Ordered mine for a 1st March registration. I’ve had the Hunter 350 and the Honda is just that bit better all round. Purist riding. Simple and fun. For me that’s what biking is about.
Long stroke, air cooled, India focussed motorcycle….. I’d be only too happy to run around slowly doing 110mpg…. because I’m a stingy old git with no ambitions of winning the TT.🤣
Similar architecture to the CB125F though despite the retro looks. Maybe it's for people more used to that but want a bit more oomph without too much loss of fuel economy.
Test road a New Scrambler 400X, thought yer good bike and wanted one there and then so bought a used one with 1500 miles on. It felt 100% better and completely different and better for it. For the first time ever I never had buyers remorse, cracking bike and completely at home on it. I now have my perfect garage, Tiger 900 GT Pro, Scrambler 400X and the greatest bike of all time, the P reg C90 😎😎😎
I think the bike looks better standard without the accessories on it. The only thing I would do is put on a front fender extender. I have had lots of bikes and quite a few Hondas and looks wise I think it’s fantastic. As you say if you want to ride fast then there is no point looking at this particular bike. A lot of riders like myself are getting older and now want a lighter bike. Had over 50 bikes myself and have a Triumph Speed 400 at the moment which is great. I think I will be getting this GB350 too! Good review.👍
My sister owned a 1970s Honda 350 in the 70s. Nice bike. I was young and at that point it seemed powerful. It was a twin. Those nakeds back then were impressive.
I do like this bike, I own and ride daily a 1998 CB250W Uk nighthawk. Its twin cylinder twin exhaust and is great on the country lanes and round town. Only thing it doesn't like is the motorway but when needs must it does cope ok just gotta sit in the first lane at around 65ish. I am thinking of retiring her for just the odd weekend outing as she is in fantastic condition and want to keep it forever its a credit to Mr Honda's awesome engineering. I may be tempted by the GB.
Nice!..the first UK review?! …it looks like a fab commuter/ back lane plodder….I have to say though..looking at those average wet cr@ppy roads, the RE classic 350 has better rider/engine protection with its “fit for purpose “ longer mudguards etc!…👌😎
I know exactly what you mean, i had a hunter 350, loved it. But the restriction drove me nuts . I saw one of those yesterday at Grantham when my friend was looking at the hornet 1000 . Yeah i like it Great to see you back Fish 🐠 xx ❤
i picked mine up yesterday. iv e not got any extras and its a lovely looking bike. ive not ridden it yet, im having to sort my insurance out. nice review mr fish.
It actually looks like a proper motorcycle , with right way up forks & twin shocks on rear . The seat could have been longer to allow a shorter rear mudguard tail & rear light unit , the zorst all chrome or polished stainless & mirrors extended slightly. Other wise a nice looking little A & B road plodding relaxed thumper at a realistic affordable price . It’s a Honda so should be bullet proof &a lot more reliable than it’s rivals . I could even see these bikes ending up with cult status ,like the Honda cubs . Good review 👍
Bikes like this are the essence of motorcycling. They are a joy to ride but sadly if You don't ride in a grump of similar motorcycles(125cc to 350cc) You are always gonna feel underpowered. When it comes to overtaking. Besides that they are a blast!
good memorys of the the plough inn pub you rode past in coldharbour, we would ride out there for a pint and occasionally you would see Oliver reed drinking in there (he used to live just down the road), ideal bike for pottering around the roads in that area 👍
Thanks for a sensible early test. If ( big if) they had used the 286cc engine from my CB300R it would have been a great bike which still had low down torque but also revved freely to give more power and performance when wanted. Thats the one I would buy like a shot! Like you I have a Supercub for riding the back lanes at 30 to 50mph so I don't need another slow machine.
Coming from Alaska, I find UK roads both horrifying and fascinating. The edge of the road, is the EDGE of the road. Lean too hard into a corner and someone might lose a chunk of hedge to your teeth. I get the sense that the vast majority of the roads there are older than the concept of traffic. They've bedded themselves into the earth from ages of use. They're trails, that have gradually evolved, modified and adapted into contemporary roads. This stands in stark opposition to where I'm from, where civilization didn't arrive until just yesterday and every bit of infrastructure has been put in since then. We have easements wider than our roads, on either side of the road. Outside the fog line, you've got another lane worth of screw-up territory to wake up in, before you officially crash. Lovely review btw. Thank you Mr. Fish.
