Honda Forza 350 vs Honda Forza 300: What's Different?

Just an engine update or is there something more?

Honda has ridden in the updated version of its maxi-scooter, the Forza 350, into Thailand. Why should you take notice? Well, because Honda India had toyed around with the idea of introducing the Forza 300 (350’s predecessor) maxi-scooter in India and sold off the handful of units that it brought here for customer feedback. Also, Honda India has stated that the scooter will arrive in its BS6 guise by the end of the year (hopefully!) and we guess it would be the 350 instead. The new Forza 350 technically replaces the Forza 300 as it gets a new engine and some additional features. Here’s what’s new and exciting on the Forza 350:

Larger heart

The biggest change remains the engine. It isn’t a bored out or longer-stroke version of the old 279cc liquid-cooled mill but rather a completely new 329.6cc single-cylinder unit. The upping of displacement must have been done to comply with Euro 5 and BS6 emission laws. Honda has refrained from revealing the engine output of the new almost 330cc engine but expect it to produce more than 25PS and 27Nm. 

Taller windscreen

Honda hasn’t tinkered around much with the styling of the Forza 350, maintaining that same large and imposing stance. You do get new body lines and nose aero slats but aside from that everything remains almost the same. What has been a distinct update is the electronically adjustable windshield which is now 150mm in length at its tallest setting, 40mm taller than before.

What hasn’t changed?

The Forza 350 borrows its underpinnings from its outgoing model with the 37mm telescopic fork and twin preload-adjustable shocks carried forward. Whether it is in the same tune or slightly differently sprung remains to be seen. The 15-/14-inch alloy wheels also do not see a change in tyre dimensions, a 120/70-section front and a 140/70-section rear tyre are still being used. You get disc brakes on both ends with dual-channel ABS arriving as standard. The weight has gone up marginally, now tipping the scales at 185kg instead of 182kg. The weight gain is likely due to the larger engine that you now find on the scooter. 

Even the feature-set of the scooter remains more or less the same. The semi-digital clocks, the keyless ignition, and the front cubby hole with a USB mobile charger remain present on the scooter. Even the large boot space sees virtually no change in capacity.

Price?

Honda is asking THB 1,73,500 for the new Forza 350, which is roughly about Rs 4.15 lakh. The older Forza 300 retails at THB 1,69,000 or Rs 4.04 lakh in Thailand. These are the on-road prices of the scooters in Thailand but we do not expect them to be any lower here in India. The Forza 350 is likely to carry a sticker price of around Rs 3 lakh to Rs 3.20 lakh (ex-showroom) when it hits the Honda Big Wing dealerships later this year or early next year.