Honda CB350RS vs H’ness CB350: Which One For Whom?

We help you pick between Honda’s two tasty little retros

Honda has taken the capable foundations of the H’ness CB350 and tweaked the formula slightly to create the CB350RS. Both bikes share quite a lot in common and are priced close to each other as well, but they also have some key differences. Having ridden both bikes, we’re going to explore their distinctions and tell you which of these retros is better suited to you.

The most obvious difference is in the appearance. The H’ness sports a more faithful retro look with a healthy dose of chrome, a long bench-style seat, and large fenders. Even the tail lamp and indicators have a lovely old-school look. The CB350RS, which is a modern take on a retro motorcycle, has been given a more sporty design. So it features less chrome and more blacked-out bits, a sleeker tail section, chopped fenders, and redesigned side panels. In essence, the H’ness is like Naseeruddin Shah and the RS like Ranveer Singh playing an old man’s role with his own flamboyant twist.

Adding to its sportier appearance, the RS gets a slightly sportier riding position with taller, more rearset footpegs and a lower, more forward-set handlebar. It’s definitely not an uncomfortable riding position, and you can certainly live with it on a day-to-day basis. But on the longer highway stints, it will tire you out quicker than the H’ness’ more upright riding stance.

Honda has dropped the rear rim size on the RS from 18 to 17 inches and also slapped on a 150-section rear tyre. In contrast, the H’ness has a 130-section tyre sitting on its 18-inch wheel. Unfortunately, this has caused more harm than good to the RS because the chunkier rubber makes it feel heavier when steering as compared to the H’ness. 

No changes have been made in the powertrain department. Both bikes are propelled by the same 348cc air-cooled single-cylinder motor with identical output figures, at 21PS and 30Nm. While this engine’s laidback power delivery feels appropriate on the easygoing H’ness, it begins to feel a little lethargic from the sportier riding saddle of the RS. We would’ve liked to see sprocketing changes, at the very least, to make the RS feel like a more lively motorcycle and give it some additional performance to match its sportier appearance.

The top-end DLX Pro variant of the H’ness gets Bluetooth connectivity, a USB charging port and twin horns, none of which are available as standard on the CB350RS (only the USB charger is available as an accessory). Despite this, the RS somehow costs more than the H’ness. Nearly ten grand more. And that’s in spite of having less chrome bits.

So on the pros and cons list, there are very few areas where the CB350RS can trump the H’ness. The only real reason for you to buy it over its more old-school sibling is if you’re a big fan of the way it looks. Because in terms of riding experience, the H’ness offers a very similar, perhaps even slightly better one and for less money.