[jaganm]

I had a chance to ride my friend's Highness today for around 20km (we did a 250km ride towards Chikballapur). I am very impressed with the bike. The riding position is mostly comfortable though I was riding my Yamaha FZ25 and I felt something was off, maybe it is just a case of being used to it. The engine has good punch low down. Normally on all my bikes, it is a case of trying to get to the highest gear as soon as possible, but this bike is in its element in 3rd/4th gear at speeds of 60-80 kmph. I feel 5th gear is truly an overdrive, meant for the near century cruise. The seat looks very comfortable and he was able to complete the full trip without too much of problem.

[dinu2506]

Originally Posted by Sebring

The gator cover to protect the fork from dust have arrived. And were fitted to my Smurfy

I guess the forks have to be dismantled for installation, am I right?

[Sebring]

Oh yeah. The fork, the horns, disc brakes, have to be removed. Takes 40 minutes

Originally Posted by dinu2506

I guess the forks have to be dismantled for installation, am I right?

[Sebring]

I don't think anyone posted the underseat pics of the CB350. There is a clamp and one allen screw holding it in place. That's how much space you got down there.




166 mm of ground clearance is very good (because at 145 mm, on the Royal Enfield this lower part of the engine used to suffer hits on Bangalore's infamous humps)


Underseat storage houses the tool kit. And it's pretty tight, with is no dedicated space to keep bike papers.

[jerrindanny]

Anybody from Kerala purchased the motorcycle ? If so how is the dealership experience ?
As per Honda Gold Wing dealer locator , there are only 5 dealers in Kerala.
My nearest ones are Trivandrum and Cochin which are both 3 Hrs. ride from my current place.

With the launch of Meteor 350 a definite test drive is mandatory as youtubers are claiming it is vibration free (compared to older model). Choosing between Honda and an RE in aspect of refinement , Honda always win. But seeing it for myself is a bliss, even if i have to travel Kms for that.

[Sebring]

Only 5 dealers? Select States in India have ONE each. Bangalore has TWO. You're very lucky there, my friend. Regarding Meteor, it's already out there. And yes, you need to Test Ride every option before choosing your ride. Good luck

Originally Posted by jerrindanny

there are only 5 dealers in Kerala

[Jo-G]

Originally Posted by jerrindanny

Anybody from Kerala purchased the motorcycle ? If so how is the dealership experience ?
As per Honda Gold Wing dealer locator , there are only 5 dealers in Kerala.
My nearest ones are Trivandrum and Cochin which are both 3 Hrs. ride from my current place:

I had booked one, a month back at Cochin, and was told it would be available either by end of Oct or 1st week of Nov. But when I checked the other day they say it is still not come and they have not yet sold their first bike. Looks like they are still working on their showrooms (heard the earlier Ducati Showroom is becoming the new BigWing showroom) so probably have to wait ... We seem to be their least preferred state.

[jithudigitised]

Originally Posted by jerrindanny

Anybody from Kerala purchased the motorcycle ? If so how is the dealership experience ?
As per Honda Gold Wing dealer locator , there are only 5 dealers in Kerala.
My nearest ones are Trivandrum and Cochin which are both 3 Hrs. ride from my current place.
:

I don't think there are 5 BigWing dealers on Kerala. Those are normal Honda bike dealers I think.

I think proper BigWing dealer is available in Cochin/Ernakulam only.

[Jo-G]

Originally Posted by jithudigitised

I don't think there are 5 BigWing dealers on Kerala.

They have identified 3 more new dealers other than Kochi & TVM (Calicut, Tirur-Malappuram & Thrissur) may take weeks or months to bring it up. The existing Kochi (EVM) is getting relocated is what I heard. Probably the bookings have forced them to consider offering dealerships to the existing normal honda dealers with a condition that it needs to be different and premium from their other dealership.

