine already is in so your mileage may vary.

I have a Bullet 350 nearing 40k on the odo in 8 years. It's bone stock except the silencer can which is a BS4 stock silencer (my bike is a BS3) and the suspension which I fit springs from a Classic because the standard ones were stiff. Couple that with well-balanced carb tuning, 20W50 oil instead of 15W50, dried M-sand in the handlebars, properly maintained chain drive and all these result in what I ride being one of the smoothest BS3 bullets you'll find, I'm confident

Yes, you can tune the RE to be vibration free up to 90kmph. Do note that while people crib about vibrations after 100kmph, 80 is the general speed limit in India apart from expressways. So 80+ is not only illegal but also extremely unsafe. The CB350 wins solidly in the vibration department because it stays vibe-free even upwards of 90kmph

Mod-friendliness, especially pocket friendly modding: there really is only one contender and winner here. I have mirrors from an Access scooter, windshield from a Himalayan, the sidebox from my dad's 1979 bullet, silencer from the succeeding model, springs from a different model and the bike just keeps saying, yeah give em' all to me. The altering possibility is just endless. Modding in the CB350 however, hasn't seen much daylight yet so can't comment on this much.

DIY-friendliness: forget mechanics, YOU can repair a whole lot of an RE with a spanner set, a screwdriver set and a pair of pliers. I'll list the stuff I've repaired/replaced by myself.
The throttle, clutch, speedo cables
Wheel dismantling (I've done this when puncture mechs refused to take it off)
Chain replacement
Brake pad replacement (even the rotor can be done at home of you have an Allen key set)
Air filter and oil filter cleanup and/or replacement
Horns, lights etc can be done fairly easily
You might say I'm listing everything here and that someone skilled can do these in any motorcycle. Thing is, all these parts are way more accessible in REs than other motorcycles. I've not listed the suspension replacement because even though it's a 1-hour job at best, you need to spend time removing the seat, mudguard etc. to access the bolts which may not be everyone's cup of tea.

Community: Both companies have similar enthusiasm from riders so you won't find too much of a difference except that Honda's circle is relatively small but not lagging behind. And quite honestly, rider groups don't give a darn about what motorcycle you have (apart from company organised ones because it's logistically convenient). They'll welcome you with a hug if you show up in a TVS 50. If they don't, it's not the group for you. Simple! You can also give a tap on my head if you feel like riding somewhere without a large group

Test ride, test ride, test ride. Only you should make that decision. The forum is here simply for opinions, not for decisions. In the end, both are motorcycles, both will have flaws, test ride with your mental eyes closed and decide (for heaven's sake, don't close the real ones!)

And let us know which road you choose!

[jetsetgo08]

Originally Posted by VividSiv

I've been riding my Honda H'ness for a year now and have clocked 12,000 kilometers. One thing I found missing was a tachometer.

Great job, couldn't find any other videos on CB350 with tacho. Can you let us know what are the RPMs at 80,90 and 100kmph respectively in top gear?

Honda should have included the tacho with twin pod retro style dials.

[rajushank84]

It's the other way around.

Classic is the "head" choice with a wider service network, riding clubs and parts availability.

Hness is hands-down the better "heart" choice because of how it rides, the dynamics, the balance. It's sheer riding pleasure. Ride both in traffic back to back, it's not even close. Hness handling almost feels sportbike-like.

I sometimes wish I went with my head, when it comes to service time. I don't do riding groups anyway (a whole topic for another day) but a nearby service center would be nice.

But life's too short for "head" decisions.

Whatever you pick, make sure you ride them preferably back to back in similar conditions before you decide. And then choose the one that really makes you feel like you want to keep on riding!

[Toxic_Drake]

Thank you all for your wonderful and valuable insights on the matter.
I'm delighted to inform that I booked the RE Bullet 350 in the standard black color.

The things I considered after multiple test drives:

Low end torque and drivability

1. The relaxed seating position with forward set foot-pegs
2. Just the feel of riding the motorcycle put a smile on my face
3. I felt the brakes were also doing a pretty good job given the dual-channel ABS. Didn't try the single-channel ABS version. Wonder how it performs ....

Why didn't chose the CB-350:

1. Felt the engine sound was disconnected to the riding feel
2. As @VividSiv mentioned, I felt the seats a bit firm on the long test drive I took
3. Its not an RE

The dream of riding an RE is finally coming true and looking forward to share the delivery and first impressions...

[that_sedate_guy]

Originally Posted by Toxic_Drake

I'm delighted to inform that I booked the RE Bullet 350 in the standard black color.

