Honda GB350S Review: A Motorcycle With Soul
Choosing a motorcycle is deeply personal. Specs matter. Price matters. Reliability matters. But none of that tells the whole story.
Someone once told me that you know you have chosen the right motorcycle if, after you get off it, you still have to turn around and look at it.
That is exactly how I feel about the Honda GB350S.
After seven months and nearly 10,000 kilometers with this bike, I still find myself looking back at it every time I park. It is not the fastest motorcycle. It is not the most powerful. It is not trying to dominate spec sheets or impress people with huge numbers. But it has something many modern motorcycles miss: character.
The Honda GB350S feels like a machine built around the simple joy of riding. It is a relaxed, good-looking, easy-to-live-with motorcycle that makes ordinary roads feel special. For new riders, it is approachable and confidence-inspiring. For experienced riders, it offers the rare pleasure of being able to ride a bike hard without needing ridiculous speeds to enjoy it.
This is my real-world Honda GB350S review after living with the bike, riding it on coastal roads, mountain passes, city streets, expressways, rough backroads, and cold winter nights in Japan.
And the short version is simple: I love this bike.
What Is the Honda GB350S?
The Honda GB350S is a modern classic-style motorcycle built around a simple air-cooled single-cylinder engine. It has retro charm, but it is not pretending to be an old motorcycle. That distinction is important.
This is not a fragile vintage bike with modern emissions equipment awkwardly bolted on. It is a modern Honda with classic proportions, a clean silhouette, LED lighting, ABS, traction control, fuel injection, and everyday usability.
The GB350S takes the basic charm of the standard GB350 and gives it a slightly more aggressive, sportier feel. The seat is slimmer near the tank, the riding position feels a little more engaged, and the overall attitude is less “sit upright and cruise” and more “let’s go.”
It still has that relaxed thumper personality, but the S model feels a little more connected and a little more alive.
Honda GB350S Engine and Performance
Let’s get the obvious issue out of the way first.
The Honda GB350S is not a fast motorcycle.
It uses a 348cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine producing roughly 20 horsepower and around 30 Nm of torque, depending on the market and model year. On paper, those numbers are modest. In real-world riding, they are exactly what define the bike’s personality.
The engine makes its torque low in the rev range, around 3,000 rpm, which means the GB350S pulls nicely at normal road speeds. It does not feel dead or gutless around town. It does not need to be screamed everywhere just to move. It has enough low-end thump to make everyday riding enjoyable.
On coastal roads, country roads, and mountain backroads, the engine feels perfectly matched to the bike. You can cruise at 80–90 km/h, roll through long sweeping corners, listen to the single-cylinder pulse, and never feel like you need much more.
That is where the GB350S shines.
The problem arrives when you ask it to sit above 100 km/h for long periods, especially with wind, luggage, hills, or a heavier rider. On the expressway, the bike can hold speed, but it does not have much in reserve. If you are fighting a headwind or climbing a slight incline, you can find yourself with the throttle fully open while the bike slowly starts losing speed.
That does not make it a bad motorcycle. It just means you need to understand what it is.
The Honda GB350S is not an expressway weapon. It is not a high-speed touring bike. It is not designed for long stretches of fast highway riding with luggage and constant overtaking.
It is a backroad bike. A coastal road bike. A mountain-road bike. A Sunday morning bike. A bike for riders who enjoy the process of riding more than the idea of arriving as fast as possible.
Highway Performance: Can the Honda GB350S Do Expressways?
Yes, the Honda GB350S can ride on the expressway.
But if your riding life involves regular long-distance highway travel above 100 km/h, this is probably not the motorcycle I would recommend.
At moderate speeds, the GB350S is stable and relaxed enough. Once you get up to speed, it can cruise. But the problem is not whether it can reach highway speed. The problem is how much effort it takes to stay there when conditions are not perfect.
With gear on the back, a rider around 80 kg, a headwind, and a slight incline, the GB350S starts to show its limitations. There is very little extra power available for passing. You are often using most of what the bike has just to maintain speed.
That means highway riding can become tiring, not because the bike is uncomfortable, but because you are constantly aware that there is not much left in reserve.
If your riding is mostly city streets, local roads, mountain roads, and scenic routes, this will not matter much. If your commute or touring style depends on fast expressways, look at something with more power.
Handling: Light, Easy, and Surprisingly Fun
One of the best things about the Honda GB350S is how easy it is to ride well.
