Soon after entering the Malakkapara-Valparai route, it started to rain. I wanted to ride this route in the peak monsoon time and God answered me in the best way possible.

BHPian FueledbyFury recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

A Trip to Valparai: The 7th Heaven

The Onam holidays were coming. I was very keen to go somewhere like a one-day trip due to the limited time period. At the time, I got to know that one of my childhood friends had returned from Bangalore in his semester break. I told him an idea about a small one-day trip and left the matter. I came back home and went to sleep early. In the middle of my sleep, my phone rang.

• It's Kurian. (Now called Mr.K)
• Mr.K: What's your plan for tomorrow?
• Me: Nothing much. I'm free.
• Mr.K: Okay. What about going to Munnar or elsewhere?
• Me: We usually go to Munnar right? Why can't we change some locations?
• Mr.K: Yeah. I'm ready.
• Me: Let's go Valparai.

I gave Mr. K. some details about the route, to plan a basic itinerary. I was fast asleep and tired during the journey. In the morning, woke up around 5:30 AM and saw his message to start the trip by 8:00 AM.

Route: Perumbavoor>> Athirapilly>>Malakkappara>>Valparai>>Kolengode>>Pe rumbavoor

We started the trip around 8 AM. Initially, we thought about going via the Malayattor forest-Athirappilly route. But due to the heavy rain, the road might be worse than ever. So we have decided to skip that and go via Angamaly. Apart from the usual route, we have gone to Athirappily by taking a deviation from Muringoor taking Muringoor- Ezhattumugham route. There wasn't much crowd in the Athirapilly area and we reached the checkpost. We need to take a travel pass from the forest department once we reach there to continue the journey to Malakkappara. There are no fees deducted for the pass. There were NSS volunteers asking whether we have any plastic bottles and if we have any, they have created an awareness on not to throw bottles or litter anywhere along the road.

Lush Greenary all along the way.

Upon entering the forest route to Malakkappara, he greeted us with a good smile.

CB blends with nature.

Sholayar Reservoir's view along the way.

The last session of Athirapilly-Malkkapara has very bad roads.

There was a little bit of road construction going on the way. We need to wait for 15 minutes as the road was fully closed due to the work.

Reaching Malakkapara, the first thing to drink is a hot boost. It was so good for that climate.

Here comes the real beauty of Malakkappara.

Soon after entering Malakkapara- Valparai route it started to rain. It was too good to ride in the rain. I wanted to ride this route in peak monsoon time. God answered me in the best way possible.

Sholayar Dam's viewpoint was amazing in every way possible along with the secret sauce of rain. As there was heavy rain, we didn't capture it.

Beauty of Malakkappara after a gentle rain.

Reaching Valparai Town

Route from Valparai to Pollachi

Adds a mystic feel to the road.

How about some hot maggie in this weather?

And the maggie has some special taste. Maybe the additional ingredient is the vibe around the shop.

Aliyar Dam's view from infamous Valparai hairpin curves.

Until next time! Bye Anamalai Tiger Reserve

Continue reading about FueledbyFury's road trip for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

I got my motorcycle on time. Also, I liked the service personnel's approach and the work done at this Honda BigWing outlet.

BHPian FueledbyFury recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

It's been so long since I have updated this thread on the Honda CB 350 as my father mainly rides it as I'm out of the station. The vehicle completed its 1st and 2nd Services during the period. I am updating you on the service details and experiences.

1st Service/ 1 Month Maintenance Update (974 km up)

I took the delivery at the start of this year (18/01/24) and due to the initial excitement, the first ~1000 km were up in no time. During the last week of the first month, a small noise was heard from the front mudguard. Mine was one of the first batches of Honda CB 350 which had a small issue with the front mudguard.

Completing nearing 1000 km, I dropped into the Bigwing Muvattupuzha showroom on 17/02/24 for the first service. I went to the showroom in the morning. As the showroom had just opened up, I was the only customer at that time. Seamlessly the jobcard was generated and told me to reach by 2:00 pm. As promised, got the vehicle at the right time. Took a small test drive for a few kilometers to check whether the mudguard issue persisted. Finally, it was gone.

Below are the 1st service details that cost me ₹1560.18 (including tax).

2nd Service/ 6th Month Maintenance Update (4661 km up)

It was time for the second service. I went to BigWing Muvattupuzha as I liked the approach of service personnel and the work done. There was a little touch of white paint on the engine side which happened when I parked the bike in the parking lot. Mentioned this issue and they said it was hard to resolve it. During the second service, I went for the fully synthetic oil recommended by Honda. The water service was not much to the expectation as the showroom was a little crowded by bikes for its periodic service maintenance.

Below are the 2nd service details that cost me ₹2043.31(including tax).

Overall, I'm happy with the service experience in the Honda BigWing Muvattupuzha showroom and I do recommend their service to fellow Bhpians.

Somewhere around Munnar for a cup of coffee

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I still wonder to this day what would've happened if someone else riding a lesser machine with no gear were in my exact same situation that day.

