[groom]

Got my machine today. Awesome smooth ride, good thump balanced bike. Lovely power delivery, like the weight of the machine, color fit and finish.

Boy, the indicator and horn button is shifted.

[dkaile]

Did a detailed test ride of the CB350 yesterday as Honda is promoting one of it's dealers in Meerut up to a Silver Wing dealer. I don't know what the hype was about but I was quite disappointed. The gear lever position was quite haywire and needs adjustment or getting used to. My 16 year old Karizma felt smoother and better accelerating than this bike. It may be a refined Bullet Classic 350 but in today's day and age I expected so much more from Honda. They have really played it safe and it shows. Not worth the 2 lac plus price tag they are asking.

Cheers...

[ast.ggn]

I went for a test ride too yesterday with my wife as a pillion. I found the quality of the bike to be good, a step above than standard RE 350/500 offerings. (haven't seen Meteor in flesh till now, so I will reserve my comment about it). However I was disappointed by the power delivery, the bike felt underpowered with two up. I sold off my RC today and was looking for a comfortable bike with decent amount of power, H'ness isn't going to take the cake now. Little ironic that I voted for it as Bike of the Year few days back.

[ownerofazkaban]

Originally Posted by srihari154

Hello oweerofazkaban,

Can you throw some light on this? I was under the impression that the servicing has to be done at the dealerships(Currently 2 in Karnataka as per the website).
Are there any dedicated servicing centers that have been setup in the costal belt of Udupi/Mlore to server the customers better?


if you could pass on some more info on the servicing part in the tier-2 cities and your experience, it will be helpful.

Sir, my bike is from Topline Honda , lavelle rd, and AFAIK, there is atleast one cb350 in Puttur along with Mangalore, Udupi who have cb350 from same dealer and all of us availed doorstep service option.

My doorstep service experience was excellent and have no issues to report. It cost me only 1200/- more ( equivalent of to and fro bus charges from BLR). Topline Honda technician came from BLR with all required equipment and lubes etc and did bike service at doorstep.

If you are thinking of getting this bike in Puttur, I don’t see any major hurdles.

[NH08]

Mine went for its first service after doing around 450 kms. The service, along with installation of number plates, took around 2 hours and Rs. 1336. Both time and money, I think, are reasonable. I asked service people to install the Leg Guard and Tank Pad, but none was available. Available with them was engine guard which I was not interested in.

Also got the answer to the million, oops, 1.14 dollar question which everybody asks me religiously. Using tankful method, it is 36.8 kmpl.

So, the machine reading is quite accurate:



This figure of 36.8 is feel good figure considering that I moved around in city only and first service was yet to be done.

Meanwhile, my 7 year old, 4 legged Honda giving company to this 4 weeks old, 2 legged Honda.

[Sebring]

Honda hosted a Breakfast Ride at Olde Bangalore. There were a sea on CB350s. Quite an interesting event, with loads of 'bike gyan' - and so many accessories to view. The top team from Honda was present to answer every query. They sold 5,500 Highness bikes in a month! That's an achievement indeed

[Jo-G]

Originally Posted by Sebring

Honda hosted a Breakfast Ride...
They sold 5,500 Highness bikes in a month! That's an achievement indeed

Wow that's a very impressive achievement and glad to see that Honda is taking all the right steps to encourage and build a cult following with breakfast rides and other similar weekend/holiday activities.

would anyone have any idea, when the 2021 manufactured bikes would hit the showrooms?

[IntoTheStorm]

Nov 2020 sales.. CB350 sold 4000+ units compared to 7000+ Meteors. Both are doing pretty well. Let's wait and see long term numbers.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by IntoTheStorm

Nov 2020 sales.. CB350 sold 4000+ units compared to 7000+ Meteors. Both are doing pretty well. Let's wait and see long term numbers.

So one could roughly say that the units the Classic and Electra have lost have gone to the CB350.

So Honda now needs to slap on an easy rider kit on the CB350 to poach meteor sales similarly. With the least amount of fuss.

Add a customisation app.

Introduce 21 new shades. Canary yellow a must.

And goggles, helmet, jackets, and Winged coffee mugs.