Unless the showroom is ready, Honda may not ship the vehicles. Early birds in Bangalore and Gurugrams caught the beasts. All others taking their sweet time or let Meteors take some of the Highness' share (Kings are very generous I suppose)

[Sebring]

We opened the right panel (Allen key), and that's pretty tight as well. Just a tiny pack of first-aid kit, tucked away at the top.

[Sebring]

So my Smurfy 'inaugurated' the BigWing service station outside the City, on Mysore Road. This was the first 15th day check-up/nut & chain tightening exercise. I'm so glad the bike was sold through the exclusive dealership, as the facility is quite large. Customer facilities are excellent with waiting lounge (No dirty bathrooms), and Service Advisors are accessible 'one-on-one'. I can't imagine this in a regular Honda showroom with tens of Activas jostling for space. I had one issue to report of feeling this slight chain rub against the gear peg, in 4th and 5th gear. Hopefully it's sorted as I never got a chance to slot it in those gears in the city. Bengaluru traffic is just crazy, these days.

[jerrindanny]

Originally Posted by jithudigitised

I don't think there are 5 BigWing dealers on Kerala. Those are normal Honda bike dealers I think.

I think proper BigWing dealer is available in Cochin/Ernakulam only.

There are currently 5 in Kerala. here are the details :
1. Calicut
DIAMOND PLAZA ,KANNUR ROAD ,NADAKKAVE PO ,CALICUT-673011 673011
SAYED WASEEM
7593001111
7593001111
bigwingcalicutnorth@gmail.com
2. Thrissur
JOHNS ARCADE,GURUVAYYOR ROAD, PUZHAKKAL, AYYANTHOLE P O 680003
Nikhil V R
9846173339
04872388050
bigwing@johnshonda.in
3. Tirur
AM HONDA,TANUR ROAD,POOKAYIL BAZAR,TIRUR PO,TIRUR,MALAPPURAM (DT),KERALA 676107
Mohammed Arshad CA
8592090000
8592090000

ambigbikes@gmail.com

Originally Posted by Jo-G

They have identified 3 more new dealers other than Kochi & TVM (Calicut, Tirur-Malappuram & Thrissur) may take weeks or months to bring it up. The existing Kochi (EVM) is getting relocated is what I heard. Probably the bookings have forced them to consider offering dealerships to the existing normal honda dealers with a condition that it needs to be different and premium from their other dealership.

Unless the showroom is ready, Honda may not ship the vehicles. Early birds in Bangalore and Gurugrams caught the beasts. All others taking their sweet time or let Meteors take some of the Highness' share (Kings are very generous I suppose)

So no one in Kerala has yet to receive the Honda CB350 i guess.

[surjaonwheelz]

Originally Posted by Sebring

I don't think anyone posted the underseat pics of the CB350. There is a clamp and one allen screw holding it in place. That's how much space you got down there.

Underseat storage houses the tool kit. And it's pretty tight, with is no dedicated space to keep bike papers.

So you need a tool (allen key) to access the toolkit? So if I remove the allen screw, I can take away the seat, no lock here?

Originally Posted by Sebring

We opened the right panel (Allen key), and that's pretty tight as well. Just a tiny pack of first-aid kit, tucked away at the top.

You should try keeping the first aid kit somewhere accessible as again, opening the side panel with allen key to fetch first aid is a first!

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by surjaonwheelz

So you need a tool (allen key) to access the toolkit? So if I remove the allen screw, I can take away the seat, no lock here?

Any seat of any bike can be taken away if someone has a mind to do it. So that's really not saying much.

Do you honestly think those little seat locks provide any security? A school boy with a little scissor can open those. In probably less time than it would take to loosen a normal set of hex or allen bolts.

And an allen bolt is still better than a normal bolt whose panas would be available with every roadside mechanic and tyre wala.

Cheers, Doc

[Jo-G]

Originally Posted by surjaonwheelz

So you need a tool (allen key) to access the toolkit? So if I remove the allen screw, I can take away the seat, no lock here?!

Seems, one side panel is secured by the ignition key which opens up the First Aid kit and the allen key which can be used to unmount the seat and tools.