The new CB350 is Honda’s latest contender in the hotly contested affordable modern retro market and here we’ll pit it against its closest rivals.
Honda CB350 vs rivals: engine, output
| Engine, output | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB350 | RE Classic 350 | H-D X440 | |
| Engine | Air-cooled, 349cc, single-cylinder | Air-cooled, 349cc, single-cylinder | Air/oil-cooled, 440cc, single-cylinder |
| Power | 21hp at 5,500rpm | 20.2hp at 6,100rpm | 27hp at 6,000rpm |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 112.3hp/tonne | 103.6hp/tonne | 142hp/tonne |
| Torque | 29.4Nm at 3,000rpm | 27Nm at 4,000rpm | 38Nm at 4,000rpm |
| Gearbox | 5-speed | 5-speed | 6-speed |
Unsurprisingly, the Harley-Davidson X440 has the highest peak output here and its near 100cc displacement advantage over the other two also results in it having the highest power-to-weight ratio. It is also the only bike here to have a 6-speed gearbox. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 and the Honda CB350 are quite closely matched on paper but out in the real world, it's a completely different story. The CB350’s rather tall gearing (effectively the same as the H’ness) means that you need to constantly keep working the gearbox whereas on the Classic 350 you can lug the engine at low speeds in higher gears.
Honda CB350 vs rivals: weight, dimensions
| Weight, dimensions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB350 | RE Classic 350 | H-D X440 | |
| Kerb weight | 187kg | 195kg | 190.5kg |
| Seat height | 800mm | 805mm | 805mm |
| Wheelbase | 1441mm | 1390mm | 1418mm |
| Ground clearance | 165mm | 170mm | 170mm |
| Fuel capacity | 15.2 litres | 13 litres | 13.5 litres |
Despite carrying the most fuel in this company, the CB350 is the lightest bike here and also has the lowest seat height, which should make it quite an approachable machine for shorter riders. The Harley X440 has the same seat height as the Classic but it splays your legs out a bit more, so shorter riders need to be mindful of this.
Honda CB350 vs rivals: suspension, brakes
| Suspension, brakes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB350 | RE Classic 350 | H-D X440 | |
| Suspension (f) | Telescopic fork | Telescopic fork | USD fork |
| Suspension (r) | Twin shock absorbers | Twin shock absorbers | Twin shock absorbers |
| Brakes (f) | 310mm disc | 300mm disc | 320mm disc |
| Brakes (r) | 240mm disc | 270mm disc | 240mm disc |
| Tyres (f) | 100/90-19 | 100/90-19 | 100/90-19 |
| Tyres (r) | 130/70-18 | 120/80-18 | 140/70-17 |
With a modern USD fork and the fattest rear tyre here, the Harley X440 is the most modern feeling bike here in terms of its ride and handling. The Classic’s brakes are the weakest in this company and it is also the heaviest bike here, which isn’t the best combination.
Honda CB350 vs rivals: features
The H-D X440 is the only bike here to feature a TFT dash and have Bluetooth connectivity built-in via an e-SIM. The Harley’s mill is also the only one to feature an oil-cooler here.
The Honda’s Bluetooth system is quite basic and you need to have a Bluetooth headset paired to it for it to function as intended. Just like the H’ness and the CB350RS, the CB350 also comes with the option of two custom kits straight from the factory. The CB350 is the only bike here to feature traction control.
As for the Classic 350, it is the simplest bike here and Royal Enfield has kept it quite close to its roots, which arguably adds to its retro charm. The Tripper dash is an optional extra on the Classic and can be paired to your phone to show navigation information.
Honda CB350 vs rivals: price
| Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB350 | RE Classic 350 | H-D X440 | |
| Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 2 lakh – Rs 2.18 lakh | Rs 1.93 lakh – Rs 2.25 lakh | Rs 2.40 lakh – Rs 2.80 lakh |
The Classic 350 is the most affordable bike here but only in its base guises, where it comes with single-channel ABS. The newest bike here, the Honda CB350 is priced nearly on par with its closest competitor, the Classic 350 with alloy wheels.
Even in its base Denim guise, the Harley-Davidson X440 is the most expensive bike here and by quite some margin. However, it has the highest peak output figures, an exhaustive feature-set and arguably its badge carries the most value in this company.