Had look at one yesterday and booked a test ride. Got a classic 500 so interested for the comparison. Its a stunning looking bike. The engine just looks fantastic and I love long stroke motors
Great review 🤗 Think I prefer the boggo standard looking GB350 rather than the S version. Bit simpler and more retro without the extras you mention on this one. Then it’d be lovely 🏍️
I suppose you have to remember it was built for the Indian market to compete with RE and initially to carry the family and take your livestock to market for which it is eminently suited. As you say a ploder a workhorse and that doesn't make it bad
Nice bike. I have a hunter (unrestricted) which I love. If this Honda had been out at the time, I would have had a major headache. These bikes do need running in. The hunter improved dramatically after a 1000 miles.
Great video....I know exactly where you're coming from with the engine....I would have a knot in my gut all the time, waiting for it to "come on song"....and it wouldn't happen....frustrating !
already ordered mine before christmas... still waiting...... i will keep mine pure as possible in india a few guys already DeCat it and put other exhausts on it... zero difference doesn't make it any faster or better
The rumour is that they are going to release a GB500 single. It has the same engine but is bored out to make it a 500. If I remember correctly part of the extra cc's will come from lengthening the stroke as well. I think I'd be more interested in that one. If the rumour is correct it won't weigh much more than the GB350 either.
I’ve just ordered one , and the first thing it’s getting is a new paint job , such dull and uninspiring colours on the UK/European spec bikes , the Indian / Asian ,H’ness model and the 350rs versions are offered in way more retro version with period looking paint schemes
The wind resistance with a "tall" geezer on it, it gonna be a bit underpowered in spots .. but its so cute though .. looks a bit retro Triumph ish ... perfect price for a little local commuter .. anyhoo.. entertaining first impression Mr F ... hows about a few like that for the abroad TP1. RV n U little big adventure part (whatever number that'd be?!) 😬👍🌠
Hey John,Great looker of a bike though,despite going by what you said about the engine feeling a little restricted! 😎👍 Will you be attending the old ABR with Pete this year mate & are you bringing your NX500 this time? 🤔
Honda know what motorcycle riders want, and it isn’t stupid expensive bikes for the road, this is a little country lane fun bike, affordable,dependable, they will sell tons of them!
I’m sure it’s an excellent machine for what it was designed to do. It’s just a pity that Honda chose the most blandest of paint schemes imaginable for this bike. I know in the Japanese market there is a retro version called the GB350C which looks amazing ( to me anyway).
It is a good looking bike, should give the royal Enfield's and BSA bikes a run for the sales money. Def not a fan of that fog light switch on the bars, BSA have similar but for a USB, really looks out of place. Nice that the speedo is a dial rather than a display. That ECO light would annoy me, I wonder if you can turn it off in the settings?
Bril, the review Iv'e been waiting for! How would you rate it on fast A roads, especially getting past the longest fastest arctics? The Meteor 350 and the ADV 350 just melted in those conditions so they had to go!
If you want to ride fast A roads then I think a Speed 400 would suit you better as it is higher revving water cooled bike. I rode one last summer and it was fantastic. I like the Honda as well though, sounds good, looks good too.
@stevebolton8471 cannot disagree, you but with a dodgy knee, went for a Vulcan 650 S and after many years wasting money trying to find perfection, this might be it🤞🤞🤞
Please start doing more reviews again, i always enjoyed your reviews. Get the ADV 350 i wanna know if its as good as they say, i got a SH300 and should i change it?
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is probably better value than the Honda. If you look around you can get a brand new one for £3500 and it has a centre stand as standard and proper pillion grab handles. I prefer the blacked out look of the Royal Enfield and the fact that it has 17 inch front wheels back and front. The Honda has a better dash and all LED lights and indicators, whereas the Enfield only has LED on the rear light. I don't like the way Honda has the throttle cable moving with the throttle. The Enfield looks more Retro than the Honda if that's what matters to some
Just to correct you sir - That's the heated grips cable moving with the throttle, not the throttle cable, also centre stand is standard on the Honda as are the luggage bobbins
I imagine it's like the 350 Enfield only more so. Sounds nice and grunts gently off idle but getting up to speed is rather slow. Once wound up cruising speed is fine however. I doubt it's restricted, it's just tight and very long stroke, it'll never rev out etc.
