Honda Showcases 11 Custom CB350s At Wheels And Waves

Honda’s customisation competition is all set to take place at the Wheels and Waves festival in Biarritz. This year, the competition will feature the GB350S, which is basically the H’ness CB350 that first debuted in the Indian market, as the base model for customisation. Honda has gone for this model after the retro naked bike achieved strong sales in the European markets, wherein it ranks as the seventh best-selling naked motorcycle there. 

Eleven custom bikes built by Honda dealers and specialist customisers will compete for public votes. These customised bikes have been built by 11 people from seven European countries – Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Portugal, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Each country has brought its own interpretation of the retro roadster ranging from bobbers to speed cafe racers, to even flat track racers, and here’s what each country has delivered:

Spain:

• Rocket Lion: Classic café racer combining Honda heritage with modified RC181 fairing and custom rear cowling, GP-inspired seat, official Honda colour with patina-style logo, Michelin Road Classic tyres, and titanium hardware

• MBX350: 80s tribute with sharp squared styling, faithful MBX80 paint scheme, adapted historical parts, silver-finished wheels/forks/trailing arm, period-correct mirrors, and stubby Tavi exhaust

• Clubman TT (Mallorca Motos): 70s street racing tribute with half handlebars, shortened seat with integrated hump, blacked-out shotgun exhaust, blue-green Isle of Man-inspired paintwork

• Miranda: All-female team build with sleek headlight cowl, integrated screen, revised seat, white and candy pink scheme, Arrow free-flow exhaust, and YSS rear shocks

UK:

• FTR350: Flat track-inspired with sculpted upswept seat, front number board replacing headlight, custom red finish with bold graphics, wire wheels, braided brake lines, and high-mounted CR Racefit exhaust

• Silver Bullet: British café racer with nose-cone fairing, brushed aluminium tank, single seat, low clip-ons, rear sets on machined hangers, braided lines, wave disc, and racing slicks

Portugal:

• Mia: 60s motorsport-inspired with bold frontal fairing, retro screen, HRC red-white-blue paint scheme, nose-to-tail stripe, black spoked wheels, and low-slung exhaust

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Italy:

• Hachimaan (MAAN Motocicli): Japanese-bobber with hardtail rear, minimalist peanut tank, lever-free bars, glistening blue paint with ghosted flames, shifter with foot clutch, and custom exhaust

Switzerland:

• Swiss Wing: Aviation-themed collaboration with unique full wheels, louvers, rivets, aviation-borrowed elements, retro whitewall tyres, black rear suspensions, and candy red Swiss flag colours

Belgium:

• RE:CRAFTED Okira: Sustainability-focused build using recycled racing apparel and gear, created by Freaky Debbie and Ruleshaker with matching outfit

Germany:

• GRAND (B)RIX: Road racer-influenced café style with revised fork angle, new handlebars, bar-end mirrors, gold accents, blacked-out wrapped exhaust, and custom stitched seat

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Alas, such competition isn’t seen in the Indian market and that is a real shame. Honda hasn’t exactly tasted great success with the 350 cc platform, losing out to not only Royal Enfield but also more prominent heritage brands like Triumph and Jawa. A major rethink of the CB350 strategy is needed for the bikes to take the fight for number two spot. And we hope that Honda India too recognises the value of such aftersales activities to make sure that the buzz for its products remains for years after the products’ debuts.