Accessories Update:

I got my cb350 in march end and since then its just 900 kms driven. At the time of purchase, I had bought below -

• Saddle stays from Honda (~700/-)
• Tank pad from Honda (~300/-)
• Fork Gators from Honda (~600/-)
• Zana Crash guard (~2500/-)
• Zana Sump guard (~2500/-)

For my pillion comfort, I was looking for a backrest and for my own riding posture preferences I was looking for an easily accessible handlebar. So, I went for a search for those few days back and ended up getting more accessories than I had earlier planned for. I found a youtube video where the owner loaded it up with few good mods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0LbsQasjnk&t=241s) so I went to Adeshwar stores (Ryders Arena) near Lalbagh and got below ones -

• Carbon racing windshield (2000/-) - I think this one is for interceptor but suits highness as well, with few additional clamps.
• Mo-tek backrest with topbox mount (3800/-
• Front Fender extender (350/-) - Its a must have as the front fender is quite short and ends up splashing the rider and lower engine even while crossing minor slushes. Got 2 holes drilled for this but I think it was worth it.

Now, the bike looks quite different from what it was and the best part is that thanks to the windshield I am more comfortable riding it.
I couldnt get the Art of Motorcycles handlebar from Adeshwar's and I will be getting it soon either from them or directly from AOM shop. They both did not have it in stock on that occasion.
The pending accessories which I need to make it more functional are -

• AOM Handlebar
• Bajaj Avenger's rear view mirrors
• A mobile holder
• Seat modification for more cushioning (Not a priority but someday)

I did not get opportunity to click any good pics since then, but I will be posting them as soon as I get the handlebar mods done.

Addiional update on handlebar mod -
There are 3 options -
1. Handlebar risers (for height)
2. Handlebar extenders (for reach, obviously)
3. A new handlebar (like AOM's)
When I spoke with AOM's owner, he mentioned that the first 2 options will give a minor uplift to handlebar at the cost of stability and long term durability. However, a handlebar change (esp a good one) will provide a better height and reach without sacrificing stability and durability. So, I have finalized on going with third option/

More on it sooner, I hope.
Stay safe brethren.

There are many school of thoughts on run-in periods and the right ways but if you arent informed enough then its better to stick to whats mentioned in the manual or what you can gather from service station representatives.
I did not feel a need for signal buzzers, so I never researched on it and hence wouldnt want to blabber on it.
Ride Safe.

3. In my opinion, split seat is good but not VFM. You can get better seat mods done in much lesser and for your comfort. Still, check it out at the service center once to form your own opinion. What I felt is that its better to opt for a backrest for pillion comfort instead of split seat change. However, its not easy to get a good backrest but there are few in market from Zana and Nexus Gears.
4. For other mods, you can check my post on this page. Got few and have ideas for few more.

Update on the above post -
Got AOM Handlebar installed on my bike yesterday from AOM guys directly. It was 1700/- for the handlebar, 500/- for the bar-end weights and 250/- for fitting charges. They had to drill a hole in the new handlebar for left side switch panel, but everything else was stock. The stock cables sufficed too, but the stock bar-end weights cant be reused. Now the handlebar is a little taller, better reachable and a little broader. I took it out for a spin for almost 50 kms and found that the handling is much better and it makes a Himalayan kinda stance now, which suits my preference. However, U-turns arent as breezy as they were earlier, but this is a compromise I am fine to live with.

Posting few pictures here with all the accessories I got so far. Btw, the seat is brown and the backrest is black which may look fugly for now but its because I have not yet decided whether to turn my seat black or the backrest brown. It should be more asthetically pleasing soon

Got delivery of my motorcycle and all great so far.
Nothing good to talk about delivery experience at Bigwing Pune.

Did anyone felt that clutch is too loose / extra light ? Might be old school Bullet habit of mine is playing up ?

Thanks to people here, I have made up my mind already for some of the accessories/mods.

Congratulations and happy mile munching I too did not find big wing experience as a major selling factor.
You might be finding the clutch extra light as its slipper clutch. If you mean something else, then better mention it to Service station rep when you visit there for the 1st service.

