Short answer: Honda GB350S performance is modest, smooth, and honest — a 348.36cc air-cooled single making a manufacturer-claimed 15.5 kW (20.8 bhp) at 5,500 rpm and 29 Nm at 3,000 rpm in UK and EU specification, reaching 100 km/h in 11.99 seconds in Indian RS testing, with a top speed that testers place at 80 mph or more on the clock and a tested 110 mpg Imperial from Visordown. But this Honda GB350S performance guide starts with the fact that frames everything else: the GB350S has never been sold in the USA, and no US launch has been announced as of November 2026. There is no US price, test, or dealer — every figure here is British, European, Japanese, or Indian, labelled by tester, market, and units, covering Honda GB350S performance fully.
One more framing fact belongs up front: the GB350S is not the standard GB350, and it is not the bike covered in the previous cluster. The S is the sportier sibling — born as India’s CB350RS in 2021, launched in Japan as the GB350S in July 2021, and sold in the UK and Europe from 2025. It shares the 348cc engine with the standard bike but rides on a 17-inch rear wheel instead of an 18-inch one, with fork gaiters, a skid plate, and a tuck-roll seat with higher pegs and lower bars. When this guide says “2026”, it means the UK and EU model year current into 2026.
Honda GB350S Engine Performance and Power Delivery
The engine defines Honda GB350S performance: a long-stroke, air-cooled single built for smoothness and low-end torque feel rather than headline power — the core of Honda GB350S performance.
Japan and EU Claim 15.5 kW and 29 Nm, India Claims 30 Nm
Japan and EU claim 15.5 kW and 29 Nm, India claims 30 Nm — and this Honda GB350S performance guide keeps those two torque figures in separate boxes, because they belong to different market specifications of the same engine. The UK and EU bike is rated at 15.5 kW (20.8 bhp) at 5,500 rpm with 29 Nm at 3,000 rpm; the Indian CB350RS is rated at 30 Nm at the same 3,000 rpm. The engine itself is a 348.36cc air-cooled four-stroke single — 70.0 by 90.5 mm bore and stroke, a long-stroke layout, 9.5:1 compression, PGM-FI fuel injection, a five-speed gearbox with an assist-and-slipper clutch, and a balancer shaft to tame the single’s vibration. That low torque peak tells you where this engine wants to live: between 3,000 and 5,500 rpm, in third and fourth gear, at town and back-road speeds. For the full model story, see our Honda GB350S review.
No Dyno Figure Exists for the S or RS: Do Not Publish One
No dyno figure exists for the S or RS, and this Honda GB350S performance guide refuses to invent one. There is no measured rear-wheel horsepower number from any magazine, test house, or owner dyno sheet for the GB350S or its Indian RS twin — only Honda’s crank claims of 15.5 kW and 29 Nm (or 30 Nm in India). That matters because crank and wheel figures differ: drivetrain losses typically eat 10 to 15 percent, so a naive conversion would land near 18 bhp at the wheel — but that is arithmetic, not a measurement. The honest sentence is: 15.5 kW and 29 Nm at the crank in UK and EU specification, claimed by Honda, unmeasured at the wheel anywhere in print.
| Power figure | Value | What it actually is |
|---|---|---|
| Honda claimed power (UK/EU/Japan) | 15.5 kW (20.8 bhp) @ 5,500 rpm | Manufacturer crank claim, not a measurement |
| Honda claimed torque (UK/EU/Japan) | 29 Nm @ 3,000 rpm | Crank claim; India RS is rated 30 Nm |
| Rear-wheel dyno figure | None exists in any source | Do not publish, convert, or guess one |
| Engine basics | 348.36cc single, 70 x 90.5 mm, 9.5:1 | Air-cooled, balancer shaft, 5-speed, slipper clutch |
Honda GB350S Top Speed and Acceleration
Top speed and acceleration are where Honda GB350S performance gets argued about most, because the official table and the testers disagree — and this Honda GB350S performance section reports both sides rather than picking a winner — the honest Honda GB350S performance approach.
