Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
What's New?
Honda GB350S Test Ride Review
Ren stumbles into a test ride of the Honda GB350S. Can he get his head around a new way of riding? It's all very different in the world of low revs and heavy flywheels.
A Dodgy Hip, A Mesh Seat Cover, And Pants
In trying to reduce leakage in the rain our brave and heroic half-wit Ren has got himself a cunning and devious plan. However this idea is causing him issues because he's getting old now and the newness has worn off.
Bedfordshire Is Not In France
And they're off to France! Well Bedfordshire today, but they will get to France eventually... hopefully... maybe?
The Last Day Of A Big Ride
It's Andy's last day of an epic trip. Save for some wind (no not that kind of wind) it seems all rather mundane somehow. Anyhow he's home and safe after over 4,500 miles.
Home And Epilogue
Just a brief summary of the return leg from Much Wenlock and Ren's thoughts of the lovely little town.
A Holiday In Normandy - Prologue
France! Well northern France because our soft arsed lazy writers can't be bothered to go any further. It's time for excuses and explanations as to why The Dynamic Muppets are off on holiday and not an exciting expedition.
A Holiday In Normandy
Title page for A Holiday In Normandy
Rain In Northern France
Yep - the rain has returned, the temperature is colder, and the accommodation is below par. Andy must be getting closer to Blighty now, obviously.
Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy
It's probably best not to compare things, there's always something bigger faster smarter lighter neater more stylish etc etc etc... And yet we are a competitive species. Ren is trying to rationalise logic against feelings.
Bogger Back To Base
Just a few notes for His Boggerness on the final ride home. It's been a crazy, fun and yet somehow relaxing adventure. Go figure!
See More What's New
Latest Posts
A Dodgy Hip, A Mesh Seat Cover, And Pants
Snod said :-
Surprisingly there actually are ones with a full leg zip, see the link. I can't personally vouch for these though, I've just used ones with elastic at the ends of the legs and the waist and keep them on top of my bike trousers for at least 10 months of the year because a) it normally rains all the time and b) they're good for keeping the cold off. So they last 6 years of commuting whilst being worn almost all the time. So because I just leave them on the trousers I'm not too fussed about how easy they are to get on and take off. In real rain I also still wear them under my one piece rain suit because of course the suit leaks and then has all the time it needs to try and soak into the crotch area..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165581078384...
30/07/2026 20:15:45 UTC
Honda GB350S Test Ride Review
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Cheers ROD. I do understand what you mean - if you're used to more power and a more aggressive ride then either the GB350S ain't for you, or you're going to have to rethink the way you ride. This bike ain't about the thrill of performance or easy motorway blasting. Nor is it about FEELING fast. As I said my 125 was half the power but it FELT fast when you got it screaming.
I recall coming up a hill nearby on my 125, giving it the absolute beans, flat out, head on the tank. As I crested the hill there's a copper pointing his speed gun at me. "OH POOP!!" I glanced down at the speedo in terror - only to realise I was doing 45 in a 60 zone. Phew! Now I'm quite sure the GB350S would have been going (a bit) faster but with low revs and a genteel attitude it wouldn't have felt so quick.
I was reading the comments on someone else's review and one chap was asking "What if I fit air filter X, get it remapped, new exhaust" etc etc etc. The return point was made - if you want to go faster get a faster bike!!
I suspect a lot of folks will buy the Honda because of the price point and looks. There'll be a lot of second hand ones because the owner's won't get that mad screaming excitement they're looking for. I also think there'll be a lot of happy owners because the bike's riding style will suit them, it'll be fast enough for their needs, and because it's a lovely thing to ride, just different.
30/07/2026 16:59:49 UTC
Honda GB350S Test Ride Review
ROD¹ said :-
Ren, I think the power characteristics are similar to the 350 Enfield J series.
I found 20bhp enough around the lanes and enough power to keep up with the flow of traffic on my HNTR.
I covered. 10500 miles on the bike in two and a half years with zero problems and easy servicing. I decided to ignore the warranty and do all the maintenance myself.
The problem that I found was the lack of power if you needed to overtake. The bike would return over 100mpg when using it around the lanes, however when trying to keep up with A road traffic full throttle is required much of the time, and this increases the fuel consumption to the 70s and 80s mpg.
The reason I sold my 20 hp bike was that I got to a stage where I was only really taking it out to justify owning it. I always wished I had taken the other bike out no matter where I was riding.
I have had a sit on the gb350s and can confirm that it feels a little tall for a 5'4" hobbit. The cl500 felt much more manageable at my height.
Thanks for an informative review Ren.
30/07/2026 14:44:43 UTC
Honda GB350S Test Ride Review
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
According to my tape measure 31-32 inches or 810 to 830mm.