Query on one weird observation :

Yesterday got my bike just water washed with taking utmost care of no extra pressure or cleaning around sensor or under seat area.

I observed the over or say auto acceleration especially in second/third gear. It stays on 20kmph briefly without my efforts.

Is this an issue or should I just shrug it off as this is expected and am overthinking it as issue ?

Please help

I have few questions about the fit and finish.
Friends who have RE are fed up with small issues, niggles, poor quality finish, QC issues on every bike is different, every week something new is lose or broken, rusted, or making noise etc. As per years of RE reviews, I feel RE bikes start to give more issues than pleasure. EXTREMELY HIGH AND FREQUENT MAINTENANCE ISSUE motorcycles.
So, coming to Honda Highness 350:
for long term owners, a year long reviews.
1. Has any one faced QC issues?
2. Rusting? Major issue in monsoons now.
3. Monthly/ yearly maintenance other than planned service?
4. Pillion ride comfort, in terms of spacious area and not cramped tight.
5. Any leaks, cracks,

Accessories, upgrade and looks is all secondary- it’s the motorcycle itself that should be reliable, resilient.
Will help me choose between Meteor and H’ness.
Thank you in advance.

I am using highness since April 2021 and rode it for approx 2000 kms. Got the 1st service done and 2nd one is coming up in September.
To answer your questions -
1. Have not faced any quality issues so far. Everything works as expected.
2. Facing Bangalore monsoons since past 2 months. I did not ride the bike daily but had to take it out many times in rains and mud. Being a little lazy did not clean it up just after the rides and mud was left on the bike for few days. After cleaning it throughly, no issues with rusting whatsoever.
3. None so far.
4. Pillion seat is good enough, and with the touring seats in accessories I was told the pillion seat becomes broader and longer. However, I felt that a backrest helps with the original seat itself and I did not opt for touring seats. Its better to invest in backrest as often times pillion ends up carrying a bag or something which becomes easier to handle if they have enough room at the back with the help of backrest.
5. No leaks so far, no cracks anywhere including alloy wheels even if I did bit of offroading and handled few potholes in not so graceful manner.

So far, I found it reliable in all senses and as expected from Honda brand.
Few points from an owner's perspective on ride experience. These are not issues, but thought of mentioning here if it helps you to decide between this and Meteor -
1. The switches for indicator and horns are interchanged and are different than other bikes which takes a lot to get used to. I still end up pressing indicators when I need the horn in a crunch situation.
2. In 1st and 2nd gears, especially in the lower speeds, the bike feels that it lacks power and acceleration. Goes till 60-70 in 2nd gear very smoothly though and in 3rd/4th gears if you are on 70-90 you will not feel any issues. No issues with refinement and smoothness except at a certain rpm where you will feel a minor buzz in mirrors, but its hardly there for seconds. In comparison, I felt that meteor's power delivery was linear and it felt more powerful and stable till 80-100, after which I did not get a chance to test that.
3. In the lower speeds I felt that power delivery was non-linear (point 2) and when you try to reduce the speed, it gives light jerks. Maybe its my riding style or maybe its the bike's nature, I am not sure. But I did find that in lower speeds it behaves a little differently and not as expected. I did not have that feeling in my earlier bikes (Mojo, avenger etc)
4. I do not have the DLX version and mine has just single horn setup which sounds like activa and does not do justice to the bike it is.
5. Gear ratio is taller, which I am sure you know by now from all the reviews.

All in all, its a great product but I feel that with that price point Honda just made a smooth RE Classic and did not try experimenting with the already successful RE Classic formula.

Thank you for that information. Much appreciated for the additional information. These answers gets some peace in my mind that I’m rightly inclined towards CB350 than RE.
Reliability is of utmost importance to me. Small niggles every week is EXTREMELY irritating and i have seen more than couple REs parked and borrowing other bikes whose so ever is “working” that week.
Looks and style and thump and RE branding etc is last in my check list!
And hence I’m edging towards Honda more each day.