BHPian krankstter recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

(Not) An Intriguing Update:

On the 7th of May (Yes, it's been a while I know. Have been procrastinating quite a bit in posting this experience. Not proud of this), I was riding back home (Mogappair) from my workplace (Siruseri) and crossed the road leading from Vandalur Quarry at around 12 - 12.15pm with the Midday Sun in destructive mode all guns blazing. People who frequent the Kelambakkam - Vandalur road would probably recognize this area with all the stone dust covering one lane completely right after the quarry road merges with our road. I had been following a car (White Mahindra Xylo with a yellow board and some tinted windows) such that my bike was positioned exactly in the center of the car with plenty of braking distance. Right after we clear past the area filled with stone dust, the car starts moving away from the divider (without any indicators, obviously, since indicators are for idiots & he thinks he's not one) into the left lane. I had been following the car with my brain in autopilot mode and instantly started cursing this driver in my head as to why he would randomly move to the left with seemingly no traffic ahead or behind us for quite a stretch. However, almost instantly my brain autocorrected my thought process and made me follow the car away from the divider under the assumption that he probably sees something that I don't (and I had great visibility, or so I thought). The next thing I knew, I remember seeing a shadow on the ground and flying into the air. I landed back on the bike and it shuddered violently with a massive metal sound, with the front wheel wobbling for a split second and stabilizing itself. I was in a bit of a shock since I had no idea what just happened and as to how I was able to balance myself through all that turbulence.

I was doing somewhere between 60-80kmph and managed to bring my bike to a complete stop after traveling an approximate of 10-20metres. I got off my bike to check for damages and was greeted by two gentle folk in an Activa and a car who had also stopped to check on me. While I was completely oblivious to what had just happened, they let me know that from a distance, they saw me ride onto a stone, potentially dropped by an open truck that carried these stones out of the quarry. I looked back at the incident area only to find an empty & absolutely clean road with no obstacle in sight. I just assumed that my mighty H'ness pounded it to dust, or aliens abducted the stone. Back then, I wasn't in a frame of mind to click a picture of the culprit stone, so I didn't really walk back to find it. . Considering the fact that two vehicles actually stopped for me, I think this was probably scary to look at, from behind.

I quickly checked for leaks and saw that the engine protection plate was completely destroyed to pieces. I couldn't bend really low since I had my jacket on which prevented complete mobility. After visually inspecting the tyres, wheels and everything surrounding the engine, I started back and rode straight to BigWing Ambattur, which was almost 30kms from this spot. On arrival, I was met by a smile from Mr. Paul, the same person who supported throughout my wobbling ordeal. At first, after I narrated the incident, he estimated the bike to be in a usable condition since I had traveled 30kms & that he would replace the engine protection plate the next day. However, upon closer look, he found a crack in the engine case (PFB).

I started dreading the consequences, since my first love required a massive part change, an engine case replacement. He asked me to drop off my bike and informed me that it would take up to 15 days for the bike to be fully repaired. After reaching home, I had lunch & called up the service center to process it under an insurance claim. The service center took all the details and kindly let me know that an insurance request had to be raised by me and that it would be a reimbursement style one. This was my first time having to claim an insurance and the process was overall very smooth (however, delayed extremely since the guy from TATA-AIG processing my claim was on a long leave). It took more than a month for my bike to be returned back to me with a new engine case & a protection plate. I paid the complete bill & shared a copy with the insurance guy. After everything was said & done, I had to shell out near 10k from my pocket since all the consumables & the new protection plate (accessory) were not covered.

The bike rides like a gem & it's back to it's usual state after the repairs. Except, I now had a shiny new engine case. I've driven quite a bit after this & have found no discrepancies in the performance of Her H'ness. Kudos to the team as usual for their dedicated and professional approach.

Things I was reminded of again/learnt from this experience were,

Don't follow behind a car in it's center, car drivers usually avoid obstacles by driving around or such that they fall in between both wheel-sides. Since I frequently switch between a car & my bike, even though I've trained my subconscious mind to do this, it still wasn't enough at a time when it really mattered.

This car was tinted as well, so I couldn't really see the stone through it's windows, so, don't follow a tinted car or maintain quadruple the braking distance at your speed, I probably had around double the braking distance. The issue here is that this particular stone wasn't visible at all, I just remember glancing upon a weird shape on the ground which my brain processed as a shadow. So, even though you have traveled on the same route for over 15k kms, when your brain is slipping into autopilot, don't let it do that. Punch or pinch yourself but please try to stay completely and 100% attentive. However, I'm still quite unsure if this was an attention issue or a visibility issue, or a mix of both.

On the bright side, I feel like me & my bike were the champions that day. I didn't fall, I balanced myself quite well subconsciously & physically and my bike's traction control probably stopped the wheel from spinning and slipping.

I still wonder to this day what would've happened if someone else riding a lesser machine with no gear were in my exact same situation that day. Even If I had fallen down that day, I had my jacket, gloves, shoes & a solid helmet to protect me. My bike had strong ABS and Traction Control. I also have some decent riding experience which probably helped me bring down the turbulence. I'd like to think I was a savior that day and fate sent me in place of another potentially unsuspecting innocent soul. It also made sure that the road was empty, with no vehicles following closely behind me.

Henceforth, I have no way to conclude what I experienced or how I feel about this incident. As I finish this update, I think I've covered more or less everything that I experienced or felt.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Seriously speaking, I'm looking forward for group rides and a community to join in bangalore desperately.

BHPian Toxic_Drake recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

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.

The heart's choice - RE Bullet 350

Likes:

• Styling
• The Legendary name plate and RE badge
• Engine characteristics (Low end grunt)
• Seats and ride comfort
• Large riding groups and communities in bangalore
• Spread of service network
• Feel of riding the bike

Concerns:

• Service quality
• Reliability concerns
• Fit and finish and exposed wirings
• Vibrations in the long run

The mind's choice - Honda CB 350

Likes:

• Top notch fit and finish
• The paint looks and feels high quality
• Honda service
• Reliability
• Engine sound
• Weight balance is spot-on

Concerns:

• Less community and riding groups

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

Here's what BHPian jetsetgo008 had to say on the matter:

CB350, if you plan to use it for weekend/breakfast rides, long trips in group. Honda 350's are perfect for touring.

