When Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) launched the H’ness CB350, as well as the CB350 RS, it was clearly directed to compete with Royal Enfield’s Meteor 350 (scheduled for Philippine launch on Friday).
Back in India, sales of the H’ness CB350 had surpassed HMSI’s expectations, and, since the bike is current Euro-5 emissions compliant, the bike should have no trouble meeting restrictions in markets abroad.
During one interview, HMSI’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, said that a lot of markets have shown interest in the H’ness. They are currently in discussions with Honda’s headquarters in Japan over the possibility of making the bike available in Europe, USA, and even here in Asia.
“Since this model is already meeting the European regulations, there are many countries where this model could be exported. So we are in discussion with our headquarters. Already, the model is three months old in the domestic market and there is interest from other Honda companies across the globe.”
Currently, HMSI’s focus is to prioritize orders that come from India’s domestic market, Guleria said. But once Honda Japan greenlights the H’ness for export production, India will certainly comply.
“We are working at the backend now to minimize this waiting period. But for sure this is one model which is made in India for the world. There is big potential. We are waiting and once we get a green signal from headquarters in Japan, we can start the exports. Potential does exist and we are quite hopeful,” added Guleria.
Bakit hindi pa ginawang 400cc?
Since the minimum displacement for expressway-legal motorcycles in the country is 400cc, it is just natural that many Filipinos would ask the question “Why didn’t they made it a 400cc?”
Like the Philippines, India has their own 'sub-400cc rule'. There, however, the minimum displacement to legally enter an expressway is 349cc only. That’s why a lot of 'big bikes' from India have a 350cc displacement.
You can read more about the minimum displacement in countries around the world through our story, Motorcycle policies of expressways around the world.
H’ness CB350
The Honda H’ness (pronounced ‘Highness’) is powered by a single-cylinder, 350cc air-cooled EFI engine that produces a claimed 21-Ps of power and around 28-Nm of torque.
Some of its highlights include a retro-inspired LED headlight, teardrop-shaped fuel tank, alloy wheels, ABS, and optional Bluetooth connectivity for navigation, music, phone calls, and messages.
The H'ness CB350 sells in India for about PhP124,000. However that amount does not include import taxes and other duties that have to be added for an imported motorcycle. If offered locally with all the duties and dues paid, the CB350 may be priced anywhere from PhP150,000 - PhP175,000. Is that still a reasonable price for a 350cc?
