2025-on Honda GB350S Review: A new superbly formed retro single thumper from Honda, and its £3949!

The 348cc, fuel injected thumper has two balance shafts for smoothness, but retains its pulsing character with a chirpy, but albeit muted paff-paff engine note. It has a crisp five-speed gearbox, a light-action slip and assist clutch and decent fuel economy. It returns 63mpg during our test, which is a theoretical 208-mile range, but riding it in a less spirited manner would get somewhere closer to Honda’s claimed 94.1mpg.

You wouldn’t expect the GB350S to handle this well for the price, but it does. There’s nothing ground-breaking about its steel semi-cradle chassis, non-adjustable 41mm forks or twin rear shocks, but Honda have instilled it with a beautiful balance, accurate steering and surprisingly sticky rubber. Its 17in cast aluminium rear wheel and 19in front are shod with chunky Metzeler Tourance Next dual-purpose rubber, which turn damp roads to dry, dry roads to big smiles and warm up almost instantly. During our test on nadgery B-roads the 178kg roadster never puts a foot wrong.

Brakes are equally understated but work well. The single 310mm disc and twin piston front set-up has adequate power and the rear is progressive and smooth. Ride quality is plush and never jarring and the Honda’s overall size is substantial, making it roomy and comfortable for the tall. That said, the 800mm high seat is wide and the suspension doesn’t squash too much when you jump aboard, so smaller, lighter riders may have trouble getting their feet firmly on the floor at a standstill.

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Air-cooled, fuel injected, 348cc long-stroke, ‘low friction’ single-cylinder makes 21bhp and 21lb-ft at just 3000rpm. Two balance shafts reduce vibes. Nothing more, nothing less, just plot some nadgery B-roads and go.

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Even better than the way it rides is the way the GB350S is screwed together. It may be built down to a price with lots of plastic and cast ali parts, but build quality is superb and even comes with ABS and traction control.

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Honda hopes the GB350S will attract new and younger riders, but it’s likely to be just as appealing to the Bike Shed crowd, be a fun Sunday morning second bike, or a machine for those who fancy downsizing to something smaller, lighter and cheaper.

Triumph’s uber-popular £5195 Triumph Speed 400 and the superb £3979 Royal Enfield HNTR are its closest pocket retro rivals, but they’re missing one thing: that badge on the side of the GB’s fuel tank and all it stands for.

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You may think rider aids are overkill on a bike like this, but they offer an extra layer of safety and confidence for the less experienced and for that one time it saves you they’re worth their weight in gold.

It's festooned with tasty detail touches, too, from its centre stand to its LED lights, fork gaiters, chrome mirrors, neat bungee cotton reels, short mudguards, round analogue/digital mix clock, raised badges, resin side panels, chrome engine covers and the deep, enamel-like paint finish to the steel 15-litre fuel tank. It comes in blue, black, grey and there are also a full range of styling and touring accessories available.

Analogue speedo and digital insert feature a fuel gauge, gear position, time, odometer, trip and a green ‘ECO’ indicator that blinks like a neutral light…

Stitched 800mm high seat is a classy touch. The GB350S is roomy for bigger riders, but those with shorter legs may struggle to get both feet on the floor.

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