picked up this smart Honda to go with the classic / retro style brief for the 2025 Distinguished Gentleman’ s Ride; my eleventh. I’ d seen the GB350 in the arrival crates at Blue Wing and was struck by the similarity to one my high school friend, Steve Bush, bought in 1972 – a new green CB350 Twin. Back then, envy reared its head, I knew such riches were completely out of my reach in any foreseeable future. Fast forward five decades and change, and here was the modern iteration of that bestseller, every inch as good looking as that schoolboy fancy. The new GB350 provokes that same sort of reaction in others too, I’ ve had more streetside conversations over the GB than any since my Thruxton R, which also stoked strong reminiscences.

WHAT IS IT? At first, I was slightly disappointed that Honda had delivered the 350 as a single, but I think there’ s method in the madness. It’ s the time we live in- economy of fuel, budget, materials and maintenance are paramount in the commuter / daily runner market; the GB delivers exceptional

fuel economy, and pricing is also super competitive. In recent years the return to smaller capacity engines and lighter, more nimble bikes has seen a drift away from the litre sportsbike as a daily driver. Many manufacturers have targeted this sector – aiming at around 400 to 450cc. Royal Enfield has had the single 350 retro market largely to themselves for a few years, but I expect this offering from Honda will certainly make a dent in that. Why? Simply put, this is a charming, comfortable, and predictable offering, with only as much tech as you want and no extra fuss, but, like top end hi-fi amplifiers in which you get one knob – volume, the need for adjustable this-and-that is removed, with good design and delivery. At this point I make the disclaimer that I do some promotional work for Honda Outdoors, and that motorcycles and outboard motors are included among the mowers, blowers, pumps, trimmers and generators in the outdoor sector.

STYLING The GB350 I rode was the black and chrome

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