[asmr]

Dear TeamBHPians!

I don't think I can thank you folks and the forum here enough for the support and guidance I received from here during the time I was shopping for my car in 2021. I ended up buying a Taigun, which has gotten my family saying "Well, why don't we just take the car instead?" on more than couple of occasions. That by itself is a win for me! The car will complete 10,000Km on the odo next week for sure!

And now comes the need to upgrade my 2 wheeler.

I learned how to drive a motorbike when I was in school itself, on my father's 1974 Yezdi, which he purchased second hand in the late 70s. It was a wonderful machine, with a nice, ringing dual exhaust note. It was refurbished extensively once we moved to Chennai in the 90s and used even until about mid early 2000s. We had these big horns mounted on the leg guards and I still remember the startled faces all around when I use it. Still have those horns but not planning to use them, obviously.

After the Yezdi, the bike stable of our home has played host to a Scooty pep+ (my sister's), a 2009 Activa (mine) and then a 2014 Activa (my sister's). The former 2 have been disposed of and I drive the current Activa mostly on errands within 10km radius.

My wife has been dropping hint about bikes, bike rides for a decade now and I have somehow weaseled my way out saying one thing or other. But in the past few months, riding in Chennai localities on a scooter has become painful due to horrible roads which has deteriorated the scooter also very much. Squeaks starting in all places, hits from potholes jarring the body and so on.

The talk of getting a proper bike has started again and this time, I have put a condition that it needs to be a powerful one that can be used in the city and in longer trips (not more than 3 to 4hrs, or 200-250kms, at least for now).

And again, I turn to this forum for guidance. I have, as usual, read pages upon pages here and formed an initial point of view on what might best suit my needs. Based on opinions here, I will decide on which ones to chase for test rides. So, recommendations on dealers in Chennai as well as any indication as to easier availability without long waiting times are also most welcome.

Summary:

1. I am 6'1 and on the heavier side. So, obviously I don't want something that makes me look like a giant riding a mouse
2. The bike has to serve a dual purpose - city rider and a highway rider. Needs to have good level of comfort for pillion as well.
3. A combined weight of ~150kg over the weight of the bike. So looking for a decently powerful engine - 350cc is what zeroed in on.
4. Obviously, needs to be safe (ABS and what not) & reliable.
5. Budget - want to keep it under 2.5L as much as possible.
6. Not too worried about mileage or performance.

Here are my impressions (may not be fully accurate):

1. The new Yezdis/Javas - I have heard good things and bad things. But they are too new and I am not having a mind to risk pumping Rs. 2L to end up regretting later.
2. RE Hunter - didn't like the looks. Stopped right there.
3. RE Himalayan - I don't like the looks and frankly feel it is not a pillion friendly vehicle.
4. RE Classic 350/Twins/SM650- A combination of factors - not liking looks/over my budget/too much for my needs.
5. RE Meteor 350 - I confess. I love the look of this bike. I have heard it on the road and sounds awesome. I even did a configuration on the RE site and kept it saved. But I also keep coming across posts that say that the front offset foot pedals are a pain when driving on bad roads or in the city. I will have to judge it better when I do a TD.
6. Honda H'ness CB350 - Few of my colleagues have this and swear by the build, comfort and quality (bike & ride). If I can get some Meteor like fitments to make pillion much more comfortable, this will be a serious contender. I like the slip clutch feature (will be very useful for someone driving geared bikes after a long time, right?), the exhaust note is a bit louder, it is a looker in its own right.
   • The only issue being highlighted is lack of service coverage but my friend brushes off those objections, saying I am not that much of a road runner to worry about breakdowns in the middle of nowhere. He has a point, since he goes on these 500-1000km trips frequently. And he strongly opines that I should just take the CB350 blindly.

So, that's about what I have considered. Here's the meteor configuration I built.

Clearly there is a pattern here, with Meteor vs H'ness. I would appreciate it some real world inputs from users on the points related to long term reliability and ease of hauling 2 people over short & long city/highway distances while being especially comfortable for pillion too.


