Honda Hness CB350

This Honda BigWings bike aims to deliver a comfortable, reliable, and stylish ride with its combination of old-school charm and modern touches. It is currently available in 4 variants and a range of soothing colour options. In our opinion, the most elegant option is the Pearl Nightstar BlackChrome colour. Well, the bike is categorised as a cruiser bike, but during testing, the bike performed much like a street bike. 

While testing the H’ness CB350, one of the most noticeable things was its design. We can surely say that Honda has nailed the vintage look with this BigWings bike. Right away, the bike’s round LED headlight and shiny chrome details grabbed our attention. The shiny Honda badge on the engine cover and the dark engine with chrome highlights bring a bit of style.

The split seat, shiny grab rail, and metal wheels give the bike a good look. However, the space between the back tyre and the mudguard seems odd. Nevertheless, the quality of the build and the great fit and finish are very impressive. Adding mud flaps as an accessory would be a good idea. The bike's short mudguards can spray water on the engine when it rains.

The H'ness CB350 is equipped with a 348.36cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine. This setup churns out 15.5kW of power and 30Nm of torque. Moreover, it features a slip-and-assist clutch, ensuring smoother gear changes in heavy traffic conditions. Here lies Honda's characteristic refinement. It feels slow at slower speeds, mainly under 4000rpm, but at 5000rpm, it becomes very lively. The sound of the exhaust gives it some special appeal; the ride will seem faster than it actually is.

The H’ness CB350 delivers excellent mileage for a 350cc bike. It’s perfect for daily commuting and long rides. In city conditions, you can expect 34-35 kmpl. On highways, maintaining a smooth 80-90 kmph can yield 40-42 kmpl. These numbers make the bike cost-effective for long-term use.

The upright riding position on the H'ness CB350 makes long rides rather comfortable. The curved handlebar is well-positioned for comfort, and the seat height is kept at 800mm to make the motorcycle accessible for shorter riders, too. The cushioning on the seats is firm but roomy and spacious, so one can enjoy comfort both as a rider and a pillion.

On the highway, the bike is stable and secure. The ride at 80-100 kmph is easy because of the smooth engine and low vibrations. The handlebar, foot pegs, and tank have little vibration, which is good for long trips.

City traffic is no issue for this bike. In third gear, this bike can easily be manageable through congested traffic. The fifth gear should ideally be used for highway cruising above 100 kmph. However, you need to downshift during overtakes above this speed.

The Honda H'ness CB350 has a half-duplex frame and a 1441mm wheelbase. It is not for sharp turns, but the bike is quick and easy to ride. The wide handlebar gives great control, and the bike feels steady, even on winding mountain roads.

The suspension system consists of a telescopic fork at the front and twin shock absorbers at the rear. The front suspension bottoms out sometimes on sharp bumps but does otherwise quite well. The rear suspension feels stiff for city rides but does very well on highways and offers great comfort on long trips.

The braking system is a standout feature. Equipped with Nissin callipers, the bike delivers impressive stopping power. The brakes of this bike are among the best in the segment. It offers confidence in all types of road conditions. Moreover, the bike can tackle speed bumps and rough roads without a hitch due to a 166mm ground clearance.

Apart from the H'ness CB350 retro design, it boasts many modern features. The instrument console contains digital and analogue displays that give essential information like fuel range, current mileage, gear position, and trip meters. Initially, it may be quite hard to read, but you will easily do it after getting used to it.

The bike comes with all LED lights, a slip-and-assist clutch, and traction control. The DLX Pro variant is available with Bluetooth for navigation and for controlling calls and music. Moreover, the buttons are of good quality, but the horn and turn signal buttons can be hard to find. 

The Honda H'ness CB350 starts at Rs 2.10 Lakh and goes up to Rs 2.16 Lakh. That makes it costlier than a few competitors but build quality, features, and reliability more than compensate for the extra cost. And low maintenance costs only add to Honda's appeal.

The Honda H'ness CB 350 is for you if you are looking for a stylish and comfortable cruiser for relaxed riding. It offers a well-rounded package with modern features, retro appeal, and refined Honda.