Honda CB350 ADV: A Formidable Contender for the Royal Enfield Himalayan Throne!

Adventure riding and motorcycling have gained immense popularity in recent years, thanks to the increasing appeal of travel. Recognizing this trend, manufacturers like Hero MotoCorp and Royal Enfield have made forays into this segment with offerings like the Himalayan 411 and Himalayan 450. Now, Honda is set to challenge the Himalayan 450 with its own adventure bike, the Honda CB350 ADV.

This will be Honda's first foray into the proper ADV off-road motorcycle segment, not counting the CB200X. The primary target is undoubtedly the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, but the new Honda ADV will also compete with other off-road motorcycles such as the Yezdi Adventure and the upcoming Hero Xpulse 440, which is built on the Harley-Davidson X440's platform.

Honda CB350 ADV Design: A Close Rival to Royal Enfield Himalayan

When looking at the patented design of the Honda CB350 ADV, one might immediately draw comparisons to the Royal Enfield Himalayan 411. However, given that there are only so many ways to design a purpose-built ADV motorcycle, these similarities are somewhat inevitable.

At first glance, both motorcycles seem to have a similar approach to their design, featuring elements like a beak, large windscreen, side guards for luggage mounting, headlight guards, and more. Honda has also opted for a round headlight design.

The rear subframe of the CB350 ADV has a flat pillion seat set higher for added comfort, along with a pillion grabrail and luggage rack. Additionally, the handlebar features rider knuckle guards.

Component Differences Between CB350 ADV and Himalayan 450

Despite the overall similarities in design, there are more pronounced differences in the selection of components. Honda has chosen a cradle chassis to house an air-cooled single-cylinder engine with a single up-swept exhaust. The CB350 ADV features RSU telescopic front forks with long travel and fork gaiters, while the rear comes equipped with twin shock absorbers.

Comparatively, the Royal Enfield Himalayan features USD telescopic front forks and a rear mono-shock setup. It's too early to definitively say, but the front wheel of the CB350 ADV is likely to be around 19 inches, as opposed to the 21 inches found on the Himalayan and Hero Xpulse. The wheels are wire-spoke type, and it is hoped that Honda will offer tubeless dual-purpose tyres.

Honda's Approach to the CB350 ADV

Based on the available information, it appears that Honda is taking the existing CB350 and deriving an ADV version from it, which explains the component choices made by the company. The current CB350 is powered by a 348cc air-cooled engine that produces 20.78 bhp and 30 Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed gearbox. It is hoped that Honda will extract more performance from this engine to better compete with rivals like the Himalayan and Yezdi Adventure.

DriveSpark Thinks

Honda is expected to launch the CB350 ADV in 2025, and it is likely to be a global product, much like the existing CB350. With its competitive design and component choices, the Honda CB350 ADV is set to make its mark in the adventure riding segment, offering riders an exciting new option for their off-road excursions.