Honda CB500 vs CB350: Specs, Price and Is the Bigger Single Worth the Step Up? 

You've ridden a CB350 or you're shopping for one, and now Honda has unveiled a bigger air-cooled single wearing a familiar silhouette. Before you decide which one earns your money, here's what the step up from CB350 to CB500 actually gets you, what it's likely to cost, and how both stack up against the competition. 

What Does the Honda CB500 Add Over the CB350? 

The CB500 is powered by an all-new 501cc air/oil-cooled single-cylinder engine producing 27–28.1 PS* and 43.3 Nm* of torque - Honda's largest air-cooled single-cylinder motorcycle sold in India. It shares its retro silhouette with the CB350 but adds larger wheels and gas-charged rear suspension. 

More displacement, more torque, same relaxed riding character the CB350 is known for. 

CB500 vs CB350: Side-by-Side Comparison 

As of July 2026, here's how the two compare on manufacturer-confirmed figures: 

 If your CB350 already feels relaxed enough for your commute and weekend rides, the extra displacement may be more than you need. If you've found yourself wanting more torque on the highway, the CB500 is built for exactly that gap. 

Features You Get on the CB500 

Beyond the bigger engine, the CB500 comes with a semi-digital console, slipper clutch, selectable torque control, and Honda Road Sync connectivity - bringing genuinely modern rider aids to a classic air-cooled single. Honda plans to offer it in three variants: a standard alloy-wheel version, a cross-spoke wheel variant, and a top-spec cross-spoke version with additional graphics. 

Despite the old-school air-cooled layout, none of the technology feels like an afterthought. The CB500 is built to look and sound like a classic while riding like a modern motorcycle underneath. 

Expected Price of the Honda CB500 (Unconfirmed) 

Honda has not revealed official pricing for the CB500. Given its larger engine, added suspension hardware, and positioning above the CB350 range, expect it to carry a meaningful premium over the CB350 once pricing is confirmed - but no reliable third-party estimate exists yet, and any specific figure circulating before Honda's own announcement should be treated as speculation. 

With local manufacturing confirmed, Honda is expected to price the CB500 competitively within the growing midsize retro segment. 

Who Should Consider the Step Up to the CB500? 

You want the CB350's riding position and retro character with meaningfully more torque for highway overtakes and two-up riding. The CB500's larger suspension and bigger engine are built for riders who've outgrown the CB350's performance envelope, not its styling. 

What Sets the CB500 Apart From Its Competitors? 

Large-displacement, air-cooled single-cylinder motorcycles have been rare in India since Royal Enfield's 500cc UCE engine was discontinued in 2020, leaving a gap in the market that the CB500 is positioned to fill. Its 43.3 Nm* torque figure sits close to the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650's output, though the Interceptor's twin-cylinder engine produces meaningfully more peak power at 47.4 hp - the two motorcycles are built for a different kind of riding experience rather than a direct like-for-like comparison. 

Where the CB500 differentiates itself is character: a large, single-cylinder engine built for low-end torque and a relaxed pace, rather than outright performance, positioned as a modern alternative to the classic big-single formula that Royal Enfield popularised and that other manufacturers, including BSA with its Gold Star 650, are also now targeting. 

Financing Your Honda CB350 or CB500 

Shriram Finance offers two-wheeler loans on new non-commercial motorcycles at rates starting from 10%* p.a. Once Honda confirms CB500 pricing, you'll be able to compare EMI options for both models side by side. 

Calculate your EMI with the Shriram Two-wheeler Loan EMI Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the Honda CB500 more expensive than the CB350? 

Honda has not yet revealed CB500 pricing as of July 2026. Given the larger engine and added suspension hardware, expect the CB500 to sit above the CB350 once pricing is confirmed - check honda2wheelersindia.com for current CB350 pricing in the meantime. 

Is the CB500 replacing the CB350 in Honda's lineup? 

No. Honda has positioned the CB500 as an addition to its retro lineup alongside the CB350 range, not a replacement. The CB350, CB350RS, and CB350C continue with a 2026 colour and graphics refresh. 

Can I finance a Honda CB500 or CB350 through Shriram Finance? 

Yes. Shriram Finance offers two-wheeler loans for new motorcycles at rates starting from 10%* p.a. Apply for Shriram Two-wheeler Loan today