Thanks a lot in advance!

- ASMR

[aargee]

I will agree with your experience friend; CB350 eyes closed. Period!

[Sebring]

Other things aparts, you should buy the Honda for the superb clutch. It's the best in the segment. You just dont feel any effort.

[FireBlade]

After owning 3 Unicorns(all three generations, currently owning BS6 version ) and a CBR-250R, I can vouch for Honda anyday, anytime and anywhere.

I've already decided that CB-350 H'Ness is going to be my next Honda and my Unicorn replacement(CBR ain't going anywhere, lol). So I think you should go for H'Ness too.

[SoumenD]

Originally Posted by asmr

[*]Honda H'ness CB350 - ...If I can get some Meteor like fitments to make pillion much more comfortable, this will be a serious contender. [/left]

You are lucky. Only yesterday Honda launched accessory packs for CB350 and the Comfort pack is what you are basically looking for.



Link

Here, check out all the accessory packs. Comfort pack @ 0:33

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alXR0bIwmTg

[rajeevsulu]

Hi, go for the Honda 350.You will love it's refined engine, superb clutch, adequate power and brakes. Go for it!

[Ankit998]

Hello there!

Choosing a new bike! Exciting times!

I opted for the Meteor 350 over the CB350 last year. Having experienced both bikes over a long period of time now, I picked the RE. A friend of mine soon picked the CB350 and since we swap bikes during rides, I do get to ride both bikes very often. I think I will summarize which is the better option so you may make the right decision.

1. Easy of riding: CB350. The weight combined with the slipper clutch and engine characteristics make this very easy to ride motorcycle. True to it's name, the CB350 is a GREAT city bike. The RE has a significantly heavier clutch which I soon got used to. The Honda's slip and assist clutch has bigger advantages as you rightly mentioned. Since clutch control is a prime necessity in bumper to bumper traffic, this should be a significant consideration. My vote still goes for the Honda.

2. Power & Performance: CB350 is the clear winner. It's lighter and quicker, makes more power and torque. The RE is no slouch but it's definitely more relaxed than the Honda. With the RE, you ride the torque wave. The CB350 is versatile, you can ride the torque wave but in-gear acceleration is inferior to the Meteor. If you're in the right gear, the Honda is the clear winner. If you prefer a more forgiving style of riding and changing gears, the Meteor is a better choice.

3. Comfort: Meteor 350 is the clear winner. The seating position is GREAT. I'm ~ 5'7" and on the heavy side. The RE has the wider seat which you technically, sit 'into' instead of on. The forward set foot pegs are not at all a nuisance for someone my height, since you are taller, might sit a bit more knees up. Still, I feel the Meteor is a lot more comfortable while the CB350 has more of an 'engaged' riding position. Also, the Meteor's footpegs do not brush against my shins while paddling through traffic. The Meteor is not at all a difficult bike for the city. The 191kg kerb weight may seem like a disadvantage over the CB350's but it really isn't. Even 'U turns' are easily manageable, especially for taller individuals.

4. Gearing: A BIG reason why I chose the Meteor over the CB350, the RE has better gear ratios, so I don't have to change gears as often while riding in the city. It's just more of a relaxed cruising machine whereas the CB begs you to be in the right gear and is overall a more aggressive bike.

5. Fuel economy: Mixed opinions. Both are very fuel efficient machines but I'd give the edge to the CB350. The meteor is also pretty good. On my most recent 250km round trip, I got 45kmpl and I am pleased with this considering speeds between 70-100 kph throughout the ride.

6. Refinement: No comparison. The Honda is definitely better. The Meteor is surprisingly not too far behind but I can say that the Honda has far less vibes at higher RPMs. I myself, am not bothered by the vibrations on my Meteor 350, I actually prefer them. At city speeds, both are very smooth machines. At highway speeds, the Meteor has relatively vibey footpegs >90 kph.

