[vn11]

My Honda H’ness/Highness recently completed 4500 km and about 5 months and I wondered what was the best way to celebrate other than writing down my journey with the beautiful machine.

A bit of background about me and how I decided to buy this bike:

I (25, Male) switched jobs at the start of the year and had to move to Pune from my hometown Lucknow. I felt its high time to get a personal vehicle. I had lived in Lucknow since my birth and used my parent’s Mahindra Duro and then the Hero Maestro. I had no prior bike riding experience so sorting that up was the first thing. I watched some videos and practised using my friend’s bike which he no longer used. Now, deciding what bike to buy was a tough decision. I read as many articles as I could which mentioned what to look for in a first bike, but those just didn’t make anything easier.

I had a very flexible budget but did not want to go above 3.5L. I had some things very clear in mind when I started looking for a new bike:

1) No bike with sporty fairings and sporty riding stance- This removed KTMs, R15 and similar bikes.
2) I am 5’4” tall and weigh around 60kgs. This removed any ADV or tall bikes from my list.
3) Comfort was my priority since I had a messed up lower back. (Yes, I’m 25 with back problems thanks to a football match where I injured my back badly).

I went to RE showroom one fine day to check out Meteor and the 650 twins. The 650 twins were too heavy for me to comfortably control in traffic. I could not flat foot both legs made things more difficult. Meteor with its quite low seat height fitted perfectly with my requirements. I could flat foot with boots on it easily. The classic 350 was nice but it was way too common on our roads. Wanted something less common. I wanted to check out the newly launched Yezdi roadster but the showroom was quite far from my place and I thought it’s better to give newly launched machines some time to niggle out issues. I also checked FZ and FZ-X from Yamaha which felt really manoeuvrable but lacked the wow factor.

I had nearly made up my mind to book the Meteor but decided to look at other available options. I went to BMW showroom next to check out the G310R and man, that is one gorgeous machine. It had a very low seat, was light, very less units running on roads but carried a premium. Yes, before I get grilled that it’s a sports bike and I previously said no to them- I simply don’t know why but I fell in love with this machine. It had a premium feel to it. I forgot about the Meteor and booked it by paying a heavy sum of Rs. 30,000. But fate had something different for me. I was expecting my work from home to continue but I got a call to join the office in Pune in the first week of March. I started to weigh out options- to get the delivery of g310R and ride it down to Pune OR to courier a brand-new bike to Pune which is really risky or lastly, cancel the booking and buy the same bike in Pune. Unfortunately, BMW had mentioned a deduction of 50% (i.e. Rs. 15,000 ) if I cancel the booking which was quite high. I have a thread on the very same topic on this forum. Shout-out to @Turbanator and @GTO for helping me get my full money back without much fuss.

I heavy-heartedly cancelled my booking, packed my bags and went to Pune where life happened and I got busy in flat hunting. Once I had a roof over my head, I started my search again. I came across a Honda showroom and had a Eureka moment that Honda had some Bullet-lookalike retro stuff in the market (CB350 fans, please don’t kill me for these words ). I fired up google chrome and looked around the offerings. The very next day I went to the Honda showroom, and got told that the CB350 twins are sold in BigWing exclusive outlets only, which for me was across the city. I spared some time one evening post office and went to the BigWing showroom. I entered the place to find the place filled to the brim with the CB350 twins and they looked simply stunning. I asked for a test drive from the salesperson who was really polite. I test drove both - the CB350 RS and the H’ness and was simply blown away by the smoothness and refinement of the engines. The bikes simply glided on the road as if you had simply replaced the wheels with butter and are riding over a hot knife. The experience was nothing I had felt in the previous 5 to 10 bikes I rode. The only doubt I had in mind was will I look small on such a big bike (for my proportions) and will I be able to handle it since I was only a third of the bike’s weight. My second doubt vanished on my second test ride, I went through heavy traffic and it was just effortless. The weight distribution was amazing I didn’t feel the heaviness of the bike, which was evident in RE Classic. At that point, I had made up my mind that I’m getting a Honda. Talked to my family about the colour choice and finally booked the Matt Green anniversary edition.

