The first CB- CB92 Super Sport, debuted in 1959; since then, the two-cylinder, 125cc classic has taken on various iterations over decades while amassing a throng of hardcore riders who still swear by the CB brand.

Does the CB350RS provide the same emotive connect between man and machine? How different is it from the H’ness CB350? What’s in store after becoming a Honda owner in India? All that and much more as you read on.

Visually, the Honda motorcycle gets a dual-tone fuel tank, blacked-out engine area and exhaust, round LED headlamps, an under-seat tail lamp, and sharp LED turn indicators.

From afar, what stands out is the redesigned cafe racer look, a pleasant sight for Royal Enfield-seeing sore eyes. One can appreciate the build quality and the overall finish on the rear set footpegs, sporty grab rails, and the switchgear buttons from up close.

Between the H’ness CB350 and CB350RS, the latter boasts an updated under-seat tail section, tuck and roll seat, front fork covers, and an engine skid plate; while these accessories do not go a long way in making the motorcycle any more practical, they add an aesthetic appeal to the rowdy look Honda aims to achieve.

The similarities do not end there as both motorcycles are equipped with the same instrument cluster, LED headlamp, and fuel tank. However, the RS’s tank colours are bright and flashy with two colour options- Radiant Red Metallic and Black with Pearl Sports Yellow. The indicators, too, have been replaced over the circular turn signals with sleek and sharp LED offerings.

Mechanically, the contemporary cruiser is powered by the same engine on the H’ness CB350, a 348.36cc, single-cylinder motor mated to a 5-speed gearbox producing a max power of 20.78 Bhp at 5500 RPM and a max torque of 30 Nm at 3,000 RPM. Additionally, it also gets a class-leading slipper clutch for seamless gear shifts.

The digital-analogue instrument cluster hosts various features such as mileage indicators, gear position indicator, and Honda Selectable Torque Controller (HSTC).

Both motorcycles also share the half-duplex cradle frame with a box-section swingarm. The CB350RS also features the same wheelbase and seat height as the H’ness CB350. However, it weighs around 3kg lighter and has marginally reduced ground clearance.

The large section front suspension adds to the imposing image while also providing great comfort on rough roads. The pressurised nitrogen-charged rear suspension provides a highly responsive rear damping performance. The riding position has been made slightly aggressive with rear-set footpegs, but the patterned seat provides better comfort and grip, both- for the rider and the pillion.

As seen on the H’ness CB350, the road tyres have been swapped for wide pattern tyres to assist riding in difficult terrains. The RS also shares brakes with the H’ness, a sure-stopping 310mm front disc and a 260mm rear disc backed by dual-channel ABS.

So, are the H’ness CB350 and the CB350RS the same? Yes and no! The H’ness, as its name suggests, is laid back, majestic, and equally powerful. On the other hand, the RS is sportier, more impulsive, and looks like a roughed-up king in exile. Even though they share most of the ride-determining components, they are very far apart in how they carry themselves, and you, on the road.

With the CB series, Honda seeks to grow engagement with riders and looks to connect with them on a deeper level. In an effort to inculcate the CB culture, the Japanese bike maker organises around 10 rides every month across India. This is expected to increase once more Honda owners sign up; with this, the company strives to create a biking community and organise rides to different parts of the country.

Honda is on course to set up 50 plus BigWing touchpoints soon with more dealerships expected to take root in the future.

Although the company has no plans for a bigger capacity motorcycle at the moment, consistent demand, well-received products, and an avid biking community may change that in the future. Interestingly, Honda may replenish their 350cc segment if the demand exists.

The CB350RS is priced at INR 1,96,000/- (ex-showroom). The rugged yet classic motorcycle is set to take on the likes of Royal Enfield Meteor, the new Jawa 42 2.1, and the Benelli Imperiale 400. (MT)

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Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler maker Simple Energy has inaugurated five new retail outlets in Delhi, Nashik, Aurangabad and Siliguri. The expansion increases the company's footprint across North, East and Western India, bringing its total network to approximately 70 outlets in 38 cities.

The company has implemented a strategy of pairing showrooms with dedicated service centres to support vehicle ownership. The EV maker has added two new locations in Delhi and Maharashtra each. It has also added a new 3S facility in Siliguri, West Bengal.

The new stores showcase the Simple One Gen 2 and Simple OneS Gen 2 e-scooter lineups. The Gen 2 model is available in two battery configurations (4.5 kWh) at INR 169,999 and 5.0 kWh battery configuration at INR 177,999 designed for long-range commuting. The prices are all ex-showroom Bengaluru, respectively.

Going forward, Simple Energy aims to reach 100 stores across India in the coming months. Future locations identified for expansion include Nagpur, Ranchi and Bhubaneshwar. The company currently operates in major hubs including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi.