7. Sound and character: I personally am a fan of the Meteor. While I agree that the Honda has the louder, raspy exhaust note, the Meteor sounds more natural. Fellow owners of both bikes can confirm: The Meteor sound is even, from both engine and exhaust. The CB350 sounds more artificial with a more pronounced exhaust and not much sound from the engine. Closing the throttle while on the move, the RE sounds much much better the Honda, with a nice guttural rumble from the exhaust and engine.

8. Looks: Based on opinion entirely. I naturally gravitated towards the Meteor. It looks like a proper cruiser, built well, heavy, low and torquey. The CB350 is also a looker but despite the all LED setup, I found the Meteor to look a LOT better.

9. Service: Availability and distance to service networks should be a BIG concern. My service centre and sales office are barely 3km from my home, which was another big reason why I chose the RE over Honda. If you intend to use the very same bike for daily commutes + long rides, occasional service visits are necessary before or after a planned, long distance journey. If a BigWing dealership is near you or is at least, easily accessible, Honda is a good choice. My personal experience with RE service centre has been absolutely fantastic. They go above and beyond. Your experience may vary based on location.


To conclude, there's a clear winner in terms of flat out performance: The CB350. However, I found that the Meteor is a lot better choice for a more laid back style of riding. It is the slower motorcycle than the CB, but is built for a very specific type of rider. Rest depends on individual preference. Mine were comfort, stability, good looks.

Both are fantastic bikes and you couldn't go wrong choosing any of them. Even though I own the Meteor, I would love to own the Honda as well. This, I can say confidently.

Hope this helps you!

[tc89]

Originally Posted by asmr

Dear TeamBHPians!

I don't think I can thank you folks and the forum here enough for the support and guidance I received from here during the time I was shopping for my car in 2021. I ended up buying a Taigun, which has gotten my family saying "Well, why don't we just take the car instead?" on more than couple of occasions. That by itself is a win for me! The car will complete 10,000Km on the odo next week for sure!

And now comes the need to upgrade my 2 wheeler.

I learned how to drive a motorbike when I was in school itself, on my father's 1974 Yezdi, which he purchased second hand in the late 70s. It was a wonderful machine, with a nice, ringing dual exhaust note. It was refurbished extensively once we moved to Chennai in the 90s and used even until about mid early 2000s. We had these big horns mounted on the leg guards and I still remember the startled faces all around when I use it. Still have those horns but not planning to use them, obviously.

Since you mention Reliability, Honda CB350 will serve your turn very well, it also rides well and is not at all hard to maintain, there are some squiggly bits check Google or speak to some owners.
Spares and accessories are available in plenty.
Look for a decently rated bigwing service around you and voila !!

PS : Do take a test ride of all your options, it will give you more feel for what you want and what not !!
Our opinions can perhaps only give a direction!
Good luck and Happy riding !

[itsMridul]

Originally Posted by Ankit998

Hello there!


4. Gearing: A BIG reason why I chose the Meteor over the CB350, the RE has better gear ratios, so I don't have to change gears as often while riding in the city. It's just more of a relaxed cruising machine whereas the CB begs you to be in the right gear and is overall a more aggressive bike.


9. Service: Availability and distance to service networks should be a BIG concern. My service centre and sales office are barely 3km from my home, which was another big reason why I chose the RE over Honda. If you intend to use the very same bike for daily commutes + long rides, occasional service visits are necessary before or after a planned, long distance journey. If a BigWing dealership is near you or is at least, easily accessible, Honda is a good choice. My personal experience with RE service centre has been absolutely fantastic. They go above and beyond. Your experience may vary based on location.


Hope this helps you!

Exactly my reasons to choose Meteor over the Honda.

I used to ride a Duke for about 6 years and man it was an exciting and engaging bike. Instant acceleration at any point of time and in tricky traffic situations used to bring a wide grin inside the helmet. But with increasing age and responsibilities, felt the need to change to a laid back and comfortable bike. So a bike with forgiving nature was a need of the hour. RE Meteor ticked almost all the boxes (except the weight of course) and having the service centre nearby is a big plus. So booked a fireball blue and waiting for the delivery soon.

