Honda rolls out new all‑black‑styled CB350C ahead of Diwali

Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India has launched a new Black Edition of its CB350C motorcycle ahead of the Diwali festival. The variant is priced at about Rs 2.32 lakh on‑road and is based on the standard STD model, changing only the colour scheme. Earlier, a Pearl Igneous Black finish was available only on the DLX and DLX Pro trims and did not provide a full black look. The new edition adds black highlights to many parts that were previously chrome, bringing the bike closer to an all‑black appearance. Black now covers the fender stalks, headlight cowl, lower section of the telescopic front forks, the horns, and the chrome plate bearing the Honda logo on the crankcase. The side mirrors (ORVMs) are also blackened. A few chrome pieces remain, such as the exhaust, the main handlebar, and the rear twin‑shock suspension, while some silver accents stay on the handlebar clamps. Mechanically the bike is unchanged from the base model: it retains a 348.36 cc single‑cylinder air‑cooled engine delivering 21 PS and 29.5 Nm, paired with a slipper clutch and a five‑speed gearbox. The styling now includes conventional rounded fenders and a sleeker pea‑shooter exhaust, matching the look of the standard version. Honda’s move expands its CB lineup as it seeks to challenge Royal Enfield’s strong presence in the classic retro segment. ## Context The black colour trend is popular among Indian riders who prefer a stealthier look, and adding more blacked‑out parts helps Honda differentiate the CB350C from rivals while keeping the same proven mechanics.