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Honda CB350 H'Ness vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Jawa: Spec Comparison

Modified On Sep 30, 2020 05:46 PM By Benjamin Noel Gracias for Honda Hness CB350

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Honda We compare Honda’s new retro bike against its immediate competitors on paper

Honda CB 350 H'Ness Spec Comparison

Honda has launched the CB350 H'Ness in India. The new 350cc roadster now competes with other retro motorcycles in the segment like the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Jawa. So how does this all-new motorcycle stack up against its competitors? Let’s do an on-paper comparison between the three to find out:

 

Powertrain:

Honda CB 350 H'Ness Spec Comparison

 

Specifications Honda CB350 H'Ness Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6 Jawa BS6
Engine 348cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine 346cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine 293cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine
Power 21.1PS @ 5500rpm 19.36PS @ 5250rpm 26.51PS
Torque 30Nm @ 3000rpm 28Nm @ 4000rpm 27.05Nm
Gearbox 5-speed 5-speed 6-speed

The CB350 H'Ness gets a brand new 348.36cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled motor. Like the RE Classic 350, it features a long stroke configuration. Being the torquiest motor here the Honda should offer better bottom end grunt. Given Honda’s penchant for refinement, the new motor uses two balancer shafts to reduce vibrations, which should make it vastly more refined than the Classic 350. Surprisingly, the retro motorcycle gets HSTC traction control, a first for the segment. The Royal Enfield continues to use the same long-stroke configuration but gets fuel-injection for cleaner emissions. It is the only motorcycle here to feature a pushrod configuration which gives it that unique exhaust thump. The Jawa features the most modern powertrain here, with liquid cooling and a six-speed gearbox. It also has a unique exhaust note. The Jawa’s short stroke motor offers better performance compared to the other two motorcycles here. 

 

Underpinnings:

 

Specifications Honda CB350 H'Ness Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6 Jawa BS6
Frame Half duplex cradle frame Single downtube frame with engine as the stressed member Double cradle frame
Front suspension Telescopic fork 35mm telescopic fork Telescopic fork
Rear suspension Twin preload adjustable gas-charged shock absorbers Twin 5-step preload adjustable gas-charged shock absorbers Twin preload adjustable gas-charged shock absorbers
Front brake 310mm disc with ABS 280mm disc with ABS 280mm disc with ABS
Rear brake 240mm disc with ABS 240mm disc with ABS Disc with ABS
Front tyre 100/90 - 19, tubeless tyre 90/90 - 19, tubeless tyre 90/90 - 18, tubed tyre
Rear tyre 130/70 - 18, tubeless tyre 120/80 - 18, tubeless tyre 120/80 - 17, tubed tyre

The Honda  CB350 H'Ness gets a more modern half duplex cradle frame with simpler suspension in the form of telescopic forks and twin shock absorbers. Like the Classic 350, the CB 350 gets 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels but with fatter tyres for better grip. While the Classic 350 and Jawa get spoke wheels, the Honda features alloy wheels with tubeless tyres. Braking is via disc brakes at both ends. The Classic 350 gets a Stealth Black variant that gets tubeless tyres with alloy wheels. Its larger 19-inch front wheel should offer better ride quality and stability in theory. All three motorcycles here feature disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS. The Honda though gets a larger front disc brake which should offer better stopping power. What difference does Honda’s frame make in the real world will be known only after a proper ride review.

 

Dimensions and features:

 

Specifications Honda CB350 H'Ness Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6 Jawa BS6
Wheelbase 1441mm 1390mm 1369mm
Ground clearance 166mm 135mm 165mm
Fuel tank capacity 15-litres 13.5 litres 14 litres
Seat height 800mm 800mm 765mm
Kerb weight 181kg 195kg 172kg

While the Classic 350 and Jawa are retro motorcycles, the Honda Highness goes the neo retro route and is more feature-packed. It gets all-LED lighting, a semi-digital instrument console, Bluetooth connectivity and even traction control. In comparison, the Classic 350 and Jawa make do with halogen headlamps and a spartan analogue instrument console. 

The H’Ness is a dimensionally larger motorcycle and features a larger fuel tank and better ground clearance than its competition. Its seat height too is on par with the competition and should be accessible to most riders. The 181kg kerb weight too sits in between the Jawa and Classic 350. In terms of big bike feel, the Honda CB 350 H’Ness is right up there with the Benelli Imperiale 400



Price and verdict?

 

  Honda CB350 H'Ness Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6 Jawa BS6
Price (ex-showroom Delhi) Starting Rs 1.9 lakh Rs 1.59 lakh to Rs 2.07 lakh Rs 1.73 - 1.83 Lakh

The Honda  CB350 H'Ness promises a lot on paper. It matches the Classic 350 and Jawa on looks and better them in terms of features, and given its dimensions should offer significant road presence. In terms of pricing, the CB 350 is on the higher side but then again going by the images, it is expected to offer Japanese levels of quality and refinement - something the other two bikes here disappoint in. More importantly, it should offer you that big bike feel, something that has been a major USP of the Classic 350 range. On paper, the Honda CB 350 H’Ness is a motorcycle that should have Royal Enfield and Jawa legitimately worried.

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