Triumph Bonneville T40 vs Honda CB350: Detailed Comparison

Triumph has recently launched the Bonneville T40 in India. We’ve compared it with the Honda CB350 to see how the two roadsters stack up. 

Price 

All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi  

The Triumph Bonneville T40 starts at a premium, while the Honda CB350 caters to a wider range of buyers with multiple variants and a more accessible price range. This gives buyers more options depending on their budget.

Design

The baby Bonnie draws inspiration from its bigger Bonneville. It gets a teardrop-shaped fuel tank and is available in seven colour options. The base T40 gets three single-tone shades, the standard T40 gets three dual-tone options, while the T40 Black gets one. Check out our detailed colour explainer to see how they look.

The overall design will appeal to buyers who want a classic retro roadster. The peashooter-shaped exhaust and round headlight elevate its overall look, while the chrome-spoked wheels and other chrome elements add character to the bike.

If you’re not a big fan of flashy chrome, the T40 Black will cater to audiences who prefer more understated colours. It gets a matte finish, giving the bike a stealthier appearance that will appeal to people who don’t want their motorcycle to stand out too much.

The CB350 gets a more modern and youthful look while retaining its retro character. It features a circular headlamp, teardrop-shaped fuel tank, chrome-plated mirrors, split seat and chrome-plated peashooter exhaust, giving it an elegant appearance. 

It is available in five unique shades: Pearl Igneous Black, Deep Ground Grey, Matte Dune Brown, Matte Axis Grey Metallic and Rebel Red Metallic.

Engine

 

Specifications	Triumph Bonneville T40	Honda CB350
Engine	350 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder	348.36 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled
Power	29 PS at 7000 rpm	21.07 PS at 5,500 rpm
Torque	31.2 Nm at 5500 rpm	30 Nm at 3,000 rpm
Gearbox	6-speed	5-Speed

The Bonneville T40 is powered by a 350cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that produces 29 PS and 31.2 Nm. In comparison, the CB350 gets a 348.36 cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine producing 21.07 PS and 30 Nm, which is 7.93 PS and 1.2 Nm less than the T40. 

Underpinnings

Both bikes get a telescopic fork at the front and twin shocks at the rear. Braking duties are handled by 310 mm front disc on both bikes, while the T40 gets a larger 255 mm rear disc compared to the CB350’s 240 mm unit. This should give the T40 a slightly better braking performance.

The T40 is 14 kg heavier than the CB350, while the latter gets a much more accessible 645 mm seat height, which is 145 mm lower than the British roadster. The CB350 also rides on larger wheels.

Features

The Triumph T40 is the more feature-packed of the two motorcycles. It gets a TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, enabling call/SMS alerts, Google Maps mirroring and more. On the safety front, it gets cornering ABS and traction control, adding more electronic assistance for the rider.

The CB350 keeps things simpler with a semi-digital console and connectivity features such as call/SMS alerts and turn-by-turn navigation. It misses out on cornering ABS and traction control but gets dual-channel ABS as standard.

BikeDekho Says 

Both bikes make a good proposition for buyers looking for a classic roadster. The T40 is pricier than the CB350, but it comes with a more premium set of modern features that should improve everyday convenience.

On the other hand, the CB350 is a tried-and-tested motorcycle and is more affordable than the T40. If you’re on a tighter budget, don’t mind compromising on features and on the power front, the CB350 is a compelling option.