Too many shocks on the rear for me. Interesting that the fuel consumption is much the same as the wee Honda XR190 that I tootle around on when I'm allowed. Great video. This would be towards my upper limit for size, I'm about 73kg/11.5st/160lb and 1.8m/5'11". Think it was about NZ$5/3quid for a little LCD rev counter.
Looks like it won't make it to the US, but the 500 will. I suspect for most of the US the 500 makes more sense. I do like the looks, but it needs a tach. Two clocks. Symmetry.
Nice video 👌🏻 Waiting for mine in black. The only thing I hate...the front mudguard.. Actually, almost no mudguard. 🫣 all the dirt dropped on the engine.. Oh boy.. in one hand the hose and the other the sponge all the time. 🧽🪣
It's kinda what I expected you to say (as I probably would too). It's the same as the RE Hntr 350 looks nice but too one dimensional. Needs another 6 to 10 hp. Ps well done Dobles letting you out in that crap weather. I tried to get Vertu Honda to let me take their 350 demo but was fobbed off with a load of insurance 🐮💩
Lovely bike with the accessories, except for that rear fender. It looks like the bike needs a cat delete and maybe an ECU upgrade. I recently added a Svartpilen 401, the smaller displacement motorcycles are great fun. 👍 Nice addition to the Ultra Classic, T7, Husky 501, and Bullet 500 in my garage.
Ordered mine for a 1st March registration.
I’ve had the Hunter 350 and the Honda is just that bit better all round. Purist riding. Simple and fun. For me that’s what biking is about.
Small capacity bikes really do have a place in our market.
Long stroke, air cooled, India focussed motorcycle….. I’d be only too happy to run around slowly doing 110mpg…. because I’m a stingy old git with no ambitions of winning the TT.🤣
Similar architecture to the CB125F though despite the retro looks. Maybe it's for people more used to that but want a bit more oomph without too much loss of fuel economy.
Even better …… it has two valves with screw and lock nut adjusters……. so 100% “field-serviceable”… just like the NC.
@@christianweller4288 NC 750?
@@IndigoJo Yeah the NC still has good old screw and locknut adjusters (but 4 valves per cylinder). Makes the job much easier.
@@christianweller4288 the angle of the block in the frame canted forward like it is must help too ??
Test road a New Scrambler 400X, thought yer good bike and wanted one there and then so bought a used one with 1500 miles on. It felt 100% better and completely different and better for it. For the first time ever I never had buyers remorse, cracking bike and completely at home on it. I now have my perfect garage, Tiger 900 GT Pro, Scrambler 400X and the greatest bike of all time, the P reg C90 😎😎😎
I think the bike looks better standard without the accessories on it. The only thing I would do is put on a front fender extender. I have had lots of bikes and quite a few Hondas and looks wise I think it’s fantastic. As you say if you want to ride fast then there is no point looking at this particular bike. A lot of riders like myself are getting older and now want a lighter bike. Had over 50 bikes myself and have a Triumph Speed 400 at the moment which is great. I think I will be getting this GB350 too! Good review.👍
exactly
My sister owned a 1970s Honda 350 in the 70s.
Nice bike. I was young and at that point it seemed powerful.
It was a twin.
Those nakeds back then were impressive.
I believe that that Honda CB350 of the 70's had almost double the power of this GB350.
fingers crossed for a Gb750. This thing looks amazing.
Beautiful bike. I wish this was an option available when I bought my Hunter 350.
Ordered one, as clean as possible. Just the heated grips, USB and a connector to my Optimate battery tender. 😊
perfect i will also always keep mine is pure as possible.... now it only needs to arrive ........
I do like this bike, I own and ride daily a 1998 CB250W Uk nighthawk. Its twin cylinder twin exhaust and is great on the country lanes and round town. Only thing it doesn't like is the motorway but when needs must it does cope ok just gotta sit in the first lane at around 65ish. I am thinking of retiring her for just the odd weekend outing as she is in fantastic condition and want to keep it forever its a credit to Mr Honda's awesome engineering. I may be tempted by the GB.
I like this better than any of the RE singles.
