Can Honda's New 2021 CB350 H'ness Beat Royal Enfield In India? 

For an old sod like me this would be like being 17 again, only without the oil leaks, breakdowns and constant need for repairs that I recall only too well. I like this bike and single cylinder engines, my lawn mower has one! Thanks.

I'd buy the Honda in a minute, if they brought it to the UK, which they won't.....To my old eyes it looks like a motorcycle should, not like an insect. It has a seat! One that you can actually have someone come with you and not need to stop for a tube of Preparation H on the way home. I could use it to go to work, buy groceries, go to the dentist....all the things nobody does on motorcycles anymore because they look like insects and have no seat, or mudguards, which in the UK is an amazing idea.....well done guys. Another thing...how can they sell them so cheap? I mean 2000 quid for the H in India, wtf? IF it went on sale here (and we know it wont) they will be looking for at least 4600 which is the price of the cb300r. So even if they did import them, nobody would buy it. For 3000 something though, I would!

I would love for them to bring all the CB class back to America.

I started with a Honda 125 (London to Yugoslavia in 6 days, summer of 1972). I then graduated to an BSA A65 Thunderbolt. The CB 350 really appeals as a rideable, classy everyday bike, without all the aggravation of an old twin.

I am quite sure that if Honda brought out a "present day" version of the CB750 then they would have a significant success. Especially if extras were available such as screen, luggage and satnav/phone location.

Nice to see that classic simple design coming back to the market . The demand is huge for it . That what a bike shoud look like .

If they could sell it that cheap in America, they would sell like crazy! I would buy one in a heartbeat! Its styling is like that of the UJM's of yesteryear that i fell in love with when i first started getting into motorcycles.

It reminds me of my 1978 CB250T. If they come to Australia, I think I'll get one, if for nothing else, than for nostalgic reasons.

Wow that CB looks so darn good. Make it available in the US, Honda!

OMG I owned the Honda 400T back in 1978 and this Honda has all the lookes but with a pot less. I'm too old for biking now I think but just looking at this CB350 in the mauve livery takes me back. Great review, thanks.

I own the red one, it's pure fun to ride.😍 It easily cruises at 100kph & is actually much bigger than as it looks in pics.

I would go with the Honda , it will still be running 20 years from now :)

For me it’s the Honda all the way! It looks fantastic and I agree the proportions are perfect! Add to that the good old Honda reliability and it beats the Royal Enfield hands down! Worth the extra bucks in my view. I hope it comes to Canada!

I wish they'd bring it to the US. Even in a 500cc version.

I like the flatter seat on the Honda

I love the look of the Honda. It would be a great London commuter. It prompted me to research the mechanics of importing a bike from India!

The Honda, even with the considerable premium (in rupee terms) over the Enfield, is a much better value proposition and the sensible choice for most Indians. Export models aside, RE has a very lackadaisical approach to quality control in India. I've owned a Bullet 500 (carburetted) which had niggling issues with its switchgear and electrical components. I don't see this issue happening with the Honda. Also, while Western audiences may scoff at the need for traction control on a 20 HP motorcycle, the road and weather conditions in India (not to mention woefully inadequate rider training) really call for some electronic nannies to save our hides. Honda has really thrown down the gauntlet with the CB350 (kinda obvious from the branding - "H-apostrophe-ness", pronounced "Highness") for RE to pick up. The only question is whether Honda will be able to reach its audience through the limited number of Honda Big Wing outlets (for higher capacity bikes like the CBRs and the Africa Twin) which have very limited reach compared to RE's showrooms (approx. 25 to 350).

Yup, can confirm. The hype is real. RE is in big trouble

This is even a Street Twin killer for me.. That TC is always welcome as you can never be too safe.

For my money, a six speed doesn't compensate for a 20% torque and 10% horsepower deficit. And they didn't even mention the ratio spread, so Honda's 5 speed could have about the save overall gearing range.

RS version looks like fun. Mild tune & a pipe, perfect 'B' roads scratcher.

As you said the Honda has great proportions, wonderful looking little bike.

I'd think they'd sell like hotcakes here in the U.S. It would be such a nice bike to run around town on.

Worthy of sitting in my lounge room just for looking at. The frame on the RF doesn't float my boat, the Honda .. just wow - bring on the CB750.

In my humble opinion - Although I owned an RE 350 back in the 50's - 60's and loved it - Challenging Honda's integrity as a top quality manufacturer is suicidal to say the least. I'm guessing this new bike will outlast the competition. I would certainly buy one if the wife approves - I just turned 73 !!

I would buy this day 1 in the UK if it ever comes here.

They should bring it to the UK too. I’d buy one.

That square tail light with circle accent on the middle is straight from the 70's/early 80's. Awesome.

