Honda Highness

Pic taken on Southern Avenue on 12th May, 2021

Yesterday, that is Friday 26th March, 2021, Monisha and I came home riding a brand new Honda H'ness CB 350. It's a matte green coloured bike that we bought from Dugar Honda on VIP Road near Teghoria. The total cost, including basic accessories was Rs 2,24,489 + Rs 8,000 (that eight thousand was paid in cash). It's the base model (without dual-tone colour, dual horns and smart phone connectivity) Monisha paid for it through bank transfer. The base model is called Deluxe. The higher end model is Dlx Pro.

We had gone to the showroom on Thursday. They said (the salesman was one Suman Mandal 8420102153) it is almost readily available. If we paid we could ride it home that day itself. The bike in our colour wasn't available in the showroom. In fact they didn't have any base model on display. We said we would pay a small advance of Rs 5000 (this we paid through a cheque which they did not encash. We took the cheque back and paid by cash the next day. The balance 3K that was paid by cash was required to be paid in cash as it was some expenditure they made in cash at the RTO counter) and pay the rest of the money the next day and take delivery. They agreed. We quite liked the matte black dual tone also which was on display. But we stuck to the original plan of matte green. The official name of the colour is Matte Marshal Green Metallic. Whatever the name suggests it is a mossy green in matte finish.

ki

We did exactly that and in a breeze we got the bike on Friday. It is one of the quickest new vehicle purchases I have ever made. I have bought two new bikes before and three new cars. It was never this hassle free or quick. But then the bike is yet to be registered at the RTO in my name. I do not even have proper insurance papers. We were told these would come in due course of time. Earlier after one booked a vehicle it would be sent to the RTO who would allot a number. Those protocols have been changed. Now you buy a vehicle and take it home with a temporary registration number supplied by the dealership. Papers come in due course of time :-) Number plate is now installed by the dealer at the workshop during first service.

I was told insurance was for 5 years - 1+4. That is, for the first year it is comprehensive. Next four years it is just a third party insurance. Which is fine with us. It means from the second year if anything breaks we have to pay for it. 

The bike came with tubeless MRF tyres. Hopefully the battery inside is an Exide. I didn't check but I think we are 100 per cent supplier to Honda. (Sunday - just checked. The battery is Tata Yuasa :-( ) 

Pic on 28th March, 2021

Monisha and I went in our Duster. I parked it in our R&D Center and came home riding via Rajarhat/New Town and Ruby (the next day, that is on Saturday I went by bus to R&D and drove the car home). On the way we filled petrol from a pump next to AMRI. The odo was showing 33 Km when I reached home. I think this is the first time I bought a vehicle that had virtually zero on the odo when I bought it. This is because they did not take it to the RTO for registration. There was a burnt kind of smell coming from somewhere. 

First Ride Impressions

I simply fell in love with the bike. Love at first ride. It is superb. From the exhaust note to handling it's a fantastic well balanced machine. I never felt unstable on the turns. The leg position is a little extended. This will make long rides comfortable. The handle is also very well balanced and ideal for long distance rides. I am really itching to hit the highway but let the registration formalities be complete first.

The LED headlight and the front turn indicator lights are always on. If I pull the indicator it blinks. I am yet to fully explore the dash board. It gives various readings including battery voltage and average fuel consumption etc. I have it on the odo mode. There are two trip meters. The gear position is also indicated. The bike stops if one starts with the side stand down. 

Monisha and I both loved the seat. It's a single unit straight seat like we have in the Bullet. Brown in colour. Monisha loves the railing behind her seat. She can grab it and feel safe. The KTM was a difficult bike for a middle aged married woman to ride pillion on. In fact one needs extreme fitness to ride pillion on the KTM. It's actually not a bike for riding pillion on. 

Sunday 28th March 2021 Monisha and I went for a 60 kmish ride to New Town via Nicco Park and came back via VIP. Non-stop. The roads were empty due to Doljatra. Even then the ride was totally hassle free. We didn't feel tired at all. I could ride it for the whole day without any fatigue. 

