2025 GB350S

[steve hughes]

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I thought that was a really good review, bang on point until the last line where they say, we will test it against its rivals. I think people buy this bike because they like the looks of THIS bike, not its better/ lighter / cheaper than THAT bike. The Honda doesnt need a comparison, since comparisons always create divisions. The Honda is a super long stroke engine is a fine handling frame, with no electronic tft esque distractions thats built in Japan shod with good rubber and in some great colours. The fact its under £4kis a positive bonus.

 

[Arsey]

I thought that was a really good review, bang on point until the last line where they say, we will test it against its rivals. I think people buy this bike because they like the looks of THIS bike, not its better/ lighter / cheaper than THAT bike. The Honda doesnt need a comparison, since comparisons always create divisions. The Honda is a super long stroke engine is a fine handling frame, with no electronic tft esque distractions thats built in Japan shod with good rubber and in some great colours. The fact its under £4kis a positive bonus.

Exactly .
I want a GB350S because of the way it looks . I don’t want an oompah loompah Speed 400 with twice the power and shit fuelling .

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

What’s so long stroke about the motors ?
Less revvy and more thump ?

 

[Arsey]

What’s so long stroke about the motors ?
Less revvy and more thump ?

Exactly

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Exactly

Typical Honda single then

 

[siwhite]

I’m just back from a very pleasant test ride from John Banks Honda in Bury St Edmunds.

The bike is a HOOT to ride - it’s light, peppy, handling is super, brakes absolutely fine and it looks fabulous in the sunshine. The engine is a marvel - it sounds exactly like a thumper should. It’s lovely and quiet on idle, a nice little bark when you blip the throttle and it’s so smooth for a single, not a hint of lumpy vibration any all. I can’t think of a more perfect bike for pottering about, nips into town or a nice run about some villages in the summer. It’s simplicity is it’s greatest asset IMHO.

Anyway, they had a cancelled order sitting on the showroom floor (original buyer changed his mind about his choice of colour) so I paid a deposit then and there! I’ll collect it next week, and I can’t wait.

Put put put!

Some footage from my ride with some live impressions of the bike, if anyone is interested.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I’m just back from a very pleasant test ride from John Banks Honda in Bury St Edmunds.

The bike is a HOOT to ride - it’s light, peppy, handling is super, brakes absolutely fine and it looks fabulous in the sunshine. The engine is a marvel - it sounds exactly like a thumper should. It’s lovely and quiet on idle, a nice little bark when you blip the throttle and it’s so smooth for a single, not a hint of lumpy vibration any all. I can’t think of a more perfect bike for pottering about, nips into town or a nice run about some villages in the summer. It’s simplicity is it’s greatest asset IMHO.

Anyway, they had a cancelled order sitting on the showroom floor (original buyer changed his mind about his choice of colour) so I paid a deposit then and there! I’ll collect it next week, and I can’t wait.

Put put put!

Some footage from my ride with some live impressions of the bike, if anyone is interested.

No TFT though
Any rider modes or cornering ABS ?

 

[steve hughes]

Excellent no TFT
Who needs rider modes or cornering ABS on a bike like that ?

Fixed it for you JB

 

[Arsey]

I’m just back from a very pleasant test ride from John Banks Honda in Bury St Edmunds.

The bike is a HOOT to ride - it’s light, peppy, handling is super, brakes absolutely fine and it looks fabulous in the sunshine. The engine is a marvel - it sounds exactly like a thumper should. It’s lovely and quiet on idle, a nice little bark when you blip the throttle and it’s so smooth for a single, not a hint of lumpy vibration any all. I can’t think of a more perfect bike for pottering about, nips into town or a nice run about some villages in the summer. It’s simplicity is it’s greatest asset IMHO.

Anyway, they had a cancelled order sitting on the showroom floor (original buyer changed his mind about his choice of colour) so I paid a deposit then and there! I’ll collect it next week, and I can’t wait.

Put put put!

