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This Super Affordable Military-Inspired Honda Motorcycle Is a Retro-Styled Dream

Subtle colors and classic styling make this Honda single an understated hit.

Close-up of a beige Honda motorcycle showing the front wheel, headlight, fuel tank with the Honda logo, engine, and part of the brown seat. The motorcycle is positioned against a light-colored wall with some green plants visible on the left side.Honda
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By Gray Van Dyke

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Having started my motorcycle journey wrenching and riding on a 1973 CB175, I’ve always maintained a soft spot for small-displacement Hondas. 

And it’s not just out of nostalgia. Between their accessible pricing, their unfailing reliability and their impressive fun factor, they’re fantastic little bikes (especially relative to because of their size).

Cream-colored Honda motorcycle with a brown seat, black engine, and chrome exhaust pipe, parked on a stone-paved area in front of a rustic wooden building with glass windows and greenery around.
The brown seat and contrasting tank pads really tie the monochromatic look together.
Honda

It’s really a shame that motorcyclists in the United States tend to prioritize power, because some smaller models — like the understated but classic GB350C before you today — would surely be a smash hit.

Retro riff

If the GB350 moniker sounds familiar, that’s most likely because you recall it from the dreamy two-tone variant Honda unveiled in July. 

Blue and white Honda GB350 motorcycle with a brown seat, parked on a paved surface near the ocean. The bike features a round headlight, chrome exhaust, and black alloy wheels.
Honda’s two-tone GB350 provides an option for those in search of a flashier ride.
Honda

Like this bike, it came with some unmistakably retro styling in the form of a classic UJM design, chrome bars and shocks, as well as full fenders fore and aft. It was a looker, for sure — if a little flashy.

By contrast, the new GB350C eschews the bold aesthetics in favor of subtler monochromatic options. Along with ‘Matte Sandstorm Beige,’ Honda is also offering buyers the choice of ‘Matte Bullet Silver.’

Matte gray Honda motorcycle with a classic design, featuring a brown leather seat, black engine, chrome exhaust pipe, and black alloy wheels with disc brakes.
‘Matte Bullet Silver’ looks sharp, though a pair of wire-laced wheels would really add to the retro aesthetic.
Honda

With just a few stickers, a jerry can and the odd rack or two, these sleek colorways could easily pass for a pair of small-displacement military-inspired motorcycles.

If you really wanted to take things to the next level, a sidecar and some matching fatigues would truly complete the look.

A matte beige Honda motorcycle with a classic design, featuring a round headlight, black engine components, and a brown leather seat. The bike is parked on a tiled surface against a white textured wall with greenery on the left side.
You don’t need a lot of power to have fun on a single-cylinder motorcycle — especially because of their size.
Honda

Small but mighty

As was the case with its GB350S and GB350 stablemates, the new Honda GB350C comes powered by an air-cooled 348cc single.

With roughly 19 horsepower and 21 lb-ft of torque on tap, it won’t win you any races. However, keep in mind that the Honda can manage an impressive 90 mpg because of its economical engine.

Man wearing a black and beige jacket, beige pants, brown shoes, and a black Shoei motorcycle helmet, sitting on a black Honda motorcycle while putting on brown gloves, parked on a sidewalk in front of a glass building.
Honda’s GB350S offers a sportier, more modern-styled alternative, but the fundamental motorcycle is the same.
Honda

What’s more, at just a touch over 400 pounds wet, it’s not like the little GB350C needs a lot of grunt to be a good time.

Like any smaller bike, you have to maintain speed through the efficiency of your technique, making the most of your cornering abilities — not powering your way through mistakes.

Ultimately, though, naked classics like the GB350C are more about style and relaxed cruising than they are all-out performance, which makes them ideal candidates for rides like the DGR.

Pricing and availability

Being a part of the GB350 family, this bike (unfortunately) isn’t destined for release in the United States.

However, according to Honda, it will be debuting in Japan on Friday, October 31, with a super reasonable starting price of 650,000 yen (~$4,500).

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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