I'm loving the old-school simple look of this bike. Reminds me of my much-loved Nighthawk from '82. Please Honda, bring this bike to North America! Throw in the tried-and-true 500 from the Rebel, and you'd have a real winner! 👍

I like the green color. Bike look so retro. Even sound has thump

Love this. Purchased a brand new CB300 a few years ago and would have definitely been considering this if it was available at the time. Classic look and Honda reliability. Thumbs up.

That Little Honda looks perfect to me. Hope they do decide to bring it to the UK as I would definitely have one :-)

If Honda build quality is up to par, it more than makes up for the price difference. There aren't many reviewers who risk an honest review of reliability (perhaps Ryan at Fortnine), but having a nice looking bike that falls apart or doesn't start all the time should be mentioned when applicable.

MotoBob Video on an Indian launch....I started watching the video by liking it first. CB350 looks really good and the value it provides at that price.... Honda did really well.

Dude this is perfect for riders who have an a2 license and like retro bikes with little maintenance. Please release it everywhere. I think it would sell great

The first new bike for me was a 1973 CB350G. What a great bike! After riding for a few months as a commuter I rode it from San Jose CA to Albuquerque NM. Absolutely bulletproof trouble free machine. Made me a lifelong Honda rider. Currently ride a 2001 Valkyrie GL1500CF Interstate and a 2002 GL1800 Goldwing. I'd add this to my stable in a heart beat.

The Honda should've had a two cylinder engine and spoked wheels like the original CB350, my father bought the Honda CL350 when it first came out in 1972. and then I owned it for a while, it was a really nice bike for it's day, I also wish Honda made a new 450 two cylinder with this style.

I really liked the look of this when I first saw it! Love your photoshop pics too! If this came to the UK as a 500 single with around 40bhp I would seriously be interested (as long as it was cheaper than the interceptor 650) but 20 hp is a bit asthmatic for UK roads. A lightweight 250 (like honda's own crf ) would be quicker.

It looks a lot like my old 1971 CB350 which was a great motorcycle. I have lots of fond memories of rides with my friends on their Honda 350's.

Brings back memories from younger days, I could see a definite market for these. I like that the Enfield has a kick start and 6 speed.Also a bare bones inexpensive base model for customization would be a plus.

Spokes!! Take those mags off and give it REAL wheels.

We need this bike in the UK. Come on Honda do it.

Looks cool. Takes me back to the days of my cb500/4 from the 1970’s. If Honda were to sell in the UK I’d take a serious look at it.

Love the retro look and ergonomics! Get that Honda over here in the states ! Old school bike with modern technology is BOSS !

They should release this word wide. It is a wonderful little bike and I would buy one to add to my stable of bikes (I live in Australia). Please release this in Australia Honda.

I'm Indian and I hope to get one in the future over an Enfield. I already like it so much..

Its mind blowing how much more appealing old timeless shapes and forms are. I would get one in a heartbeat, but with a 400cc twin air cooled preferably and more substantial suspension & breaks.

Oohh yeah! Finally ! Please Honda! Bring it on ! You can also make a 125!, please make them available ASAP in EU!

You missed a key point in describing the engine at the start; it's air-cooled. That's pretty remarkable for a mid-sized road bike these days from a major manufacturer outside Asia. It's also how you keep the cost down and maintenance easier. The challenge is getting it to comply with Euro emissions and noise standards, without strangling it, which is why you probably won't see it in the UK.

Thats hilarious to me. Have an 81 honda 400 custom and it looks exactly like that minus the parallel twin. Rode it last week

Nice clean simple lines, and with a decent mudguard. Looks great.

Real nice edit...of the Cafe Racer look 😀👍

If they bring it to America I’ll definitely buy it.

Styling is excellent. These would sell in the UK. I could be interested in one. A 500cc 270 degree twin, styled the same would be good. Hopefully pushing out 47 bhp.

A sub 400cc modern retro would be a hit in Western Canada for the insurance savings alone! And this is a beauty. Great job Honda!

La 1ère fois que je suis monté sur une moto -j8étais le passager- c'était sur la 1ère 350 Honda d'un copain.Dans les années 70 à Strasbourg. On roulait encore sans casque en ville! Génial !

Would make a great commuter in the UK, however the trouble is it wouldn’t be 2k! and not sure where it would sit with the CB300r

Yes bring to the USA please! Next a Scrambler version :-)

They should do a version to compete with the Himalayan. Skid plate, a bit more ground clearance should go great with that low end torque.

I will say that the bike certainly looks like the descendant of the 1970's models, which were pretty nice bikes, if memory serves. But, damn what I wound't give for the 1967, 305 Scrambler. That was a bike for it's time but what a bike it was.