Bullet 350 for solo long trips( easy to repair by roadside mechanics), office/daily commute, milk packet runs etc.

Here's what BHPian Sebring had to say on the matter:

In Bangalore you don't have to worry. Once you purchase from BigWing, they add you to riding groups (and there are separate riding groups as well, exclusive Honda riders) So many invites that you might yell "stop"

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I am a middle-class guy who wanted to get a Tata Harrier but for some reason decided against it and eventually bought a Maruti Ertiga.

BHPian aniketi recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A new car-buying decision is not a small one for a middle-class family. It involves all family members and lots of calculations have to be done. Also, middle-class families don't change their cars too often and use them around 7-8 to 12-13 years normally.

2.5 years ago, I was in the market for a new car. My primary requirement was it has to be a comfortable 5 seater car with good luggage carrying capacity. My wife never travels light, sadly. For 3-4 days vacation also we always have 4-5 midsize bags plus small 2-3 bags. If it is a 5+2 seater, better. Also, we didn't want a low-slung car as my mom has issues with it. Budget was not set as such as I wanted to buy a nice car which would fulfil my requirements.

I always liked Honda City but it didn't fit my requirements. It's not very comfortable for 5 people and it's a low-slung car. So sadly it went out of my consideration. Checked cars like Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. Creta 2.0 design is very sad IMHO so immediately rejected it. Kia Seltos is a good car but top-end models were going beyond 20 + lakhs and I personally found it very costly and thought it was not worth paying that much money, so cancelled it. Cars like Nexon & Sonet are good but are a little compact so rejected them.

Then I thought of Innova. Called the car for a test drive and SA got it for me at home. Liked the car and it has a good road presence. Car is comfortable and has good space inside. Last row was disappointing and for such a big car, it offers limited space. Also with all rows up, boot space was very small. One more personal observation is it does not give a car-like feeling when you drive it. Really downer was its price. Top end was 30 Lakhs!! Second model was also 27+ lakhs on road. I found it to be very pricey, rejected.

Next visited a Tata showroom. Really liked Harrier and Safari both. Personally, I found Harrier better than Safari. Harrier has a proper SUV shape and big boot space. Safari is 7 seater but last row was very difficult to access. Also with all rows up, no boot available which is really sad. Price was 23+ lakhs for Harrier which I liked which has leather seats and lots of features. Base models, I didn't like much once you see leather ones.

Now we started thinking and the calculation process came into the picture. My initial thought was to buy a car around 15 Lakhs, +/- 10%. I can easily go up to 18-20 Lakhs but Harrier which I liked was going beyond 23. Now my middle-class mentality came into the picture. My brain was telling me that no point in investing so much money into a car which is a liability and value-reducing asset. Mind wanted Harrier for sure. Brain says once the car is out of showroom, you will lose 2-3 lakhs. Also, yearly maintenance is high plus insurance and other costs will be higher. Sadly put Harrier on hold. Mind was still thinking about it though. In between my wife suggested buying a lesser-value car now and after some time we can buy one more small car for her. (This was actually beneficial for her).

During this process, New Ertiga was always in mind. It's a wonderful car and I always liked its versatile nature. New Ertiga's ride quality and comfort is really good and it can beat lots of other cars easily in this area. It's a spacious 5 seater car with lots of luggage space or it's a 5 + 2 seater with some boot space as well (200 + liters). You can go 6 people with lots of luggage too. After a long thought, I booked the Ertiga Zxi+ and fortunately got it delivered in 10 days (at that time normal waiting period was around 3 months). I got Ertiga Zxi+ for around 11.3 Lakhs on road (did Insurance myself and didn't take an extended warranty) and I am really happy with it. I am really happy with the car and started enjoying it as it's a really nice car. Sadness of not getting Harrier soon vanished.

Now after 6 months of purchasing the Ertiga, I bought a Honda CB350 bike for 2.5 Lakhs. Wife couldn't say much as I listened to her while buying the car. In the last 2 years, I have done 6-7 bike tours on it and really enjoyed it. It's a damn good bike and I enjoy it every time I ride it. It's a pleasure to drive on highways.

Fast forward to July 2023, I bought Ignis Zeta AMT for around 7.9 Lakhs on road for my wife. Again it's a very nice, VFM car for city use. It offers a lot more for the price you pay in today's costly car market. I am enjoying its peppy engine and small footprint in the city. Also, this is my first Automatic car which is really helpful in city bumper-to-bumper traffic. Also biggest plus is wife is really happy with it and has become independent (don't have to go to boring places along with her now, LOL). She is taking the car anywhere she wants alone without any issues. Due to AMT, the car never halts anywhere and my wife just loves that. She used to have lots of issues with the manual.

Now when I look back on my decision to buy the Ertiga at that time, I am really happy that I made the right decision. So in total, I have spent around 22 lakhs but I have 3 good rides for me. Ertiga offers me lots of combinations for various family purposes and it does all things perfectly. My Mom simply loves it and prefers it over other cars in the family like Hyundai Aura, Honda City, Nexon, etc. Ertiga's suspension is really good and offers ride quality of the segment above cars. My Honda CB350 makes me very happy whenever I ride it, especially when I take it on highways. Lastly, Ignis makes my wife happy (When the wife is happy, life is good, right?) & also makes my life easy in city traffic. I also enjoy driving Ignis in the city, fun to drive car for sure.

