Honda CB 350 H’Ness: Interesting Details Revealed

We‌ ‌decode‌ ‌Honda’s‌ ‌newest‌ ‌retro‌ ‌motorcycle‌ ‌for‌ ‌the‌ ‌finer‌ ‌intricacies‌

Honda has launched its first made-in-India retro motorcycle: the CB 350 H’Ness. The all-new motorcycle gives tough competition to Royal Enfield’s bestseller, the Classic 350, and the Jawa. Here are five of the most interesting details about the new motorcycle: 

Styled like the CB 1100 RS

The Honda CB 350 H’Ness looks like a scaled-down Honda CB 1100 RS. It is styled like a 70’s Japanese naked motorcycle with round headlamps, turn indicators, mirrors and instrument console as well as a narrow fuel tank with a flat seat. It features several chrome elements to match the retro vibe as well as six single-tone and dual-tone colour options.   

Features a comprehensive instrument console

The semi-digital instrument console gets an analogue speedometer with a digital inset. It features digital readouts for the fuel level, gear position, clock, average and real-time fuel efficiency, distance to empty, as well as Bluetooth notifications such as pairing, call, music, weather, navigation and message. The panel on the side gets indicators for ABS, traction control and side-stand warning. While it is a comprehensive setup, we would have liked the inclusion of a tachometer as well as a larger digital readout for navigation. 

Motor gets balancer shafts

Like the Royal Enfield Classic 350, the Honda H’Ness gets a long-stroke air-cooled motor. It, however, features two balancer shafts: one on the main shaft and one ahead of the cylinder. Both reduce vibrations and improve refinement levels. So you get the torque gains of a long-stroke motor with reduced vibrations. How less? That can only be ascertained after a proper ride. 

Gets a half-duplex cradle frame

The half-duplex cradle frame is a hybrid of a single and double-cradle frame. According to Honda, this configuration affords the motorcycle a lighter steering feel. A part of this is also due to the motor being mounted lower to improve the centre of gravity which also helps improve its handling characteristics. 

Better braking setup on offer

Compared to the competition, the Honda Highness gets a larger 310mm front disc brake. It also gets wider 110-section and 130-section tubeless tyres which should offer a wider contact patch and better grip under hard braking. The Honda comes equipped with dual-channel ABS. 

If you’re wondering how it fares against the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Jawa, check out the spec comparison here.