I really enjoy your unique delivery and review style. Keep it up! And I have a triumph 400 scrambler. Just perfect for me in my opinion.
Nice!..the first UK review?! …it looks like a fab commuter/ back lane plodder….I have to say though..looking at those average wet cr@ppy roads, the RE classic 350 has better rider/engine protection with its “fit for purpose “ longer mudguards etc!…👌😎
Mr Darcy and the Old Man reviewed it ages ago .
I do like singles! Got 3. Two running, one dead. That Honda looks good.
I know exactly what you mean, i had a hunter 350, loved it. But the restriction drove me nuts
. I saw one of those yesterday at Grantham when my friend was looking at the hornet 1000
. Yeah i like it
Great to see you back Fish 🐠 xx ❤
Amazing bike and amazing views in England. The button for fog lights is hilarious 😅
I love the styling of this bike. Retro cool and a reasonable price when everything is going up. Ride safe.
Nice ride!
Waiting March for mine in black.
Wellmade,easy to fix,pretty Japan made bike 👌🏻
Wish it had bigger front mudguard,to much dirt all over.
i picked mine up yesterday. iv e not got any extras and its a lovely looking bike. ive not ridden it yet, im having to sort my insurance out. nice review mr fish.
I think it would look better without all the bolt on bits.
Glad to see you back
It actually looks like a proper motorcycle , with right way up forks & twin shocks on rear . The seat could have been longer to allow a shorter rear mudguard tail & rear light unit , the zorst all chrome or polished stainless & mirrors extended slightly. Other wise a nice looking little A & B road plodding relaxed thumper at a realistic affordable price . It’s a Honda so should be bullet proof &a lot more reliable than it’s rivals . I could even see these bikes ending up with cult status ,like the Honda cubs . Good review 👍
Bikes like this are the essence of motorcycling. They are a joy to ride but sadly if You don't ride in a grump of similar motorcycles(125cc to 350cc) You are always gonna feel underpowered. When it comes to overtaking. Besides that they are a blast!
I agree, that is why I am happy to ride a fast bike slow. I don’t want cars up my arse & I have no power to spare.
good memorys of the the plough inn pub you rode past in coldharbour, we would ride out there for a pint and occasionally you would see Oliver reed drinking in there (he used to live just down the road), ideal bike for pottering around the roads in that area 👍
Hopefully, Hitchcock in England will make a big bore kit!
Thanks for a sensible early test. If ( big if) they had used the 286cc engine from my CB300R it would have been a great bike which still had low down torque but also revved freely to give more power and performance when wanted. Thats the one I would buy like a shot! Like you I have a Supercub for riding the back lanes at 30 to 50mph so I don't need another slow machine.
Coming from Alaska, I find UK roads both horrifying and fascinating.
The edge of the road, is the EDGE of the road. Lean too hard into a corner and someone might lose a chunk of hedge to your teeth.
I get the sense that the vast majority of the roads there are older than the concept of traffic. They've bedded themselves into the earth from ages of use. They're trails, that have gradually evolved, modified and adapted into contemporary roads.
This stands in stark opposition to where I'm from, where civilization didn't arrive until just yesterday and every bit of infrastructure has been put in since then.
We have easements wider than our roads, on either side of the road. Outside the fog line, you've got another lane worth of screw-up territory to wake up in, before you officially crash.
Lovely review btw.
Thank you Mr. Fish.
Heard a rumour that this bike is coming to Canada, fingers crossed and deposit ready.
Had look at one yesterday and booked a test ride. Got a classic 500 so interested for the comparison. Its a stunning looking bike. The engine just looks fantastic and I love long stroke motors
It’s going to be good for customising!
It’s also a bike that will feel much better once it’s got a few thousand miles on. Air cooled engines need a bit more bedding in time. 👍
I suspect it'll loosen up a lot after a few 1000 miles, but, as you say, it will always remain a country road plodder 😊
Great review 🤗
Think I prefer the boggo standard looking GB350 rather than the S version. Bit simpler and more retro without the extras you mention on this one. Then it’d be lovely 🏍️
Have you looked at the Asian / Indian market H’ness models , looks like a 1970s CB350
I suppose you have to remember it was built for the Indian market to compete with RE and initially to carry the family and take your livestock to market for which it is eminently suited. As you say a ploder a workhorse and that doesn't make it bad
Nice bike. I have a hunter (unrestricted) which I love. If this Honda had been out at the time, I would have had a major headache. These bikes do need running in. The hunter improved dramatically after a 1000 miles.