My reasons for going for H'ness over the RS at that time were:

1) H'ness looked a bit more elegant since I was more into retro looks.
2) Had Bluetooth connectivity which after 4000 kms I have used only once.
3) Not sure if the seat heights are different but I felt a bit uncomfortable in RS. H’ness seemed more welcoming to me, especially the anniversary edition which has split seats and the rider seat is tapered in the front.
4) The Chrome elements on H’ness are just perfect. Not overdone or underdone.
I made the payment over a period of three days due to UPI restrictions. I had opted for Bharat registration hence the on-rod price came down a bit. The papers went to RTO on Monday and I had the delivery the next Monday. The process to get the Bharat series was quite smooth with only one hiccup which was due to some discrepancy in the documents I submitted, the rent agreement I submitted had a different owner’s name than that on the electricity bill. I had to submit a marriage certificate to sort that out. I am really thankful to my owners for being so helpful in providing the documents.

Let’s talk about some major aspects of the bike, mainly the issues since it is the least talked about aspect by an owner:

1) The engine: You will easily fall in love with the bike’s smoothness. Vibrations are minimal and start to creep in only when you get very close to the redline. The bike produces enough power and torque to easily climb up steep hills with a pillion (and honestly that’s what one wants with a bike, we have roads in the city- not racetracks). Highway trips are delightful as well. You can cruise around 90-100 kmph all day without the engine feeling stressed and just a bit of juice left for overtakes. Engine braking is quite good too and works well when you want to control your descent from a steep slope.

2) Quality of components: It’s a bit difficult to give a straight answer to this. Some places the quality of material and parts used is great but at some places, cost cutting is clearly visible. Let me elaborate on it a bit.

a. Quality of switches and plastics: Just amazing. The switches are very responsive and feel very premium. My friend purchased scram 411 and there was a stark difference visible in the materials used for switchgear. The headlight could/shroud felt like made of cheap plastic etc.

b. Battery: They have used a Tata brand battery and it is a headache for users of these bikes. The battery fails all of a sudden without giving much warning. Numerous owners are stranded on the side of the road because the battery died all of a sudden and the bike refused to start. I am nearing 5k kms and didn’t have such an issue, but after seeing such reports on FB groups and YouTube I’ll possibly switch to Amaron or Exide pretty soon.

c. Paint quality: Once again, FB groups, YouTube and even our Team-BHP is filled with users facing rusting on chrome parts, around nuts and even on chassis. As far as I know, Honda is NOT covering this under warranty, please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. I don’t know if this issue is with a particular batch or with every unit. As a precaution, I always spray the rust-prone areas with WD-40 post washes and I avoid pressure washes.

d. Rims and tyres- Some users have reported the rims getting bent even on small potholes. I have also driven by mistake into some notorious potholes but didn’t damage my rims. This could again be an issue with a batch.

e. The brake pads: My front pads got changed at just 3200kms. Some users are reporting even lesser distance. I was pretty shocked when I was going to office and suddenly my front brakes wouldn’t slow down my bike. Luckily I had just taken out my bike out of parking. I went to the service centre and found that the front brakes are busted. It was a surprise for me since I always practised engine braking and did not over-speed. Checked the FB groups and yep, it’s a very common problem. Going for Vesrah ceramic pads once these wear out.

f. Mudguards: You would need a mudguard for the front fender the moment you leave the showroom. Also, advise the pillion to wear a raincoat else his/her back will be covered with mud after some time. I need to find a way to stop my bike from throwing mud on the pillion’s back. A tyre hugger is a good option but that would ruin a retro bike’s look.

3) Gearing: The gearing is very tall. You will need to get used to it and it somewhat takes some joy out while driving in the city. You will need to shift gears a lot and by ‘a lot’ I actually mean it. But that has its advantage also- you get pretty good fuel efficiency. It happens nearly every day when I see my friends go over potholes and speed breakers without even changing gear sometimes and I have to drop down till 1st gear so that the engine stops lugging.

4) The headlight: It looks gorgeous but it would be very risky to go on highways without AUX lights, moreover, it’s a death wish to drive in the Ghats with these headlights.

5) The fuel efficiency: For a 350cc bike it delivers excellent mileage. I have got up to 46 kmpl on highways at 70 kmph constant speeds. In the city it drops to somewhere around 30-35 kmpl, mostly hovering around 32-33 kmpl mark.

6) Handling and driving: I am a 5’4” guy which makes it a bit difficult to maneuver the bike on bad roads since I can’t flat foot both my legs but with practice, it got easier. I cut out some foam and replaced it with gel, which lowered the seat height. Now I can flat foot my left leg like a breeze and the right leg can touch the ground simultaneously. Since I am a bit short for what this bike would like, I get some shoulder pain when driving 200+ kms. Thinking to install inclined handlebar raisers to solve this issue. I never felt that the bike is very heavy while filtering through traffic and it can easily help to find your way out.

