Honda launched its two 350cc motorcycles, the CB350 in August 2020 and, following that, the CB350 RS this year. Both these bikes are aimed at competing with the two-wheeler market-dominant Royal Enfield. Both bikes started their journey with a good selling rate, but there was one issue faced by the owners of these motorcycles. Many Honda CB350 and CB350RS owners who frequently travel to high altitude locations grumbled about their motorcycles’ lack of power.
And now, after working on the issue, the company has offered a software update known as the ECU update to improve the performance of both bikes at high altitudes. Under Honda’s software update programme, the ECU upgrade is free of cost and takes about 15 minutes. Owners only need to go to their local BigWing service centre for installation. As part of this update, no physical adjustments will be made to the bikes.
The new Honda CB350 is available in two trim levels: DLX and DLX Pro. Both are propelled by the same 348cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine. This engine produces 21 HP at 5,500 rpm and 30 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm and is coupled to a 5-speed transmission with a slip and assist clutch. Suspension duties are handled by telescopic forks at the front and dual hydraulic shocks at the rear end. While looking forward to braking chores, these are performed by disc brakes on both ends with dual-channel ABS.
The top-spec variant also has Bluetooth-enabled turn-by-turn navigation and voice commands. The H’ness has a relaxing riding posture with forward-set footpegs, whilst the RS has a sportier riding posture with somewhat rear-set footpegs. In addition, the latter features somewhat lower-set handlebars than the former. There are other cosmetic distinctions as well, most notably the absence of chrome on the RS.