I opened what looked like a tool box. Turned out it was the battery chamber. I don't know if that is supposed to be the tool box or whether the seat can be opened. I couldn't find a lock for it to open. Will find out.

Service and Fuel Purchase History + Milestones

Purchase - Friday 26th March - Rs 2,32,489 - 0 Km

Petrol 15.23 lit @ Rs 90.92/lit - Friday 26th March - Rs 1384.71 - 20 km (approx) (Salt Lake AMRI)

Probiker Hand gloves - Saturday 27th March - Rs 321 (Amazon) - 

March 30, 2021 - 100 km - Lake Market

Petrol 8.84 lit @ Rs 90.75 - Thursday 8th April, 2021 - Rs 802.23 - 350 km (approx)

1st Service - Rs 1758 (oil change, filter change and chain lubrication) - Sunday 2nd May, 2021 - 603 km

Number plate installation - Rs 650 (for the base plates) Saturday 2nd May, 2021 - 603 Km

Vegas Green Open Face Helmet - Rs 897 (Amazon) - 650 Km

Petrol - 12.57 lit @ Rs 91.2 - Saturday 8th May - Rs 1149.77 - 730 Km

June 6, 2021 - 1000 Km - Southern Avenue X Vivekananda Park (West Bengal in lock down since May 15)

June 15, 2021 - Grip Puppies (Riders Junction, Indore) - Rs 1599 - 1050 Km - 

June 24, 2021 - Tank Pad (Dugar Honda) - Paid with new bike - 1141 Km 

June 27, 2021 - Petrol HP Power @ 102.31 - 12.98 lit - Rs 1327.98 - 1230 Km

July 17, 2021 - Chain cleaning and lubrication (Kerosene and Motul) - 1500+ Km

July 23, 2021 - Petrol HP Power @ Rs 106.09 - 12.23 lit - Rs 1297.48 - 1646 Km

August 16, 2021 - Petrol ordinary @ Rs 101.88 - 11.84 lit - Rs 1206.27 - 1989 Km 

October 27, 2021 - Petrol ordinary @ - 14.2 lit - Rs 1539.42 - 2408 Km

November 13, 2021 - ECU Update - 2500 Km (app)

November 12, 2021 - Rynox Tornado Gloves - 2400 Km (app) - Gear Up - Rs 3250

November 20, 2021 - Petrol ordinary @ Rs 104 - 13 lit - Rs 1360 - 2855 Km (app) 

December 27, 21 - Petrol ordinary 14.22 lit - Rs 1488.12 - 3308 Km

Total Cost on Petrol in 2021 - Rs 11552 for around 3300 km

March 7, 22 - Chain cleaned and lubed - 3666 Km

March 8, 22 - Petrol ordinary 14.3 lit @ Rs 104.65 - 3698 Km

March 15, 22 - Petrol ordinary 9 lit at Deoghar Station Road (opp Bengali library) - 4076 Km

March 26, 22 - 3rd Service - 4711 Km

March 27, 22 - Petrol ordinary 12 lit @ 108.xx - Rs 1328 - 4773 Km

April 29, 22 Petrol @ Rs 115.xx - 4961 Km

 

All petrol purchases are from India Trading, Lee Road unless stated otherwise

Table

The Wait Before

I had sold my KTM last year in February. I wanted to buy a new bike after BS VI became effective in April. But the lockdown and pandemic from end March ruined all that plan. Around Puja Honda suddenly launched the CB 350 as a competition for Bullet. Having owned a Hero Honda back in the 90s, I trusted the Honda brand. There was no second thought in me that I would buy this. But I soon realised that this bike would take time to come to Calcutta. Honda was selling this through its BigWings dealer network only and Calcutta didn't have a BigWing dealer. Dugar was indirectly claiming to be one but it had still not got the dealership officially.

So I waited and waited. Then there came a time when Dugar started accepting bookings. Our friend Siddhartha, who looks after motorcycle OE sales, told me not to give any advance but wait for Dugar's name to show up on the Honda website as an authorised dealer for H'ness. So I kept on waiting and would call them once in a while until one fine afternoon the lady said that yes it was available. I checked the site and Dugar's name was indeed there.