It is not a heavy motorcycle, and that makes a huge difference. The bike feels light enough to tip into corners easily, change direction naturally, and move through tight mountain roads without effort.
On smaller twisty roads, the GB350S comes alive. Second, third, and fourth gear are where the bike feels happiest. You can ride it hard without going license-losing fast. You can use the engine, work the gearbox, lean into corners, and actually feel like you are pushing the motorcycle close to its real-world limit.
That is something I really appreciate.
Modern motorcycles are often so fast that you barely use a fraction of what they can do on public roads. The GB350S is different. You can actually ride it. You can enjoy the throttle. You can work with the bike. You can feel the engine and chassis doing their thing without needing a racetrack or empty desert highway.
On rougher roads, the suspension is also better than I expected. It is not premium suspension. The front is not adjustable, and this is not a high-end performance chassis. But in daily use, it works well. On bumpy backroads, uneven asphalt, dips, and rough surfaces, the bike stays composed enough to keep you relaxed.
It does not feel nervous. It does not skip around in a worrying way. It lets you settle in and enjoy the road.
Comfort and Riding Position
The Honda GB350S is a comfortable motorcycle, especially for relaxed day rides and backroad exploring.
I am around 178 cm, or about 5’10”, and I can get both feet down comfortably. The seat height is around 800 mm, which makes the bike approachable without feeling cramped. Shorter riders can sit closer to the tank, while taller riders have enough room to move back a little.
The S model’s seat is one of the reasons I chose it over the standard GB350.
On the standard model, the seat felt wider and boxier where it meets the tank. That gave me a slightly wider stance and made it less comfortable to grip the bike with my knees. On the GB350S, the seat tapers in more naturally. That makes the bike feel slimmer, more connected, and easier to hold with your legs.
That matters more than people think.
When you can grip the tank properly, you do not have to hold yourself up with your arms. You feel more attached to the motorcycle. You can relax your hands, settle your body, and ride more naturally.
The S riding position is still comfortable, but it feels slightly more forward and slightly more aggressive than the standard GB350. It is not extreme. It is not sporty in a painful way. But it gives the bike a more active feel.
The standard GB350 made me feel like I was sitting very upright. The S makes me feel more ready to ride.
Is the Honda GB350S Good for Beginners?
Yes. The Honda GB350S is an excellent beginner motorcycle.
For new riders, it offers a very friendly mix of qualities:
- Manageable power
- Predictable throttle response
- Light clutch
- Smooth gearbox
- Comfortable seat height
- ABS
- Traction control
- Easy handling
- Low intimidation factor
It is not going to scare you. It is not going to launch you backward with a huge surge of torque. It is not going to punish small mistakes the way a much more powerful motorcycle might.
The clutch is especially good. It is extremely light, helped by the assist/slipper clutch setup, and that makes slow-speed work, city riding, stop-start traffic, and general daily use much easier.
The gearbox is also smooth. Everything about the bike feels simple and approachable.
But the GB350S is not only for beginners. That is the important part.
Experienced riders can still enjoy it because the fun does not come from sheer power. It comes from using everything the bike has. You can ride it hard, push it through corners, hear the engine working, and enjoy the rhythm of the road.
A beginner can grow into it. An experienced rider can rediscover the joy of simple riding.
That is a rare combination.
Exhaust Sound and Engine Character
One of the best parts of the Honda GB350S is the sound.
At idle, it is quiet and polite. It is not obnoxious. It is not the kind of motorcycle that annoys your neighbors every time you start it. When you first fire it up, the idle is a little louder, then it settles down as the bike warms up.
But the real sound comes when you ride.
In second, third, and fourth gear, when you are rolling through corners and opening the throttle, the engine gives you that classic thump-thump-thump single-cylinder pulse. It is not loud in a forced way. It just has a lovely mechanical rhythm.
That sound is a big part of the riding experience.
The GB350S does not make you feel like you are piloting a high-performance machine. It makes you feel like you are riding a motorcycle in the purest sense. Wind, road, engine, corner, throttle. That is the appeal.
Design: Classic Style Without Feeling Fake
The Honda GB350S looks fantastic.
That is subjective, of course, but for me this is one of the biggest reasons the bike works. It has classic motorcycle appeal, but it does not feel like a costume. It is not trying too hard to look old.
That is where I think the Honda differs from some of the Royal Enfield-style retro bikes. Royal Enfield makes beautiful motorcycles, and many riders love them, but personally I always felt some of them looked like new bikes trying very hard to look old.
