Honda launches CB350C Black Edition before Diwali: darker look, same 348cc engine, about Rs 2.32 lakh on-road

Honda sells the CB350C as a retro-styled cruiser, one of the family of 350cc motorcycles it builds in India with the CB350 and the CB350RS. The Black Edition is the type of special version that manufacturers bring out before the festival season, when sales are at their highest, to give buyers a new choice without changing the model.

The engine is unchanged. It is a 348.36cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder unit that makes about 21 PS and 29.5 Nm of torque, and it is paired with a five-speed gearbox and a slipper clutch. The motorcycle has dual-channel ABS. One review lists a fuel tank of 15.2 litres and a seat height of 800 mm, which puts it in the usual range for motorcycles of this kind.

The price

The figures that have been reported are not directly comparable. The report that covered the launch gives the on-road price of the Black Edition as about Rs 2.32 lakh. A price listing for the standard CB350C shows Rs 2,00,300 ex-showroom in Bengaluru, and another source gives a range of Rs 2,00,300 to Rs 2,04,700 ex-showroom for the model. A review site puts on-road prices of the various variants at about Rs 2.18 to Rs 2.27 lakh, depending on the city. Insurance, registration and other charges make the difference between the ex-showroom and the on-road price, and the buyer should check the figure in his own city before booking.

The 350cc segment is crowded and is dominated by Royal Enfield, whose Classic 350 and Meteor 350 are the main reference points for buyers. Honda's CB350 range, along with models from Jawa and others, offers an alternative with a smooth engine and a reputation for refinement. A dark version of an existing model is a quick way of getting attention in the showroom, and it costs little to produce compared with a new motorcycle.

For a buyer, the decision comes down to taste and to the price paid for the paint. Those who like the plain black look with some chrome will find it in this version, and those who want a different style of fender or exhaust may prefer one of the other versions in the range. The mechanical specifications are those of the standard motorcycle, so there is no gain in power or equipment.

The CB350C is built for riders who want a relaxed cruiser for the city and for weekend rides on the highway, and its power figures reflect that. At about 21 PS it is tuned for smooth, low-rpm pull and not for outright speed, and the slipper clutch makes the gearshifts lighter in traffic. A rider who wants more power will look at larger motorcycles, and one who wants a lower price will look at smaller ones.

The black colour scheme also has a practical side. Dark paint hides dust and minor marks better than lighter colours in some conditions, but it shows scratches and swirl marks more clearly in sunlight, and it gets hotter in the summer. Buyers should look at the bike in daylight before deciding.

A buyer should ask for the on-road price of the Black Edition against that of the standard model in the same city, and for the waiting period in case demand is high before Diwali. It is worth finding out whether the colour is a paint option for the base variant only, as the report says, or can be had with other variants, and what the warranty and service terms are. Dealers often offer festival discounts and finance schemes at this time of year, and those can change the net price by a few thousand rupees.