So overall I am really happy with my decision at that time to not buy a costly car (23+ lakhs) and instead in 2 years, I got 3 wonderful rides for myself. I guess my brain won over my mind and I am not complaining at all.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

He always preferred motorcycles with a good amount of torque. We also test-rode the Royal Enfield Hunter 350, Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X.

BHPian FueledbyFury recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

"A Man is not old until regret takes the place of dreams" -John Barrymore

Hondas, especially the classics, have been the best motorcycles of all time. The debate on whether these bikes make sense or not has been forever, even though you may find yourself on either side of the fence. But you cannot deny the fact that Honda has managed to create a legacy of not just selling bikes but selling dreams. This is the story of the Honda CB 350 in Mat Marshal Green Metallic - a long-term dream of my dad that came to fruition.

Honda CB 350 Pros:

• Definitely a looker with an iconic classic retro design with minimal chrome elements.
• Build quality, fit and finish are the best in the segment.
• Honda's refined 348.36cc engine has a sweet linear power delivery for its highway cruising capabilities.
• The mileage figures don't burn a hole in your wallet.
• Honda service rates are so affordable, it's as if they've declared war on expensive repairs and launched a full-scale invasion of savings.
• Large riders will appreciate the roomier ergonomics for long-distance touring.

Honda CB 350 Cons:

• Service interval of 6 months/5000km will make you well known at the SVC.
• Low-end torque is not adequate, which is reflected with a lag of 0.5 seconds.
• Headlights are not the best, throw is wide thus the intensity is a bit off track.
• The small digital infotainment cluster is cluttered with info as it's hard to read at a glance.

For about two decades my dad has been fond of Royal Enfields and has always wanted to own one. Ever since I had grown to understand things in life, I remember every time my dad saw a Royal Enfield on the streets he used to point at them and say to me "This is the bike". He owned a Suzuki Max 100 back then and I never understood his obsession with the Royal Enfield. But being the man of the house, there were a lot of important things to think and worry about (Medical expenses, school fees, monthly bills and all) than an expensive toy that gives you nothing but joy.

Years passed, and responsibilities came after others the long-lost extravagant dream was not even close to being a priority until when he reignited his dream when I turned 18. With a quick TR, the vibrations in RE were a concerning factor for my dad to bite the bullet. I turned down the dream of owning an RE as he was working in a distant region and only comes hometown on a weekly basis. Now that my dad will retire on March 24 at this point in life the long-awaited dream of my dad has come into reality. Below is how a Royal Enfield fan was hooked by the classic retro design with Honda reliability.

With the help of Bhpians, the bikes needed to be TR were shortlisted and below were the observations.

• Honda Highness CB 350: Agile, easy to manoeuvre in city traffic, good posture, good build quality, and a sweet-sounding exhaust.
• RE Hunter 350: Agile, compact bike, upright posture, hard clutch, small vibrations at lower rpms (drove it after riding Honda), and there was always room for improvement for RE.
• Triumph Speed 400: good torque and power figures, slightly leaned, street-friendly, good posture, and excellent build.
• Triumph 400X: Height issues(tip-toeing), a bit larger turning radius, and need to take a wide U-turn in roads which he finds a bit difficult for city rides.
• Honda CB 350: Torque engine, good seating comfort, adequate power, upright riding posture, exhaust not sweet as highness and offers good build quality.

Dad always preferred a bike with a good amount of torque and power figure for sedate driving, seating comfort, upright posture, and a big bike feel that must be reliable. As I have stated previously Honda CB 350 won the heart of my dad at the launch itself and it's still strong. Thank you to Bhpians for mentioning the weight of the motorcycle and the issues related to the aspect of age. He found the weight of the motorcycle to be quite balanced and was easy to manoeuvre in the city on our 2nd test ride just as with the highness.

Finally, it always comes down to the preference of the rider and he chose the Honda CB 350!

BigWing Muvatupuzha is the nearest one to my place and the SE was very hospitable and explained the specifications, and accessories of the bike. While entering the showroom the most eye catchy thing is the history of Honda Motorcycles from the 50's.

The Evolution of Honda!

They offered a test ride of the CB 350 multiple times and we were satisfied with their approach. After the test ride, the magic sauce hit my dad with the feeling of "This is the Bike!" Now, it was only a question of what color to pick. Honda's offering was with five color schemes and my dad focused only on matt colors as he was not much of a fan of glossy schemes.

The options were:

• Mat Marshal Green Metallic
• Mat Dune Brown
• Mat Crust Metallic

The advertisements were filled with the posters of CB 350 in Mat Dune Brown but the color scheme doesn't appeal in real life. This goes the same with the Mat Crust Metallic and we strike it off. There wasn't any display piece of CB 350 in Mat Marshal Green Metallic and with the experience with the Dune Brown, we were in a dilemma whether to book the bike. Finally, we went for it and the instincts were too good to be true. It was a looker when it arrived in the showroom the following week.