7) The Bluetooth connectivity feature: Used it only once or twice and never found it useful enough.

8) Service experience: Have completed 2 free services as of now, both at the Rasta Peth service centre in Pune. The attention provided to the bike and the owner is just amazing. You will feel a bit relieved knowing that the premium you paid is showing up in the right places. Everyone is super polite and they listen to your issues patiently. Most importantly, they make sure you leave the place without any pending issues. They have a big window in the waiting area where you can watch your bike serviced and can even go to the service bay and watch by the side of the mechanic while he pampers your bike.

Summary? A lovely bike which feels effortless to drive but the above-mentioned shortcomings sometimes remind you that maybe Honda did not test it enough for Indian conditions- considering that they forgot very basic things such as not providing a longer fender/mudguard to avoid mud splashes.

[LongDrive lover]

Originally Posted by vn11

My Honda H’ness/Highness recently completed 4500 kms and about 5 months and I wondered what was the best way to celebrate other than writing down my journey with the beautiful machine.
A bit of background about me and how I decided to buy this bike:
I (25, Male) switched jobs at the starting of the year and had to move to Pune from my hometown Lucknow.

Summary? A lovely bike which feels effortless to drive but above mentioned shortcomings sometimes remind you that maybe Honda did not test it enough for Indian conditions

Congratulations! Yes, Honda Highness is a lovely refined machine. I too took a test ride, though haven't bought it. All the points mentioned by you are correct.
Nice to see someone from the 'City of Nawabs' on team bhp, a rare sight. Let's meet next time when you visit home.

[NEMatters]

Originally Posted by vn11

My Honda H’ness/Highness recently completed 4500 km and about 5 months and I wondered what was the best way to celebrate other than writing down my journey with the beautiful machine....

Thanks for a crisp review, I too agree to all the points you have mentioned. I own a CB350 myself. Apart for the engine tractability issue at low speeds I feel the motorcycles is just perfect for riding in city as well as on highways.

For highways I felt a cruising speed ~120 with some juice remaining might have been a bit more useful. Its a wishful thinking

[heinrici]

Originally Posted by vn11

4) The headlight: It looks gorgeous but it would be very risky to go on highways without AUX lights, moreover, it’s a death wish to drive in the Ghats with these headlights.

Have you fitted this? I want to fit aux lights but am concerned about battery draining and so want to do it the proper way.

[nirleo]

Originally Posted by heinrici

Have you fitted this? I want to fit aux lights but am concerned about battery draining and so want to do it the proper way.

Hi,

You can confidently go with "Maddog Scout X" Aux lights. Use these lights only when the bike is running and I expect this will not cause any battery issues.

Thanks,

[neochanger]

Thanks for a detailed review.
I own a CB350 RS which has completed about 15 months. Most of what you said for the H’ness is applicable to RS. The tall gearing though good for FE is quite problematic in hilly regions. I once took my bike to Nainital and Mukteshwar from Kanpur and in the hills the frequency of changing gears was really disappointing. Except this one issue, it’s a gem in its segment. My CB350 RS in red colour is definitely a head turner here in UP where Bullets and Classics are way too common. The funny thing is when people find out it’s from Honda, the first comment is “ye Honda ki bullet hai?”

[heinrici]

Originally Posted by nirleo

Hi,
You can confidently go with "Maddog Scout X" Aux lights. Use these lights only when the bike is running and I expect this will not cause any battery issues.

Thanks nirleo. Do you have a link to installation video or a blog something? Will help with DIY.

[nirleo]

Originally Posted by heinrici

Thanks nirleo. Do you have a link to installation video or a blog something? Will help with DIY.

Maybe a search in Youtube will give you multiple video for DIY. I got it installed at a automobile shop.

[rohitoasis]

Originally Posted by vn11

5) The fuel efficiency: For a 350cc bike it delivers excellent mileage. I have got up to 46 kmpl on highways at 70 kmph constant speeds. In the city it drops to somewhere around 30-35 kmpl, mostly hovering around 32-33 kmpl mark.

About this part of the post. Is this done based on the reading in the speedo or is this based on tankful to tankful basis.

Can all the owners chip in and advise what they are getting on tankful to tankful basis. From what i have noticed, identifying tankful is a problem. The autocutoff is difficult to judge, because the tank keeps on drinking more than the advertised volume. I estimate actual capacity to be between 16.5 to 17 litres in the tank. Can owners confirm this.

[Sebring]

Hi. I have HCJ AUX lights. And they really good (40+40 watts). Tried Mad Dog Scout and Scout X, they're too low on output. Yes, and you need to be careful to keep engine running.