Suhas Rajkumar, Founder & CEO, Simple Energy, said, “This expansion of Simple Stores marks a key step in strengthening our pan-India presence. By growing our footprint across North, East, and Western India, we are enhancing accessibility and building a stronger service network for our customers. Our scooters are engineered for long range and high performance, delivering reliable, anxiety-free rides for everyday commuting. As we scale towards 100 stores across India, we remain focused on making electric mobility practical, dependable, and widely accessible.”

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Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has recorded 10 million cumulative sales in the East region of India. The achievement covers markets in West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and the north-eastern states, signalling the manufacturer's expansion across both metropolitan and semi-urban areas.

The sales volume has been driven primarily by demand in cities such as Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India's operations in the region are supported by a network of over 1,200 sales and service touchpoints.

The Activa and Dio models remain the primary drivers in the scooter segment, while SP125 and Shine 125 were volume contributors in the motorcycle segment. The company recently entered the EV market with the Activa e: and QC1 electric scooters.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India currently maintains a diverse product line-up ranging from 100cc to 200cc in the mass-market segment. For premium motorcycles, the company operates two distinct retail formats: BigWing Topline, which handles the 200cc to 1800cc range in major cities, and BigWing, which focuses on the mid-size 200cc to 500cc segment.

The current premium range includes models such as the CB350 series, NX500, and the Gold Wing Tour. Growth in the East region is attributed to brand trust, product quality, and established resale value within the local market.

Mutsuo Usui, Director - Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “The 10 million sales milestone in the East region reflects how deeply our products are integrated into the everyday mobility needs of customers across diverse markets. The accelerated growth in recent years highlights the increasing confidence in our portfolio and the strength of our network across metros as well as emerging towns. As we move ahead, our focus will remain on expanding accessibility, strengthening customer experience and driving the next phase of growth across the region.”

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Triumph Motorcycles has attained a new sales milestone of having over 100,000 motorcycles on Indian roads. Following this, the two-wheeler maker has announced updated pricing for its mid-capacity range, offering on-road savings of up to INR 21,500. The new price structure is supported by an 18 percent GST bracket applicable to the company's 350cc engine models.

The company is targeting growth in FY2026-27, leveraging its network of over 230 stores across 200 towns in India. The revised pricing strategy is intended to increase the accessibility of the 350cc and 400cc portfolios while maintaining the engineering standards and engine character associated with the brand.

Updated Pricing (Ex-showroom Delhi):

• Triumph Speed T4: INR 195,000
• Triumph Speed 400: INR 231,890
• Triumph Scrambler 400: INR 259,241
• Triumph Thruxton 400: INR 265,538
• Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: INR 289,534

Manik Nangia, President, Probiking, Bajaj Auto, said, "Bolstered by the massive success of our 400 range, with 100,000 Triumphs now on Indian roads, we enter FY2027 with strong momentum. The 18 percent GST bracket enables more competitive pricing while retaining the character and engineering excellence that define our products. We are confident that with these on-road savings, we will be able to bring many more riders into the Triumph family."

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Royal Enfield has announced the expansion of its Hunter 350 portfolio with the introduction of a Base Premium variant and two additional colourways for the Top variant. The updates were unveiled at the company’s HunterHood event in Lucknow on 4 April 2026.

The new Base Premium variant, available in Tarmac Black, is designed to provide an entry point into the range while incorporating features from higher-specification models.

It now gets alloy wheels replacing traditional spoke rims, a digi-analogue instrument cluster paired with rotary switchgear, single-channel ABS and a slip and assist clutch.

It also gets an updated round halogen headlamp, stitched seat and grab rail.

Furthermore, the top variants get two colour options Mumbai Yellow and Moonshot White.

The expansion aims to increase the reach of the Hunter 350 beyond urban centres into smaller towns and rural markets. The model continues to target a generation of riders seeking a lightweight and agile motorcycle for city environments.

The Hunter 350 base premium Tarmac Black model comes at INR 149,900 and the top variant in Mumbai Yellow / Moonshot White at INR 169,804.

Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Enfield, said, “The Hunter 350 continues to resonate strongly with a new generation of riders who value simplicity, usability and a strong sense of identity in what they ride. With the introduction of the Base Premium variant, we are strengthening the Hunter’s proposition by offering meaningful upgrades that enhance the everyday riding experience while keeping the platform accessible to a wider set of riders. This allows the Hunter to continue expanding its footprint not just in urban centres, but increasingly across smaller towns and rural markets as well. Additionally, the new colourways — Mumbai Yellow and Moonshot White — further reinforce the Hunter’s role as a motorcycle that reflects the culture, individuality and self-expression of the riders who choose it. We are confident that the 2026 Hunter 350 will continue to strengthen its place as a defining motorcycle for a new generation of riders across India.”

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