Honda Launches H’ness CB350 Bike in India at Rs 1.9 lakh

Honda Launches H’ness CB350 Bike in India at Rs 1.9 lakh

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI)   has launched the new retro-cruiser motorcycle called the H’ness CB350. The new entrant will be a new entrant in the mid-size (350-500cc) motorcycling segment. The bike is the third entrant with a BS-VI engine in the BigWing portfolio.

H’ness CB350 will be sold through its BigWing portfolio, its exclusive premium bike vertical at an ex-showroom price of Rs 190,000. The digital unveiling saw the presence of Noriaki Abe, Managing Officer, Honda Motor Company and Chief Officer, Motorcycle Operations, Honda Motor Corporation, Masayuki Igarashi, Operating officer and Chief Regional Operations (Asia & Oceania), Honda Motor Corporation. Masayuki Igarashi is also the President and CEO, Asian Honda Motor Company.

Honda H'ness CB350

The new H’ness CB350 has a 350cc, air-cooled 4 stroke OHC single-cylinder engine equipped with PGM-FI technology. The engine delivers a maximum torque of 30 Nm@3000 rpm and a power output of 15.5 kW (20.7 hp) @ 5,500 rpm. Honda claims that some of the features on the bike are segment-first, which include -
1.Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)- a switchable traction control system
2.Honda Smartphone Voice Control System (HSVCS)- Indigenously developed Bluetooth smartphone connectivity system that allows calls, navigation, music playback and incoming message alerts.
3.Assist and Slipper Clutch- For smoother gear shifts.
4.advanced Digital-Analogue Speedometer- Presents a host of features and tell-tale signs and indicators on the go.
5.Full LED setup

Apart from these, H’ness CB350 comes with Dual-channel ABS, Engine Start/Stop, 19-inch front tyre, hazard light, half-duplex cradle frame in steel pipe and a fuel tank of 15 litres

Atsushi Ogata, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India said, “Globally, CB series of motorcycles symbolize Honda's history of challenges. For more than 60 years, Honda has consistently given the prefix "CB" to models representing on-road sports. Also, the riders have always been the focus in the evolution of the CB. It was once again the Indian riders who motivated the development of H’ness - CB350. To this end, the latest technologies are generously reflected in its 9 new patent applications. Today, we are proud to usher in a new motorcycling culture in the mid-size segment with this global unveiling of H’ness - CB350.”

Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India said, “The basic value of H’ness is in its majesty which enriches rider’s motorcycling experience to “go further with free spirit”, encounter new roads and landscapes with Honda’s unrivalled reliability. With its authentic roar, upright road presence & a wide range of new values, H’ness - CB350 delivers an unmatched riding performance. H’ness - CB350, proudly takes forward the rich legacy of Honda’s CB DNA and provides the joy of riding through a wide range of situations like daily use in the city or long road trips. Get ready for a true companion that radiates royalty & evokes emotion.”

Honda is offering the bike in two variants (DLX and DLX Pro) with three colour options each. HMSI has opened the bookings for the H’ness CB350 at Honda’s BigWing dealerships and on its website.
 

Yamaha Crowns Top Dealership Talent at National 3S Grand Prix

India Yamaha Motor Grand Prix

India Yamaha Motor, a leading two-wheeler manufacturer in the country, recently concluded its Yamaha National 3S Grand Prix 2024–25, a nationwide competition designed to recognise and reward the skills of dealership staff crucial to delivering Yamaha's 'Premium 3S' experience (Sales, Service and Spares). The initiative aims to enhance customer service across the country and acknowledge the vital role played by on-ground personnel.

The 2024-25 Grand Prix featured five categories: Technician, Service Advisor, the new Tele-Caller segment, Parts Manager and Sales Consultant. The competition unfolded in three stages, beginning with regional contests from 15 August to 30 September 2024, which saw a record 7,567 participants. Top performers from online examinations then advanced to zonal rounds held between 17 February and 18 March 2025.

The national finals took place on 24th and 25th June 2025 at Yamaha’s Surajpur facility in Greater Noida, where 40 finalists vied for top honours. The top three in each category were felicitated by senior management. Notably, the winning technician will represent India at the World Technician Grand Prix 2025 in Japan this November.

Judging criteria varied by category, assessing technicians on troubleshooting and maintenance, service advisors on customer handling and timely vehicle delivery and tele-callers on communication skills. Sales consultants were evaluated on their ability to provide a premium customer experience, while parts managers were judged on efficient stock management and customer service.

Ravinder Singh, Senior Vice-President at Yamaha Motor India Sales, said, "The Yamaha National 3S Grand Prix reflects our deep commitment to nurturing frontline talent and recognizing the critical role they play in delivering an exceptional experience for our customers. This platform not only motivates our dealership staff to strive for excellence but also reinforces our brand promise of quality, reliability and top-tier service. We congratulate all the finalists and look forward to seeing the national winners representing India at the global stage in Japan.”