30/07/2026 14:01:10 UTC
Honda GB350S Test Ride Review
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
It's hard to gauge comfort Snod in 1 hours riding particularly across country. That being said I found it fine. You know - I've never measured my inside leg...
Yeah that exhaust will likely rust sooner rather than later - there's already stainless options out there. It'll be to keep that price under 4 grand and be competitive with the Enfield.
Can you Bluetooth your mobile? Nope. Why would you want to? Blummin' kids these days hooking their mobiles into their cars to "Spotify their tooooones", what's wrong with a cassette? Nothing better than a C90, several hundred feet of shiny brown tape wrapped around the reels and heads, hours and hours of fun picking it out with a hair grip only for it to eat your favourite "mix tape" recorded off the Top 40.
30/07/2026 13:59:09 UTC
A Dodgy Hip, A Mesh Seat Cover, And Pants
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Do they have the full leg zip? Link please.
30/07/2026 13:50:28 UTC
Honda GB350S Test Ride Review
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ed, a thought? Yes, yes, I know.
If these bikes are a good representation of the reinvention of an old British Single....who's buying em. Most riders with experience of British singles probably aren't riding much and the retro touch can't appeal to a generation that can't remember the 50 to 70's, or does it? If they're selling them (?), then where are they and who is riding them.
I can't think I've seen many out and about, maybe two.
Plus you missed the most important aspect, can you Bluetooth your mobile? Pffffffftttttt.
Upt.
30/07/2026 13:38:15 UTC
Honda GB350S Test Ride Review
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I have no use for one of these in my life at this time, ten years down the line and an Er'Indoors who doesn't really want to throw her leg over anymore.....then maybe. The looks are spot on, but, that black exhaust is orrible. Ta me duck.
Upt.
30/07/2026 13:31:16 UTC
Honda GB350S Test Ride Review
Snod said :-
I sat on one of these and found the seat very hard, how was the comfort after an hour? And how short are your legs??
30/07/2026 13:02:11 UTC
A Dodgy Hip, A Mesh Seat Cover, And Pants
Snod said :-
Army surplus goretex overtrousers can be found on eBay for around £16 and last about 6 years of commuting before leaking. Yes they only come in silly camo colours but at least they're not £60..!
30/07/2026 12:51:26 UTC
See More Comments
Latest Repair-Chat
Go To Repair-Chat
nab301 said :-
Glyn , looking forward to seeing and hopefully hearing the fruits of your labours , will you be stripping the engine?
Nigel
26/06/2026 14:53:36 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Ooooh eeeee ouch! I'm glad you didn't post your gory sliced digit Glyn (Flyn). You can show us when it's healed a little and we can imagine the rest. As for the heat... Enough already but it won't be long until I'm griping about the rain/cold dagnammit. The nights are already drawing in.
26/06/2026 09:57:29 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I managed to slice a couple of mm off a finger with the angle grinder a couple of weeks ago removing the chain from the Herald*. I'm usually very cautious around them but a moment's inattention...... It's taken to now to heal up.
*And what's wrong with split links I ask you? Someone had gone to the length of fitting a continuous O ring chain at some time in the bike's 3,000 km life while studioudly ignoring the dreadful suspension units.
Goldie silencer arrived yesterday and it's in new condition. A bargain at just over £30. It does say pre 1985 bikes but this is invisible when fitted. Too hot for anything today.
25/06/2026 10:13:31 UTC
Glyn said :-
Oh no I’ve spelt my name wrong again. It’s these fat fingers I’m working with. Talking of fingers, I almost removed the top of my middle finger right hand in an incident with a sun lounger in Croatia 3 weeks ago. It took 5 stitches to reattach and weeks of dressings which I’m still doing. I’ve got some fairly gruesome pictures of aforesaid digit but I’m sure the Ed wouldn’t be impressed if I were to post one.
24/06/2026 20:54:01 UTC
Flyn said :-
Ian is right Up’t, not really my style to clear-coat it. I’ve decided to respray it colour number 8 in Elfenbein 732 which is a BMW ivory colour. Elfenbein is a direct German translation for “Elephants tusk”. It’s the colour that I painted the BMW K1100 2 years back. However, this time there will be no evidence of the colours that went before.
24/06/2026 20:48:49 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
It's like archaeology (or a time machine) when you get down through the layers like that, and as Upt' says it would be interesting to keep it. But I think that would offend your aesthetic sensibilities.
Re vinyl dye, the Steib came with a seat cover which is red and would clash with the BSA red so will probably dye that black as well. At the moment, the only passenger provision is a box full of pavers left over from a patio to keep the chair wheel down on left handers although this is scorned by some "experts". No idea why as an empty sidecar limits the speed round these bends. I can understand if a passenger is occasionally carried that you need to understand the handling in different configurations.
