Honda Gb350S, how goes the 'little one' from the House of the Golden Wing

One of the eternal topics of discussion among motorcyclists concerns the power a motorbike must have in order to be fun. Over the past 40 years, the dominant trend has been the quest for ever more exasperated power, with engines that have grown in cubic capacity to a size unthinkable a few decades ago. In recent years, however, a growing number of people have grown tired of this race and are turning to the segment of 'easy motorbikes', i.e. light and small-medium sized ones. Royal Enfield started the ball rolling, followed by Triumph, some Chinese brands, and recently also Honda, which at the last Eicma unveiled its Gb350S (4,600 euro), a single-cylinder with a retro look that aims to conquer returning motorcyclists but also young lovers of the classic on two wheels. A slim and balanced silhouette, with a 15-litre fuel tank with soft lines, neat trim, a flat and well-padded seat, an engine clearly in sight, a large 19-inch front wheel: the little Honda encapsulates the classic motorbike concept.

Few horses, but... fun.

The heart of the Gb350S is the single-cylinder, air-cooled, 348 cc engine, capable of delivering 21 hp at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 30 Nm, but already at 3,000 rpm. If these numbers may seem modest on paper, on the road they unexpectedly translate into great riding pleasure. The power and torque figures, in fact, betray a motorbike that is easy to handle in all conditions. Almost surprising is the presence of traction control, but you have to think that this Honda will be very much ridden by novice riders. Who will also appreciate the five-speed transmission-shift system equipped with an assisted clutch (reduces lever effort by 30%) and anti-hopping. The steel semi-double-cradle frame makes the Honda extremely manoeuvrable and works well with the chassis composed of the 41 mm telescopic fork, twin rear shocks and 310 mm single front disc. The instrumentation consists of an analogue speedometer combined with a display with all the information, including the gear engaged; it is surprising, however, that the USB socket is optional and not standard as on most of the competition.

25YM Honda GB350S

How's it going

The riding position on the Gb350S is extremely natural and relaxed, with the torso slightly upright and the footpegs well positioned: the seat height at 800 mm from the ground makes the bike accessible to almost anyone. The well-distributed weight - around 181 kg in running order - also contributes to the ease of riding. The wide, soft seat makes it possible to tackle even medium routes without tiring, while the vibrations of the single-cylinder engine, present but never invasive (they increase, especially on the left footboard, at motorway speeds) contribute to maintaining that classic feel without becoming annoying. The engine has a smooth, progressive and linear delivery: obviously it never puts you in difficulty, nor does it intimidate, but it gives that "old school" sensation of a bike that breathes, pulses and accompanies you calmly. The single-cylinder engine comes to life with a round, full bellow, made more distinctive by the short exhaust and deliberately retro tone. There is no anger of the more powerful engines, but a constant and reassuring pulsation that accompanies you from the very first metres. The light clutch and smooth-running five-speed gearbox make for smooth starts, with no on-off effect: even a neophyte can immediately feel at ease. So in the city you can manoeuvre with agility, thanks to the excellent steering radius (2.4 metres) and the general manoeuvrability. The steel frame is simple but solid, with suspension that focuses on comfort rather than sportiness: the telescopic fork and the twin rear shock absorbers absorb cobblestones, rails and potholes with ease, without ever transmitting unpleasant sensations, also exploiting the stability of the 19" front wheel and the agility in tight changes of direction of the 17" rear wheel. The braking system, then, with single discs front and rear, does its job well; it is neither sporty nor aggressive, but modular and consistent with the philosophy of the vehicle. Leaving the city, on state highways and bypasses, the little Honda is at its best, with a quiet and relaxed pace that invites you to enjoy the scenery more than to grind kilometres quickly. At 60-80 km/h the ride is smooth and quiet, the single-cylinder engine revs effortlessly, and the absence of excessive vibrations contributes to overall comfort; fifth gear is long, designed to maintain a relaxed pace and save fuel. On the motorway, the top speed measured by our navigator was 115 km/h (125 km/h indicated). Fuel consumption is another big plus: Honda claims 40 km/l, but travelling consistently above 30 km/l is absolutely realistic. In short, the Gn350S is a bike that doesn't want to amaze with data sheet numbers, but gives a good feeling by exploiting its personality: you often find yourself smiling inside your helmet, listening to the pleasant muttering of the single and enjoying the landscape and its scents, with a relaxed and pleasant ride.