Honda CB350RS vs Royal Enfield Meteor 350: Photo Comparison

How different are these two motorcycles from the same segment?

The recently launched Honda CB350RS is the Japanese brand’s second salvo at the segment after the H’ness CB350. How different is Honda’s sporty thumper compared to Royal Enfield’s laidback cruiser? Let’s find out in these detailed images:

The CB350RS is based on the existing CB350 but it has a sportier stance with a flatter handlebar and rear-set footpegs. The Meteor 350, a thorough cruiser motorcycle, is more laidback complete with easy-to-reach handlebars and forward-set footpegs.

The Honda CB350RS sports all-LED lights, while the Meteor comes with a halogen headlight with an LED DRL. The Meteor 350 gets bulb indicators whereas the CB350RS has sleek LED units. 

Both bikes feature a semi-digital instrument cluster, but the Meteor 350 has an edge with a navigation system, something the Honda CB350RS misses out on. Interestingly, the turn-by-turn navigation is standard on the H’Ness CB350’s DLX Pro variant. The console on both bikes features an analogue odometer and a digital inset that displays the gear position indicator, digital trip meter, fuel level, and other run-of-the-mill data.

While the switchgear on the Meteor follows the old-school route with a rotary dial, Honda has kept it sober with modern-looking switches. But just like the H’ness CB350, the CB350RS also gets the indicator switch below the horn switch which is not only irritating but also takes time to get used to. 

Both the motorcycles are long-stroke single-cylinder thumpers. The CB350RS makes 21PS and 30Nm from its 350cc air-cooled single-cylinder motor. On the other hand, the Meteor’s 349cc engine slightly trails behind in terms of output figures, with 20.4PS and 27Nm on tap. If our experience with the H’ness CB350 is anything to go by, the CB350RS will also be one of the most refined bikes in the segment. The Meteor 350’s J-platform motor is quite superior compared to the UCE mill used in its predecessor, the Thunderbird. We’ve ridden the Meteor 350 and found the motor quite refined at high rpms. 

Fuel tank capacity on both the bikes is identical, at 15-litres. The CB350RS gets a dual-tone finish and the Meteor’s fuel tank too gets a dual-tone finish but only for the top-end variant. 

Honda has equipped the CB350RS with a 310mm front and a 240mm rear disc while Royal Enfield has opted for a 300mm front disc and a 270mm rear disc. 

The Meteor 350 is sprung on a 41mm telescopic fork, which doesn’t look as rugged as the Honda CB350RS’ gaitered telescopic unit. Both bikes roll on a 19-inch alloy up front wrapped in a 100-section tyre.  

While both bikes use a 17-inch alloy wheel at the rear, there’s a sizable visual gap between the fender and the tyre in the CB350RS, giving it an off-road friendly look. Interestingly, the CB350RS rolls on a meatier 150-section rubber compared to the Meteor 350’s 140-section unit. The CB350RS uses mild-off-road friendly MRF Kurve Zapper tyres while the Meteor 350 gets road-biased Ceat rubber. 

Honda offers the CB350RS in only one variant whereas the Royal Enfield Meteor is available in three. We’ve explained it in detail here. 

The CB350RS costs Rs 1.96 lakh while the Meteor 350 is priced from Rs 1.75 lakh with the top-end variant retailing for Rs 1.90 lakh (all prices ex-showroom). Bookings for the Honda CB350RS are already underway. Honda will sell the bike from its Big Wing network across India from early-March.