24/06/2026 10:17:29 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I wondered where that screwdriver had gone, have you got my 10 mill socket too!
I'd smooth that off and lacquer it as a homage to rattle cans.
You're welcome.
Who'd have thought it, Glyn a screwdriver thief?
Upt.
24/06/2026 09:21:38 UTC
Glyn said :-
Sorry forgot the image
24/06/2026 07:52:40 UTC
Glyn said :-
That is a remarkable upgrade for £15 Ian. It looks brand new. Talking about unsuitable colours this is the rear section of the little Aprilia. It has had 14 owners and been 7 different colours.
24/06/2026 07:51:34 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Looking good fella, like Ren, I have little sense of style and taste but the brown and black bike did look a little daft.
Looking forward to your ride report.
Upt.
11/06/2026 10:06:12 UTC
Latest Chit-Chat
Go To Chit-Chat
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Yeah there's little doubt that doing motorway miles 2-up with luggage on the GB350S will be drinking some juice! Perhaps not quite as much as a "big" bike but the difference will be nominal. Science is a hard master and simple physics states that to do X number of miles at speed Y requires a certain amount of energy. The only thing you can do is reduce drag, reduce weight, and increase engine efficiency. And weight only matters in acceleration and rolling resistance.
In which case we're into what your looking for in a bike. Do you wish to cruise effortlessly on the motorway 2-up therefore saving on stopover costs? I can see the benefit of that particularly if you're travelling through an area you're not interested in to get to the place you are interested in. Do you wish to be able to carve the bends and power out the corners too? Big bike every time.
If you're looking to cruise through the countryside without fearing the rear end power slides and speed cameras, having time to see things as you potter along? If you're looking for a calm meander? Of course a big bike can go slowly but it'll be easier and more efficient on the smaller bike.
It all boils down to the fact there's nothing perfect. If I want to be in the south of France in 2 days then I'd choose a Gold Wing. But when I get to Nice ideally I'd want a 125 twist-n-go scoot in the town. Then in the hinterlands I'd want a sporty but comfortable Tracer 700. When I'm back home and riding to Sharon's the GB350. When I'm out with my pals I'd be back on the Tracer. If someone could produce a bike that does all this they'd make a fortune.
For myself personally (particularly as Sharon now has her own bike) my Current CB500X is the best compromise. Not too slow my mates get bored of waiting for me, fairly good on fuel, big enough for touring 1-up, big enough for 2-up too when Sharon's having a rest day, and small enough for me to manage. If Sharon ever said to me she wants to come touring with me as pillion (particularly if camping) I could do it on the 500 but ideally I'd want something with more "real estate" (space for luggage and a bit more bant).
30/07/2026 16:41:49 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Having owned a 100mpg 350 I can confirm that Upt' is correct, these bikes do not do 100mpg when ridden at normal road speeds.
One thing that I didn't realise is how much slower my 350 was than my R1150RT riding at the same speed.
I tried to do a mpg comparison between the two bikes and intended to post the results on this site. However it did not work out as I had planned. I selected a route with A roads B roads and a short stretch of duel carriage way and set off first on the BM I stuck religiously to the speed limits and made mental notes of how many minutes it was taking to reach easily remembered way points.
I then set off on the Enfield, the first part of the ride was an A road, and by the end of this section I was a few minutes down on the RT riding as I thought at the same speed. The next section was B road so I shouldn't get further behind on this section as I was only riding the RT at 50mph. Despite riding at full throttle along this section of road I was still loosing time to the RT. I was not prepared to ride the Enfield any harder, (what was the point) so I gave up the test.
On reflection what was actually happening was the bikes were ridden at the same speed, but the RT would be up to 60mph within a few yards and the Enfield would take until the end of the straight to reach 60mph.
The only way to compare bikes for mpg (or anything else) is to ride them together on the same roads.
So the comparison I can give is that at 60mph two up the RT would give 60mpg. At 60mph two up the Enfield would give 75mpg.
30/07/2026 15:20:29 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Mpg and motorsiccles is an odd subject Ed, a bit like "what oil do you use" threads.
Yes, a STrom 650 will not be as economical as a GB350S (what does the S stand for), but then if I can cover ground more swiftly will I need less nights on the road to get to the mountains, how much fuel can you buy for one overnight stop, but I digress.
I would think if you put two folk and luggage on a GB350S and ride it at motorway speed limits and maybe a little more you will not achieve anything like 100 mpg, but I may be proved wrong.