Originally Posted by heinrici

Have you fitted this? I want to fit aux lights but am concerned about battery draining and so want to do it the proper way.

[Everlearner]

I thought BH series registration is available only for cars.

Is it possible to get for 2 wheelers?

[vn11]

Originally Posted by LongDrive lover

Congratulations! Yes, Honda Highness is a lovely refined machine. I too took a test ride, though haven't bought it. All the points mentioned by you are correct.
Nice to see someone from the 'City of Nawabs' on team bhp, a rare sight. Let's meet next time when you visit home.

Of course. I'll be in Lucknow somewhere near Diwali.

Originally Posted by heinrici

Have you fitted this? I want to fit aux lights but am concerned about battery draining and so want to do it the proper way.

I wanted to go for Maddog but its getting a bit expensive after getting the mounts as well.

Originally Posted by neochanger

Thanks for a detailed review.
I own a CB350 RS which has completed about 15 months. Most of what you said for the H’ness is applicable to RS. The tall gearing though good for FE is quite problematic in hilly regions. I once took my bike to Nainital and Mukteshwar from Kanpur and in the hills the frequency of changing gears was really disappointing. Except this one issue, it’s a gem in its segment. My CB350 RS in red colour is definitely a head turner here in UP where Bullets and Classics are way too common. The funny thing is when people find out it’s from Honda, the first comment is “ye Honda ki bullet hai?”

I have heard the same in Pune as well. The bike is a headturner for sure.

Originally Posted by rohitoasis

About this part of the post. Is this done based on the reading in the speedo or is this based on tankful to tankful basis.

Can all the owners chip in and advise what they are getting on tankful to tankful basis. From what i have noticed, identifying tankful is a problem. The autocutoff is difficult to judge, because the tank keeps on drinking more than the advertised volume. I estimate actual capacity to be between 16.5 to 17 litres in the tank. Can owners confirm this.

The figures mentioned are what is getting displayed.

Originally Posted by Everlearner

I thought BH series registration is available only for cars.

Is it possible to get for 2 wheelers?

Of course it is possible. I have BH number for the bike.

[NEMatters]

Originally Posted by rohitoasis

About this part of the post. Is this done based on the reading in the speedo or is this based on tankful to tankful basis...

I agree that going tankful to tankful is bit of an issue, operator to operator variation and the way the fuel filling hose is kept on the fuel tank while filling up.

I tried doing the tankful to tankful but had the same issue. On the display after around 1400 kms I see somewhere 38.5 kmpl indicated efficiency. With around 40% highway and 60% in city usage.

[White Aviator]

Congratulations for the excellent choice and wishing you have many more happy miles!

I found a lot of similarities between us while reading your post, we have the same bike in the same city and we use it for a similar purpose. I too stumbled upon the H'ness while searching for a bike as it was not a part of my original shortlist and we seem to have got the bike around the same time and also we are of the same age

Here's my bike




I was planning on writing my 7000 km ownership review in a few weeks when I complete them but you seem to have covered most of the points so I'll add my views on them.

Originally Posted by vn11

I entered the place to find the place filled to the brim with the CB350 twins and they looked simply stunning. I asked for a test drive from the salesperson who was really polite. I test drove both - the CB350 RS and the H’ness and was simply blown away by the smoothness and refinement of the engines. The bikes simply glided on the road as if you had simply replaced the wheels with butter and are riding over a hot knife. The experience was nothing I had felt in the previous 5 to 10 bikes I rode.

Felt the same and was blown away by the refinement and exhaust note of the bike. Everyone from the staff was very welcoming and helped me through the entire process of selling my old bike and getting the H'ness. They actually delivered the bike to me within two days with the number plates on my request as I needed a bike for my daily work. I too paid over two days due to the UPI restrictions and IMPS restrictions when adding a new beneficiary and they were very cooperative with that as well.

Originally Posted by vn11

My reasons for going for H'ness over the RS at that time were:

1) H'ness looked a bit more elegant since I was more into retro looks.
2) Had Bluetooth connectivity which after 4000 kms I have used only once.
3) Not sure if the seat heights are different but I felt a bit uncomfortable in RS. H’ness seemed more welcoming to me, especially the anniversary edition which has split seats and the rider seat is tapered in the front.
4) The Chrome elements on H’ness are just perfect. Not overdone or underdone.