Since I'm 74, I can only be taken by the retro charm of that Honda. I remember growing up in Montreal, in the sixties, we could see policemen & Hell Angels on Harley & everybody else on now-classic British bikes, Triumph, Norton & BSA. My taste for that aesthetic is still predominant although I'm now riding a Yamaha MT03 660cc ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QI1j7jA9xDk.html&ab_channel=RarefiedRoad for the fun of it. I hope Honda will make soon a 500 to 600 twin. I wonder If there's room in the same frame for such a twin ... What do you think ??? Also: If I was going to tour India, I would definitely get a Royal Enfield for I could get a mechanic from Tamil Nadu to Himalayan North, and cheap spare parts everywhere :)

I'll go with the Honda! Legendary engines! Superb quality control!

The new CB looks great, in style & in numbers. Excellent, comprehensive overview!

The bike is a good overall package, looks well equipped to go toe to toe with any RE motorcycle. Hondas were always popular for their low cost of ownership, and reliability and a smoother ride are still features that are synonymous with the name Honda.

Well, they'd get at least one sale here in Australia.

I would love to see this Honda in the United States!

I think this Honda is great and I’d love to have one for ratting around the back blocks and dusty tracks.

I can only pray the 350 is released here in Canada but i am not holding my breath. The bike makes to much sense for north america.

Honda should make an old school UJM style bike with the CB650 engine. They'd sell a ton in America.

Honda have nailed the styling 👏 whereas looks like RE are trying to mimic the HD sportster

That’s a beautiful bike! Reminds me of my 305 . I’d love to have one, here in the U.S.A.

Would love to see these hit the UK market. Soon!

The Honda's easily the better looking bike. it would, definitely, be my choice out of these two.

The Honda all day everyday .. Quality and in looks beat the RE hands down imo.....

Great to hear from you about Indian auto market

Love this video. Great job 🔥

This Honda is absolutly stunning!! Hope that the quality is upto “old” Honda standards (the 4cyl 650cc engines made in Thailand are a vibration nightmare). The looks are awesome, however a 350 single is not in demand on mainland Europe. PS: my RE Intercepter 650 performs like a dream :) .....

It will not affect RE sales coz only sold in premium honda big wing dealership only (very few in India ) Normal honda showrooms and RE are everywhere but honda bigwing not even in some big cities

Love this little Honda, but I doubt it would sell very well here in the U.S. even if they brought it here. It would be great if they would do 500cc and 750-800cc parallel twin versions with this same styling.

Finally! honda joins in in the retro trend, would be nice to have a 400 version though

Yeahh the honda 350 looks cool it's going to be a really good bike .if I own one it's going to be honda .But people in India they really love Enfield man .for a average indian they gonna pick the Enfield because of the brand name royal Enfield has more brand value in india .So a average indian go for Enfield .But still honda gonna steal some market .But I hope they will launch their 500 series in india to compete with RE 650 it would be awesome

The old XR 400 put out about 30HP. and that was considered a 'soft' tuned motor (aircooled, 4 valves, reliable, and very tunable) .... so 21 HP from a 350 is unimpressive.

I would like one here in the UK. As long as I could have one without all the shiny bits. The low end Meteors come with a more practical finish.

Wow, great review! Gonna buy one soon. Its definitely worth paying extra. You will be paying more for that legendary Honda reliability.

If they brought that to the U.K. I’d want it with traditional clocks...no digital stuff. No ABS or TC and without stupid looking led lights

Looks good. Probably be a decent seller in Europe.

That's my kind of bike. I like that natural riding position, and the size is perfect for me. Just one thing.... no tach? I have a soft spot for singles. At one time I had an SRX-6.

very informative video, much appreciated . Even i am excited about this bike!!!

Bikes like these could be used for a nice affordable grass roots racing

We need this in the US. I’ll buy one .👍

Two things to improve int it.1.Make seat little longer and broader. 2.Make two big Round shape of speedometer and fuel meter and Include same features as of now. Instead of one big round display.

Reminds me of my old CB400T, back in the days when it was classed as a middleweight.

A competent well built beginner bike like this is just what the US market needs

Small displacement has its place, and its making a comeback here in the 🇺🇲

Love it, want it. high time they revisit the oldies. Would love to see a CB450 Twin

I got into bikes in 1971 with a CB350. This would be a disappointment in comparison not only in power but the nice parallel twin being replaced by a thumper. It is nice looking though.

this is beautiful

Man I would love to get that CB350 in US. The enfield just looks cheap from every angle.

I’d like to see a 650 twin or four in that format! As far as buying it over the enfield, it really depends on how it rides.

That's a great looking bike! I think there is a growing market for small displacement bikes in the U.S. I hope they bring it here!