How do you unrestrict the Hunter and how much is the performance altered?
Great video....I know exactly where you're coming from with the engine....I would have a knot in my gut all the time, waiting for it to "come on song"....and it wouldn't happen....frustrating !
A nice bike for heading to work. Bimbling around the backroads.
That'd be great with the 500 engine in it.
Apparently Honda have put in emissions documents for a 500 version
Great video and I like the look of this.
Euro 5 plus raises it's head . .so after market exhaust & flashing might not be possible . .Good review
already ordered mine before christmas... still waiting...... i will keep mine pure as possible
in india a few guys already DeCat it and put other exhausts on it... zero difference doesn't make it any faster or better
those indian CB350 are not Euro5+
Another fun one 😊 Thankyou Mr Fish
Your not dull or slow 😂
Its probably been strangled for the A2 thingy ???
It is strangled because it is air-cooled and has to meet E5+ regulations
The rumour is that they are going to release a GB500 single. It has the same engine but is bored out to make it a 500. If I remember correctly part of the extra cc's will come from lengthening the stroke as well. I think I'd be more interested in that one. If the rumour is correct it won't weigh much more than the GB350 either.
I’ve just ordered one , and the first thing it’s getting is a new paint job , such dull and uninspiring colours on the UK/European spec bikes , the Indian / Asian ,H’ness model and the 350rs versions are offered in way more retro version with period looking paint schemes
I had a maroon 1954 BSA B31 and I think this would look good in maroon.
@ look up the versions in India and Japan and the far east , Google Honda H’ness 350 and 350rs ,
Maybe try a wrap?
@ I’m a professional car painter so wrap is a dirty word for me ! 😂
This Honda and the Hunter 350 are amazing value when you consider that there are 125 cc bikes that cost more
The wind resistance with a "tall" geezer on it, it gonna be a bit underpowered in spots .. but its so cute though .. looks a bit retro Triumph ish ... perfect price for a little local commuter .. anyhoo.. entertaining first impression Mr F ... hows about a few like that for the abroad TP1. RV n U little big adventure part (whatever number that'd be?!) 😬👍🌠
Hey John,Great looker of a bike though,despite going by what you said about the engine feeling a little restricted! 😎👍
Will you be attending the old ABR with Pete this year mate & are you bringing your NX500 this time? 🤔
..and compared to your cl 500.. what would you chose for a chilled ride ... beside the price?
Id love a gb 500...
Honda know what motorcycle riders want, and it isn’t stupid expensive bikes for the road, this is a little country lane fun bike, affordable,dependable, they will sell tons of them!
Many of us own both the smaller bikes and the glorious larger displacement motorcycles. I'd hate to be without either.
Morning as always love your vids and style where are you riding Surrey hills ?
Coulsdon to Box Hill.
Love that, but do I like it enough to chop my CB500F in for one? Oooh, tough call, love the CB500 Hornet, 8000 trouble free miloes since April 2024
How does this compare to the CB125F? Similar architecture, 3x bigger engine but only 2x the power.
Another great Honda at a great price. Wonder if they will do a 500 and 750 version.
I’m sure it’s an excellent machine for what it was designed to do. It’s just a pity that Honda chose the most blandest of paint schemes imaginable for this bike.
I know in the Japanese market there is a retro version called the GB350C which looks amazing ( to me anyway).
Nice seeing my old hunting ground!
It is a good looking bike, should give the royal Enfield's and BSA bikes a run for the sales money. Def not a fan of that fog light switch on the bars, BSA have similar but for a USB, really looks out of place.
Nice that the speedo is a dial rather than a display.
That ECO light would annoy me, I wonder if you can turn it off in the settings?
Bril, the review Iv'e been waiting for! How would you rate it on fast A roads, especially getting past the longest fastest arctics? The Meteor 350 and the ADV 350 just melted in those conditions so they had to go!
If you want to ride fast A roads then I think a Speed 400 would suit you better as it is higher revving water cooled bike. I rode one last summer and it was fantastic. I like the Honda as well though, sounds good, looks good too.