Congratulations on your purchase. Now that you've taken the plunge and got a motorcycle you liked, time to tune out reviews, should've could've would've stuff, this and that and focus on having a blast with the bike.
What is the waiting time for the bull now? I remember waiting for three agonising months back in 2015.
Use the time now to educate yourself on how to properly care for your motorcycle and it'll serve and possibly even outlast you!
Barring the 8 year gap between our bikes, both are bullets in the standard black and I can tell you, it's a joy indeed to ride. Wish you many memorable experiences with it!
P.S: The formatting in my phone confused me and I read the first line as Drake black colour😂

[jetsetgo08]

Originally Posted by Toxic_Drake

Thank you all for your wonderful and valuable insights on the matter.
I'm delighted to inform that I booked the RE Bullet 350 in the standard black color.

Congratulations..

Offtopic: Since you have opted for the standard black, did you checkout the vintage seat and vintage tail lamp in RE Make It Yours app. It will make the bullet look like UCE bullet. We can discuss further in the Bullet 350 thread.

[jaganm]

3 of us from Bangalore recently did a 3000 km trip across Ladakh. It was part of an organised tour with a mechanic. Some points that may help others

- We got the bikes serviced and had the air filter replaced on all the bikes. As my bike has done close to 25k and almost 4 years old, I got the spark plug and clutch cable replaced
- All 3 of us replaced the tires with Reise TourR tires which made a huge difference
- We carried a spare air filter and both levers. In addition, I carried the old clutch cable and spark plug as an emergency replacement.
- My battery is a bit weak (goes to below 10V on crank) so I wanted to replace it but for a number of reasons couldn’t do it in time.
- We had a mechanic with us who helped with chain lubing and the air filter replacement though we could’ve done it ourselves, he wouldn’t let us near the bikes��

As expected, there was absolutely no problem with any of the bikes. We had some power issues in the second week which was resolved by changing the air filter which was completely choked due to excessive off road.

One thing I noticed is that on start at high altitude, the mixture is quite lean and struggles to Rev. wait a few seconds and the idling comes to normal.

The tall gearing is a boon on climbs. Realistically you can be on 1st gear throughout as the speed range is up to 30-35 which is what the bike will do. The Bullets in our group struggled as they needed to shift to 2nd where’s the pickup was less.

The suspension is extremely well sorted. I had the stock split seat and didn’t face a single problem. My friend had put a gel layer on his seat and it heated up so much that it was uncomfortable to sit on. Avoid if possible.

[VividSiv]

Originally Posted by jetsetgo08

Great job, couldn't find any other videos on CB350 with tacho. Can you let us know what are the RPMs at 80,90 and 100kmph respectively in top gear?

Honda should have included the tacho with twin pod retro style dials.

Sure will let you know the details.

[t3rm1n80r]

Originally Posted by Toxic_Drake

I request all the owners and senior enthusiasts to help me make the decision.

If you already have a primary motorcycle in your garage, then go with your heart for the next addition. It might be a pain to maintain, but you'll have that special feeling every time you ride it.

PS: I'm not comparing RE with the equivalent Honda. My comment is my generalized suggestion. I'm a H'Ness owner myself and have a CB300R as a fun motorcycle. .

[TheVDR]

Originally Posted by Toxic_Drake

The heart's choice - RE Bullet 350

Do what your heart says, else it is always a regret later. Coming to the comparison, RE's service has improved drastically! Also, RE guys seldom rely only on the Authorised Service Centres. In case of the Bullet and the Classic, even a road-side mechanic is fluent in diagnosis of a RE bike.

Next is group rides, cult and culture. As a young enthusiast and as per your post, I understand you want to mingle with fellow riders, go on trips and enjoy community ! No one does this better than RE.

Next, concerns over wiring and quality. New bullet 350 is just the Classic 350 in traditional clothes. Ask any Classic 350 reborn (post 2021) owner about wiring, paint, fit-finish quality levels. As far as I know, a very less percentage of owners have faced any issues with these. All these sum up to make Bullet 350 a good choice! (Also, why not the Classic? Bullet offers only steel wheels and not alloys!)

Speaking of CB350. It is definitely not a Honda Honda. A look at the way Honda makes bikes, Honda's engine sounds and Honda's styling gives clear indication that CB350 is Honda's outlier attempt. To me, it is clearly an attempt to cash in Classic 350's success in India. Not that there's anything wrong with the product itself, but (a) you are completely in the hands of bigwing for anything related to your bike and (b) if you ever plan to sell it and upgrade to higher power, resale value is far less than what a Bullet 350 can fetch

All in all, my recommendation would be to go with the Bullet 350.