Royal Enfield Bullet 350 vs Honda CB350: Detailed Comparison

The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 and Honda CB350 stand out in the ‘classic’ 350cc bike space for different reasons. One is an almost century-old nameplate and continues to be relevant, thanks to its iconic design and thump. The other gets inspiration from its ancestors (CB77), but with modern touches. This detailed comparison will help you in choosing the right one for you:

Prices & Variants

• The Royal Enfield bike has a significantly lower starting price and is available in four variants.

• The Honda CB350 is offered in two variants, with features being the differentiating factor.

• Higher variants of both bikes cost almost the same, and they more or less have similar features as well.

Design & Dimensions

Specification	Royal Enfield Bullet 350	Honda CB350	Difference
Wheelbase	1,390mm	1,441mm	-51mm
Ground Clearance	170mm (Mid and Top) 160mm (Base)	165mm	+5mm -5mm
Kerb Weight	195kg	186kg	+9kg
Seat Height	805mm	800mm	+5mm
Fuel Tank Capacity	13 litres	15.2 litres	-2.2 litres

• Both motorcycles offer similar ground clearance. A longer wheelbase, however, should provide the CB350 with better straight-line stability at high speeds.

• Along with a negligibly shorter seat height, the lesser weight makes the CB350 a bit more approachable than the Bullet 350.

• The Bullet 350 appears mature and more masculine, thanks to the visual heft in its old-school design language. Its wire-spoke wheels, hand-painted stripes, nacelled headlamp, and metal body construction give it that authentic timeless feel.

• The CB350 follows a neo-retro theme, offering a more youthful look. It also has a metal body with retro elements, a vintage-style split seat, and peashooter-shaped exhaust. However, the all-LED lighting and alloy wheels make it appear more modern.

Ride & Handling

• Both have a telescopic fork and twin shock absorbers, being tuned for comfort.

• While both have similar wheel sizes, the Bullet 350 runs on wire-spoke wheels that can handle rough roads. However, repairing punctures becomes a task, as they come shod with tube-type tyres.

• The CB350, on the other hand, gets alloy wheels with tubeless tyres for hassle-free puncture repairs.

• While the base variants of the Bullet 350 get a rear drum brake and single-channel ABS, Honda doesn't give you that option in the CB350.

Features & Tech

• Neither of these bikes can be called feature-rich, but they both have their basics sorted.

• The Bullet 350 has a halogen headlamp, adding to its old-school charm. Meanwhile, the CB350 offers all-LED lighting with an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) function, which alerts others during sudden braking.

• Both feature a semi-digital instrument cluster with an analogue speedometer. However, the LCD inlay in the CB350’s dash is more informative and offers Bluetooth connectivity, but is cluttered and hard to read.

• The CB350 also offers switchable traction control, which adds a layer of safety, especially on slippery surfaces.

Engine & Performance

Specification	Royal Enfield Bullet 350	Honda CB350
Engine	349cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled	348.36cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled
Maximum Power	20.22PS @ 6,100rpm	21.07PS @ 5,500rpm
Maximum Torque	27Nm @ 4,000rpm	29.5Nm @ 3,000rpm
Gearbox	5-Speed	5-Speed, with slip-and-assist clutch

• The CB350 produces slightly higher power and torque, that too at lower RPMs. That makes it accelerate more quickly and feel livelier than the Bullet 350. That said, you will have to shift more often at lower speeds while riding the Honda.
• The CB350 also returns slightly better mileage than the Bullet 350.
• Both are single-cylinder 350s with 5-speed gearboxes. However, the CB350 also offers a slip-and-assist clutch, ensuring smoother gear shifts while preventing the rear wheel from locking.

Verdict

Riders who prefer their bike to be as old-school as possible will like the Bullet 350. Meanwhile, the CB350 offers a good balance of old and new, given its neo-retro approach. The decision comes down to whether you want a proper old-school bike or better refinement and features.

Comparisons With Other Rivals:

• When compared to the Triumph Speed T4, it offers better performance than the Bullet 350, while also being cheaper than the top variant of the Bullet. 
• As far as the Meteor 350 is concerned, it's more of a highway-centric motorcycle with a slightly different state of tune when compared to the Bullet.
• You may also take a look at a more affordable roadster, the TVS Ronin. Apart from being cheaper, it also gets more modern goodies.
• If you're looking for a roadster with a storied history as the Bullet, then the Jawa 350 is the one to go for.
• Those looking for retro flair but with sporty performance will like the Jawa 42 FJ over the Bullet 350.
• You can also take a look at Honda's first 350cc retro bike in India, the H'ness CB350 as the Bullet's alternative.
• When compared to the Hunter 350, the Bullet 350 is heavier, and is also a bit costlier.
• Unlike Bullet 350, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 comes in more flashy colours, not to mention the option of alloy wheels too.
• There are also other motorcycles available at the same price point as the Bullet 350, including an adventure bike.