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Honda GB350S Test Ride Review
Ride Date 25 July 2026
By Ren Withnell
GB350S. Old school style innit.
What makes Honda's GB350S interesting to a bloke like me? Low purchase price, good fuel economy and ease of maintenance. What concerns me with the GB350S? Low power output, tyre sizes, 4000 mile service intervals. The obvious elephant in the room with the GB350S is the roughly 21bhp power output. Well that's blummin' rich coming from a guy who rode 100,000 miles on an 11bhp CBF125 around the whole of the UK as well as The Netherlands. The GB350S has almost DOUBLE the power of the CBF125! Come on Ren, get a grip, people travel around the world on C90s that make only 6 or 7 bhp.
You DO NOT need 100bhp plus to go places and have fun. Fact.
...and yet here come the excuses. Yeah but no but right, see I'm used to my (staggeringly powerful) 47bhp CB500X. Yeah and right my girlfriend has a 44bhp Z500 so I can't keep up yeah. My mates too, they don't wanna be waiting around for me see. I'll get bored and frustrated and it'll be a waste of money and and and... Shut up fool.
The 350 ain't gonna be outpacing Sharon's Zed
After a big rideout last Saturday Sharon and I were looking for somewhere to go this Saturday but no-one was playing out. By hook or by crook we ended up at Chester Honda - Bill Smiths. They had a GB350S demo bike in stock and I had my licence with me. I abandoned Sharon, signed the documents, and off I went.
The first thing to note with the GB350S is that while it may look small - it's not. I'm 5 foot 8 inches, not a big bloke but not a shortarse either. I - I can't get my feet flat on the floor?!? Wait what - the reviews I've seen seem to think it'll be fine for a shorter person so why am I not flat footed? I check the rear suspension springs - they're on notch 2 so they're not set high.
Me 'ikle legs won't reach!
Aaah, I see. The side panels are pushing my legs out. If I can slide forward in the seat and get my inner thigh in front of the side panels I can flat-foot. Even so I'm almost straight legged. I also note there's next to no sag even with my 13 stone of lard on the seat. The first impression is that this is not a diminutive little motorcycle in spite of appearances. If you're short in the leg I recommend you get a sit on one (and slide forward in the seat).
The next immediate impression is the low tickover. My parallel twin idles at 1200rpm, most singles I've experienced settle at around 1500rpm. They need the slightly higher tickover to throw the singular piston hard enough to ensure the next combustion event. Not so the GB350S - there's no rev counter but I'd hazard a guess of 1000rpm. One must assume there's a large flywheel to ensure sufficient momentum for the next lazy bang from the piston. That, and a comparatively low compression.
You'd be hard pushed to stall this thing. It needs no throttle at all to get going in the car park even at the low idle, that's torque, that's grunt that is. Out onto the road and open the throttle, anticipating a surge. Nope. It does not accelerate it gains momentum. There's barely a noticeable tug on the arms, and yet the needle (yes needle) moves around the dial smoothly.
By the time I reach the next roundabout I can clearly see I am NOT dealing with anything here that fits into my previous experience range. The GB350S is an entirely different form of motorcycling. I need to rethink all my expectations and how to ride.For eons motorcycling has - in the western world at least - been about power power POWER! And how do you get power from small capacity engines? Revs revs REVS! Well with a redline of just over 6000rpm I immediately hit the limiter because I'm so used to giving it the beans to access performance. No, that is not how you ride this bike. I focus on rethinking my riding style.
An entirely novel kind of engine when you've only ridden screamers.
Now I'm on a 70mph Dual carriageway. Will it reach 70? There's only 5 gears and 5th is super tall. To attain 70 you keep it pinned in 4th until the dial is upon the 70 mark then hook it into 5th. The revs drop, it's barely above idle with a smooth steady soft thrum from the engine. If you twist the throttle harder nothing happens, no speed is gained. And still 70mph remains firmly dialled in with no sign that even a hill or a headwind will slow you down. This is torque and grunt, not power.
The wheelbase is apparently long, the geometry apparently gentle, and the front wheel is 19 inch. It's as solid as a rock at 70, not only does the motor feel unstressed at the low revs, the chassis feels planted, steady and immovable. Save for a distinct lack of wind protection I feel as though I could ride to The Alps like this and barely notice. There are vibrations but minimal, we're just cruising.
Once off the dual carriageway I'm searching for twisties, but without my sat-nav and scant knowledge of this area I'm lost. 5th gear is now irrelevant, in the 20 zones of Wales 2nd is fine, 3rd for 30 zones, 4th for anything more. Aha! 60. Twist the throttle and, errrr, well, we gather momentum. This is odd, what is going on?
