Honda GB350 - aka the H’ness - makes Japanese bow. We tap our watches patiently

Hey Honda, have we done something as a nation - née continent - to upset you? If we have, then on behalf of several million we are really, really, really, really, reeeeeeeeally sorry… times a million. Now can you arrange so that we can buy the GB350 H’ness in £/€, pretty please? What do you mean, you’ll think about it!?

OK, we’ll stop being childish (for a moment) but if you are reading this Honda then we admit we are a little taken with your H’ness and we’d very much like to become acquainted over here on this European side of the world.

If this article has just so happened to reach someone of status at Honda, or at least someone with the authority to make an empire change strategies with a single email, could we also request a V4 Sportsbike and an import of the CBR600RR too? And a pony.

OK, NOW we’ll stop being childish. (Boobies… *giggle*). OK now.

What started as an article about the H’ness receiving its belated debut in Honda’s domestic market of Japan has unintentionally swerved into an open letter to Honda/diatribe of early morning silliness, but we like to think we know motorcycles here at Visordown and we like to think we know a winner when we see one... and the H’ness has the goods.

Naturally, we aren’t short of Honda options in this or any country but when it comes to retro grandeur design that tips its hat (and handlebar) towards a bygone era when motorcycles were durable, easy-fixers and icons of simplicity, there is just something a touch more evocative about a pint-size cafe racer.

The formula has long been popular in India - the world’s largest motorcycling market - but you only have to witness the growing global success of Royal Enfield to see how such models are more of a culture than a mere purchase.

Indeed, the CB350, colloquially known as the H’ness, has been designed with India - where it is manufactured - firmly in mind and the sales charts certainly don’t lie. With its handsome looks, vast customising options and that peace of mind that comes with Honda engineering, all wrapped up in a value orientated package, the H’ness certainly has a lot to hold our attention. 

In short, this is a long way of petitioning Honda to extend the pleasure it has just afforded to Japan where the H’ness (or rather, GB350 as it will be known) has just gone on sale.

There is no formal word that the H’ness will make it to these shores, where it would rival the recently launched Royal Enfield Meteor 350… but Honda hasn’t said no yet either. I mean, it already has 'GB' right there in the name!

What was this article supposed to be about? Oh yes, the Honda GB350 has gone on sale in Japan. So there. 

Fin.