[Sebring]

Can you share a picture? They're saying that for some time now

Originally Posted by girishv

Got to know that Topline got 12 bikes in the first lot.

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by ebonho

I'm also an owner of a first gen 390. Never understood this heat thing.

It is the wrong thread to be discussing this but here's my one take on the matter.

As another past owner of the first gen 390, I am surprised you never found heat to be an issue. I did not own my 390 for very long but long enough. Sold it around the 19,000km mark. Heat was definitely an issue on my bike, especially in bumper to bumper traffic. It never over heated but it did toast my legs. The temperature bars were often just two bars shy of max. (If I recall the exact bar count). In fact, shutting off the engine was a bad idea (Short stop traffic light scenario) as if you were to crank in a minute, the temperature bar would be a bar off the max! There are times I have pulled over to let the engine cool off, even though I did not get a over heat warning. Sometimes, you know all isn't well. It is better to save the bike and not have to deal with guess work at a not some competent garage. The radiator is definitely under sized and isn't enough to dissipate heat well enough under our high heat, stop and go conditions. The radiator fan would never cut out. It is alright as long as you are on the move and this is a non issue on the highway cycle. In my view, a lot of 390's owners who do not pay attention to this on their motorcycles are likely the folks who end up with premature engine wear. Warranty cover or not, it is pain to deal with a blown engine.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

It is the wrong thread to be discussing this but here's my one take on the matter.

As another past owner of the first gen 390, I am surprised you never found heat to be an issue. I did not own my 390 for very long but long enough. Sold it around the 19,000km mark. Heat was definitely an issue on my bike, especially in bumper to bumper traffic. It never over heated but it did toast my legs. The temperature bars were often just two bars shy of max. (If I recall the exact bar count). In fact, shutting off the engine was a bad idea (Short stop traffic light scenario) as if you were to crank in a minute, the temperature bar would be a bar off the max! There are times I have pulled over to let the engine cool off, even though I did not get a over heat warning. Sometimes, you know all isn't well. It is better to save the bike and not have to deal with guess work at a not some competent garage. The radiator is definitely under sized and isn't enough to dissipate heat well enough under our high heat, stop and go conditions. The radiator fan would never cut out. It is alright as long as you are on the move and this is a non issue on the highway cycle. In my view, a lot of 390's owners who do not pay attention to this on their motorcycles are likely the folks who end up with premature engine wear. Warranty cover or not, it is pain to deal with a blown engine.

This is how the bike was designed and this is exactly how high compression high performance engines behave.

I'm not sure why you are surprised. There are thousands of first generation 390s running strong in the roads today with zero fan mods. Same stick factory radiators.

What Bajaj did (NOT KTM ...) to later iterations was typical desi jugaad to cater to this very uniquely Indian "toasted leg" syndrome.

And like thousands of first gen 390 owners, I refused to let Bajaj touch my bike with these "improvements."

I don't know if you've read my Baby Duke tgread (the first 200 in the country). And the uniquely Bajaj fix (NOT KTM ...) for another uniquely Indian "bike shuts off suddenly" syndrome.

And the brilliant jugaad remap they did to unsuspecting customer bikes as a blanket "improvement" during service.

I maintain. ZERO issues.

I trust the racing heritage and brilliance of the Austrians a lot more than I give credence to non issues.

Cheers, Doc

[rajushank84]

I find it interesting that deliveries have started but there aren't any ride reviews from professional magazines yet.

I can't help but wonder if it is because magazines are bought out by a certain other major brand that dominates this space, so they're probably skipping ahead to small Youtubers to get first impressions.

[texmonster]

Finally for a change! Not Abhinav but another man does a first ride

The video is in hindi though, and sharing it here just to show how great this red/maroon single tone color looks on CB350! If all goes well after test ride, this will be the color to get, ignoring DLX Pro.

https://youtu.be/2EDueNgUsYU

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by rajushank84

I find it interesting that deliveries have started but there aren't any ride reviews from professional magazines yet.

I can't help but wonder if it is because magazines are bought out by a certain other major brand that dominates this space, so they're probably skipping ahead to small Youtubers to get first impressions.

I have a feeling theres some kind of embargo or Honda just hasn't invited any journos for test rides. The youtuber you see has actually bought the bike for himself.

[dinu2506]

Being a holiday, took the time out to ride to the nearest Big Wing dealer. There was one DLX Pro on display and two salesmen dedicated to it. Not too much of a rush, so not sure whether this is going to be a blockbuster. Handsome bike on first look, looks reasonably large and should suit a wide range of frames. Fit and finish seems to be on par, nothing out of the world, but right up there for the price. Ergonomics seem to be spot on, felt extremely comfortable the first time I sat on it (I'm 5' 11"). The handlebars, foot-pegs all felt right where it needs to be. Would have loved a twin pod instrument cluster in line with the retro theme, however the single pod one looks the part, legible and good to look at. No test rides yet, they say it should start in couple of days. All I could do was sit on it and ogle. Checked out the suspension, seems to be setup on the softer side even compared to my Bonnie whose front preload is on the softest setting (read low pre-load). I'm not a corner craver, and prefer a comfy ride quality over handling prowess. I guess this fellow should be very comfortable over city roads and bad surfaces. Maybe it was my feeling, but it seemed to have more front travel than my Bonnie. Rear is standard twin shocks and pretty soft with not too much of sag. The two sales guys were very eager to make me crank up the engine to hear the thump. Did that, mixed emotions. I would rate it OK, not bad at all, nothing ecstatic as well, as they claim. Nowhere near the original RE CI thump.