Honda CB 350 comes with 2.15 lakh (ex-showroom) for DLX and 2.18 lakh (ex-showroom) for DLX Pro Honda offers DLX and DLX Pro varients for CB 350 which only comes with a price difference of 3K. DLX Pro comes with Bluetooth connectivity (Honda Smartphone Voice Control system), a chrome element in the headlight cover, body-colored fenders, and a brown seat color. While DLX doesn't have any connectivity features, silver paint scheme in the headlight covers, and both blacked fenders and seat.

We have gone for CB 350 DLX Pro in Mat Marshal Green Metallic for 2.70 Lakh OTR price with special discounts of 12.8k.

Miles to go before I sleep.

Design and styling

Simply delicious!

The Honda classic design is clear in every aspect even though you see a huge chunk of inspiration from the competitor. When you walk around the bike you should appreciate the level of detail put into making it. The bike is extremely proportioned and well-built stands offer a big bike feel as compared with its siblings. Honda CB 350 weighs 187Kg which sits on par with the competition in the market with a reasonable seat height of 800 mm. It comes with a ground clearance of 165 mm which is good for usual broken roads and the 15.2L fuel tank capacity helps to reduce fueling stops during long-distance touring.

The body dimensions are here as below:

It is difficult to differentiate CB 350 from its sibling (Highness) at a glance as the major update is given to the rear fender and it catches the eye. The front indicator lamp also functions as a DRL which helps to convey it's a bike at night. The stock guardrails don't give much protection to the rear portion of the bike. Highness is much peppier and has an identity to the sound of the exhaust while CB 350 is primarily for sedate driving, with mile-munching capabilities with room for ergonomics. The exhaust note of CB 350 is mild in comparison with the siblings.

Build Quality, Fit & Finish

Best in the segment with the build quality. Every component is built up to the cost and has a finer level of detailing in all areas. The manoeuvrability of the switch gears comes with the competitors. Wiring is organized standardly and no other visual elements of wiring are in plain sight. There is a little bit of crowded dressing of wire in the handlebar region which is not a deal breaker.

Features and Instrumentations

The bike comes with all the basic features, Dual channel ABS, Assist slipper clutch, Emergency stop signal (ESS), and traction control. It does not come with any riding modes but has a switchable traction control (Either being in ON or OFF). The switch gear comes with immaculate quality as with the typical Honda. The only throw-off is the integrated kill switch and start, which I am personally not a fan of. The instrument cluster shows the important data which can be toggled through two trip meters, real-time FE, average FE, distance to empty (DTE), and battery voltage.

There is always a miss of a tachometer in the cluster and it would be much more appealing if they had gone with the twin dial setup. With the analogue semi-digital setup honda has incorporated Bluetooth connectivity (Honda Smartphone Voice Control system) which works seamlessly with the help of toggle switches.

The fuel tank capacity is 15.2 litres and assuming fuel efficiency is in the spectrum of 36 – 38km/l, this should be good for about 480 – 520 km before the bike requires a refill. Slightly frugal highway riding might help it nudge closer to the 42 km/l mark.

Wheels & Tyres

The bike comes with a 7-spoke black alloy which tremendously enhances the aesthetic. The front wheel is equipped with 100/90-19M/C 57H and disc brakes of 310 mm. The rear comes with 30/70-18M/C 63H with disc brakes of 240 mm. With the initial miles of 1500km, I am satisfied with the performance of the tires, and have adequate braking in all road conditions.

Front tire section

Rear tire section

Tire pressure information

Ergonimics and Comfort

The bike comes with a seat height of 800 mm with a roomier seat for the rider that helps in mile munching and touring capabilities. The riding posture is upright and doesn't give strain to any shoulder muscles or lower back. The kerb weight is 187 Kg which feels balanced throughout the bike, once it starts moving it's quite agile in city traffic. There are no stock wind protection visors available but they do come with good after-market options.

Rider and pillion seats

Riding the Honda CB 350

Country roads!

The engine remains the same as its siblings with slight tuning to meet the dynamics of the bike. It comes with a 4-stroke, 348.36cc, SI engine which produces a max engine output of 15.5kW @5500 rpm and max torque of 29.4 Nm @ 3000 rpm. The bore stroke ratio is 70 mm X 90.519 mm producing a linear torque curve with a compression ratio of 9.5:1 from the engine. There is a small lag in the lower rpm, it can be removed by replacing the stock air filter (experts say so).

With the specs on the sheet, it is truly a highway mile muncher, by delivering adequate torque, and the engine is not stressed out in higher RPMs. The bike comes with a transmission having the clutch type of Multiplate Wet Clutch with a 5-gear system. Most of the city riding is with 3rd and 4th gears whereas the 5th gear is strictly for cruising. It has a Half Duplex Cradle frame front Honda with telescopic front suspension and Twin hydraulic rear suspension. The suspension comfort is rightly in the middle of not being too tight and soft, offering moderate comfort in usual unpaved roads.

Looks good in chrome!

Front with DRL headlights and Indicators

The motorcycle is equipped with dual-channel ABS. The brakes are from Nissin and offer good adequate braking.

It's pretty Big!

It comes with an integrated Ignition and start switch which I'm not a fan of. It comes with pretty good quality switches.

The up-down arrows help fiddle through the instrument cluster. ENT and backward switches are used when one is paired with Bluetooth connectivity. And then comes a typical Honda indicator and horn switches!

I hope this ownership review assists at least one forum member or reader in making an informed decision and shortlisting or possibly eliminating, the Honda CB 350 from his/her shopping list. I have planned to do a long-term ownership with the steed.

So why wait, let's start the journey.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The team at this training center were quick to address the issue. They've also mentioned how multiple H'nesss' owners have already replaced their front Tyre under warranty.