It took me a few weeks to go there. I had thought there would be a long waiting period. I wouldn't mind that. But I was pleasantly surprised to find ready stock and almost immediate delivery. 

I kept on waiting and would enquire over phone from time to time. First they said it would come after Diwali. Next it was to come in new year. After that they said it would come in March. The deadline was being pushed. Finally I realised they have now indeed got the bike in the showroom. After that it took me some time to manage the time to go together for a look. I never realised we would get almost instant delivery. 

The Need For a Motorcycle

Pic by Partha Sarathi Sarkar

Lockdown came after I sold off the KTM. This gave me an opportunity to ride the bicycle. I started commuting to work. Later I picked up cycling every day in right earnest. But after things normalised barring Mampu's school, which remained shut, I realised a motorcycle was necessary for the quick trips with either Monisha or Mampu. I was being forced to take the car out. So the motorcycle is really a utility product for me. But this Honda can quite go the distance I guess. I am more than certain we will go to Katwa and Shantiniketan etc in it. 

If and when Mampu goes  to hostel, we will have the weekends to do nothing but go out. The Highness will come handy then.

The Second Wave - First Service

On 8th April I had filled up my tank and went for a long ride in the afternoon to Anderson. I also went and collected the tax token etc from Dugar. On 9th April I felt a little feverish. On 10th I got myself tested and found I was positive. I will write the story of my experience some other time but suffice to say that I was down for two weeks. The bike had done only 350 Km or so. After coming out of isolation Monisha and I started going out in the evenings for 30/40 Km rides. One Saturday (24th April) we went for an almost 100 km ride to Kuberpur. The three-hour ride in strong sun (possibly the high on that was 40 degree centigrade) left me very sick with low pressure upon return. This has hampered my rides ever since. I am 575 km now on the odo. I had planned to go for the first service on 26th when there was polling in our constituency. I had to cancel it due to my health condition. As of now I want to go on 2nd May for the first service. That is the day of election result, incidentally. I was told that my number plate has come. That needs to be installed too. I need to collect my blue book and the tank protector too. 

First Service Experience

I went to the service workshop on Sunday 2nd May, 2021 for my first service. I was told to go at 8.30 am which was meaningless. The service guy - one Bunty and a very nice friendly guy - himself comes at 10.30 or so. I urged them to get it done by any mechanic as the work of changing oil, filter and lubing the chain is not a big deal. I got the bike by 12.30 I guess. The total cost for service was Rs 1700+ and the installation of the number plate cost Rs 650. This was for the base plates that I took. Otherwise the number plates get damaged in wind. 

Before the 1st service my odo was showing 603 Km. Petrol consumption was 41.4 Km/litre. This was achieved mostly through riding on empty, good roads in the night or in the New Town area etc. Therefore it should not be taken as a benchmark. Also, I want to do a proper full tank to full tank calculation. That is more proper and accurate. The sensor based calculations are not so dependable.

While, coming back I came via New Town and Maa flyover. The bike obviously was running more smoothly and freely. I could engage the 5th gear at 60 kmph as opposed to the previous 65 or so. The latitude on 5th gear to slow down a bit increased. Gear shifting became less notchy. I hope it improves. 

I asked Suman the salesman about my Bluebook. He said it will take at least two to three months still for that to come through. Will check Vahan with my number. Just to update - I have downloaded the RC into my phone app mParivahan. This is enough for police for the routine checks.

I have realised, particularly after the first service - if Hero Honda SS 100 was married off to the old Bullet, this would be the child that has inherited all the good things of the parents. It has the ease of operation, balance and riding comfort of the Hero Honda and road presence and power of a Bullet. I also love the exhaust note.

Deactivating the Service Alert 

The service due alert came on precisely at 750 Kms last night. The spanner icon started blinking. To deactivate it one has to long press the upper button on the left hand side of the headlight with the ignition turned on. After a few seconds, with the button still pressed, turn off the key. Count ten. Turn it on again. The spanner is gone. Simple. Honda does not mention this in the owner's manual. I was told to come to the service center for this simple step. When I told him that I live very far the mechanic showed it to me. This is available on various forums also.

