Honda CB350 H'ness

[Tev62]

Emission regulations just show how strangled they have bikes though. My old CB350K4 make 32HP-36HP (depending on where you read). Fifty years later and a 350cc is making 20HP?

Then again the CB 350 K series was a twin and the H'ness is only a single

the 1983 CB 1100 made 108 hp our CB 1100 makes only 88 both 4 cyls.

divide an 88 hp 4 cyl into 4ths and you get 22 hp per cyl

divide 88 hp 4 cyl by 2 and you get 44 hp

so both the H'ness and the CB 350K both are basically close to the same power as our CB 1100's per cylinder

Then again the CB 350 K series was a twin and the H'ness is only a single

the 1983 CB 1100 made 108 hp our CB 1100 makes only 88 both 4 cyls.

divide an 88 hp 4 cyl into 4ths and you get 22 hp per cyl

divide 88 hp 4 cyl by 2 and you get 44 hp

so both the H'ness and the CB 350K both are basically close to the same power as our CB 1100's per cylinder
Mmm, OK. Not sure I like the cylinder comparison argument but I see what you are getting at.

My comment was not a criticism at Honda, just a comparison of what manufacturers have to do to meet emission regs then and now. The key to engine efficiency is being able to run at high compression ratios (CR). These small capacity air-cooled bikes just cannot run high CR and meet emission regs with their required tolerances. Just look at the great power coming out of the new RE450 motors and the Triumph 400's. Their water jacket allows them tight tolerances curbing those emissions and allows them to extract that much more power.

I've always equated these modern air-cooled 350's in my mind to an old mates Suzuki SB200, a great little 2-stroke. Similar 18-20HP but at a nifty 255lbs Vs a RE350 at around 398lbs. Given the choice I'd take that SB200 any day but then give it to a buddy to ride so I could ride behind it and smell that exhaust!