Indian RS Tests: 0-100 km/h in 11.99 Seconds, 0-60 in 4.34
Indian RS tests recorded 0–100 km/h in 11.99 seconds and 0–60 km/h in 4.34 seconds for the CB350RS, and those are the headline Honda GB350S performance acceleration figures — with their label attached, because they come from Indian testing of the RS twin, not from a British test of the S itself. They are doc figures, not re-verified this pass. The doc’s comparison is worth reporting with the same care: the RS time beats the standard bike’s 12.55 seconds on Indian testing — differing from Autocar India’s 12.69 seconds for the H’ness, so each number stays with its own tester. The video below is a GB350S review from Modern Classic Motorcycle News — honestly labelled as an overseas review, not an American test and not a top-speed run.
Honda Ireland Lists Top Speed 114 km/h: the 150 Claim Conflicts
Honda Ireland lists top speed 114 km/h, and the 150 claim conflicts — that is the honest headline of Honda GB350S performance at the top end. The Irish dealer specification table gives 114 km/h (about 71 mph). Against it stand the testers: Visordown recorded 85 mph indicated (probably nearer 80 mph true) on a downhill motorway stretch and a comfortable 70–75 mph cruise; MCN reported over 80 mph on the clock; Devitt’s 2026 first ride recorded 80 mph flat out, falling to nearer 70 mph indicated on inclines or into headwinds; 1000PS puts it around 115 km/h; other listings reach about 130 km/h. A “150 claim” also appears in the doc, conflicting with everything else. The full spread is reported here with no winner picked: roughly 70–85 mph indicated depending on conditions, with fifth gear sometimes slower than fourth at the very top end. Visordown’s GB350S review is the best single source for the motorway behaviour behind these numbers.
Honda GB350S Mileage and Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is the strongest card in the Honda GB350S performance hand, and also the easiest to misquote — British gallons, American gallons, and litres per 100 km all appear in the same coverage. Every figure below sits in its own labelled box, with units attached every time — the Honda GB350S performance economy story.
Visordown Tested 110 MPG Imperial, About 91.6 US MPG
Visordown tested 110 mpg Imperial, about 91.6 US mpg — and that sentence needs its warning label read aloud, because it is the most misquoted figure in Honda GB350S performance coverage. The 110 mpg figure is Visordown’s tested result in Imperial gallons, recorded even while riding flat out on the motorway; converted at 0.833 it gives about 91.6 US mpg. But 91.6 US mpg is a conversion, never a tested American figure: no American agency has tested this bike, because it is not sold in the USA. Honda’s own claimed economy is 2.5 L/100 km, or 94.1 mpg Imperial in WMTC testing, with up to 600 km claimed from the 15-litre tank; dealer sheets also quote a 240-mile tank range, which Visordown found completely honest after 204 miles with a third of a tank remaining. Two different claim framings, reported labelled rather than averaged. 1000PS’ GB350S review puts the same economy in context: over 500 km theoretically from the 15-litre tank at 2.5 L/100 km.
MCN Saw Over 80 MPH on the Clock and Easy 100 MPG Imperial
MCN saw over 80 mph on the clock and easy 100 mpg Imperial — two separate observations that belong in the same Honda GB350S performance reality check. MCN recorded 63 mpg in spirited riding against Honda’s 94.1 mpg Imperial claim, while also reporting an “easy 100 mpg Imperial” figure from gentler use — the spread between a hard-ridden test and an easy cruise, not a contradiction. BikeSocial’s mixed-use test averaged 96 mpg Imperial. The Indian RS figure is different again: an ARAI claim of 35 km/l, never to be confused with the standard H’ness claim of 45.8 km/l from the previous cluster. For servicing costs see our Honda GB350S reliability guide.
| Mileage figure | Value | Source and label |
|---|---|---|
| Visordown tested | 110 mpg Imperial (≈91.6 US mpg by conversion only) | British road test, even at motorway speeds |
| Honda claimed (WMTC) | 2.5 L/100 km = 94.1 mpg Imperial | Manufacturer claim; up to 600 km range claimed |
| MCN tested | 63 mpg spirited; “easy 100 mpg Imperial” gentle use | British test; spread shows riding-style effect |
| BikeSocial mixed use | 96 mpg Imperial averaged | British test, mixed riding |
| India RS ARAI claim | 35 km/l | Indian bike, Indian cycle — NOT the H’ness 45.8 km/l |
| Range (15 L tank) | 240 miles dealer claim; up to 600 km Honda claim | Two claim framings, never averaged |
Honda GB350S Real-World Riding Performance
On the road, Honda GB350S performance is better than the acceleration table suggests and worse than the brochure implies — a motorcycle tuned for the city and the back road, where Honda GB350S performance matters most.
