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Old 10th October 2020, 20:46   #361
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teja484 View Post
After coming to the geared bike market with a hit like Unicorn, it is sad to see where Honda has reached. Hero did a similar blunder a while ago. Please see picture for reference.

IMHO, the Honda Hness will fail. My reasons are:
- This does not suit the average customer's palate. Looks are dated
- The bike is too small for a large CC engine. Saw a reviewer sitting on it and it looked puny.
- Seems like a bad rip off of the Triumph. Cringe worthy!
- Honda is straying from its usual image of sharp looking bikes.

P.S. I used Kapwing, a free collage making site, to create this. Hope the orientation is ok for the mobile viewers too.
A Lot of points you have mentioned are valid when we look at it from a theoretical perspective. But in reality sometimes the Indian consumer surprises the market like anything. Otherwise who would have thought that a dated design hailing from 1939would become one of the most popular retro motorcycles in India.

Never before has any new motorcycle overthrown the segment leader despite promising specifications and other promises. TVS XL, Splendor, Pulsar, Bullet/Classic, Activa, R-15, Tiger etc will always find people flocking to it because of their established reputation. However it will be good to see how the Highness manages to topple the applecart for the likes of Jawa and Benellis. I am sure Jawa would be more troubled by this motorcycle than RE.

Last edited by Aditya : 14th October 2020 at 08:46. Reason: Quoted text deleted
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Old 12th October 2020, 04:19   #362
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Re: The Honda H'ness CB350, priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (page 6)

My uncle has put down a deposit on a booking. He's been told that deliveries will start around Diwali. Can't wait to ride it. Hopefully they deliver on time. If not he leaves to Singapore and won't have a chance to see his beauty.
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Old 12th October 2020, 09:10   #363
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Re: The Honda H'ness CB350, priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (page 6)

It is highly unlikely that deliveries will start around Diwali. What you see in the showrooms are the prototypes. You cant ride these bikes. These will be sent back. The factory production units start arriving by 19th. And that's just for the Test Ride. Not sure if consumer units are coming. This is purely my understanding because no time-lines are issued yet, and it's been 13 days. I'm coming around to the belief that Honda just wanted to crash someone's party
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Originally Posted by adwaith View Post
My uncle has put down a deposit on a booking. He's been told that deliveries will start around Diwali. Can't wait to ride it. Hopefully they deliver on time. If not he leaves to Singapore and won't have a chance to see his beauty.
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Old 12th October 2020, 13:39   #364
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Re: The Honda H'ness CB350, priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (page 6)

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Originally Posted by Sebring View Post
The factory production units start arriving by 19th. And that's just for the Test Ride. Not sure if consumer units are coming.
It seems the 19th will have bike dispatches for both TD and delivery. Promises are being made by dealers that end of moth or early 1st week of Nov the deliveries would begin.

It sure that Honda is trying to spoil the RE meteor party especially with some features and early launch of CB. But the net effect may be that they might garner small amount of buyers due to lack of distribution and service network of big wing. Real spoiler would be if this bike reaches all Honda showroom.

I hope the timing of end of Oct be kept.
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Old 12th October 2020, 20:00   #365
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Re: The Honda H'ness CB350, priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (page 6)

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Originally Posted by Sebring View Post
Mine is gloss black with gray combo. But I need to see the blue/white in flesh before I pay up
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Originally Posted by surjaonwheelz View Post
Till the 'Pearl Night Star Black' mystery is solved in DLX (Matte vs Gloss) which color did you choose in DLX Pro?
The 'Pearl Night Star Black' in DLX is Gloss as confirmed by Big Wings, Mumbai.

/surjonwheelz
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Old 12th October 2020, 23:11   #366
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Re: The Honda H'ness CB350, priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (page 6)

Booked the bike today at Lavelle road bigwing. I hope I get a chance to change the color once the bikes are available.
Also, is it possible to change the petrol tank from dlx to dlx pro? Wish they allow this at the dealer level as my wife did not like any of the dual tone combinations.
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Old 13th October 2020, 10:10   #367
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Re: The Honda H'ness CB350, priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (page 6)

Some time last week I had posted about how potential customers were coming into the Honda dealerships and checking if the bike was vibrating at higher revs and causing the mirrors to vibrate. The sales folks were telling customers that the bike doesnt vibrate at all. This recent post from Honda seems to reinforce that same messaging.

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Now critics can no longer say that Honda has blindly copied Royal Enfield
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Old 13th October 2020, 10:26   #368
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Re: The Honda H'ness CB350, priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (page 6)

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Originally Posted by neil.jericho View Post

Now critics can no longer say that Honda has blindly copied Royal Enfield
It's a bit of a stretch to claim a thump and say there is no vibration.

