of around 130km / h this engine is designed for cruising and comfortable commuting, and fifth gear is described as more of a cruising gear and is not for overtaking … but no one should be expecting a 350 single to perform like a race bike.
RIDING Most surprisingly perhaps, and one of its greatest successes, is that the bike is smooth as silk- it makes a most satisfying single thump at the pipe, but I detected no vibration at all, at any speed, and I reckon that’ s remarkable. It was always a pleasure to be aboard the bike and the reassuring single purring away put a smile on my face most days. The throttle can be a little snatchy if rolling along at low revs but dropping a gear, or even two or three, produces no fuss from the engine, and above all it feels friendly. There are of course minor niggles- I’ m never a fan of tall stalk mirrors. I get that they are acceptable and fit the style, but bar-end mirrors or the like would transform this bike. I thoroughly enjoyed riding the GB in the DGR, and, subsequently, around Auckland for some time. It is light too, at 178kg wet, and as a daily
commuter with economy figures of around 40km per litre, a tank is going to get near to 600km depending on how throttle-happy you are. A wee light comes on the clock housing, with ECO lit up, when you are using your wrist in judicious manner, but it’ s next to useless- given the economy of fuel use anyway.
THE SKINNY Overall, the Honda GB350 is a surprisingly good offering, with faultless finish as always. It is very well engineered, fun to ride, attractive to look at, economical and then some, and offered at a very competitive price point of under nine grand, at time of writing. It satisfied the schoolboy need in me, and it pleased the crusty rider who could be a bit jaded after 50 years of riding, but, more than that, I think it will appeal to those who see motorcycling as a way to help reduce carbon footprint, costs, parking fees, and traffic congestion in our cities. Also, it is just bloody cool. To look at and to ride. A modern retro for a modern world, classy, cool, comfortable and classic. Hell yes.
KIWI RIDER 41