In case one does not know - this is a new feature. At various distances the bike reminds you to go for servicing. The first alert comes on at 750 Km, even if you have already done it, like I did. It will come on again when the second service becomes due.

Grip Puppies - June 16, 2021

Last evening I installed a pair of Grip Puppies on my handlebar. Bought them off Riders Junction online for Rs 1599. It was tough installing them but they went in fine with liberal use of soapy water and lot of turns that left the forearms looking fat and pumped up. After that I went for a short ride around the block (lockdown is still on). The throttle has become quite fat. I wasn't wearing my gloves for the short test run. I do not know if the fatter throttle is a good thing. Thinner throttles are easier to grip and control. The bare handlebar with the OE grip goes a little sticky and clammy in summer and monsoon. I hate that. I believe these eliminate vibrations but my Honda does not vibrate. Perhaps when one rides for extended hours it becomes an issue.

I have got used to the grip by now (25th June, 2021) - that is, after about 100 Km. I don't know if these are memory foams and will form an impression of the fingers over them. I have a feeling they will.

Tank Pad - June 25, 2021

Last evening I got the tank pad installed from Dugar. The bike had done 1141 Km when installed. They sold it to me when I bought the new bike but they did not have supply. Last evening I spoke to them, went and got it installed. The fellow over there told me that installing the Grip Puppies was a bad thing to do because the clutch wouldn't be engaged fully. I think he is exaggerating it a bit. I do not think you need to pull the clutch lever so close as to touch the handle. 

They showed me an Abus lock for the disc. For Rs 1990 they seemed pretty heavy and well built. I resisted the temptation to buy because I have a feeling I might forget it's there and end up starting the bike with it and damage things.

RE - Knox Line of Garments

Today (Monday, June 28, 2021) I went to check out the Royal Enfield's new line of gloves and jackets at the Eastern Distributors shop on Theatre Road. They have introduced this line of new products in collaboration with UK's Knox. The guy there said while the gloves are still not in, the jackets are already there. I checked out the Explorer V3 jackets. I think I would like to go for the XL size. They have a winter liner inside as well as a rainwear cover. It felt a tad heavy. I told them that I would come and get the Vamos gloves and the jacket together. 

Harley Davidson Boots - 6th July 2021

Last week I revived these heavy duty Harley Davidson boots of mine, albeit to be worn with my Honda :-) . In 2002 when I went to America I brought these back as a memento of sorts from there. It was purchased from a huge H-D dealership called Mike's Bikes in Delaware. It had cost me upwards of $100 back then. Later, back home, I discovered (much to my utter disappointment) they were made in China :-)

I never got round to wearing them regularly. I remember pulling them out to go riding my Bullet to Shantiniketan with Shilbhadra. In Shantiniketan the sole came off. I had to put a nail in it to somehow return home. I got it pasted by Mr Mochi in Park Circus. 

Again the boots fell into disuse and soon lost its pasting. I did not repair it, meaning to do it once I decided to wear them regularly. Two weeks ago, I chose to revive them. Pulled them out from the gap between the steel safe in Ma's room and the wall. It had gathered a lot of dust. I dusted them and went straight to Mr Mochi (a reputed shoe repairer in Park Circus). They pasted them back for Rs 300 and delivered it in about a week. 

The boots had taken a greyish dusty colour. I asked the boy at the shop to advice me on how to revive it. He advised using Cherry Blossom liquid polish. Back home, I found a new tub of Formula 1 Caranauba wax had arrived. I tried it on a very small area. I loved the effect. I had half a mind to do it up with the wax but then decided against it and tried the Cherry Blossom. 

I cannot say I was happy with the effect. It gave it a shiny, glossy finish which does not go with this sort of boots or my taste. I think once the sheen goes off, I will try the carnauba wax. 

I have not used it because it is not a practical pair of boots to wear as a daily go to pair. They are pretty heavy with steel toes and all. I am using them for those rides where I don't foresee a lot of walking around at the end of the trip. For example, I wear them while going to drop Monisha off at the office or pick her up. If I were to go on a long trip I might use them. But I certainly intend to use these boots a lot. They are not very comfortable but they certainly change the gait and add a personality to it. I love them.

