Exchanging the hustle and bustle of Mumbai for a night under the stars aboard two of Honda’s finest modern classics.
Since long before man had social media and OTT platforms to keep himself occupied and entertained, he’s been doing one very simple thing to captivate his mind: looking up. For millennia now, we’ve been mesmerised by the night sky, finding patterns in the stars, studying the craters on the moon and, with some luck, drinking in the beauty of the Milky Way. In more recent times, though, our gaze has shifted downwards. Partly because of the distractions in front of us, and partly because light pollution has greatly dimmed the beauty of the stars. With the right companion by your side, though, you can leave the distractions and the light pollution behind. And the Honda H’ness CB350 and CB350RS certainly make for some superb companions.
The H’ness’ nice upright riding position makes you feel like king of the road.
Up To The Job
With creamy smooth power delivery from their long-stroke, air-cooled 348cc engines and a thumping exhaust note to go with it, these are motorcycles that make you want to ride off into the sunset. And that’s exactly what we found ourselves doing on a lovely, cool February evening. The mission? Keep going until the skies are dark enough, and then get the best possible photographs you can of the night sky. First, though, there was the small matter of carving our way through Mumbai’s infamous traffic to get out of the city. With the assist and slipper clutches on both bikes making light work (literally) of gearshifts, and tight turning circles allowing us to squeeze into the slimmest of gaps, slicing through the urban jungle was an absolute breeze.
You’re sat more aggressively on the CB350RS, which draws you into a sportier experience.
Once on the open road, the common goal was night photography, but there were two very different ways of going about it. The H’ness is a bike that makes you want to never stop riding. That nice, upright seating position makes you feel like the king of the road, so why would you ever want to abdicate the throne? It’s a throne that remains supremely comfortable even after long hours in the saddle, allowing you to leave the fatigue behind and devour mile after mile of road ahead. The CB350RS, meanwhile, has more of a sporty edge to it, and draws you into the experience with a more engaging riding position. Feet tucked further back, more of a lean into the handlebars, you’re ready to attack the twisties that come your way. So these two unique characters result in two different routes.
Different Strokes
The wanderlust of the H’ness sets you on the path of a camping adventure – in this case, with a telescope and a camping chair strapped to the back of your steed. Along the way, you’ll appreciate the way the well-balanced suspension setup dispatches the many rough stretches of road that are thrown your way. But once at your campsite, your attention will be divided between the glimmering mosaic overhead and the classical lines of the motorcycle glowing in the warm light of your bonfire. It’s certainly a poetic scene: a retro-styled machine resting under the same stars that have guided travellers for centuries.
It’s a poetic scene: a retro-styled motorcycle built for the open road, resting under the same stars that have guided travellers for centuries.
The CB350RS owner, much like their motorcycle, thinks against the grain. In this case, seeking out a nice serpentine road that brings out the beautiful handling of the chassis, before eventually leading to the Dark Matters Observatory in Narayangaon. Much like the motorcycle has a trick up its sleeve with Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and dual-channel ABS watching your back, the roof of the observatory slides open to reveal its party trick: five astronomical-grade telescopes pointing up towards the heavens. It’s a mesmerising experience, gazing through powerful lenses at distant galaxies, planets, and nebulae, realising just how small we truly are in the grand scheme of things.
5 astronomical-grade telescopes pointing up towards the heavens give you a view of the night sky unlike any other.
Star For The Course
After much stargazing and photography, the silence of the night was once again broken by the roar of undersquare single-cylinder Honda engines, as we made ourway towards the rendezvous point the following morning to compare shots. It was hard enough to pick a winner amongst the pictures, but when it came to trying to decide which motorcycle was top pick, it was downright impossible.
Comparing shots of the night sky was the perfect ending to a memorable night with Honda stars.
There’s no doubt about the fact that they’re different. The H’ness harks back to its legendary forefathers, with that signature square-ish fuel tank and its lovely chrome fenders. There’s an honest simplicity to it that really allows you to soak in each moment in the saddle. The CB350RS, meanwhile, appeals to a younger audience with its more youthful demeanour. Here’s a motorcycle that gets your heart racing every time you swing a leg over the seat, and that’s not something you can say about most bikes. Whether you prefer the serene comfort of the H’ness or the dynamic thrill of the CB350RS, both motorcycles allow you to reconnect with the world beyond screens and deadlines, truly making them the real stars of the show.
