After riding the Honda CB350 RS, I couldn’t shake off one thought — this feels like a gimmick. And that’s not necessarily all bad, but it left me confused. Hello everyone, this is Babulal, and welcome back to Bike Review s India. Today we’re diving deep into Honda’s most ambitious attempt at taking a bite of the Royal Enfield pie — the CB350 RS.

Let’s find out if this motorcycle is a bold new beginning or just a shadow of its inspiration.

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Why Did Honda Launch the CB350 RS?

Simple. Honda wanted a piece of the 350cc retro bike market — a space dominated by Royal Enfield Classic 350. But instead of building on their own rich legacy (remember the iconic CB750?), Honda copied almost every design cue from the Classic 350. And that’s the first confusing part: Why not be original when you have the history to back it?

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Styling and Design

The CB350 RS looks almost like a carbon copy of the Classic 350, and that’s both a strength and a weakness. The retro charm is strong, but it doesn’t carry Honda’s identity. A nod to Japanese classics like the Kawasaki KB100 would’ve been refreshing.

That said, the fit and finish is undeniably Honda. The paint quality, switchgear, footpegs, and exhaust finishing are excellent. However, cable management could’ve been better.

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Engine and Performance

• Power: 20.8 PS @ 5500 RPM
• Torque: 30 Nm @ 3000 RPM

The bike delivers all its torque at 3000 RPM, which makes it a great city bike. You get a strong low-end grunt and it pulls cleanly even from low RPMs. However, the power band is extremely narrow. After 3000 RPM, there’s almost nothing. On highways, it runs out of steam quickly.

It’s not for speed lovers. The engine sound may give you the illusion of performance, but the bike doesn’t back it up. It feels like a CVT car — lots of noise, little progress.

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Gearbox

The gear ratios are tightly packed, with most of the usable power available in the first three gears. Fourth and fifth are almost redundant, especially in city traffic. You’ll often find yourself cruising in 3rd or 4th, even at 30 km/h.

Fifth gear feels stretched and contributes little to performance. This further underlines that the CB350 RS is built for urban use, not for open highways.

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Engine Heat & Vibration

Surprisingly, even in traffic, engine heat wasn’t an issue, although I tested it in February. If you ride in peak summer, you might feel it. Still, wear proper riding gear and you’ll be fine.

The vibration control is fantastic. This is one area where Honda’s quality shines through — the engine feels buttery smooth, unlike many other single-cylinder bikes in this segment.

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Exhaust Note

If Honda copied one thing right, it’s the classic thump. The CB350 RS delivers a deep, satisfying exhaust note reminiscent of the older Classic 350 models — something the newer Royal Enfields have lost due to BS6 regulations.

This bike nails the long-stroke thump, and for many, this alone might justify buying it.

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Suspension and Ride Quality

The suspension is neither too soft nor too hard, making it ideal for Indian roads. It absorbs undulations well and stays composed at moderate speeds. Compared to the Classic 350, it’s definitely more suited for urban riding conditions.

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Braking

Brakes are excellent. With Nissin discs at both ends and dual-channel ABS, the CB350 RS inspires confidence. The bite is sharp, the feedback is great, and stopping distance is minimal.

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Traction Control – Necessary or Gimmick?

Let’s be honest — on a 20 PS motorcycle, traction control feels unnecessary. It’s intrusive, and I found myself turning it off often. This feels like a marketing gimmick rather than a functional need, especially when Honda didn’t even offer navigation as an accessory.

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Ergonomics, Seat Comfort & Wheels

The seat is firm but comfortable, especially for longer rides. If you’re someone who prefers plush seats, it might feel hard at first, but on long rides, you’ll appreciate the support.

The wheel setup is again borrowed from Royal Enfield — 19-inch front and 17-inch rear. This makes the bike look retro but hampers handling slightly. Had Honda gone for 17-inch wheels on both ends, the handling would’ve been much sharper and more modern.

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Speedometer and Features

You get a part-digital, part-analog meter, gear indicator, trip meters, fuel gauge — but no navigation. This is a big miss, especially when even Royal Enfield offers the Tripper Navigation pod as an option.

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Weight Management

This is where CB350 RS beats the Classic 350 hands down. It’s well-balanced, doesn’t feel heavy when lifting off the stand, and is perfect for beginners in terms of weight and handling.

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The Real Dealbreaker – Service Cost

This, for me, is the biggest concern. A recent paid service cost me ₹3400, and that’s excluding washing charges. That’s nearly the same as Harley X440, a more premium motorcycle.

So, why would I spend the same on a CB350 RS when I can own a Harley at the same maintenance cost? Honda really needs to reconsider its pricing strategy here.

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Final Verdict – Confused Identity

The CB350 RS rides like a Classic 350 with a Honda badge. That’s not a compliment. Honda had the heritage, the engineering, and the fanbase to create something original. Instead, they chose to imitate.

Sure, it’s smooth, reliable, and refined. But it lacks character. The identity crisis is real.

If you’re looking for real retro charm, go for Royal Enfield Classic 350.

If you’re open to modern-retro blends, test ride the TVS Ronin or Hero Mavrick 440 — both offer unique identities and great value.

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Wrap-Up

The Honda CB350 RS could have been special. But by copying instead of innovating, it misses the mark. For now, it’s a decent city bike, but not the standout Honda could’ve made.

Until next time, ride safe, wear your helmet, obey speed limits, and most importantly — avoid road rage.

Godspeed. Peace out.

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