The National Technician Grand Prix (NTGP), which first launched in India in 2010 with 350 participants, has seen exponential growth. The 2023 edition engaged over 6,000 contestants, with the introduction of the Tele-Caller category in 2024-25 pushing overall participation to an all-time high of 7,567. Beyond the competitive aspect, the Grand Prix underscores Yamaha's commitment to ensuring staff are well-equipped to provide exceptional customer care, a core focus for the company. This commitment is further supported by the Yamaha Motor Academy (YMA), a global training initiative that develops 3S dealership staff into 'professional teams' to ensure premium customer service at all touchpoints.

Ather Energy Targets To Double Experience Centres To 700 Touchpoints

Ather Energy

Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ather Energy has announced its ambitious plans to double its retail network to 700 experience centres by FY2026.

For context, Ather Energy currently operates 351 experience centres in India and 24 centres in Nepal and Sri Lanka. Furthermore, 46 percent of the retail touchpoints are in South India alone. The expansion is part of the EV maker’s strategy to provide first-hand experience of the product, quality and peace of mind to customers.

The company with the recent launch of Rizta e-scooter targeted for families, is now looking to scale up its presence across the country, including tripling its store count in north markets. The Rizta, Ather’s first family scooter had recently crossed 100,000 units retail sales milestone within a year of its launch. The e-scooter has become popular in key states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Rizta alone now contributes to nearly 60 percent of Ather’s total sales, unlocking new cities and bringing in a wider base of family buyers, setting the stage for a much stronger retail presence in the coming months.

Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Rizta’s phenomenal success has opened up new markets and brought a much larger set of family buyers into the Ather ecosystem. We’re seeing demand coming in from cities where our footprint was previously limited, and that gives us the confidence to scale faster. Expanding to 700 Experience Centres is about staying ahead of this demand curve and ensuring that wherever our customers are, they have easy access to the full Ather experience.”

At present, the company operates over 3,578 fast-charging points across India through the Ather Grid. The EV maker is also expanding its service footprint along with the expansion of its retail network across India, including Gold Service Centres in key cities.

Ather Energy currently has two manufacturing plants in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, one each for vehicle assembly and battery manufacturing and an upcoming third manufacturing facility in Bidkin, AURIC, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, which will scale up its manufacturing capacity to 1.42 million electric two-wheeler per annum.

Triumph Speed T4 Gets New Baja Orange Colour Scheme

Triumph Speed T4

Triumph Motorcycles India has launched a brand-new colour ‘Baja Orange’ for its best-selling Speed T4 motorcycle, which it said is inspired by the glow of desert dawns and the vibrancy of golden hour rides.

The Baja Orange Speed T4 400cc will be available at INR 205,000 (ex-showroom) and will continue to be powered by 400cc engine producing 31 PS @ 7,000 rpm and 36 Nm @ 5,000 rpm. Mechanically, it remains unchanged and continues to have a low-end torque in the range of 3,500 – 5,500 rpm. It features a slipper clutch for easy downshift, dual-channel ABS and 43 mm telescopic forks.

The Speed T4 sports a 3D badge, new frame colour and tyre stripe pattern.

The British motorcycle brand is experiencing significant momentum, posting an impressive 30 percent YoY growth from FY2024 to FY2025 for the Speed T4.

TVS Launches 2025 Apache RTR 200 4V With Racing-Inspired Upgrades

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

TVS Motor Company has launched the 2025 Apache RTR 200 4V, marking two decades of the brand’s racing legacy and celebrating a 6 million-strong global community of riders.

The new Apache RTR 200 4V features key mechanical and aesthetic upgrades, including OBD2B compliance, a 37mm Upside Down (USD) front suspension for improved control and a hydroformed handlebar that enhances handling stability. The motorcycle also sports refreshed graphics and bold red alloy wheels, offered in three colour options – Glossy Black, Matte Black, and Granite Grey.

Under the hood, the bike continues to deliver 20.8 PS at 9,000 rpm and 17.25 Nm of torque at 7,250 rpm. It’s equipped with dual-channel ABS, three ride modes (Urban, Sport, and Rain), a slipper clutch, adjustable brake and clutch levers, TVS SmartXonnect with Bluetooth and voice assist and a fully digital display with LED headlamps and DRLs.

First launched in 2016, the Apache RTR 200 4V has consistently introduced segment-first innovations, setting benchmarks in performance and safety.

Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “The upgraded 2025 TVS Apache RTR 200 4V continues this legacy – pushing the limits of design and engineering to offer next-generation riders a thrilling, track-bred experience on every ride.”

The 2025 TVS Apache RTR 200 4V is now available at dealerships across India, with prices starting at INR 153,990 (ex-showroom, Delhi).