If you happen to be behind an old Bullet at a traffic light, forget mirrors, even you vibrate.

Cheers, Doc
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Old 13th October 2020, 13:21   #369
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Re: The Honda H'ness CB350, priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (page 6)

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Originally Posted by Sebring View Post
It is highly unlikely that deliveries will start around Diwali. What you see in the showrooms are the prototypes. You cant ride these bikes. These will be sent back. The factory production units start arriving by 19th. And that's just for the Test Ride. Not sure if consumer units are coming. This is purely my understanding because no time-lines are issued yet, and it's been 13 days. I'm coming around to the belief that Honda just wanted to crash someone's party
Honda follows a very structured and methodical vehicle ramp up process calculated down to the last hour. Having worked in 6 auto companies - 2 German, 2 Japanese and 2 Indian, I can tell you that they are among the most precisely planned of the half-dozen.

India is the largest 2 wheeler market in the world and there is a lot more at stake for Honda than peeing on RE's parade. The local team would have identified the date of launch and price announcement at least 3 years in advance, most likely decided by the end of the inauspicious Shradh period. RE Meteor has NOTHING to do with it, trust me.

The decision to make this bike first and every piece of equipment would be deliberated hundreds of times with 'masters' who have dedicated their entire life to that one part of the bike. The guy who decides cup holders in Honda cars does just that - he is surrounded by thousands of bottles and cups and collects soft-drink bottles as a past time.

The guy who does pedals, could do a Ph.D on the evolution and choice of Indian women's footwear as they age. You cannot begin to imagine the attention to detail that is Honda. They told me that the intern in a Sumo wrestler's training school begins with the toilet bowl. And he does not go to the next stage until he has it so clean that he licks it to prove it! That my friend is the degree of Japanese dedication!!

Failing an unexpected quality glitch, everything would be happening like a fine Seiko time piece - in short clockwork!

Last edited by Ferruccio : 13th October 2020 at 13:23.
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Old 13th October 2020, 13:30   #370
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Re: The Honda H'ness CB350, priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (page 6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by neil.jericho View Post

This recent post from Honda seems to reinforce that same messaging.


If Honda is saying long-distance touring, they should ideally back it up by offering carrier, saddle-stays, windshield, et al as touring accessories at dealership level.

Hope they don't pull a Bajaj 'Hyper-riding' gimmick by offering zilch. Lucky for Bajaj (and D400 owners), there are quite a few after-market options.

How will it be for the Honda CB350?
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Old 13th October 2020, 13:44   #371
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Re: The Honda H'ness CB350, priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (page 6)

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Originally Posted by Ferruccio View Post
The decision to make this bike first and every piece of equipment would be deliberated hundreds of times with 'masters' who have dedicated their entire life to that one part of the bike.
So the awful name must be the fault of the ad/marketing agency then!

I'm sure that Honda is certainly as organized and precise as you've described. But the name of this bike seems really senseless to me.
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Old 13th October 2020, 14:31   #372
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Re: The Honda H'ness CB350, priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (page 6)

Thank you for the very detailed explanation. Having studied the Toyota Way, and having been associated with Brand Honda Overseas (Cars) for over a decade, I can confidently tell you that this is not how a product is rolled out. Please walk into any Honda BigWing (anytime) and ask for a time-line for the CB350 please (I wont bore you with advertising/marketing stuff), you'll know what I'm saying. No one has an inkling of an idea! Is keeping customers in the dark, part of launch strategy? Can it ever? This leads to frustration among the paying junta. In India, I have seen Kia Motors delight customers with a schedule that's well within timelines (with both Seltos and Sonet). Even RE was fantastic with the 650 twins (regarding time-lines). And it was the most accurate
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferruccio View Post
Honda follows a very structured and methodical vehicle ramp up process calculated down to the last hour. Having worked in 6 auto companies - 2 German, 2 Japanese and 2 Indian, I can tell you that they are among the most precisely planned of the half-dozen.

India is the largest 2 wheeler market in the world and there is a lot more at stake for Honda than peeing on RE's parade. The local team would have identified the date of launch and price announcement at least 3 years in advance, most likely decided by the end of the inauspicious Shradh period. RE Meteor has NOTHING to do with it, trust me.

The decision to make this bike first and every piece of equipment would be deliberated hundreds of times with 'masters' who have dedicated their entire life to that one part of the bike. The guy who decides cup holders in Honda cars does just that - he is surrounded by thousands of bottles and cups and collects soft-drink bottles as a past time.

The guy who does pedals, could do a Ph.D on the evolution and choice of Indian women's footwear as they age. You cannot begin to imagine the attention to detail that is Honda. They told me that the intern in a Sumo wrestler's training school begins with the toilet bowl. And he does not go to the next stage until he has it so clean that he licks it to prove it! That my friend is the degree of Japanese dedication!!

