Which Classic Bike Should You Purchase – Benelli Imperiale 400 or Honda H’Ness CB350? 

Recently launched Honda H’ness CB350 could be a good competitor to the July launched BS6 Benelli Imperiale 400. Let’s see who wins the tug of war. 

Launched in the first week of October 2020, Honda H’Ness CB250 hit the Indian markets with the price of Rs. 1.85 lakhs as the entry-level Deluxe model. On the other hand, the Deluxe Pro model was set for 1.9 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi). With such an offering, Honda Motorcycle Scooter India has already entered the retro-cruiser segment in India. It is already giving a tough competition to Royal Enfield as well as Jawa Twins (which we have made a comparison of in our previous article). 

Now, as we are speaking of bike comparison, there is another leader to be compared with and that is the BS6 Benelli Imperiale 400. Launched in India a few months ago, we have been doing our research and testing to understand who wins the stance here. Let’s delve into the details of each of the segment of both the bikes. 

Practical Functioning – Benelli Imperiale 400 Vs Honda H’Ness CB350

Mentioning about the ground clearance in the first stage, Benelli Imperiale 400 acquire 165mm. On the other hand, Honda H’Ness CB350 acquires a ground clearance of 166mm. Having only 1mm of difference, both the bikes qualify for breaking through and giving good delivery to unwanted speed breaker, potholes and uncertain terrains. 

Getting to the kerb weight, Imperiale 400 is actually heavier than Honda H’Ness. It has a kerb weight of 205 kgs while Honda H’Ness CB350 acquire 181 kgs. There is a total of 24 kgs of the difference between the weight of both the bike and that is pretty much. The take here goes to Honda has the bikes are agile and lightweight in comparison to Imperiale. 

Features  – Benellie Imperiale 400 Vs Honda H’Ness CB350

Benelli Imperiale 400 Features – 

• The instrument panel has got two round pods
• Includes Analogue counter for counting speed and tachometer
• Small Digital display for readouts like trip meter, clock, ABS indicator and much more

Honda H’Ness CB350

• Honda H’Ness CB350 Deluxe features a semi-digital instrument panel
• This includes Analogue counter and a Small digital display for information
• The Deluxe Pro variant gets Honda Smartphone Voice Control allowing riders to pair their smartphones with the instrument console through Bluetooth
• Though they need a special headset which is sold as an accessor. 
• Other features here are  – Honda Selectable Torque Control System

Specifications  – Benelli Imperiale 400 Vs Honda H’Ness CB350

Benelli Imperiale 400 is powered with 374cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine which is coupled with a five-speed gearbox. It delivers a maximum power of 21 bhp and 29 Nm of torque. 

On the other hand, Honda H’Ness CB350 is powered with 348.36cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine. It delivers 21 bhp and 30 Nm of maximum power and torque respectively. The engine is well associated with a five-speed gearbox with assist and slipper clutch

The fact here is, Honda H’Ness CB350 offer more torque and is also lighter in weight in comparison to Benelli Imperiale 400. Thus, the equation till now is pretty clear. 

Suspension and Braking Hardware – Benelli Imperiale 400 Vs Honda H’Ness CB350

Benelli Imperiale 400 make use of telescopic forks in addition to twin hydraulic shocks. The braking hardware of the bike has relied on 300 mm front and 240 mm rear disc brakes which are channelled with dual-channel ABS as standard. 

On the other hand, Honda H’Ness CB350 does have the same suspension like that of Benelli, making use of telescopic forks with twin hydraulic shocks. The braking hardware does have a different relying on 310 mm front and 240 mm rear disc break with dual-channel ABS. 

Pricing Structure – Benelli Imperiale 400 VS Honda H’Ness CB350

As for the pricing, Benelli Imperiale 400 is priced at Rs 1.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India). On the other hand, Honda H’Ness CB350 Deluxe and Deluxe Pro are priced at Rs 1.85 lakhs and 1.9 lakh (ex-showroom, India). 

You can clearly understand that the Honda H’Ness CB350 does have a price difference of nearly Rs 9000 in comparison to Imperiale 400. Speaking for the specification and features Honda H’Ness CB350 tops the list and becomes out choice when compared to Benelli Imperiale 400.