Cleaning & Polishing

I have recently discovered the joys of cleaning and polishing. I polished my bike with Carnauba wax from Formula 1 the other day. The result was addictive. But I soon learnt that my motorcycle, being a satin-coloured one, cannot be waxed. In fact it should not be cleaned using conventional car shampoo either. It had left a fine layer of greyish coat when I did wash last time with my 3M car shampoo (I guess I will try and clean it with IPA once to see what happens). There is only one liquid available on Amazon India for satin finish paints. It's from a company called Chemical Guys. But it is frightfully expensive. I guess Rs 1400 or so. I do not trust the local stuff with these things. I will first try and see what happens if I just wash with plain water. If it does not work I will get that shampoo for satin colours.

I have found an excellent polish for maintaining the chrome. The Dara cleaner that I had bought for Rs 80 from the local hardware store is excellent. It is very Indian but I tested it on the bathroom taps and they shone brilliantly without any apparent damage. 

The chrome parts of the motorcycle like the handlebar, the tank cover etc  had developed little spots, possibly after the last rain ride few weeks ago. They all vanished with the use of Dara on microfibre and gentle buffing.

I treated the fuel lid and the rear brake light housing with Carnauba wax and they started glowing. After this we rode the bike in mild rain (certainly not by choice) while going to Mejomasi's. The rain marks went off with just a gentle wipe. Was it due to the wax? No idea because I did not check how those marks behaved on other parts that are not waxed. But I will treat the chrome parts with wax from now on. 

27th October, 2021

Cycling Accident, Fracture & Disruption

On 27th August, 2021 Chenka and I were riding in Salt Lake when I crashed into him and broke my pubic rami. I had to be bed ridden for quite some time. The entire September was gone resting on bed and from October I have started exercising and rehab work. 

In the meanwhile I had sent the bike to BigWing Honda for them to take a look at the rusting on the neck of the petrol tank. They sent it back to me with a touch up job. I got the engine oil changed during this visit to the work shop. Of course I could not go. They had sent someone who rode the bike to the WS and returned it after the oil change. 

Honda quality leaves a lot to be desired at least insofaras this model is concerned. I see a lot of online reports of chains showing rust, paint chipping off engine fins and brake pads needing replacement in less than 3,000 Kms. Very shoddy quality, possibly to keep prices low. 

I went to the WS for the official second service on Friday, 23rd October when the odo was showing around 2350 Km. Essentially they just gave the bike a nice bath. They also sold me a cheaper version of WD 40 for Rs 75 to spray in the key holes and electrical switches. It is some licensee of an American brand called Bardahl. 

They told me that the inner hole of the ignition had developed some rusting issues and I must spray it once in a while - possibly once a week - in all the key holes. This is disgusting really, coming as it does from a brand like Honda. It's otherwise such a joy to ride. Well balanced and weight distribution is perfect. If I had to assess the bike in one sentence - it is a very well designed product but with very shoddy and third grade manufacturing practice. 

November 19, 2021

Social media of late has been rife with complaint about the Highness losing power at high altitudes like Leh or other areas of Ladakh. No one was sure if it was a real problem or rider's incapability or competition's dirty trick departments being active. Honda recently sent me a message to me (and all others) saying they have a software update available to address this. 

This proves Honda accepts that it is indeed an issue.

I took the bike last Saturday, that is 13th November, 2021 to get the ECU software updated. Frankly I did not realise or feel any change. Odo was around 2300 Km I guess. Perhaps engaging the fifth gear at a lower speed is easier now. Problem is with such subtle changes you get used to the new thing very soon and you forget how it was before. I also feel there is a slight change in the sound. 

I am told the firing of the engine has been reworked. It is not about the petrol air mixture. But the firing. I am not sure if I will go to Ladakh with this. But Darjeeling and Sikkim yes. Let's see.

March 22, 2022

Last week I went to Deoghar alone for a weekend. It was a 700 Km plus journey. It went off without any major incident. Here is a review of the trip