The GB350S feels different.
It has a classic vibe, but it is clearly modern. The LED headlight, blacked-out engine, cast wheels, simple meter, modern exhaust, and clean tank shape all work together. The front mudguard is smaller and sportier. The tank has a great shape with subtle indentations. The black paint has a metallic flake that looks great in the sun.
The cast wheels are another thing I like. A lot of retro-style bikes go for spoked wheels, and while that can look great, the GB350S looks cleaner and more modern with its wheels.
The design feels balanced. Not too old. Not too futuristic. Just a good-looking motorcycle.
And yes, every time I park it, I still look back.
Brakes, Suspension, and Tires
The Honda GB350S does not have exotic hardware, but what it has works well for the kind of bike it is.
The front brake uses a single disc with a two-piston caliper, and there is a disc at the rear as well. Because the bike is not especially heavy and does not have huge power, the braking performance is more than enough for normal riding.
It stops confidently. It does not need superbike-level brakes because it is not a superbike.
The suspension is comfortable and simple. The rear preload is adjustable, while the front is not. I have not felt the need to change much. At around 80 kg, the factory setup has worked well for me. I have not had issues with bottoming out, skipping through corners, or the bike feeling unstable on rough roads.
The GB350S is better on the road than off it, but it can handle imperfect surfaces. I have taken it on rough little roads, gravel, rocks, mud, and goat trails, and it managed fine. If you want to do more scrambling, changing to a more off-road-focused tire would make sense.
But with the standard road-focused setup, this bike is happiest on pavement, especially imperfect rural pavement where its comfort and low-speed torque really matter.
Instrument Cluster and Controls
The instrument cluster is a mix of things I like and things I do not.
I like the analog speedometer. I enjoy watching a needle rise instead of just reading numbers on a screen. It fits the character of the bike perfectly.
The small digital insert is useful too. You get practical information like:
- Gear position
- Time
- Range
- Fuel information
For longer rides, that is enough. I do not need a giant TFT screen on this kind of motorcycle.
But the design is not perfect. The cluster feels a bit plasticky, and the slightly off-center layout is something I go back and forth on. Sometimes I like it. Sometimes I wish it were cleaner.
The biggest annoyance is the eco light. It comes on and off while you ride to tell you when you are riding economically. Maybe some riders like that, but I find it unnecessary. It would be fine as an option, but having it constantly flicker in your peripheral vision is distracting.
The controls themselves are simple and easy to use. Indicators, horn, starter, hazards, high beam, passing light — everything is where you expect it to be. Once in a while you might hit the horn by accident when reaching for the indicator, but that is a small complaint.
The Two Factory Parts I Would Change
There are two stock parts I do not love on the Honda GB350S:
- The mirrors
- The grips
The Mirrors
The stock mirrors look good. They suit the bike’s retro-modern style, and visually they work.
Functionally, they are not great.
The stalks do not come out wide enough. For me, that means I often see more of my shoulders and arms than the road behind me. Quick glances are not always enough. I have to lean slightly to get a proper view.
That is annoying, and it is something I would probably change. Bar-end mirrors or wider aftermarket mirrors would make the bike much more practical.
The Grips
The factory grips are narrow and quite hard.
On longer rides, especially because I ride with leather gloves rather than heavily padded gloves, I started getting sore and numb hands. The grips felt too thin, and I found myself closing my hands too tightly around them.
I solved this with Trip Machine leather grip wraps. They added a little more thickness, a bit of padding, and a much better feel. They also suit the style of the bike.
That small change made a big difference.
Night Riding and Headlight Performance
The Honda GB350S has a good LED headlight.
At night, it gives a decent field of view and enough brightness for normal road riding. The indicators are also lit while riding, which helps visibility. On very dark roads, especially where corners come up quickly or the surface is unpredictable, you may still want to use high beam.
But overall, night riding on the GB350S feels fine. The headlight is not a weak point.
This is another example of where the bike blends classic style with modern usefulness. It looks simple and retro, but you still get proper LED lighting and modern safety equipment.
Honda GB350S vs Royal Enfield 350
A lot of riders naturally compare the Honda GB350S with Royal Enfield’s 350cc motorcycles.
I cannot give a full riding comparison because I have not spent proper time riding the Royal Enfields. But from a design and ownership perspective, the Honda appealed to me more.
Royal Enfield has a stronger old-school image. Some riders love that. For me, the Honda felt more naturally modern. It has the classic feel without leaning too hard into imitation vintage styling.