We never appear to be accelerating but we seem to be moving with pace. There is zero "snap" if you yank on the twistgrip like I'm used to even with a 125, rather the needle moves around the clock in a smooth, predictable, relentless and yet unimpressive way. I stop at a junction and conduct a little experiment - yank the throttle. On my 500 it goes "brum" and the LCD rev counter pops up rapidly. On Sharon's Chinese 125 the needle used to flick around. If this had a tacho I suspect it would take 2 seconds for the needle to rise. So THAT is what a big heavy flywheel does then. Huh, makes sense I suppose.
This is making all my senses FEEL like I'm going slowly. No snap, no pop, no pazazz, no anger, no GRRRR!! I know for certain that this is quicker than a 125, it's more powerful than my CD200 Benly and CMX250 Rebel but it FEELS slower without the screaming engine and snappy throttle. This is where I need to rethink my riding and my sensations.
It handles well. Alongside revs and power modern bikes have leant into sharp steering and racing flickability. The lazy geometry and big front wheel is where we ought to be going though in my opinion. It's so stable and planted be it on smooth tarmac or lumpy broken crap that I can carry the long-gotten speed without puckering my buttocks. It reassures you rather than feeling like it's going to step out because of that rough join in the surface. It's not like the slow steering requires me to fight the bike though. I need barely think about the corner, just ease it in and around much as any other motorcycle. It doesn't fight you or try to steer you into the hedge, it goes where you point it and where you're looking. It's relaxing and confident, competent and reassuring.
Twin shocks?!? Quaint, effective, and easy to clean or replace.
The suspension that felt very firm in the car park is doing it's job too. Things that work and work well go unnoticed, you never worry about anything on a bike until it stops working. I have to make a point of noticing the suspension because it's doing it's job without shouting about it or making a fuss. Firm yet compliant, effective yet simple, blah blah blah - it just works as expected and well.
The speedo has a needle (probably digitally controlled), there's a clock and a gear indicator and a few other nuggets of basic information. The switchgear and controls are - like the suspension - good in that they go unnoticed. You sit upon the bike rather than in it as you'd expect from this style. I did not get to ride it for 5 hours but in the 1 hour that I did get to ride comfort seems fine, save for the lack of wind protection.
Upon my return to the shop I have to consider my overall opinion, and this is a problem. The character of this bike is so far outside of my usual experience I can't form a sensible opinion.
I miss the snap, the pop, the pazazz because it makes the bike feel slow and doesn't massage your ego, although the speedometer tells a different story. Of course you'll never be winning races with 21bhp but a screaming 125cc 11bhp engine makes you feel like you're at least in the race. But I'm Ren - master of good mpg, captain sensible, couldn't win a pedal bicycle race even if I was on a Fireblade, 55mph down the motorway tucked in behind a lorry, pottering down country lanes enjoying the tweety birds etc etc etc, what's the problem?
I need more time with the GB350S. To learn how such a different machine should be ridden, to grow to appreciate it's relentless torque rather than screaming the motor while pretending I'm fast, to understand that 4 gears are more than sufficient and 5th is for cruising at speed with low revs and good mpg (an overdrive?). Will I be buying one? Not yet. Would I recommend one? Yeah. It has more character than anything else I've ridden.
It's not all old school. LED lights and indicators - and the indicators remain on as running lights.
So - other issues. The GB350S needs the tappets doing every 4000 miles. I've watched a video on how to do this and for the experienced home mechanic it's a doddle. However if you wish to keep the warranty - with the cost of servicing this could be expensive. Personally I'd be looking to get a low mileage second hand and out of warranty bike. Otherwise I'd be looking at 3 services per year which is both costly and a faff to organise - especially as I have no Honda dealership close by.
The 19 inch front wheel limits tyre choices - but this is improving with a growing number of other models also coming with 19 inchers. I've looked for matching sets for this bike and they are out there for sure but not in the extensive range that I have access to with the CB500X's 120-70-17 and 160-60-17.
Go try one. If you're prepared not to see speed through the lens of screaming revs and to actually look at what the speedo is reading - you may learn that 21bph is "sufficient".
The seal of approval if I can ever get my head around it.
let Ren test ride a bike and get it reviewed here - contact ren@bikesandtravels.com
Reader's Comments
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Welcome to my (sort of) world Ren. At least it looks like a proper bike (apart from the horrible back end). That kind of power delivery is far more relaxing than screaming high revs etc and gets you there just as fast. It's interesting how many of this style of bike are coming on the market and even being favourably reviewed in MCN......
30/07/2026 11:58:52 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Not having any experience with old brit bikes Ian I can only guess this is what they used to feel like. I thought you might have some understanding where this bike is coming from too. It'll be interesting to see how well it sells (like hot cakes presently but how long will that last?) Is this a reflection of an aging motorcyclist population?
30/07/2026 12:07:36 UTC
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
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
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
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
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
According to my tape measure 31-32 inches or 810 to 830mm.
30/07/2026 14:01:10 UTC
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
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
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