BHPian krankstter recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Fresh Update

The bike feels planted. The wobble is a thing of the past now. It darts across terrain as straight as an arrow.

I decided enough was enough after 5k kms of wobble and have reached out to the customer support by raising a warranty claim on their website.

Mr. Guy Hadly from their team promptly reached out to me on the 27th of October and asked me to visit their training center in Ekkatuthangal, Chennai. This was a (quick) 30 min. ride from home and after three months of doting around and postponing, I finally decided to make the trip on January 27th in hopes of getting my issue resolved.

The team at this training center were quick to address the issue. They've also mentioned how multiple H'nesss' owners have already replaced their front Tyre under warranty. However, by this point, since my usage was still under 10k, they've asked me to get the Tyre refit and verify for around 10 days before going for the replacement route. After getting it refit, the wobble has turned into a shiver and I rode the bike straight to Bigwing Ambattur to get this and a minor oil leak around the oil filter area checked. I've also asked them to paint/fix any rusting spots they found on the bike (there were small spots on the bike which they painted/polished out). I was told that my cone set was a bit weak and would need replacement during the next service. They also informed me that they've "ADJUSTED" it for approximately the 5th time and that I wouldn't face this issue again. This was clearly not the case, as usual. I got back a very clean and shiny looking bike but it still shivered around the 70-90kmph mark.

Informed the same to Mr. Hadly after 10 days and he asked me to drop in for a replacement. I was told that my new Tyre was ready to be fit onto the bike. Visited the training center on Feb. 7th and got my Tyre replaced. Paid Rs. 550 for the worn out treads and happily left the center.

I've now driven for over 1000 kms since then and the bike feels absolutely planted and stable. After the cone set adjustment and oil filter leak issue addressed at the service center, the bike somehow felt more refined than ever. With a planted front Tyre, I've rekindled my love for this bike with added peace of mind. I'm not sure about the longevity of this fix but I'm an extremely happy rider as of now.

Went solo for a Valentine ride organized by Bigwing Ambattur to Mahabalipuram last Sunday and the ride was painfully slow. Never crossed 70kmph on a 6-lane highway with beautiful roads/scenery and the bike returned her personal best of a whopping 46kmpl. I've never ridden this slow and have thus been blessed with great mileage. Perks of riding in a group I guess. The bike has been absolutely planted on the way back home (rode back solo since all the couples stayed back for a lovey dovey photo shoot and I would clearly be overstaying my welcome as a solo rider ) and the trip average quickly dropped to 36.2kmpl for a 138.8 kms total.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Himalayan 450 felt much heavier than my CB350 despite being about 15kgs heavier. Didn't think a higher center of mass could make that much of a difference.

BHPian t3rm1n80r recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I took delivery of my 2024 CB300R about ten days ago and have done about 1100 kms on it. I've been thinking of penning down the initial impressions and the comparison of the CB300R with my CB350 H'Ness before I get used to the new machine and forget about the nuances.

So, why the CB300R?

My Requirements:

1. A relatively softer suspension. I've done close to 17,000 kms in 10 months on my HNess. Its suspension is a bit too stiff for my liking when I'm riding without a pillion which accounts for 95% of my use cases.
2. Ability to do short ~350kms 1-day rides.
3. Quicker 0-100 as compared to my CB350 H'Ness. And the ability to make quick overtakes at high speeds which the CB350 lacks.
4. High availability and high reliability. A fill it, shut it, forget machine that takes me to places anytime it's asked from it. Except for the days when it's in the ASC waiting for the parts which I don't intend find out the hard way.

Motorcycles considered and eliminated from my list:

• Dominar 400: It's a very good highway machine, but the handlebar buzz made my fingertips numb after a 15-minute test ride. Also, a few Facebook Dominar groups have at least one post a day of breakdown or leakages.

• New Duke 390: Adjustable suspension was one of the key features for which I considered it. Test ride motorcycles weren't available in showrooms back in Nov 2023. Also, I didn't want to risk having to beta-test the new 399cc engine.

• Apache RR310: Rider ergonomics felt very comfortable. The seating posture felt more natural than the CBR250R. But the vibrations made me feel uneasy. Also, faired motorcycles are not my thing due the amount of unwanted attention they attract.

• Himalayan 450: Felt much heavier than my CB350 despite being about 15kgs heavier. Didn't think a higher center of mass could make that much of a difference. Handlebar vibrations made sure I couldn't relax despite the amazing suspension. Again, didn't want to beta-test the new 450cc liquid-cooled engine. I didn't feel confident about taking the motorcycle on my solo rides either due to the tubed tyres.

• CB500X/NX500: The motorcycle instantly felt very light despite it having a similar weight to that of the Himalayan 450. Unfortunately, test rides were not available as of Jan 2024 in the BigWing nearest me. I had booked it along with CB300R back in Dec 2023 in the hopes that this would be locally manufactured and would be available under 6L OTR. Advice from a few of our TBHP members on the NX500 thread helped make the decision much easier. I still have my eyes on it and will consider it after a few years if Honda localizes it with price correction and decent parts availability.

