Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) launched the CB350RS recently and the new offering uses the same underpinnings as the CB350 H'ness. However, the Honda CB350RS is redesigned as a stripped-down, lean and sportier alternative for those who like the modern-classic design albeit with a sporty touch. The Honda CB350RS is priced from Rs. 1.96 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and in this space, there are ample new offerings to talk about. Here's a look at the models rivalling the new CB350RS.
Also Read: Honda CB350RS Review; Urban Chic
The new Jawa 42 is a sportier iteration of the Jawa Forty Two sold in the company's stable, much like the CB350RS
The Jawa 42 received an upgrade earlier this year on the same lines as the Honda CB350RS. It's a sportier look and comes with three new colours, a blacked-out theme with black 13-spoke alloy wheels with tubeless tyres. A grey classic sport stripe now runs along the length of the motorcycle, and it also gets re-designed body graphics. The Jawa 42 also gets changes in the seat, retuned front suspension, a throatier exhaust note and a redesigned cross port flow of exhaust gases from the cylinder. Power comes from the same 293 cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine that now makes 27 bhp and 27.03 Nm of peak torque. The Jawa 42 is priced at Rs. 1.91 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 balances well between the classic lines and the modern elements
The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is another direct rival to the Honda CB350RS. The new motorcycle is a massive improvement over the erstwhile Thunderbird range and is built around the all-new 350 cc platform, the Meteor 350 gets a new engine, as well as a new chassis. Power comes from the new 349 cc single-cylinder air and oil-cooled engine that makes 20.2 bhp and 27 Nm of peak torque. The motor is paired with a 5-speed gearbox. The new RE Meteor 350 is 6 kg lighter than the Thunderbird 350 it replaces, and tips the scales with 191 kg kerb weight. It also gets the Tripper pod for navigation. The Meteor 350 range starts at Rs. 2.16 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) onwards.
The Benelli Imperiale 400 is charmingly old-school and currently the most
Completing the rundown here, the Benelli Imperiale 400 brings some old-school charm and is a nice package overall. The bike sports the likeable modern-classic design with the round headlight, tear-drop fuel tank, 41 mm telescopic front forks and preload-adjustable dual shocks at the rear. The bike rides on spoked wheels with a 19-inch front and 18-inch rear combination and gets disc brakes on both wheels, with dual-channel ABS. The Benelli Imperiale 400 is powered by a 374 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine which makes 20.71 bhp and 29 Nm of peak torque. It is now the most affordable offering here priced at Rs. 1.90 lakh (ex-showroom).