Some footage from my ride with some live impressions of the bike, if anyone is interested.

Lucky bugger . What colour you getting ?

 

[steve hughes]

What’s so long stroke about the motors ?
Less revvy and more thump ?

JB Heres a comparison a mate of mine gave me comparing a GB350 with the Enfield Hunter 350cc and also his classic 1950’s Ariel 350cc

Honda engine dimensions 70mm bore x 90.5mm stroke

Hunter engine dimensions 75mm bore x 85.8mm stroke

Ariel engine dimensions 72mm bore x 85mm stroke

Honda is really long stroke compared with other 350s and longer than the Himalayan 411!

Its slightly lighter than the Hunter (181kg), the Ariel is apparently 160kg but could well be a dry weight. Ariel only made about 17-19bhp depending on where you look, but true British hp. Ariel has built in ABS and speed limiter, brakes don’t work well enough to lock a wheel and top speed depends on how long you can hang onto the vibrating handlebars and footrests

 

[siwhite]

Lucky bugger . What colour you getting ?

Grey - which was probably my favourite of the three anyway. Blue or Black were a month away, whereas the grey was on the floor ready to go. No brainier really…

 

[Arsey]

Grey - which was probably my favourite of the three anyway. Blue or Black were a month away, whereas the grey was on the floor ready to go. No brainier really…

Good man .
Mine is still a month away.
Not even ridden one and ordered before I even saw one in the flesh . Sounds like I won’t be disappointed.

 

[siwhite]

Good man .
Mine is still a month away.
Not even ridden one and ordered before I even saw one in the flesh . Sounds like I won’t be disappointed.

You’ll not be disappointed - it is huge fun, perfect for nipping about and very agile when you need it to be. I think we’ve all become so cosseted by modern bikes with every convenience, but that actually make the ride pretty sterile and not much ‘fun’ any more. The Honda is so simple and raw in comparison.

 

[Arsey]

You’ll not be disappointed - it is huge fun, perfect for nipping about and very agile when you need it to be. I think we’ve all become so cosseted by modern bikes with every convenience, but that actually make the ride pretty sterile and not much ‘fun’ any more. The Honda is so simple and raw in comparison.

That’s exactly why I went for it . Fancy a Picos trip on mine

 

[Arsey]

 

[Hairnet600]

Ooft

 

[Morety]

A mate's just bought this one and loves it. Says it has enough get up and go, feels very nimble and light and loves the engine:



He says "it's useless over 60 but pulls from 0-40 like a little rocket." Seems happiest, according to him, between 50-60mph, but then it's brand new and probably needs some running in miles.

 

[steve hughes]

A mate's just bought this one and loves it. Says it has enough get up and go, feels very nimble and light and loves the engine:

View attachment 394769

He says "it's useless over 60 but pulls from 0-40 like a little rocket." Seems happiest, according to him, between 50-60mph, but then it's brand new and probably needs some running in miles.

Thats just like the demonstrator at Bill Smiths Chester. They have another in the showroom without the nose fairing spotlights and seat cover, that one is fitted with a rack and soft panniers. Both look good to me

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

A mate's just bought this one and loves it. Says it has enough get up and go, feels very nimble and light and loves the engine:

View attachment 394769

He says "it's useless over 60 but pulls from 0-40 like a little rocket." Seems happiest, according to him, between 50-60mph, but then it's brand new and probably needs some running in miles.

Sounds exactly like my XR400R, another typical proper long stroke Honda thumper
CB350s engine looks familiar in some guise and with a similar 5 speed box

 

[siwhite]

New Bike Day! I rode a rambling 55 mile route back from the dealers, with plenty of spur-of-the-moment dives off down nice looking roads and to interesting looking places, and loved every moment. This really is a modern retro - up to date reliability and handling, but a machine that harks back to an older style of motorcycling - taking things slower, enjoying the scenery and making a ride feel like a proper journey. 104 MPG on the dial, which is decent for a brand new engine. I’m going to enjoy this bike very much…