@stevebolton8471 cannot disagree, you but with a dodgy knee, went for a Vulcan 650 S and after many years wasting money trying to find perfection, this might be it🤞🤞🤞
Please start doing more reviews again, i always enjoyed your reviews. Get the ADV 350 i wanna know if its as good as they say, i got a SH300 and should i change it?
Enjoyed 3 years of ADV350 but contemplating swapping for a geared bike
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is probably better value than the Honda. If you look around you can get a brand new one for £3500 and it has a centre stand as standard and proper pillion grab handles. I prefer the blacked out look of the Royal Enfield and the fact that it has 17 inch front wheels back and front. The Honda has a better dash and all LED lights and indicators, whereas the Enfield only has LED on the rear light. I don't like the way Honda has the throttle cable moving with the throttle. The Enfield looks more Retro than the Honda if that's what matters to some
Just to correct you sir - That's the heated grips cable moving with the throttle, not the throttle cable, also centre stand is standard on the Honda as are the luggage bobbins
@pete07bikes I stand corrected 👍
Saw it at the NEC and it looks like a quality bike for under £4k. It probably needs a thousand or so miles on it to loosen up.
I imagine it's like the 350 Enfield only more so. Sounds nice and grunts gently off idle but getting up to speed is rather slow. Once wound up cruising speed is fine however. I doubt it's restricted, it's just tight and very long stroke, it'll never rev out etc.
It sounds like the flywheel if probably about the same weight as my old CB500.
Too many shocks on the rear for me. Interesting that the fuel consumption is much the same as the wee Honda XR190 that I tootle around on when I'm allowed. Great video. This would be towards my upper limit for size, I'm about 73kg/11.5st/160lb and 1.8m/5'11". Think it was about NZ$5/3quid for a little LCD rev counter.
What color is that bike ?
So there is a new ultimate honda beginner bike in town eh?
Great potential for cafe treatment.
If it had wire wheels it kinda reminds me of the old Honda GB500 cfe racer from the eighties.
is the throttle damaged? the whole cable moves when you open it; is this ok?
its the heated grip cable...not the throttle cable
@@dmartin23 ah ok 🙂 looks bad anyway
A nice bike, but a shame the front indicators are on with the engine running.
Getting back to basics...lots of fun at an affordable price... Big shout to Mr Fish. that's a BIG Sub from me. ;0)
Come on Mr Fish, get Dobles to loan you the 2025 nc750x for a review.
Looks like it won't make it to the US, but the 500 will. I suspect for most of the US the 500 makes more sense. I do like the looks, but it needs a tach. Two clocks. Symmetry.
Pillion footrests but a single seat? I had an XBR500 which was a great bike!
lol bless
Normal seat is double
I think I would like this bike if it had the 500 FT ascot engine from the 80s.. That would make it a little more playful.
What was the sound in the background of that walkaround Music ?? I didn't realise Donald Duck made a record ............
Nice looker but the bhp. My 1976 cb360T was 32 bhp. Decent
You haven’t got 100miles on it …
So the RE 350s need 2500mls to release their full potential - give this lil Honda a chance to free up!
👍
Honda='smooth"
Nice video 👌🏻
Waiting for mine in black.
The only thing I hate...the front mudguard..
Actually, almost no mudguard. 🫣 all the dirt dropped on the engine..
Oh boy.. in one hand the hose and the other the sponge all the time. 🧽🪣
He wants to cut the rear mudguard and make it shit at the back as well hahaha
Good looking with the extras, that exhaust is horrible.
It's kinda what I expected you to say (as I probably would too). It's the same as the RE Hntr 350 looks nice but too one dimensional. Needs another 6 to 10 hp.
Ps well done Dobles letting you out in that crap weather. I tried to get Vertu Honda to let me take their 350 demo but was fobbed off with a load of insurance 🐮💩
Nottingham ?
@derbyshireruralrider9398 Grantham
Built in India. Less than £2800 on the road there.
This bike is built in Japan.
Weak electrics hence why you can only have one or the other.
Lovely bike with the accessories, except for that rear fender.
It looks like the bike needs a cat delete and maybe an ECU upgrade.
I recently added a Svartpilen 401, the smaller displacement motorcycles are great fun. 👍 Nice addition to the Ultra Classic, T7, Husky 501, and Bullet 500 in my garage.