City Riding, Traffic Performance and Everyday Acceleration
City riding is where Honda GB350S performance shines brightest, and it is the use case the engine was tuned for. In traffic, the long-stroke single pulls cleanly from low revs, the balancer shaft kills vibration, and the assist clutch stays light. Testers agree on the character: brisk up to around 60 mph, then happy to hold a steady pace. The caveats are consistent: a soft bottom end that needs revs to wake up, a rev limiter that arrives quickly on hard pulls, and an overdrive fifth gear — several testers found the bike faster in fourth than fifth. The Lexham GB350S road test captures that split verdict well — nearly perfect on A-roads, B-roads, and around town, but short of overtaking power at 70 mph. For an American reader, the translation is simple: a bike built for the commute and the town run, not the drag strip.
Highway Riding, Pillion Use and the 15 Litre Tank’s Range
Highway riding, pillion use, and the 15-litre tank’s range form the second half of Honda GB350S performance in daily use, and here the verdict is more qualified. At 70 to 75 mph the bike sits without too much fuss, according to Visordown, but holding motorway speed means living near the top of the rev range, and overtakes need planning — dropping to fourth for a decisive pass, since fifth adds little at the top. The 15-litre tank is the saving grace: well over 300 miles between fills on gentle use, and Honda’s 240-mile dealer claim proved honest in testing. That combination — relaxed cruise, patient overtaking, long range — suits a rider who tours at 70 mph far better than one who chases 85.
Honda GB350S Handling, Braking and Stability
Handling and braking are where Honda GB350S performance most exceeds its price: a stable frame, a wider rear tyre than the standard bike, and brakes with genuine feel — the Honda GB350S performance chassis story.
Wider Rear Tyre and Sportier Position Against the Standard
The wider rear tyre and sportier position against the standard bike are the two changes that define Honda GB350S performance in corners. The S runs a 150/70-17 rear tyre on its 17-inch rear wheel, against the standard bike’s 130/70-18, with the 100/90-19 front unchanged. The riding position follows the same sportier brief: higher pegs and lower bars than the standard bike, though testers are clear this is sportier, not full rearsets. The result feels more like a sporty naked than its retro looks suggest: firm suspension, precise steering, and a chassis testers call nearly perfect on twisty back roads.
310mm Front and 240mm Rear Discs With Dual-Channel ABS
The 310 mm front and 240 mm rear discs with dual-channel ABS are a genuine headline in Honda GB350S performance, because this level of braking hardware is rare at this price — and because the traction control that comes with it is rarer still. The front disc is gripped by a two-piston Nissin caliper, the rear by a single-piston caliper, and dual-channel ABS watches both wheels; HSTC traction control is standard and switchable, though several testers note it feels largely moot on a machine this low-powered. The Devitt 2026 GB350S first ride covers the same chassis, and its 80 mph flat-out figure is quoted above.
Honda GB350S Performance Compared With Royal Enfield Rivals
Comparisons are where Honda GB350S performance either makes sense or falls apart: the bike was launched to steal buyers from Royal Enfield — the Honda GB350S performance comparison.
Quicker to 100 km/h Than the Standard H’ness at 12.55 Seconds
Quicker to 100 km/h than the standard H’ness at 12.55 seconds — that is the doc’s headline comparison, and on Indian test figures it holds: the RS twin’s 11.99-second run beats the standard bike’s 12.55 seconds on Indian testing. Where the Honda’s Honda GB350S performance advantage is clearer is refinement and economy: the balancer-shaft single is smoother than the Enfield singles, and the tested economy figures beat the Enfields’ real-world figures. For an American reader, the honest translation is through the alternatives: the Meteor 350 is sold in the USA for $4,899 (2026), so it is the rival you can actually buy — and the Honda’s advantages over it are smoothness, traction control, and dual-channel ABS, while the Meteor’s are availability, dealer support, and price. For the full Honda GB350S performance buying picture, see our Honda GB350S buying guide.
