VELOYOGA - Fortune favours the Brave

My Honda CB350 – 5500 km Longterm Ownership Review

June 12, 2025 / veloyogi@gmail.com / 2 Comments

Long ride review of my Honda CB 350

Well friends, I took my Honda CB 350 for a one long ride. From Varkala, my home town to Dholavira, Kutch in Gujarat. The ride took a fortnight and 4989 kms. To read a little history on my Honda CB 350, please click here and here.

A rider may feel that for touring, a bigger, faster, large capacity bike or an adventure motorcycle should be the way to go. The Honda CB350 proves the above wrong. The air cooled CB350 can take on any distance and terrain (barring extreme off roads. Note: this is not an off-road vehicle).

The ride

My ride took me through almost all types of roads in India and the bike performed extremely well. The handling – whether on the slippery mud pools after heavy rains, on the highways, in chaotic city traffic, surging ahead while overtaking, taking on the curves of the western ghats, on the wind ravaged planes of Kutch, gliding on the “eight lanes” of Goa- was superb and the CB 350 rolled on with utmost poise, while returning an excellent fuel consumption figure of 38kmpl. The CB350 was a pleasure to ride and maintain. Moreover, the assurance of the “Honda reliability” provided the much-needed peace of mind.

What is the bike like to live with? It has been with me for the past 9 months and clocked 5.8k kms and this will be with me for a few long years. What is it like? Compared to any of the new “hogs and crotch rockets” available in India, the CB350 may look deficient- on paper. However, please note that the CB350 is not designed to compete with the gargantuan cruisers or the ultra-fast performance bikes-it is designed for a very different purpose.

My take on the bike

Words will be too insufficient to describe the purpose of this bike, but for the rider, who has always dreamed for a single cylinder thumper from the golden era of motorcycles, a bike that will take you to your destination in style, a bike on which you focus on the journey as much as arriving at the destination, will understand the purpose of this motorcycle.

It is a feeling. As the legendary composer Saint Thayagraja said: “this feeling cannot be expressed, but something to be experienced”. With this bike you get most of the feel of an old single cylinder motorcycle, but you also get complete reliability of a Honda.

My CB350 started on the first crank. Every day – even on the coldest one. The engine is extremely smooth. Why do I say this? I have owned and ridden bikes for the last 40 years or so, the bikes that could make your palms and feet jittery with vibrations from the handlebars and the footrests. There is nothing of that sort in this Honda. I never felt any vibrations on my palms or on my feet. The engine is quite, and the exhaust is silenced to a level that it is barely audible with my helmet on.

Performance is more than enough to cruise on the highways in India. The brakes coupled with the ABS are well matched to the performance of the bike. The handling is light and superb. Comfort? For me at 5’8” and 84 kilograms plus the saddle bag and contents of about 20 kilograms it was excellent. The headlights lit up the roads whenever required, and the brightness and throw are sufficient for sedate cruising.

A few snapshots:

Overall, the bike performed extremely well till now. Will update when I cross the next 5k to 5.5k.

Happy riding

BTW read this disclaimer.

Preventing Rust – During Monsoon and Year Round.

June 8, 2025 / veloyogi@gmail.com / 0 Comments

By R.Venkitachalam

How I Protect my Motorcycle in the Monsoon Season – and Year Round.

The CB 350 from the show room, shined like a black pearl.

Now, after ten months and 5.5k kilo meters on the odo, it still is in the same condition, barring a few microscopic spots of corrosion. Here are my thoughts on keeping one’s steed in pristine condition, irrespective of the weather conditions or the kilo meters the motorcycle clocks.

The best way to protect a motorcycle from corrossion is proper maintenance and storing.

Moisture and humidity can be harsh and unforgiving on a motorcycle. In Kerala, the weather is humid all through the year. Wind from the sea brings in salt in the humid air to make matters worse. If some preventive maintenance is not done and the motorcycle is not stored properly, the glittering jewel will soon show signs of corrosion. Here are a few things that I do to keep my steed in showroom condition.

Some elbow grease

Overnight, I keep the motorcycle covered. I use the Honda Bigwing supplied motorcycle cover. This helps to reduce the condensation on the smooth paint and chrome a lot. This condensation, along with the dust that settles later, is the main cause of pitting on the paint and chrome. Therefore, I make it a habit, a daily must to do in the morning, to wipe the condensation off the motorcycle. I use a quality microfiber towel or use a clean, lint free used t shirt.

The added advantage of cleaning a motorcycle every day is that I will notice any loose bolts or nuts, any oil leaks, any broken wires etc. (Since this is a Honda, no such thing has ever happened.) For me, this cleaning is the best preventive maintenance I can do to keep corrosion at bay.

If I ever ride my motorcycle in rain or through waterlogged roads, after such a ride, as soon as possible, I wash my ride and dry it thoroughly. Remember. Salt in the humid air, dirt and other chemicals on the road can create pitting and rust. A clean motorcycle is less likely to rust.

In addition to the daily cleaning, washing after a ride in wet, muddy roads, I use anti corrosion treatment on my motorcycle. Initially I used carnauba wax to protect the paint and chrome.

