Honda CB350RS

Overview

The CB350RS is a neo-retro roadster from Honda. It can be considered a sportier alternative to the Honda H’ness CB350, and uses the same 350 cc air-cooled engine. Here are our thoughts on Honda’s second 350cc bike for the Indian market:

Design

The CB350RS comes with a sportier design that sets it apart from the H’ness. With this bike, Honda is trying to target a younger demographic who would not usually be interested in retro bikes like H’ness. The CB350RS features a different tail lamp setup that resembles the CB300R and indicators that are sharper in contrast to the round units on the H’ness. The addition of other elements such as a bash plate and the matte finish exhaust that is angled upwards makes the bike stand out. 

Engine, Mileage & Performance

The engine powering the CB350RS is the same one that we have seen on the H’ness, the 350cc air-cooled engine mated to a 5-speed gearbox that produces 21.07 PS at 5500 rpm and 30 Nm at 3000 rpm.

The engine being the same on both bikes has led to the CB350RS having both the advantages and disadvantages that we have seen on the H’ness. On the good side, the engine refinement is amazing and the rider won’t have to deal with vibrations even at higher speeds.

The engine’s biggest drawback is the  lack of bottom-end torque. But once you get past the initial sluggishness, the bike is able to provide a very good experience when riding in city traffic. The other issue which has to be highlighted is the gearing, which is a bit too tall and makes overtaking all the more difficult. Riding in hilly areas doesn’t feel that engaging either, as the bike feels like it’s running out of breath while tackling uphill roads.

Handling & Ride quality

The CB350RS is a quite responsive bike and the rider can easily manoeuvre without having to wrestle with the handlebars. The kerb weight of 179kg along with the sportier riding position with the slightly rear-set footpegs and flatter handlebars has contributed to this ease of handling.

While the engine refinement is really good, the slightly sporty riding stance doesn’t go well with the laid-back nature of the motor.. The suspension setup is quite balanced, and offers a comfortable ride quality on most roads. With just 2 mm extra ground clearance (168mm) over the H’ness, it can only take on light trails. The braking is handled by a 310 mm disc at the front and 240 mm disc at the rear both of which give good feedback, dual-channel ABS comes as standard.

Comfort 

The CB350RS is decent – not as good as the H’ness – and this comes down to the sportiness, so it isn’t a deal-breaker. While the seat is spacious and well cushioned, the slightly sporty riding posture may result in tiring you out a bit sooner while riding long distances. 

Features:

In terms of features, the CB350RS’ DLX variant misses out on the Honda Smartphone Voice Control system (HSVCS)  but all other variants get it as standard. Other features that come with the CB350RS are mostly variant-specific cosmetic updates.

Should You Buy the Honda CB350RS?

An important issue that plagues the CB350RS is its lack of a proper identity. It’s designed to be rugged but isn’t a proper scrambler either. The CB350RS is ideal only if you’re a big fan of its looks and are not worried about spending a premium over the H’ness, which actually is a slightly better overall bike than the CB350RS.  Further alternatives include bikes like the Jawa 42, and the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and Classic 350.