[ukalia]

Very well written foxworkz. I fully agree with your POV here. I own a RE 500 and I know the niggles and troubles of owning a RE. I own a RE 500 because there is no other alternative in the segment. So definitely Honda deserves kudos for introducing a product that tries to address this segment. Though it is a big risk for Honda.

[Sebring]

I feel Honda has done the right thing by bringing in a compact 350 CC. Just see the dimensions, and its presence from the front! It's just perfect for our cramped city. In bikes, they have the whole arsenal, but those are just too bulky. Even the Rebel 500 is quite a chunky guy. Now, it's just the long wait till Honda figures out their production and logistics. Hope people don't get tired

[foxworkz]

There are rumors that the RE Meteor is launching today. Will they be having a digi-launch like Honda did for the CB350 or a soft launch? Anybody got any more info?

Me thinks Honda might be waiting for this, to announce the pricing.

Apologies, but couldn't resist. In other news:

Bajaj trademarked the name 'Neuron' recently. The post was up on T-BHP a few days back; can't seem to find it now. The Dominar was a marketing disaster trying to take on RE, so I wonder if they're going to try to "fix" that with a new 400 cc cruiser. (Here's another link: https://www.drivespark.com/two-wheel...75-032517.html)


Suzuki is also launching a "Superior way to ride" this week (tomorrow, 7th Oct if I recall correctly). 250 Intruder is everyone's guess. The 150 variant didn't do that well, so I'm keen to see if Suzuki will pull off a Honda and give us a completely different bike. Highly unlikely though! (How cool would a 250+ cc tourer be right about now?)

Not to mention the BMW 310 twins (BS6) launch on the 8th.

Plus the KTM 250 Adv purported to launch sometime this month.

The pandemic seems to have gotten everyone to bring out their queen card this October.

Interesting times for us bike enthusiasts!

[San Phrangmung]

A big disappointment😞 design wise, as another member rightly called it a Splendor on steroids. I was looking forward to Rebels launch not this fits nowhere thing as per my taste.

RE has a die hard fan following for the kind if bikes they specialize in and it's a mistake for the Japanese to trying to fit into that segment. They should stick to their traditional market as Highness low sales figures would prove in the days to come.

There will definitely be few takers like any bikes launched but the sales numbers won't ever be promising.

I don't understand why the Japanese don't launch new modern designer products already available in SE Asia or even Bangladesh here in India instead.

Take for example Yamaha XSR155 that's such a lovely thing yet we don't have it in India, 🤔 strange.

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Attachment 2063310


Cheers, Doc

Off Topic: Do i see a Yamaha RD 350 as well in that picture?

[Turbojc]

Has anyone in Chennai seen the H'ness on display? I tried calling multiple dealerships here, but no one seemed to have any idea about the bike or it's availablity, save for one.

Originally Posted by arvi86

I'm glad they did. I'm only flabbergasted there's no representation in Chennai.

Hi arvi86, there was a Big Wing dealership, SVM Honda, here in Kilpauk until last year. I'm not exactly sure why it's been taken off the dealer's list on the Big Wing website, but I believe they are undergoing a renovation right now. Earlier, they used to sell all Honda products under the same roof. Maybe they're revamping their showroom to meet Honda's new strategy requirments.

Alternatively, Suryabala Honda, the Big Wing dealership in Coimbatore, has a showroom here in Chennai. You can try reaching out to them if you're interested.

Cheers!

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by ku69rd

Off Topic: Do i see a Yamaha RD 350 as well in that picture?

OT: Yup, absolutely. We had two RDs in our close friend circle .... both showroom bought. A blue one and a black one (my roomie's HT which we wrapped around a ree cage at 140+ at night. I still have the wire pattern scars on my right shoulder and a weak left knee MCL as a reminder of that ... Lol).

Some memories of tge glory Jap days from the early 90s ... when Poona was the RD capital of the country. With Iranis popping wheelies on Mains (and then getting beaten up at Jaws ).

























Sorry for cluttering up the thread with 2 stroke Jap nostalgia ... maybe a mod could move it to a relevant area!

Cheers, Doc

[Sebring]

PowerDrift had a chance to spend time with the CB350 today, but their opinions are embargoed till 9th October, 2020. I expect some announcements/action post that date.

[sportymonk]

So good to see the pics of those RDs, and the one with Thums Up made the perfect trip down memory lane, at a time when the new biker gangs were not so ubiquitous in our country.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by sportymonk

So good to see the pics of those RDs, and the one with Thums Up made the perfect trip down memory lane, at a time when the new biker gangs were not so ubiquitous in our country.

Coke got launched just a year later. Was part of the first TV ad shot at Bopdev ghat in Poona. With my girlfriend, who's now my wife.

Cheers, Doc

[arvi86]

Originally Posted by Turbojc

Has anyone in Chennai seen the H'ness on display? I tried calling multiple dealerships here, but no one seemed to have any idea about the bike or it's availablity, save for one.

I looked for the H'ness CB 350 in two regular Honda dealerships last on 02-Oct with no luck. So yeah, we're left in the lurch at the moment.

Originally Posted by Turbojc

Alternatively, Suryabala Honda, the Big Wing dealership in Coimbatore, has a showroom here in Chennai. You can try reaching out to them if you're interested.

That's the plan. If I'm not wrong, they have an outlet in Sholinganallur and I'm planning to enquire there about this.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Some memories of tge glory Jap days from the early 90s ... when Poona was the RD capital of the country.
...
Sorry for cluttering up the thread with 2 stroke Jap nostalgia ... maybe a mod could move it to a relevant area!

Wonderful pics doc! Those are some awesome memories of a city that used to be a heaven for bikes before it became the noisy and messy city it is currently. I got pictures of Poona (and nearby) like these but from early 2000s. I can so relate to the city you briefly talk about (been in and out of the city since late 90s).

[texmonster]

Shumi (ex editor, Overdrive) has posted few pictures of CB350 in instagram. Seems powerdrift's first look to be out on 10AM, October 9.

Hopefully we'll get other magazine reviews too in coming days.

Link:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGAEz67A...id=3ta29ukj5ph

[Sebring]

PowerDrift got there first I guess. What's interesting is the Non Dual-tone glossy black bike. The tank is all gloss black, no gray strip there. If you recall they had just the matte Black in single tone. This is unusual

Originally Posted by texmonster

Seems powerdrift's first look to be out on 10AM, October 9

[NH08]

In single tone, they have 'Pearl Night Star Black' without adding 'matte' or 'metallic'. I have not seen this colour in any photo/video of CB 350 so far.

If the above photo is actually that of Pearl Night Star Black colour, then I will go for it.