Honda GB350 Review: Cool Commuter

350cc single puts out 20hp @ 5,500rpm but, importantly, 29Nm @ 3,000rpm.
Modern functionality includes ABS and traction control. Pretty cool dash, too.
Much more comfortable than we expected.

With the popularity of small-capacity, retro-looking motorcycles increasing thanks to the wave of models from a certain Indian giant, Honda has responded with a cool and capable model that oozes charm.

Words: Paul Pics: Two Creative Photography

The ‘chuff-chuff’ beat throbbing from the rear of the chrome exhaust is enough on its own to give this ‘kind of’ new model (it’s been in other markets since 2021) from Honda a retro feel. Yet, looking over the lines of the not-so-small GB350, flicking the mudguard to receive a satisfying metallic twang before sliding aboard the comfortable brown saddle, all goes to enhance the look and feel of the 350cc Honda. But is it retro enough? I wasn’t so sure.

Modern Bones

At the heart of the GB is a 348cc air-cooled, single-cylinder powerplant offering 20hp @ 5500rpm and, more importantly, 29Nm @ 3000rpm. I say more importantly, as this isn’t an engine you need to thrash to attain useable performance. Instead, the ratios of the 5-speed gearbox encourage using the torque to gain decent progress, and it’s only when trying to get the speedo up into the top of its range, while holding onto the revs in 4th gear, that it provides more forward momentum than flicking into 5th. Pulling away from traffic lights after working my way to the front is aided by a low first ratio, while slotting up into 2nd, then 3rd sees the ratios spread and the GB get into a happy cruise. But don’t expect to be using 5th gear too much around town, as it’s more of an overdrive.

Despite being retro in looks, the little GB350 has plenty of modern touches. The lighting is all LED, including the headlight, which looks like it’s been pulled off one of Honda’s more sporty nakeds. Likewise, the instrument cluster, with a large analogue speedo nestled within a chrome surround that also features an inset LCD screen, offering plenty of information, especially for a bike of this style and price. Details include a large gear indicator, mileage, trips, average fuel, distance to empty, voltage metre and fuel gauge, putting many more expensive bikes to shame. Unfortunately, there isn’t a handy button on the handlebars to toggle through the information, and a button on the side of the cluster requires me to lean forward to press it. And there’s another button that will disable the HSTC (yep, traction control), although I can only see someone wanting to do that if they decided to take the GB350 on some gravel. Better to leave it on and let the Honda system, which monitors front vs rear wheel speeds, look after all the power…

Other modern touches include an assist and slipper clutch, which makes the non-adjustable clutch lever extremely light while also stopping the rear wheel from locking should you get confused about which way to go with the heel/toe gear shift. Yep, it’s a funny system to have on a bike like this, but it does facilitate speedy upshifts should you want to get a bit racy with that 20hp. And if you are getting a bit carried away on the retro Honda, thankfully, the running gear is just as modern as the rest of the package, with the Nissin brakes featuring two-channel ABS, while the suspension package was surprisingly good despite the traditional forks and twin rear shocks.

City and Beyond

With a weekly meeting on the other side of Hamilton always easier when I’m on two wheels, the GB350 was an obvious choice to take to battle the morning traffic madness. Firing the small single into life gives an exhaust note belying the small capacity, with the thump giving the impression of a bigger pot for the piston to travel up and down in. And even though I’m 182cm in my socks, the GB350 doesn’t feel overly small once onboard. In fact, the riding position is surprisingly comfortable, with the flat saddle offering plenty of cushioning.

Out on the road, the sit-up riding position offers plenty of vision when dodging through traffic, and while the single twin-piston Nissin caliper isn’t overly strong at the front, bringing the rear into the equation gets the little Honda stopped in a real hurry. With a curb weight of 181 kilos, there isn’t much to stop, while the 800mm seat height makes the Honda really manageable for carving around town. And if you were simply after a cool-looking, affordable commuter, then the GB350 will do the job. But what about further afield? With the commute to my meeting being so much fun, I decided an hour trip to go and meet my son over towards Thames was surely going to be within the remit of the small Honda. Why not, right…!

Now, the conditions were slightly against me, with the temperature sitting at a toasty 27 degrees while a decent breeze heading from the West was hitting me pretty much on the nose the entire time. That soon saw me in a racer’s crouch (much to the hilarity of my wife who was following along) to get the speedo of the little Honda much above an indicated 110km/h, which is where holding the throttle pinned in fourth gear was the solution as flicking up into fifth saw the revs drop and the speedo slowly work its way back down.

Still, a constant 100km/h was achievable in fifth gear with a decent wind blowing at me, while the trip home saw the Honda able to sit happily at 110km/h in fifth once the wind had dropped. Speaking with the man at Honda NZ when I picked the bike up, he suggested they might bring in an accessory fly screen for the GB350, which I reckon would be a good option.

And while the performance wasn’t ground-breaking – it was what you’d expect from a 350cc single – the rest of the package performed way beyond my expectations. The suspension was excellent despite my heavy frame, soaking up even the worst our roads had to offer and providing a comfortable hour in the well-supportive saddle. The handling is light and flickable, with the Dunlop Arrowmax tyres doing a good job of holding on even when getting a bit carried away. The only slight niggle was the classically-styled chrome mirrors which didn’t stick out far enough to offer much vision of behind. But a bit of a move of my shoulder was all that was needed each time I wanted a look.

BRM Verdict

The Honda GB350 is new to NZ but has been around overseas for a couple of years. It’s got the typical Honda excellent build-quality that you’d expect, with nice switchgear and componentry along with some modern tech like traction control and an assist/slipper clutch. Yet, at $8,995 + ORC, you get all this for the sort of money you’d expect to be paying for a non-Japanese brand.

The motor sounds really good considering its small capacity, and is fun to use around town and even out on the open road. You need to plan overtakes, but then you’d expect that with an output of 20hp. I also couldn’t believe just how comfortable the GB350 was for a small bike – you could almost go touring on it!

If you’re in the market for a LAMS commuter, then the Honda GB350 will make the perfect companion. If anything, I just wish that it looked a bit more retro, as that would make the little Honda a cool bike to have in the garage.

For further details head to: www.hondamotorbikes.co.nz