Anti corrosion treatment

During the onset of current monsoon, I decided to go for an anti-corrosion treatment. I searched for the most effective and pocket friendly anti-corrosion treatment available in India. Zeroed in on the Muc-off HCB-1. The HCB stands for Harsh Conditions Barrier.

“Keep your precious steed in tip-top condition with the Muc-Off Harsh Condition Barrier. With a state-of-the-art thin film coating, it’ll make light work of rust and corrosion. It’s the perfect upgrade for winter months, or to keep your bike looking fresh all year long – as you’ll have 12 months of protection.”

“HCB-1 is suitable to use on all bicycles, e-bikes, motorcycles, e-moto bikes, UTVs, ATVs, quads, side-by-sides, snowmobiles, jet skis and other watercraft – just check around your weapon of choice and look out for signs of corrosion and apply.”

“It’ll keep moisture out, creating a durable anticorrosive layer of protection on your bike’s frame, chain, metal parts, plastics and paintwork. And on parts that have already got some rust showing, it’ll get rid of it altogether.”

So says the team Muc-Off

I followed the instruction from the Muc-Off webpage and the results appear quite good.

The whole bike got a liberal application of the spray and I let the product to cure for the manufacturer suggested 24 hours.

Now I can ride the bike in rains and on wet roads if necessary with some peace of mind. Hope the product will give protection for 12 months as the manufacturer claims.

Will update in a few weeks. Till then happy riding.

Click here for more information: HCB-1 – 400ml | Harsh Conditions Barrier – Moto, Bike & Car | Muc-Off UK

A few dealers in India have this product listed in their webpages. I bought the HCB-1 from www.velostudio.in and here is the link to the product page: MUCOFF HCB-1 HARSH CONDITION BARRIER 400ML

BTW read this disclaimer.

The Honda CB350. My Buying Experience

May 19, 2025 / veloyogi@gmail.com / 0 Comments

By R.Venkitachalam

Why a new Motorcycle

To start with, my passion for two wheelers refuses to die. The uncontrollable itching for a new motorcycle forced me to take the plunge and the search began about two years back.

I have owned two Royal Enfields, one a cast iron 350 and another a Machusmo AVL 500cc. So my first thoughts were to go for a motorcycle from the same manufacturer, perhaps the new J platform 350cc Classic or Meteor. The J platform design is light years ahead of the CI and AVL models – so say many reviews. However, my past experience regarding the intensive attention required from the owner/rider for regular maintenance, my reluctance to tinker with the motorcycle (which I did enjoy a lot in my younger days) pushed me away from this brand.

The initial choice

Since I was planning for solo rides, my search focussed on bikes of smaller capacity and size. Finally zeroed in on the Honda CB300F. Why Honda? Well, the bomb proof reliability. These bikes were sold and serviced by the Bigwing dealers of Honda. I called a friend of mine who is working in a Honda dealership – not the Bigwing, at Kollam. He directed me to a contact of him in the Kollam Bigwing. The response from the Bigwing Kollam was instantaneous. The sales executive called me and arranged for a visit to the showroom.

I went to the showroom and felt somewhat disappointed by the CB300F. The motorcycle looked and felt excellent and well within the price range I have in my mind. However, the bike felt too small for my liking and lacked the relaxed riding posture I was looking for. My fault. I made my choice from looking at the web images and videos.

The decision

As I turned back my eyes fell on the beauty parked nearby – the New Honda CB350 DLX PRO in complete touring attire. Wow! Love at first sight! Decision made. What the Honda says about this bike is:

“The thunderous power, the fearless stance, the exhilarating rush of the open roads – a legend rises, CB350, where tech-meets-bold riding, with its timeless style and brave presence, itʼs your trusted sidekick. Gear up to charge with the 2025-ready OBD-2B standards..”

Every word in the above paragraph barring the thunderous power, is true. A timeless classic married to modern tech!

Booked one. I went for the base variant, the DLX. Paperwork started and the motorcycle was ready for delivery by the 5th of September 2024. Took delivery on the 8^th September.

Rating for the Customer Service:

Responsiveness: 5/5. Highly responsive
Helpfulness: 5/5. Was ready to help and guide at every moment of the sales process and delivery
Overall Customer Service Experience: 5/5. Right from the initial phone call to the time of delivery, the sales executive and the team at the show room were receptive and extended excellent service. The courteous behaviour, the patience with which they listened to my queries (there were a few), the educated answers and solutions they provided, the guidance and assistance for the paperwork and finally, taking the time on a Sunday morning to deliver the vehicle-the experience was mind-blowing. (This continues with the service team…will write about the service experience later.) Unquestionably, the buying experience at Honda Bigwing Kollam was exceptional

Recommendations:

Would I recommend this product/company to others? Yes. Strongly recommend this product and this dealership.
Would I purchase from this company again? Yes. Without any doubt.