Cheers, Doc

[IntoTheStorm]

Originally Posted by ebonho

So one could roughly say that the units the Classic and Electra have lost have gone to the CB350.
So Honda now needs to slap on an easy rider kit on the CB350 to

It will be interesting to see CB350 /Meteor numbers once the New Classic /Interceptor 350 gets launched.
If the rumors are correct, similarly Honda is working on other body styles as well. Ultimately customers will get benefited

[rakesh_r]

Originally Posted by ebonho

So one could roughly say that the units the Classic and Electra have lost have gone to the CB350.

So Honda now needs to slap on an easy rider kit on the CB350 to poach meteor sales similarly. With the least amount of fuss.

Add a customisation app.

Introduce 21 new shades. Canary yellow a must.

And goggles, helmet, jackets, and Winged coffee mugs.

Cheers, Doc

Plus couple of videos on people riding around the mountains with the fluttering prayer flags, not to mention the "brotherhood theme" with couple of people having beer and singing round a bonfire.
On a different note, I had gone to Brahma motors to pick up the touring seat for my Himalayan, went over and checked out the Meteor, RE has indeed upped the ante, fit and finish looked good. Didn't do the TD since i somehow find it difficult to ride a Cruiser.
Yet to TD the CB 350 since Pune is yet to see a Wing world dealership.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by IntoTheStorm

It will be interesting to see CB350 /Meteor numbers once the New Classic /Interceptor 350 gets launched.
If the rumors are correct, similarly Honda is working on other body styles as well. Ultimately customers will get benefited

So assuming the Meteor engine platform is a good one. And stories of engine failures sont start floating around the community and the internet in the first year.

If RE goes ahead and put that engine into the "Bullet" mold.

Then Honda has a fight on their hands.

The 5th gear story is gaining traction as even owners like Sebring are being open enough and talking about it.

Honda might be forced to rethink it's gearing and a version 1.1 might have to be introduced quick to stem the rot.

And let RE be RE and do the rest.

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

Plus couple of videos on people riding around the mountains with the fluttering prayer flags, not to mention the "brotherhood theme" with couple of people having beer and singing round a bonfire.
On a different note, I had gone to Brahma motors to pick up the touring seat for my Himalayan, went over and checked out the Meteor, RE has indeed upped the ante, fit and finish looked good. Didn't do the TD since i somehow find it difficult to ride a Cruiser.
Yet to TD the CB 350 since Pune is yet to see a Wing world dealership.

Half of tge senior gen 1 and 2 and 3 of the Rodshakers are working in different roles at RE.

Handling cafes in Goa to exports to being Ladakh ride masters to Lungi Mania Mayors.

You've hit very close to the heart of the matter. Lol

Cheers, Doc

[Ferruccio]

Originally Posted by Jo-G

Yes friend, I am a biker of that era and have been on 4 wheelers all this while since then, already booked a CB, so just wanted to be mentally prepared, similar to driving LHD and RHD or riding a Bullet with breaks on left and other bikes with breaks on the right. After all it is all in the mindset that makes the difference. Eagerly waiting to get on a real 2 wheeler (barring short trips on gearless scooters) after decades on 4 wheels.

Absolutely my story, only that I have never ridden a geared bike, just a Dio couple of decades back. As much as the heart wants to go ahead and book the CBR, the mind and friends / relatives and the Missus warn against picking up a bike at the half-century mark. Do share your experiences after you get the bike.

[Jo-G]

Originally Posted by IntoTheStorm

Nov 2020 sales.. CB350 sold 4000+ units compared to 7000+ Meteors. Both are doing pretty well. Let's wait and see long term numbers.

Looks like the strategy of Honda is to slowly penetrate the market by controlling the allotment to different areas. During Diwali they concentrated more in the Northern part of India (and Bangalore) Christmas in Kerala (5 bigwing dealers in a small state) and Tamil Nadu (increasing dealerships). With such low number of dealerships (compared to RE) and still managed to almost get close with RE is remarkable. On the whole, the Indian market gets quality products and new era of motoring (along with a bubbling accessories and motoring gears - another new segment).

[Sebring]

I have always maintained that Honda's entry will expand the market. Exciting iterations are to be expected around this gem of an engine. This 350 is all Engine, Engine and Engine. Cant say that enough!

Originally Posted by ebonho

So one could roughly say that the units the Classic and Electra have lost have gone to the CB350.