My own take on fuel is that I don't want to be ruined by the fuel costs of a trip and I need decent range, 300 miles of easy riding range is a nice comfortable area to be in. My Pan devoured fuel at continental motorway speeds but the six gallons still provided around 240 miles of peace of mind, likewise the STrom, although it holds less fuel it seems to do more mpg at motorway speeds. That may be that the barn door on the Pan related to over exuberance, probably.
On the first tank of the year, I don't know why I checked, I did around 320 miles on a tank and still had about 20 miles of fumes left.
I think if anyone fixates on just mpg they could be missing the point, both from a financial and enjoyment aspect. I too could work out how much fuel we're saving on Er'Indoors new motor, but the mpg is a very minor aspect of ownership costs. Depreciation will be greater, tyres will be more expensive and that ten year warranty will be ruinous in servicing costs.
30/07/2026 14:00:26 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
You talk of decent mpg Upt', the SV650 should return what, 60-70mpg? It's no match for the over 100mpg the GB350S seems to be achieving.
30/07/2026 10:16:58 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Are you talking of the CB400 Super Four Ian - circa early 90s? I was provided with one of these when I became a full time motorcycle instructor. You're right in that down low in the revs its was as timid as a 125 and as the revs rose it became rather rapid.
This seemingly bipolar character was in fact a boon for what I was using the bike for. I could easily and incredibly smoothly (4 pots) potter around with students as they learned to ride, I'd keep the revs low. Once I was without customers I could then have a play with the higher revs. The customers would often be trained un the Suzuki GS500 parallel twin. These were lumpy and unrefined, it was quite common for me to put "struggling" customers on my Super Four where the soft power delivery and smoothness would be much easier to manage. I'd advise them to keep it below 6k.
I developed rather a soft spot for the Super Four - but then it was my first "big" bike and you know what they say about first loves.
30/07/2026 10:14:27 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Yes I agree totally about the bhp and torques thingymabob. But my little 650 will pick up from a standstill, rev like a good un and return decent mpg. Is it impossible to replicate some of this in a single. Triumph and RE seem to manage it.
I look forward to your test report, it's a handsome bike, yes it is.
Upt.
30/07/2026 09:20:13 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Well you'll be pleased to hear I rode the GB350S this weekend and a review will be forthcoming.
It was a "peculiar" experience and quite contrary to my range of experience. It truly really was all about torque, super duper oversquare bore/stroke, massive flywheel, tall gearing, hitting the rev limiter, and a different concept of what to expect from a motorcycle. Upt', we know Honda can extract considerably more power from a 500 single but can they make that power appear at 2500rpm?
If VisorDown et al are to be believed the 500 will be more of the same but with a little more poke. As for spoked wheels Occasional Lurker - no thanks unless they'll take tubeless tyres.
29/07/2026 13:19:29 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I do, I do! I think it's the old bhp versus torque dilemma. You can get high power out of an engine at the expense of needing high revs whereas a low revving engine can produce a flatter torque curve making it easier to ride (in my opinion). 1950s 500s could produce anywhere between low 20s (BSA B33s etc) and mid 40s (DBD34 goldie). The latter however were almost unrideable in traffic especially with the close ratio RRTT2 gearbox and GP carb. Horses (and ft-lbs) for courses.
Perhaps the most unpleasant bike I've had was the 400 4 cylinder Honda grey import with no power at all below about 6,000 rpm and a ceiling around 14K if I remember correctly. Even when I eventually got it to run properly I hated it.
29/07/2026 11:10:28 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I'm struggling to get my head around 27 horses from 500 cc. It's as though Honda haven't even tried to extract much more, perhaps low bhp is what the public want. But.....I would think 500's in the post war years were developing this much per cc, Ian will know.
I'm not saying 27 bhp can't = fun, just why have Honda taken this route. From recollection my first 250 in the 70's produced more power and they were fun. For those of us that survived intact at least.
Upt.
29/07/2026 10:04:50 UTC
Occasional Lurker said :-
Once again, the MCN owned "Visordown" web-site, has posted yet another "teaser" regarding a new GB500, for the UK ...
Scant on details, they were certain it was based on the Indian market CB350 H'ness , and was bored out to 501cc ...and gave a power output of 27 bhp ... They also claimed, trademarking of the GB500 name, was confirmed for Europe ... I know some voted to leave, but, I for one, hope that this also means us ..!!!
I have just last week, sold my 1989 GB500TT,at an auction in the National Motorcycle Museum... It went for a whisker over my reserve, and my creaky knees, and sore wrists, may just be tempted to have a closer look at this new offering ...
Hers's hoping for ally rims, spokes, and an exhaust from the Australian model, ( a fully chromed exhaust, and not just a heat-shield)... Regards, Tony
28/07/2026 14:24:05 UTC
Random Link - A Key And A Quay