[NH08]

It has been more than two years and I am loving everything about my CB 350. Good quality overall, light clutch, sufficiently powerful and nimble bike, whether it is Delhi's mad traffic or highway ride.

And cherry on the cake, Honda reliability.

[surfatwork]

I've driven both fairly extensively since I have a cb350 and my neighbour has a meteor 350. Most points are covered, so just 2 things
1. The suspension on the Honda is set up much better. I found the RE front suspension to be too soft, and the rear too hard (even at minimum settings), which results in violent reactions when going over a speed breaker or a pothole.
2. I found the pillion seat in the cb350 to be better.

[raptor_diwan]

In my opinion, the absolute winner is the Royal Enfield Meteor.

To be honest, availability of parts is so important. I have seen many cases where the Honda service center does not have proper spare parts for their vehicle. All they ask is to wait for each and every part. Refer on of the incident in our own team bhp - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...-6-months.html (Honda BigWing unable to get parts for my CB300R for more than 6 months)

I've come across a similar issue on another platform too with CB350.

This will be a big pain for you on long rides and unfortunate instances. Along with that, CB350 cannot give you the comfort on long rides as Royal Enfield gives you. Royal Enfield is much more of a cruiser along with proper gear ratios where you can actually enjoy the ride rather than focusing on gear and dancing Bharatanatyam on the gear pedal.

Service availability is something you should focus on, which people may overlook by just saying the product is good. However, if the product turns out to be a lemon, then availability of parts and a strong service network become important. In this regard, Royal Enfield is good, as their products may have quality issues but it is not a big deal given the excellent product support you receive.

[5252rpm]

If you have access to Bigwing nearby, Honda eyes closed. Only downside I saw is hard seats, but can be fixed with a add-on gel seat for your long rides.

My friend is been riding it for good 20k kms across terrains - no troubles whatsoever.

[asmr]

Originally Posted by aargee

CB350 eyes closed. Period!

Originally Posted by Sebring

Other things aparts, you should buy the Honda for the superb clutch.

Originally Posted by FireBlade

So I think you should go for H'Ness too.

Originally Posted by rajeevsulu

Hi, go for the Honda 350.You will love it's refined engine, superb clutch, adequate power and brakes. Go for it!

Originally Posted by NH08

I am loving everything about my CB 350. Good quality overall, light clutch, sufficiently powerful and nimble bike, whether it is Delhi's mad traffic or highway ride. And cherry on the cake, Honda reliability.

Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. I can clearly see a pattern emerging here! Even the reviews I have watched from reputed houses on YouTube seem to concur with all of the above.

Originally Posted by SoumenD

You are lucky. Only yesterday Honda launched accessory packs for CB350 and the Comfort pack is what you are basically looking for.

Couldn't have been better in timing, right!? It looks very nice. Wish Honda had a configurator like RE does.

Originally Posted by Ankit998

I opted for the Meteor 350 over the CB350 last year...

1. Easy of riding: CB350.

2. Power & Performance: CB350 is the clear winner.

3. Comfort: Meteor 350 is the clear winner.

4. Gearing: A BIG reason why I chose the Meteor over the CB350, the RE has better gear ratios, so I don't have to change gears as often while riding in the city.

5. Fuel economy: Mixed opinions.

6. Refinement: No comparison. The Honda is definitely better. The Meteor is surprisingly not too far behind but I can say that the Honda has far less vibes at higher RPMs.

7. Sound and character: I personally am a fan of the Meteor. While I agree that the Honda has the louder, raspy exhaust note, the Meteor sounds more natural.

8. Looks: Based on opinion entirely.

9. Service: Availability and distance to service networks should be a BIG concern. Your experience may vary based on location.

Hope this helps you!

Wow! I couldn't have hoped for a better detailed comparison. I am grateful that you took the time to put this together. I have the summary version quoted above (hope you don't mind).