Coming to the additional information.
1. Indicator and horn interchange; will get used to. Not an issue. Just a matter of having muscle memory what to operate and it just happens subconsciously.
2. Meteor may have much linear power raise curve, yes, been on it, tried a friend’s bike for a small highway test drive; but, i will never ever compromise on quality control and regular irritants.
3. Will need to test drive a Highness within city traffic to “feel” that low speed power curve. Will sure check on this aspect when i get a chance. Many keep talking of high and middle range power delivery, low end curve point is new to me. Thank you again on this.
4. Single horn, that’s sufficient as i am not a continues honker. I find it ridiculous when guys blow loud horns unnecessarily! Imagine stopping on a red signal and honking. I have seen personally that it affects my old parents, even their friends feel uneasy at loud horns. We must be responsible to use that loud horn just for emergency use, not to move ahead in traffic.
5. I am an iOS operator, heard the navigation works only for android. Sad. And also, wish they had a in-display nav available. So to use that I’ll have to add another accessory to my helmet. RE has done better there.
6. Tall gear ratio. Have heard of it, read about it.

Just few more questions pls.
1. Backrest for pillion is must as u said, will sure get it as i am planning long drives with a full time pillion.
2. With the spilt seat, those extra 2inch, are they sufficient for a comfortable pillion rider?
3. Not read about it though, but any heating issues on the legs?

I am in Pune for next one week and could not spot any on the roads! Surprising! I will plan a test drive as soon as i get a chance so i may finally fix on it and book.

About my rant about horn being weak, I hate honking myself but there are times when you are in 60-80 and you dont want a random person to just jump on the road without noticing you, in those cases I felt a little stronger horn would be useful considering its a powerful bike. Totally agree with you on the irritants who honk on red signals or to get ahead in traffic.

I did not go for the split seat so cant comment on that. However, when I spoke with some experienced riders they mentioned that its better to go for a seat mod instead of spending 4k on a touring seat accessory from Honda if it doesnt make much of a difference. So, I am planning to go for a seat cushion adjustment in next few days.
I invested in a backrest on stock seats and my pillion has no complaints about space at all. Long rides are comfortable as well.

i am in Bangalore and i find these often on the roads. But obviously the numbers are not huge so far.

Also, I forgot to mention one thing, gear shifting isnt as smooth as i would expect from Honda. I mean, the clutch is ultra light and engine is smooth and then if you hear a hard click on the gear shift it gives a bad feeling. However, this is a minor rant and is already mentioned on youtube reviews. Its just that I had better expectations from Honda on this.
Another thing, 5th gear is a dud. Its only for cruising and i did not find it that useful. Even on long rides, a lot of times I ended being in 4th gear most of the times.

Rent it out for a day or 2 and ride in both city and highway. Its quite nimble in city and you dont feel the weight at all, though at highways sometimes it feels that it lacks power. It will be smooth even at 125 but does not feel planted (i am sure due to wind blasts) at that speed and you wouldnt want to be at that speed for long on this bike.

This helps as i am with full time pillion, either me in front or rear. Makes us cover more without fatigue and enjoy the views in hills.
i have always been on pulsar150 travelling all around. Have my tons of experience on it. A big bike buy will be first time. Hence i may sound little stupid in questioning. Please bear with me.

hello,

Any WhatsApp group of Honda Highness Pune ? I am not on any other social media.

If we have people here then we can create one. Thoughts ? Message me.

Also anyone experienced with any aux light setup. I am looking forward to one as I will need it for my night rides.
Kindly advise on aux light setup which doesn't temper the original wiring. Madog, HJG or any budget options ?

Thanks

I might be too late in replying to your query, but still, I would like to share my inputs.
Please shell out some extra bucks and go for the maddog relay + wire harness to avoid unnecessary burden on the battery. I bought L4x aux lights (1k cheaper than the cheapest maddog aux lights) with maddog relay setup and it works great. I have no complaints so far and i can maintain a healthy 80-100 even at nights on highways.
The stock headlights dont inspire confidence to go above 60 at nights, so these are a must.

I hear a lot of people saying that they dont do night rides and they wont need these but in my opinion, its better to have the aux light setup and not use it, instead of not having it and getting stuck in a bad situation at nights. Personal choice again.

My chainset is about to give up and I'm looking for option to make the gearing a bit shorter, i don't mind sacrificing on top speed. If you have any suggestions, please advice.