Comparison with the CB350 HNess:

Things I liked:

• Non-metallic tank and fenders: Significantly fewer worries about scratches.
• Compliant suspension for my weight. The stock setting is the second softest setting.
• Headlamp: High beam throw is better.
• Front brake: It has good stopping power but the feel is better in H'Ness.
• The acceleration

Things I miss:

• Digital display console buttons: There were multiple instances where I wanted to quickly glance through the average fuel economy but felt frustrated when my left thumb muscle memory was not able to find the buttons on the left handlebar.
• Pillion grab-rails: I knew what I was getting into while buying the motorcycle, but the absence of proper grab rails or the aftermarket options thereof suck.
• The engine's smoothness: Before the first service, the 300Rs engine felt smooth till 3000rpm. Above that there was a mild hum on the handlebar till 4000rpm and post 4000rpm vibrations used to start creeping in which used to get uncomfortable post 5000rpm. After the first service, the vibrations have shifted about 1500rpm ahead. I've heard many reviewers say that the CB300R has the smoothest engine in its segment. Maybe I'm being nitpicky here having spoiled by the CB350s engine smoothness. Will change the engine oil at 2500 kms and see if there is any improvement.
• Less windblast: Somehow there is higher windblast on the CB300R. Windblast at 80kmph feels similar to the one at 100kmph on the CB350. Maybe because of the slightly forward-leaning posture?

Things I'm not sure about:

• The weight and handling: I'm not sure what to feel about it. On the one hand, the city rideability has become very easy. Under 4000rpm it feels and sounds like a scooter and then punches you with the strong linear midrange once you open the throttle. But on the other hand, throwing it around in the twisties isn't as fun as I had imagined it to be. On the HNess, high-speed cornering felt like a proper task and gave a sense of accomplishment, whereas it's effortless on the CB300R. One would have to do higher speeds on a set of corners to achieve the same level of satisfaction on the CB300R as one would feel on the CB350. This makes it more riskier. A drawback that I see of having less weight is that I'm gonna lose my core strength much quicker

• Full tank range: Till now I've had to refill the CB300R every day at least once or every 150-200 kms whichever comes earlier. It's returning about ~33kmpl both in the city and out on the highway. The CB350 used to show 500 kms+ range on a full tank and 600 kms+ when ridden very sanely. But on the CB300R, I've got to be much more fuel-conscious due to the quite limited range.

• The ground clearance: The CB300R has a ground clearance of ~155mm as compared to ~165mm on the HNess. The CB300R hasn't scraped on any speedbreakers till now, but its capabilities are yet to be seen.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Taking a closer look at Honda CB 350 Classic, I have understood that its just looks alike with Royal Enfield but the ride is day and night apart.

BHPian FueledbyFury recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi Fellow Bhpians,

All this classic bike scenario started during my first year of college. My dad has been a fan of modern retro motorcycles and during the initial periods of my college days he opted for me to take a Royal Enfield Standard 350, on the other side I'm not very keen on this modern classic bike thing. But during that time I opted to use Suzuki Max 100 owned by my dad for local and college runs. Even if I had bought one, it would be mainly used by me as my dad comes to our hometown on weekends as he is working in a distant place. Also, I'm not particularly eager to spend my parent's money on the desire for motorcycles even though I have been a follower of ADV's. I have planned to own an ADV in 2-3 years. It can wait.

Coming to 2024, my dad will lead his retirement life from March onwards and the dream of owning a classic motorcycle re-ignited. Looking at today's market offering my dad has fallen in love with the new Honda CB 350 DLX Pro in Mat Marshal Green Metallic color. I hope some dreams will follow us no matter what.

Taking a closer look at Honda CB 350 Classic, I have understood that its just looks alike with Royal Enfield but the ride is day and night apart. The Honda CB 350 classic has a kerb weight of 187Kg which is 6 kilos greater than it's twin Highness. I have ridden both back to back for 4km and here are my observations:

• Initially in the first glance, seeing the highness alongside we knew how actually CB 350 is much bigger in all aspects. Surely an head turner in roads.
• The difference between deluxe and deluxe pro model is only 3K which additionally offers Bluetooth connectivity, chrome elements in headlight, coffee brown seats and a mudguard with same body colour( In deluxe models it came black as default)
• The engine is much refined and offers good low end torque, one can comfortably ride through the city in 3rd gear.
• The seats in CB 350 makes the whole ride different, it provides comfort orient split seat for rider and pillion. Also the upright relaxed riding posture adds upto it.
• It is a comfortable highway cruiser in 80-100Kmph range and the refined engine reduces fatigue and reduces frequent breaks for the rider.
• Highness is much more agile in city traffic and easier to handle due to its smaller size as compared to CB350.
• At standstill CB 350 needs some efforts to move around, but when it starts running it goes with the flow. Bigger size of the bike make it difficult for sharp U turns in the city and agility in city traffic.

I need opinions from BHPian on this motorcycle as not much information from owners is published on the internet.

Feel free to opt for any alternatives.

Here's what BHPian that_sedate_guy had to say on the matter:

You have most of the points outlined here itself. On paper, the difference of size between the Hness and the CB350 is not huge but the real life perceptive scale definitely changes by a huge margin

The modern purely classic category does not have a strong presence. Matching the words, one might suggest the RE classic but it's bulky and with that arrives the same challenges faced by the CB350

The hunt for agility gives up some riding comfort. This is the case with most bikes. Since your dad's the one who's going to ride it, I'd say pick comfort.

Unless the bike is going to be thrown into corners, you can pick the CB350 without sweating. Engine performance wise, both bikes are nearly similar as well.