For me, service location is not an issues since I can access 3 of Bigwing centers in less than 10kms from where I live. I find the same number of RE service centers too but at a country level I agree that Honda is completely outmatched by RE in this aspect. I guess any good mechanic will be familiar with RE machines and spare parts are much easily available on the road.

Originally Posted by tc89

Since you mention Reliability, Honda CB350 will serve your turn very well...

PS : Do take a test ride of all your options, it will give you more feel for what you want and what not !! Our opinions can perhaps only give a direction!
Good luck and Happy riding !

Thank you for that! Yes, I do intend to do a test ride, with my wife riding pillion, for both the Meteor and H'ness.

Originally Posted by itsMridul

But with increasing age and responsibilities, felt the need to change to a laid back and comfortable bike... So booked a fireball blue and waiting for the delivery soon.

Laid back riding makes it lot more enticing for me, but I am more concerned on the pillion comfort. May I ask what is waiting period on your Meteor? Hope you get it soon and post reviews/photos here! Did you also enquire about waiting periods for the H'ness? If yes, please do share.

Originally Posted by surfatwork

1. The suspension on the Honda is set up much better. I found the RE front suspension to be too soft, and the rear too hard (even at minimum settings), which results in violent reactions when going over a speed breaker or a pothole.
2. I found the pillion seat in the cb350 to be better.

I think these would be finally the dealmakers for me. CB350 is longer, with more space for pillion is what I heard as well. The suspension issue is surprising and will give me pause if it does that especially since pretty much all of the inner roads in Chennai are horribly potholed and look like they survived a severe earthquake in many places.

Originally Posted by raptor_diwan

In my opinion, the absolute winner is the Royal Enfield Meteor.

To be honest, availability of parts is so important.

This will be a big pain for you on long rides and unfortunate instances. Along with that, CB350 cannot give you the comfort on long rides as Royal Enfield gives you. Royal Enfield is much more of a cruiser along with proper gear ratios where you can actually enjoy the ride rather than focusing on gear and dancing Bharatanatyam on the gear pedal.

Service availability is something you should focus on, which people may overlook by just saying the product is good.

RE's rideability is well known I guess and sheer volumes being sold obviously give it an edge on spares as well as service coverage. I will be honest and admit that I have not had good experience with Honda's service on the Activa (KUN, Didar both are crappy and depends completely on the SA who attends to you). But for a premium brand like Bigwing, I hope it is a level better. But as I mentioned, the ride comfort on longer drives doesn't seem to be a problem as per my friend go does these often on his CB350. Tall gearing is a problem in the city. That much is clear.

Originally Posted by 5252rpm

If you have access to Bigwing nearby, Honda eyes closed. Only downside I saw is hard seats, but can be fixed with a add-on gel seat for your long rides.

I will make it a point to check the seats and options! Thanks for the input. And yes, I have easy access to 3 Bigwing outlets near to my home.


Absolutely loved reading all the responses! Thanks again! I plan to try out both the machines in the next 2 - 3 days. Fingers crossed on TD vehicles being available.

[shancz]

While the posts above share invaluable information on ownership and quoting a friend who had test ridden both, back to back in similar traffic conditions had the following to share :

- The Meteor 350 felt more responsive and the engine response was especially commendable compared to the Honda. This was surprising. The comfort in the city was surprising as it was not expected considering the stance and general impression of REs.

- The Honda CB350 and RS is a good all round package but riding wise the Meteor 350 was better. The one area where the CB350 could have a distinct advantage is the pillion comfort as the test rides were done solo. Look wise the Hondas have a good road presence.

This was from someone who regularly switches between the Classic 500, 390 Duke and Ninja 1000. He eventually got the Interceptor

My reading from his experience, applied to yours is that both the Meteor and the the CB350 will appeal to different requirements but will differ on some small points.
So none of them should be discounted without a long test ride with pillion.

Hope it helps and good luck for your search.