Honda CB350RS

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Between the 350cc Triumph Scrambler 400 and Honda CB350RS models, the Scrambler is the more accomplished machine and therefore, the more logical purchase. However, we don't always buy motorcycles because they make more sense, and it would be prudent to take test rides of both and then decide which is the better one for you. If you can make your peace with the slower speeds that the Honda is capable of sustaining, there is an enjoyable and reliable machine underneath the good-looking bodywork of the CB350RS. Pillion comfort isn't great on the Honda, but it's not unusable; you'll just have to make some aftermarket provisions or live with it. The Triumph is the faster and more comfortable machine, but it feels a little anonymous to ride - like an appliance on two wheels. If you don't think this will be a problem for you (like the lakhs of other 350/400cc Triumph owners), then the Scrambler is a great option to check out. As we said at the start, take test rides of both machines to see which one tugs at both your sensible side as well as your heartstrings before you go ahead with your purchase.

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Since your usage is mostly going to be inside the city, we'd advise choosing between the Honda CB350RS and 350cc Triumph Speed 400. Both bikes have smooth, torque-focused engines, light clutch action, manageable seat heights and good weight management, which should make them easy to use in the city. Out on the highway, both feel quite unstressed as long as you keep the speeds between 100-110kph at the most in top gear. The Speed 400 will feel more sprightly than the CB350RS owing to its higher output and lower weight but the Honda's engine has a little more character than the Triumph's.The Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 is a gorgeous and eye-catching bobber but comfort and highway capabilities aren't exactly its strong suits. If you do want an option from the 350cc Royal Enfield lineup, we'd recommend taking a look at the Bullet / Classic because these bikes are excellent at city duties and if you don't mind carrying a sedate pace on the highway, they'll do the job just fine. These options are very different from one another, so we'd advise you to take proper test rides of each to see which one suits you best before you pull the trigger on your next purchase.

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Fuel economy isn't set in stone and is a facet of the bike that depends on various factors. How you ride, what condition the bike's mechanicals are in, whether tyre pressure is within the prescribed limits, surrounding weather and traffic, and many more. In our experience, the Triumph Speed T4 has returned better fuel economy than the Speed 400 in pretty much all situations. And we suspect the new 349cc engine is near-certain to be even more fuel efficient than the 399cc version we tested.That being said, the Honda CB350RS is a machine that is one of the most fuel-efficient in its class, and given that its motor makes lower output, it's likely to be more economical than the Speed T4. While fuel economy is undoubtedly an important factor in a vehicle's purchase decision, especially in today's inflationary times. We recommend you take the overall picture of the bike into consideration before finalising your choice.

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The bikes you are looking at, all fall in very different displacement and price brackets, so making a direct comparison between them will be unfair. The Honda NX200 is a dressed up street bike and with its smaller and simpler 184cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine, it will feel strained on the highway at faster, triple-digit speeds. The CB350RS is a neo-retro motorcycle with a smooth engine and comfortable suspension which will make it a nice companion out on the highway, as long as you don't mind making progress between 80-100kph. Beyond that, speed will rise rather slowly and the engine does feel a little outside its comfort zone. The Triumph Scrambler 400X (with the 350cc engine) could actually prove to be the most capable all-rounder for your use case with its peppy engine and commanding ergonomics. You could even look at the Triumph Speed 400 (now with a 350cc engine) and the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 as they both have neutral ergonomics and decent highway manners.A test ride will be imperative before you make a decision.

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Honda hasn't announced any refreshes or model updates for the CB350RS in the near future, so you can go ahead with your purchase. The RS is available with similar features to the other CB350 models, and its main differentiation from the others is in terms of its handling (owing to its smaller 17-inch rear wheel) and its sportier seating position.

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Between the three bikes you've shortlisted, all three are comfortable for city use, but they all sit at very different price points, and it wouldn't be right to compare the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V with the Honda CB350RS and Triumph Speed 400. If you want a straightforward commuter, then sticking to a machine in the 150-160cc space like the aforementioned Apache, Bajaj Pulsar N160, and Honda Unicorn would make sense. These bikes will be lighter and easier to manage within the city (which is where you'll spend most of your life), as well as be fuel-efficient and comfortable. If instead you do want to look at something more premium, the Honda and Triumph you have shortlisted are also good options. You should also look at the Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350 in this segment. These bikes will be larger and more spacious than the 150/160cc options mentioned above, with better build quality, road presence and pillion comfort. However, they will demand a little more effort at slow speeds and will also not be as fuel-efficient as the commuters.

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The Honda CB350RS has a retro-feeling, air-cooled engine with a lower performance ceiling than the Yezdi. It does, however, have an engaging riding position and will also have better ride quality. You also need to bear in mind that the Honda is a better finished product. It has a great reputation for being reliable and easy to service in the long run - fronts that Yezdi (and Classic Legends, as a whole) still have some work to do. The latest-gen Yezdi Roadster is an improvement over its predecessor, but in some areas it still lacks behind the competition.

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The Bajaj-made 350cc Triumph bikes will be launched in the coming months, and going by our experience with the current 400cc bikes, it would make a lot of sense to wait and see how these turn out.The Honda CB350RS is a good option if you want a retro, relaxed and comfortable riding experience with modern styling and trademark Honda strengths of being easy to ride and own.The TVS Ronin is also a good option to consider because it has similar performance to the air-cooled 350s from Honda and Royal Enfield bikes, while being much more affordable to purchase. It also ticks the box of having plush ride quality, which is important for you.We'd recommend a test ride of the Ronin, CB350RS and Royal Enfield Hunter 350 if you want to purchase a bike immediately but if you can wait for some months, then the Triumph 350s could be the way to go.

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The Battalion Black is the base variant in the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 lineup and has a simpler finish for certain components and only single-channel ABS owing to its rear drum brake. However, its riding experience should largely be the same as the other variants, and in that sense, it would make for a relaxed, characterful and comfortable motorcycle. In many ways, the Honda CB350RS will feel similiar to ride because of its air-cooled engine and plush suspension. But it has a sportier, more engaging seating position and feels a lot lighter on its feet. It also comes with modern conveniences such as tubeless tyres, a slip/assist clutch and all-LED lighting. The CB350RS is also over Rs 30,000 more expensive than the Bullet 350 Battalion Black, so price will play a key role in your purchase decision. Picking between the two will boil down to which bike you gel with better. Also, whether you think the Honda deserves the extra money it commands over the Royal Enfield.

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For city use, we'd recommend picking between the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Honda CB350RS. Both seat the rider comfortably, although the CB350RS has a slightly sportier seating position. But also have a comfortable suspension, which is what you'll value in the city. If ridden sensibly, the two 350s will also return decent fuel economy. Do bear in mind that the Classic 350 is likely to be updated with a slip/assist clutch soon. if you are looking to buy this bike, we'd advise you to defer your purchase by a few months.Since you're already looking at the Classic, its sibling, the Hunter 350, also makes for a great city bike. Despite its relatively smaller size, larger riders will fit just fine on the Hunter, and this is the most city-friendly machine of all the bikes you are looking at. The Harley-Davidson X440 is also a good option inside the city with its torquey engine, neutral ergonomics and decent suspension. But its fuel economy will be lower than the other bikes, and its top model falls outside your budget.Take a test ride of these bikes to decide which is the best option for you.