Overall I feel Honda has a winner in their hands, the dealership staff seem to be excited. I think if they ensure smooth deliveries without delays, have a better reach with the outlets and ensure fuss free and easily reachable service centers, they can take a big slice out of the RE Classic 350 market. The bike is leagues ahead of the current Classic 350 in all respects.

I had gone there on the Bonnie and the chief sales guy asked me which bike it was. I said its a Bonneville and he asked who is the manufacturer and how old it was. I said Triumph and 5 years and he said its time to upgrade. With a smile deep inside me, I replied on the affirmative so as not to hurt him. Would love this as a second bike but I would be sent out of my home.

Some photos to judge the overall stance with a 5' 11" medium built nutcase.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by texmonster

Finally for a change! Not Abhinav but another man does a first ride

The video is in hindi though, and sharing it here just to show how great this red/maroon single tone color looks on CB350! If all goes well after test ride, this will be the color to get, ignoring DLX Pro.

https://Youtu.be/2EDueNgUsYU

So this video perfectly demonstrates my grouses in my earlier post.

1) Someone who loves the sound of his voice more than the sound of the bike.

2) First 8 minutes of a 19 minute video he bores us with a walkaround and specs.

3) He starts actually riding at 8 minutes and stops riding at 16 minutes. So we get 8 minutes of moving footage is a 19 min video.

Cheers, Doc

[texmonster]

Originally Posted by dinu2506

Ergonomics seem to be spot on, felt extremely comfortable the first time I sat on it (I'm 5' 11"). The handlebars, foot-pegs all felt right where it needs to be.

Nice to know that the bike is comfortable to a person of my same height

Originally Posted by ebonho

So this video perfectly demonstrates my grouses in my earlier post.
..

The video is very mediocre as you said Doc. I shared mainly for how CB350 looks in the nice red color!

PS: Abhinav the vlogger has put a new video to cover the CB350's headlight. This guy has covered so much about it, but still no media reviews, let alone first rides!

https://youtu.be/eXSTYlcj7os

[Jo-G]

Originally Posted by ebonho

So this video perfectly demonstrates my grouses in my earlier post.

He starts actually riding at 8 minutes and stops riding at 16 minutes. So we get 8 minutes of moving footage is a 19 min video.

Cheers, Doc

I was expecting to see the lights on the road from the riders perspective at night but seems he is on another vehicle. I think the earlier 3 vlog was more useful and good compared to this one which is actually a waste of time since there isn't any significant new information in this vlog. Waiting for a BHPian to post his own first hand experience as he would know what we expect

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by texmonster

I shared mainly for how CB350 looks in the nice red color!

The side-on shot under the streetlights with the yellow light bouncing off the paint and chrome, was the saving grace of the entire video for sure.

Personally I would go for the gloss black.

Cheers, Doc

[girishv]

Originally Posted by Sebring

Can you share a picture? They're saying that for some time now

Got a message from a rep from Lavelle Road show room which reads as,
"u will get delivery before nov 5th. You can make payment tomorrow or Wednesday so that you can see (the) all colour also N we shall proceed for registration".

Forget about TD, they want full payment for showing the bike itself. This is after I clearly told them that I will make payment only after TD as Mr Abhinav can not answer all my questions, specially about the suitability of the bike for a short rider.

Note to Mods: I have retained the SMS lingo and language as I wanted it to be verbatim. Please edit the same if it is still not acceptable.

[NH08]

I wanted to see the Red colour in person but same is now not available at Gurugram Honda. They had one bike which has been sold.

They gave me this list for on-road price (for Haryana and Delhi registration).

[ast.ggn]

Originally Posted by NH08

I wanted to see the Red colour in person but same is now not available at Gurugram Honda.

Any idea if test rides are available at Gurgaon? Thanks.

[NH08]

Originally Posted by ast.ggn

Any idea if test rides are available at Gurgaon? Thanks.

A couple of days back I got a call from Honda regarding my booking and they told me that test rides would be available at around 26th Oct onwards at Gurugram.

I am not interested in test ride so did not ask Gurugram Honda anything in this regard today. I just want to (i) see the red colour and (ii) sit on the motorcycle and see how comfortable I am with it.

I checked with Delhi dealership also today. They are having just one motorcycle in glossy black. No test rides are available there. Gurugram Honda seemed to be more pro-active who sent me price details and assured that they would call me whenever red is available. I suggest you call them regarding test ride.