The GB350S also feels very Honda in the best way. Simple, reliable-feeling, easy to ride, well put together, and practical. It has charm, but it does not feel fragile or fussy.
If you want the most authentic old-school look, Royal Enfield may speak to you more. If you want a retro-flavored motorcycle with modern Honda usability, the GB350S makes a very strong case.
Pros and Cons of the Honda GB350S
Pros
- Beautiful classic-modern design
- Easy and confidence-inspiring for beginners
- Fun for experienced riders on real roads
- Comfortable seat height and riding position
- Great low-speed torque character
- Smooth gearbox
- Very light clutch
- Good handling on twisty roads
- Comfortable suspension for imperfect roads
- ABS and traction control
- Good LED headlight
- Excellent fuel efficiency
- Strong emotional appeal
Cons
- Underpowered for long highway riding
- Little passing power above 100 km/h
- Mirrors are too narrow
- Stock grips are too thin and hard
- Instrument cluster feels a little plasticky
- Eco light is distracting
- Not ideal if you need regular fast expressway performance
Who Should Buy the Honda GB350S?
The Honda GB350S is ideal for riders who want a motorcycle that feels simple, honest, stylish, and enjoyable at real-world speeds.
You should consider the GB350S if:
- You are a beginner looking for a friendly first motorcycle
- You ride mostly city roads, coastal roads, and backroads
- You value character over horsepower
- You want classic style with modern Honda reliability
- You enjoy slower, more involved riding
- You want a motorcycle that makes ordinary roads fun
- You care about how a bike feels, not just how fast it goes
You should probably avoid it if:
- You ride long expressway distances often
- You need strong overtaking power above 100 km/h
- You regularly carry heavy luggage at highway speed
- You want aggressive acceleration
- You are looking for a performance bike
This is not a motorcycle for riders who buy based only on numbers. It is a motorcycle for riders who understand that sometimes the best bike is not the fastest one. Sometimes the best bike is the one that makes you want to ride more.
Final Verdict: Is the Honda GB350S Worth It?
After seven months and nearly 10,000 km, the Honda GB350S has become one of those motorcycles I cannot imagine selling.
It has flaws. It is underpowered on the highway. The mirrors need changing. The grips are not great. The instrument cluster could feel better. It is not perfect.
But the riding experience is special.
On the right road, the GB350S makes complete sense. A warm day, an empty coastal road, a winding mountain pass, the thump of the engine, the bike leaning easily beneath you — that is where it all comes together.
The GB350S reminds you that motorcycling does not have to be complicated. It does not have to be about huge horsepower, giant screens, endless riding modes, or proving anything to anyone. Sometimes it is enough to have a beautiful motorcycle, a simple engine, a good road, and nowhere urgent to be.
That is what this bike does so well.
It makes you want to ride.
It makes you want to look back.
And after 10,000 km, I still love it.
For me, that is the strongest review I can give.
FAQ: Honda GB350S Review
Is the Honda GB350S good for beginners?
Yes. The Honda GB350S is a very good beginner motorcycle because it has manageable power, a light clutch, smooth gearbox, comfortable seat height, ABS, traction control, and easy handling. It is approachable without being boring.
Is the Honda GB350S fast?
No. The Honda GB350S is not a fast motorcycle. It has enough power for enjoyable backroad, city, and coastal riding, but it is not strong at higher highway speeds.
Can the Honda GB350S ride on the highway?
Yes, it can ride on the highway, but it is not ideal for long periods above 100 km/h. With wind, hills, luggage, or a heavier rider, the bike can struggle to maintain speed and has limited passing power.
Is the Honda GB350S comfortable?
Yes. The riding position is relaxed but slightly more engaged than the standard GB350. The seat height is approachable, and the suspension handles imperfect roads well.
What are the biggest problems with the Honda GB350S?
The biggest weaknesses are highway power, narrow mirrors, hard/thin factory grips, a slightly plasticky instrument cluster, and the distracting eco light.
Is the Honda GB350S better than a Royal Enfield 350?
That depends on what you want. Royal Enfield has a stronger old-school feel, while the Honda GB350S feels like a more modern Honda take on the classic single-cylinder motorcycle. If you want retro style with modern usability, the Honda is a very strong option.
Would I buy the Honda GB350S again?
Yes. After seven months and nearly 10,000 km, I still love the bike. It is not perfect, but it has the kind of character that makes you want to keep riding it.