New Delhi: Japanese auto giant Honda unveiled its mid-sized motorcycle, CB350RS, which will go on sale priced at ₹1.96 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India) from next month .
The CB350RS is the second in Honda’s CB family of motorcycles, which are ‘Made in India for the World’, after the H’Ness CB350 bike launched in October.
The CB350RS will be available across the ‘Big Wing’ network, Honda’s retail outlet for premium bikes, from March although bookings for the bike open from Tuesday.
The CB350RS is powered by an advanced 4-stroke 350cc engine that produces a maximum power of 15.5 kW@5500 rpm. The bike is equipped with assist and slipper clutch that makes gear shifts smoother and ensures less fatigue during a ride that involves frequent gear shifting.
It also has a digital-analogue meter that integrates details such as torque control, ABS (anti-lock braking system), side stand indicator with engine inhibitor, gear position indicator and battery voltage.
HMSI Director–Sales & Marketing Yadvinder Singh Guleria said the company is on track to reach over 50 Big Wing outlets by the end of March.
By the end of this month, the company will have 35 outlets ready, he added.
Guleria said the all-new CB350RS is based on ‘Road Sailing Concept–RS’, which defines the “character of the bike’s smooth performance on the road with a sailing feel and comfort for the rider”.
“Last year, Indian riders got a chance to experience ‘made in India’ CB brand and elevate their pride of fun riding. Today, we are excited to add another chapter to the CB series,” said Atsushi Ogata, Managing Director, President & CEO of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI).
“Exhibiting the true legacy of CB Brand, the CB350RS will add value for the Indian customer by providing contemporary style and superior stance, further enhancing the fun biking culture,” Ogata said in the virtual conference.
Stating that the company has received robust response to the H’ness CB350 which has already crossed sales of 10,000 units, Ogata said Honda is bullish on the mid-sized motorcycle segment in India.
“Honda is a newcomer in this segment in India but we see a lot of potential for it, not just in cities but in rural markets as well with a lot of young people interested in the segment,” he added.