You can tryout the Triumph Scrambler 400x. Which is also interestingly a shared powertrain sibling to the Speed 400. Granted it's also equally heavy but all these bikes show their heft only when parked. Otherwise they're easy to handle

I've also heard about the HD x440 which is a mixed bag. To me, it's just another bike without any specific head turning looks but is well built. Other users have said that it's a well made bike but lacks an element of passion

The new J series Bullet 350 may also be worth a test ride of you haven't tried it. Smooth, silent and properly styled modern retro.

Here's what BHPian Pythonic had to say on the matter:

Be careful in choosing 180+ kg bikes . My dad bought a H’ness when he was 50, the first lot after prebooking it. After 6 months he just dumped it on me as a graduation gift, the sly fellow. He found it hard to manage it daily, and my dad’s a stout 5’11’ guy with 0 health issues.

With this in mind I would suggest you to choose h’ness or cb 350 rs which can be easier to handle. Consider the triumph 400 twins but they may not have the presence or looks and I believe jawa offerings also have the same weight range but they don’t have the looks and presence of H’ness which is rivalled only by RE.

I would also look at kawasaki’s w175 as it’s much lighter at 130ish kgs. Congrats on retirement to your dad.

Here's what BHPian shancz had to say on the matter:

Your intent to hold off your ADV dreams for yourself is admirable and how it should be

Retros, in order, for a test ride :

• Classic/Bullet 350 : RE service strengths, highly rated J series engine,
• Meteor 350 : a different experience might/might not work for you and since you mentioned the HDX 440
• Honda CB 350 Classic/H'Ness : all that you've mentioned but spares availability has been a concern for some.
• HDX 440 : Apart from some quality issues and Hero service situation at your location, its a good motorcycle. Engine has been spoken highly of.
• Triumph Speed 400X : I doubt its power delivery matches your expectations

Take a test ride of all, see what you like riding in your conditions and get that. Just ve mindful of the issues mentioned as they might/might not be valid at your location especially service related.

PS : You means Your Dad and You in that order

Here's what BHPian aargee had to say on the matter:

Talking more from a stance of age:

For a fit Father {subjective, but still, assuming to do a brisk walk everyday or can take 2-3 floors by steps} AND Has been riding all these years & will do so until the age of retirement AND Still interested riding a motorcycle {regardless of the style} AND The traffic conditions permits then = CB 350 or Triumph 400 eyes closed than Jawa or RE. If there're any other classics, simply avoid them for the trouble free ownership

My assumption: Triumph & Honda Bigwing ASC are not far from your home in EKM

Some practical Deterrent points to consider:

• Except daily errands, there ísn't much use for vehicles past certain age for most folks at that age
• And for errands, a scooter is more viable than a motorcycle & even for errands there're Zepto {hopefully they revive} & Dunzo these days & to commute there's Uber & Ola {otherwise good old autorickshaw}
• Most people {except bikers} aren't interested riding a motorcycle after certain age & prefer comfort, safety & convenience over interest
• Unless the motorcycle isn't going to be used for atleast 5000 Km a year {assuming 15 Km a day for 300 days}, its not yielding a full value
• The insurance & service costs are going to cost nearly to the cost of fuel and not to mention the vehicle itself gets deteriorated in the garage than the regular wear & tear by riding

Some practical Exceptions to consider hoping your Father is one among them:

• Opt for a light weight motorcycle than a heavy one is likely to dissuade from riding altogether
• An used Rx {still a classic but a rare find} will tick most boxes as it's light weight, a classic blast from past, easy to service {hard to find parts though}, great quality & doesn't need to be serviced often & still many can be found in Kerala
• Most folks prefer staying at home rather than venturing an adventure, including errands; from that POV a trip to fuel station or ASC can be avoided with the convenience of an EV scooter

Note: My stance is neutral & by no means I persuade or dissuade from buying what your Father or you want; I only request to consider the above points before spending your money, even if the cost of the motorcycle is 0.01% of your annual income please

Here's what BHPian adi.mariner had to say on the matter:

I have got the Honda Hness in October and have ridden it around 700 kms and all of it inside the City. The bike feels heavy when stationary but once moving it is very easy to handle. The clutch action is very soft and helps a lot during bumper to bumper traffic. Headlights can be improved. The riding position is more comfortable compared to the RS which is more aggressive. Take test rides of all the bikes and then go for the one which suits you. Spares availablity isn't a concern in Pune atleast where there are 2 BigWing Dealers..

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Honda CB350 will lock horns with the Royal Enfield Classic 350.

Honda has launched a new variant of the CB350 to take on the Royal Enfield Classic 350. The new retro-classic, simply called ‘CB350’, is priced at Rs 1,99,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Honda CB350 boasts a classic design featuring long metal fenders, metallic covers for the front fork and a split seat. The bike gets a heritage-inspired semi-digital instrument console paired with a Honda Smartphone Voice Control System. Other features include LED lighting, an emergency stop signal and Honda Selectable Torque Control.

The CB350 is powered by the familiar 348.36cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine. It produces 20.78 BHP @ 5,500 rpm and 29.4 Nm @ 3,00 rpm. The engine is mated with a 5-speed gearbox via an assist and slipper clutch.

The CB350 is equipped with a telescopic front fork and nitrogen-charged shock absorbers at the rear. Braking is handled by a single 310 mm disc at the front and a 240 mm disc at the rear supported by dual-channel ABS. The bike rides on 18-inch alloy wheels with a 130-section tyre at the rear.

Honda CB350 ex-showroom prices:

• DLX – Rs 1,99,900
• DLX Pro – Rs 2,17,800