| Bike | Engine | 0-100 km/h (Indian tests) | Honda GB350S performance verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda GB350S / CB350RS (India RS test) | 348.36cc single, 15.5 kW claimed | 11.99 s | Quickest of the trio on Indian figures; smoothest engine |
| Honda CB350 H’ness (standard, India) | 348.36cc single, 21.07 PS claimed | 12.55 s (Indian test figure) | Softer, more relaxed twin; Autocar recorded 12.69 s separately |
| Royal Enfield Meteor 350 (India) | 349cc single | Slower than the RS on Indian figures | US price $4,899 (2026) — the rival you can actually buy |
| US alternatives anchor | Honda CB300R $4,499 + $600 | No US test exists for the GB350S | Real US options start at $4,499 per cluster-38 anchors |
Is the Honda GB350S Suitable for Beginner Riders?
Yes, with one reservation, and this is one of the least controversial claims in the Honda GB350S performance story. The case for beginners is strong: a low seat, 178 kg wet weight, light assist clutch, predictable linear power, standard dual-channel ABS, and traction control — plus A2 compliance in Europe, which makes it a legal first big bike for restricted-licence riders. The reservation is the soft bottom end and the overdrive fifth gear: a new rider will find the bike sleepy off the very bottom and must learn downshifting for overtakes. The other reservation is not about the bike: an American beginner cannot buy one, so the US recommendation points at the Meteor 350 at $4,899, the Rebel 300 at $4,849, or the Honda CB300R at $4,499 plus $600 — all buyable today. That is the honest close of this Honda GB350S performance beginner case: a superb first big bike in Britain, and a useful yardstick for American beginners.
Honda GB350S Performance FAQs
Direct answers to the Honda GB350S performance questions buyers ask most, with every figure labelled by tester, market, and units.
How much horsepower does the Honda GB350S make?
15.5 kW (20.8 bhp) at 5,500 rpm, says this Honda GB350S performance guide — a Honda crank claim, not a measured figure. No rear-wheel dyno number exists for the S or RS.
What is the top speed of the Honda GB350S?
About 70–85 mph indicated depending on conditions, says this Honda GB350S performance guide — Honda Ireland’s table says 114 km/h, Visordown saw 85 mph indicated, Devitt recorded 80 mph flat out.
How fast is the Honda GB350S from 0 to 100 km/h?
11.99 seconds in Indian RS testing, says this Honda GB350S performance guide — a doc figure, not re-verified this pass. The standard H’ness recorded 12.55 seconds on Indian testing and 12.69 seconds with Autocar India.
What mileage does the Honda GB350S get?
110 mpg Imperial tested by Visordown, says this Honda GB350S performance guide — about 91.6 US mpg by conversion only. Honda claims 94.1 mpg Imperial; MCN recorded 63 mpg riding hard and an easy 100 mpg Imperial gently.
How far can the Honda GB350S go on a full tank?
Over 300 miles on gentle use, says this Honda GB350S performance guide — Honda’s dealer claim of 240 miles proved honest in testing, and the WMTC claim reaches up to 600 km.
Is the GB350S faster than the standard GB350?
Yes to 100 km/h on Indian figures, says this Honda GB350S performance guide — 11.99 seconds for the RS twin against 12.55 seconds for the standard bike.
Does the Honda GB350S have traction control?
Yes, says this Honda GB350S performance guide — HSTC traction control is standard and switchable, alongside dual-channel ABS, rare at this price and class.
Can the Honda GB350S go off-road?
Light gravel only, says this Honda GB350S performance guide — a retro roadster on road tyres, not a dual-sport, though the skid plate adds a little rough-road confidence.
Does the GB350S have good brakes?
Yes, says this Honda GB350S performance guide — a 310 mm front disc, two-piston caliper, 240 mm rear disc, and dual-channel ABS, a strong package for a 178 kg bike.
What is the engine size of the Honda GB350S?
348.36cc, says this Honda GB350S performance guide — a long-stroke air-cooled single, 70 by 90.5 mm, 9.5:1 compression, balancer shaft, five-speed gearbox.
Is the Honda GB350S good for beginners?
Yes, says this Honda GB350S performance guide — a low seat, light weight, ABS, and traction control make it approachable, and it is A2-compliant in Europe.
Is the 2026 Honda GB350S sold in the USA?
No, says this Honda GB350S performance guide — never sold in the USA, no US launch announced, and no US price or dealer exists for it.