I would like to add a few points:
1. The rear seat of the RS is quite small and not suited for long distances. I need a good pillion seat so I even opted for the optional split seats for my H'ness which come standard on the anniversary edition.
2. RS had a weak horn. The DLX Pro and Anniversary have a good dual horn setup.
3. Less accessories are available for the RS as compared to H'ness. Even OEM accessories made were quite less.

Originally Posted by vn11

e. The brake pads: My front pads got changed at just 3200kms. Some users are reporting even lesser distance. I was pretty shocked when I was going to office and suddenly my front brakes wouldn’t slow down my bike. Luckily I had just taken out my bike out of parking. I went to the service centre and found that the front brakes are busted. It was a surprise for me since I always practised engine braking and did not over-speed. Checked the FB groups and yep, it’s a very common problem. Going for Vesrah ceramic pads once these wear out.

Had a similar experience and got them changed around 4000 kms. I was shocked as the brake pads on my Duke 250 lasted a lot longer. The service guys told me that a few other bikes are experiencing the same issue but Honda still hasn't recognized the issue. They aren't particularly cheap and it's a hassle to travel across the city to the only service centre to get them changed. I think it's high time Honda fixes this or atleast subsidizes them until they can fix it.

Originally Posted by vn11

f. Mudguards: You would need a mudguard for the front fender the moment you leave the showroom. Also, advise the pillion to wear a raincoat else his/her back will be covered with mud after some time. I need to find a way to stop my bike from throwing mud on the pillion’s back. A tyre hugger is a good option but that would ruin a retro bike’s look.

Every potential H'ness owner needs to take note of this. The bike NEEDS front mudflaps which I suggest you get from Honda along with the bike and not find out the hard way like I did.

Originally Posted by vn11

5) The fuel efficiency: For a 350cc bike it delivers excellent mileage. I have got up to 46 kmpl on highways at 70 kmph constant speeds. In the city it drops to somewhere around 30-35 kmpl, mostly hovering around 32-33 kmpl mark.

I too get very similar figures and for I think the fuel efficiency for a bike like this is great! It's a lot more than what Meteor or Classic get.

Originally Posted by vn11

7) The Bluetooth connectivity feature: Used it only once or twice and never found it useful enough.

On the contrary, this feature has become a ride essential for me. I use it primarily to take and make calls and to play or pause music just like you would in a car. No bike in this segment or even few segments above come with such features which actually work well.

Originally Posted by vn11

8) Service experience: Have completed 2 free services as of now, both at the Rasta Peth service centre in Pune. The attention provided to the bike and the owner is just amazing. You will feel a bit relieved knowing that the premium you paid is showing up in the right places. Everyone is super polite and they listen to your issues patiently. Most importantly, they make sure you leave the place without any pending issues. They have a big window in the waiting area where you can watch your bike serviced and can even go to the service bay and watch by the side of the mechanic while he pampers your bike.

Here is that big window and the waiting lounge.



Spotted this stunning Anniversary edition at service which made me think if I made the right color choice
I wonder if it's your bike as it is BH registered Anniversary Edition



I have very similar experience about the service after having completed the first two free services. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I went there and I think I can have a stress free ownership knowing well that any issue that comes up will be sorted without a hassle. They do really make sure the bike leaves without any pending issues and the owner is satisfied before handing over the bike. You are also provided with packaged water and they usually get the bike ready in approximately two hours. Overall I would call it a premium experience which you won't get with any other bike priced similarly and even higher in some cases.

I'm very happy with this bike and it perfectly fits in my life for my requirements. I have faced few of these common issues and an irritating issue with the handlebar which was fixed after it was replaced under warranty. To this day I'm amazed by quite the loud exhaust note of the bike and wonder how they got around the BS6 norms. It has a dual character kind of where it can be smooth and silent while cruising with ease and can be loud when you push it. I sometimes feel I needed a bit more powerful bike and maybe one with some offroad and better touring capabilities but as an overall experience accounting for the looks, smoothness, reliability, features, service, fuel economy, comfort, etc. it feels like the best bike for me.

[kugo_93]

Hello all, I own a Honda Highness Cb350 bought in March 2022. I have covered close to 4000 kms till date. The bike runs fine no issues. The only thing bothering me is a kind of Khat Khat ( metallic clunk ) noise every time the bike goes over a pothole or a sharp edge on the road. The noise comes from the front of the bike. My initial hunch was that It could be a loose cone set, however the ASC guy checked it and said the noise is from the front fender. The Front fender has absolutely zero play or flex so I wonder how it can be that. If other owners are facing similar situation, please shed some light onto it. Thank you.