Honda CB350RS vs GB350S: Image Comparison

Just how different is the India-spec CB350RS from the Japanese GB350S?

Following the success of the H’Ness CB350, Honda introduced the sportier CB350RS in India for the younger audience. Honda followed the same strategy in its home country but altered the name of the bikes and threw in some new colours, or so we believed. The differences aren’t just skin deep though. 

The first and probably the most obvious difference is the paint scheme. The CB350RS sold in India has a trendy and youthful approach while the GB350S sold in Japan looks more mature with darker shades. 

The graphics and badging on the bikes are also different. We think the diagonal stripes and the sportier badges on the GB look nicer.  

Then comes the seat, which features red stitches for a premium touch, something that’s been given a complete miss on the Indianised version. 

The bezel around the headlight is the same on both bikes. 

Honda hasn’t cut any corners in terms of underpinnings either. The CB350S features premium Metzeler Tourance tyres, as opposed to the cheaper MRFs, slapped onto the CB350RS in India. 

Surprisingly, though, the India-spec CB350RS is tuned to make more power and torque than the Japanese version. It makes 21.07PS at 5500rpm and 30Nm at 3000rpm -- 0.68PS and 1Nm more than the CB350S. However, it’s 1kg heavier than its Japanese cousin. 

Besides, only the CB350RS gets a sump guard and a saree guard.

That’s all there is in terms of differences. Both models use the same semi-digital instrument console showing real-time and average mileage, gear position, and battery voltage among other run-of-the-mill information.

Finally, we come to the pricing. The Honda CB350RS retails from Rs 1,96,006 while the GB350S is priced at 594,000 yen (about Rs 3.97 lakh) in Japan. Sure, Honda has skimped on a few features in India, but that’s what makes the CB350RS so much more affordable and accessible to the masses.