Failing an unexpected quality glitch, everything would be happening like a fine Seiko time piece - in short clockwork!
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Old 13th October 2020, 14:50   #373
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Re: The Honda H'ness CB350, priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (page 6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by foxworkz View Post
If Honda is saying long-distance touring, they should ideally back it up by offering carrier, saddle-stays, windshield, et al as touring accessories at dealership level.

Hope they don't pull a Bajaj 'Hyper-riding' gimmick by offering zilch. Lucky for Bajaj (and D400 owners), there are quite a few after-market options.
Agree, in fact I had asked our dealership about accessories but they didnt have any details yet. The good thing is we have high quality products from Viaterra, Rynox etc, so we dont have to wait for Honda products.

Royal Enfield has already got into the accessories space and is doing well.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sebring View Post
Thank you for the very detailed explanation. Having studied the Toyota Way, and having been associated with Brand Honda Overseas (Cars) for over a decade, I can confidently tell you that this is not how a product is rolled out. Please walk into any Honda BigWing (anytime) and ask for a time-line for the CB350 please (I wont bore you with advertising/marketing stuff), you'll know what I'm saying. No one has an inkling of an idea! Is keeping customers in the dark, part of launch strategy? Can it ever? This leads to frustration among the paying junta. In India, I have seen Kia Motors delight customers with a schedule that's well within timelines (with both Seltos and Sonet). Even RE was fantastic with the 650 twins (regarding time-lines). And it was the most accurate
End of the month deliveries is what the dealers have been told. I suspect Honda is deliberately being very tight lipped on this front, probably due to them waiting for RE to make their moves. Right now it is wait and watch for everyone. Even dealers will be more than happy if they can start delivering bikes tomorrow!
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Old 13th October 2020, 14:57   #374
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Re: The Honda H'ness CB350, priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (page 6)

End of the month, these display bikes (from Showroom) are going back to Honda, and Test-Ride bikes are coming. Deliveries will take time (this is as per my info). I'm sure dealers are ever eager because customers, like me, could be on the edge. This is Honda's fault, as a Company
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Originally Posted by neil.jericho View Post
End of the month deliveries is what the dealers have been told
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Old 13th October 2020, 15:32   #375
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Re: The Honda H'ness CB350, priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (page 6)

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Originally Posted by am1m View Post
So the awful name must be the fault of the ad/marketing agency then!

I'm sure that Honda is certainly as organized and precise as you've described. But the name of this bike seems really senseless to me.
Hahaha. Well said. If I were to buy the bike (you can't imagine how tempted I am), the first thing I'd do after taking delivery would be to find a palm sized rock and chip off that horrible H'ness badge.

Sadly, the name would have been finalised by a Japanese 'adviser' with little knowledge of English and a legal assistant with little knowledge of marketing and lesser interest in bikes from a list of 'available' names suggested by another bored legal name registration agency.

If the Marketing guy is disinterested or lacks a spine such cataclysmic naming happens. For an Indian Marketing guy to stop this he would have had to say 'Over my dead body' AND provide data to explain why H'ness is worse a name than Loch Ness!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sebring View Post
Thank you for the very detailed explanation. Having studied the Toyota Way, and having been associated with Brand Honda Overseas (Cars) for over a decade, I can confidently tell you that this is not how a product is rolled out.
I can offer one point of data that would convince you, but I shall not as I prefer my anonymity.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sebring View Post
Please walk into any Honda BigWing (anytime) and ask for a time-line for the CB350 please (I wont bore you with advertising/marketing stuff), you'll know what I'm saying. No one has an inkling of an idea! Is keeping customers in the dark, part of launch strategy? Can it ever? This leads to frustration among the paying junta. In India, I have seen Kia Motors delight customers with a schedule that's well within timelines (with both Seltos and Sonet). Even RE was fantastic with the 650 twins (regarding time-lines). And it was the most accurate
No doubt someone has done a shoddy job at Honda of briefing the dealerships or maybe the Accounts guys are still sitting on the approval of dealer staff training. And I cannot deny that both KIA and RE in their last launches have set new benchmarks in the way the entire launch was managed. But you take me out of context - I was merely responding to the specific comment that Honda in anyway would have Meteor's launch timing as the deciding factor.

As for the bikes going back to the plant, there are 3 stages of product proving. These bikes would be from the 2nd stage and are fit only for stationary demo and will later be scrapped. The best of the lot from the 3rd stage will be further 'prepped' and offered for journalists test drives. The first lot of regular production bikes will be delivered to 'influencers and used as showroom demo bikes. Insiders (like me) will take delivery after 6 months after the 'early bird' issues are nipped in the bud.

Last edited by Ferruccio : 13th October 2020 at 15:43.
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