CB350 | Honda BigWing | India | Honda

Honda CB350 – A Timeless Classic From Honda

May 18, 2025 / veloyogi@gmail.com / 2 Comments

By R.Venkitachalam

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) introduced the latest variant of their CB350 in India, all-new “retro classic” CB350, in November, 2023. Mr. Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India said “We are absolutely thrilled to expand our mid-size 350cc motorcycle line-up with the launch of All-New CB350. It proudly takes forward the rich legacy of Honda’s CB DNA and will provide the joy of riding to our customers. We are confident that the launch of this retro classic motorcycle will excite new buyers to join the ever-growing CB family.”

Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “The introduction of All-New CB350 marks yet another significant milestone for our flourishing premium motorcycle business vertical. Ever since their launch, Honda’s middle weight 350cc motorcycles have delighted customers across various markets. Together with our widespread network of premium BigWing dealerships, we are confident that the new CB350 will offer an exhilarating experience to buyers. (Perhaps the undeclared goal is to grab a big chunk of the market share in the 350cc segment dominated by the Royal Enfield).

History of CB

The CB legacy of Honda began in 1959 with the Benly CB92 Super Sports and the CB series boasts the longest history among Honda’s road sports models. From there the builds went one. The most famous among the CB series is the CB750, a four-cylinder marvel that became the death knell for the British bike industry. Honda BigWing showrooms across India proudly display a pictorial history of the CB series starting from the Benly CB92. This image is a low resolution one shot on a cell phone

Yes. As Mr. Tsutsumu said, the new CB350 proudly takes forward the rich legacy of Honda’s CB DNA

Styling

The new CB350 is a timeless classic design from Honda, and one that reflects the artistry of motorcycle designs from a bygone era. The muscular fuel tank, classic long metal fenders, metal covers for the front fork, split seats, round head lamp, the tail lamp, the long chrome exhaust, the round RVMs … all vindicating the timeless classic design.

Some of the features are variant specific. Mine is the base variant in Pearl Igneous Black.

Ana-digi instrument cluster with buttons to scroll through the menu/info, Honda Smartphone Voice Control system – (HSVCS) providing advanced information on the go, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) (these two features are available in the higher priced variants) , assist & slipper clutch system, emergency stop signal feature that alerts sudden braking to vehicles behind by flashing hazard lamps, telescopic front forks, Nitrox filled rear shocks, single discs-310mm at the front and 240mm at the rear with dual-channel ABS as standard, road gripping tires, traction control– well all these reflects the words of Mr. Tsutsumu “will provide the joy of riding to our customers. We are confident that the launch of this retro classic motorcycle will excite new buyers to join the ever-growing CB family”

Thus, for its price, retailing at INR199990.00 for the basic variant, the CB350, the neo-Thumper, is one of the least expensive 350cc cruisers in the segment. Yes. You get “a lot of bike” for your money.

Engine and Performance:

The new CB350 is powered by a 348.36cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke, single-cylinder engine. This is a PGM-FI BSVI OBD2-B compliant engine. The power and torque figures are 15.5 kW power at 5,500 RPM and 29.4 Nm of torque at 3,000 RPM. A hidden design feature is the use of low friction technology of Honda. More about this later. The five-speed gearbox has beautifully spaced gears that makes the riding of the bike a pleasure, whether on the long highways or chaotic city traffic. The ratios are spot on.

Weighing around 185 kilograms, the new CB350 is an easy bike to ride. The low CG of the bike coupled with a low seat height contribute to the easy handling. The clutch- an assist & slipper type, the responsive brakes, the good throttle response, the “heel-toe” gear shift lever, the near absence of vibrations, all multiplies the pleasure of riding. The exhaust sound is awesome. (It appears that the engineers who designed this motorcycle love to play the Kodo drums). It feels like a classic thumper. The bike sounds great as the engine noise is down to a minimum.

Electricals

The lights are LEDs, all around and the dual horns sounds good. The head light, while appearing under powered, will light up the roads provided you take the efforts to focus/tilt the light properly. Not much more to write about these.

Pros

Simple, affordable, reliable… most valuable qualities for me. For me, when saying this I am fully aware that “for me” this is a complete motorcycle. In fact, what a motorcycle ought to be. A true classic design replete with all the modern tech coupled with the bullet proof reliability of Honda – what more do I need from a motorcycle!

Cons

None! Yes. None! No surprise! I have owned a few motorcycles, one of them a classic 350cc thumper from a “famous brand” in India, and without any doubt I can say that this motorcycle is perfect. My CB350 proved extremely reliable on my fortnight long 5000kms ride. More about this ride and a 5k km review later in this blog.

Price and Availability:

The Honda CB350 has an attractive price tag of Rs. 1,99,990 for the DLX variant and Rs. 2,18,622.00 for the DLX Pro variant (ex-showroom Kollam/Quilon at the time of writing this). I purchased mine from the Kollam/Quilon showroom. The purchase experience was an immensely pleasant one. (Will write about it later in this blog). It is available at all of the HMSI’s premium BigWing dealerships across the country. HMSI provides special 10-year warranty package (3-year standard + 7 year optional) on the product to offer a peace of mind ownership experience to customers.

For more details go here: CB350 | Honda BigWing | India | Honda