Honda GB350S , a few questions.

[bozzie]

Hi

I've been to look at a new Honda GB350S,  I must say I'm quite taken with it, as it ticks all my boxes, although I don't think much of the colour choices.

Now I've read many reviews,  and although it's mostly a thumbs up , a few reviewers have mentioned that the engine can feel a little  strangled,  but although this wouldn't put me off , but I've heard there is a free flow DNA  air filter available for the Enfield 350s which helps them run a bit sweeter, does anyone know if something similar is available for the Honda 350 ?

Hopefully if anyone owns one of these bikes  or has any general info regarding this bike it would be very helpful.

Thanks 

Boz

 

[Simon Davey]

14 hours ago, bozzie said:

Hi

I've been to look at a new Honda GB350S,  I must say I'm quite taken with it, as it ticks all my boxes, although I don't think much of the colour choices.

Now I've read many reviews,  and although it's mostly a thumbs up , a few reviewers have mentioned that the engine can feel a little  strangled,  but although this wouldn't put me off , but I've heard there is a free flow DNA  air filter available for the Enfield 350s which helps them run a bit sweeter, does anyone know if something similar is available for the Honda 350 ?

Hopefully if anyone owns one of these bikes  or has any general info regarding this bike it would be very helpful.

Thanks 

Boz

 

 

Hi Boz, I've seen a couple of YouTube reviews of the GB350, and they're very positive. 

These machines are all run by sensors and power management, I'm not sure that changing a filter will really achieve much. 

I could be completely wrong though.

[Capt Sisko]

You've also got to remember 21 bhp (claimed) isn't a massive amount once you're on the open road. It's fine for towns and urban enviroments, but once out of town you're going to find it lacking when it comes to overtaking & dual carriageway runs. If that's not a concern fine, but go in eyes open about the performance. To reiterate what SD said, with modern engines you can't just take a file to the exhaust port, stick some expansions chambers & K&Ns on and rejet the carbs (showing my age here) to unleash extra power. Plus even if you could as a new bike it'd invalidate your warranty.

Edited March 5 by Capt Sisko

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

Free fliw air filters are myths. You won't release any more horses on the intake. 

[RideWithStyles]

This is a slow reving, low hp, new rider friendly, fuel economy and heavy restriction emissions bike designed from the off…

With an air filter for your engine, at most will be a hp if ur extremely lucky and I say that with being generous to the point of laughing…the only gains is to allow more shite (air contamination) into the intake.

air filters aint a myth as such but certainly have a lot of old time hard set marketing bs attached to them as to what could be achieved with that design.

depending on what you have to start with (engine design and type and filter design and type) will effect what you can get out but generally the gains are very minimal in general.

plus your insurance may have an issue with it too adding to cost, compounding the problem.

 

if you want more, get a bike with more hp from the off or bigger engine bike.

The only really benefit for less snatching on-off-on throttle would be to remap it,  gains would be made a Hp or two questionable but the cost of remap would put you nearer to a more powerful bike to start with…

 

so realistically it’s not even worth doing it on the basis cleaning the filter.

 

 

 

Edited March 4 by RideWithStyles

[bozzie]

OK guys, thanks for your replies, all good points, and they answer my questions, I'm still considering the bike , as  I'm passed laying over the tank and going for it, so a more relaxed style of riding is the order of the day , my only concern was the occasional trip on a dual carriage way or motorway , but plodding along at 50 - 60 is OK with me , so still a contender,  still browsing  motorcycle dealers and youtube which I'm quite enjoying at the moment , getting a lid and jacket this weekend.

Thanks again 

[Hairsy]

The air filter conversation is interesting.

 

Theoretically you can get a more efficient air filter but the only way to get more air through an air filter is for it to have bigger holes for the air or a bigger surface area (i.e. more holes).

 

Most OEM paper air filters are pretty good at maximising surface area by having concertina folds in them.

 

If you get a performance air filter and it actually delivers a benefit but it doesn't have a bigger surface area then you're sucking air through bigger holes - and filtering less.

 

The reality is that most performance air filters make more noise and so people think they're going faster.

 

And the way they deliver that 'bigger / meatier' noise? Bigger holes.