Honda CB350 RS launched in India priced at Rs 1.96 lakh, deliveries begin in March

Four months after launching the CB350 H’ness, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) on February 16 launched a new model on the same platform CB350RS at Rs 1.95 lakh (ex-showroom, pan India). Bookings of the bike begin today and deliveries will commence in March.

The CB350RS is powered by a 350cc, air-cooled 4-stroke OHC single-cylinder engine, which produces max power of 15.5 kW@5500 rpm. HMSI claims that the CB350RS generates segment leading torque of 30 Nm@3000rpm.

Mechanically the CB350RS shares its specification with the CB350 H’ness like the engine and brakes but the styling of the CB350RS stands different than its predecessor. But the seat, front shock absorber styling, overall colour combination, fatter tyres sets the CB350RS apart from the H’ness.

HMSI declined to share sales targets for the CB350RS but said that the CB350 H’ness clocked more than 10,000 units sales in the three months after its launch. The CB350RS will be available in red and a combination of black and yellow colours and will be sold across the Honda BigWing dealerships.

The CB350RS uses wide pattern tyres for stability in varied riding conditions. The front gets a 19-inch wheel while the rear gets a 17-inch wheel. The bike gets an Eco indicator that uses sensors to measure the riding speed and injected fuel volume to determine the economical riding.

The CB350RS gets a segment-first digital-analogue meter that gives details like torque control, ABS, side stand indicator with engine inhibitor, gear position indicator and battery voltage. The integrated display also shows real time mileage, average mileage and distance to empty. The fuel tank has a capacity of 15 litre.

While HMSI is running its production plants at full capacity the company remain cautious of demand outlook for 2021. During the April to January period HMSI sales witnessed 26 percent drop in domestic volumes to 3.06 million units, which included the lockdown weeks of April and May.

“We need to watch carefully. We have to make a precise plan, region by region, village to village. We need to have a more linear control of production and supply. We have an optimistic idea of 2021 but we should be cautious. But there are many more launches that Honda would be doing in 2021”, Atsushi Ogata, managing director, president and CEO, HMSI said.