HONDA SH 350i Review // Is 300cc all you need??

[@johna6968]

So happy to be aboard the previous model 300i. Had a lot of bikes over the years and grew tired of the uk motorcyclist willy waving mentality. A fair few of those folk couldnt ride for toffee anyhow. So much happier these days sticking two fingers up to the whole bike scene. Long live small Hondas, the future.

[@DSR1YT]

Haha you go John. Ride what you enjoy riding. Glad the 300i had a place in your garage mate. Ride safe.

[@Anthony-w7i5g]

I have nothing to prove either so I am thinking of buying one.

[@GPz84]

My wife picked up a mint 150I, and I think it's all you need . Changed my mentality towards scooter. Thing is a hoot to ride.

[@DSR1YT]

It's like some other brands out there, they might have a bad rep but once you ride them they usually change your mind for the better. Ride safe

[@christopherreed442]

By no means limited to city or urban riding. Having had the 300 variant it handles motorway speeds without issue.

[@DSR1YT]

🤙🤙

[@wabiforth6755]

I am 6'6" and 120 kg and regularly use a sh300i for trips upto 250 miles one way. No problem at all. My previous motorbike was a BMW GSA1150. My little Honda is not better than that, but is is also not worse for trips upto 250miles. Every ride I still smile as if it was riding my first moped for the first time! My next bike will be the SH350i, no doubt about it.

[@DSR1YT]

You’re a better man than me for doing those kind of miles. Glad it still makes you smile mate. That’s half the reason for a bike, keep us smiling so we can deal with the crap everything else sends our way 😁

[@Pihlalorjoone]

@@DSR1YT Sorry, didn't see you comments earlier. Me bad. You are so right, about the crap! Imagine the crap you get sitting on a sh300i. Anyhow, I wish you good sunny rides and lots of smiles!

[@FlyingPanMan]

I'm 6' 3" and 107kg and have done a few rides of around 230miles - mainly B roads and some dual carriageways. I cut the screen down by 2" and set the rear suspension to it's soft setting, plus an "Airhawk" type seat cushion (some good ebay clones are available). I use it round town, but it's equally suitable for touring when set up for the rider. My previous bikes were 1000cc plus. Now this is my only bike and I love it!

[@DSR1YT]

I knew someone would use this bike as their only bike and who took it out of the cities as well. Keep enjoying it.

[@fjp3305]

@@DSR1YT I have a SH300 as my only bike. I've had bigger bikes before, but for the city, I live in Madrid, a scooter is the best thing there is. And no problem taking it on the motorway; it can reach 140 kph easily.

[@fjp3305]

I went to see the SH 350 and found the seat kind of hard.

[@DSR1YT]

@@fjp3305 its a solid choice for busy towns without a doubt. Ride safe.

[@FlyingPanMan]

@@fjp3305 The blow -up cushion I got from ebay is ideal for riding 100's of miles.

[@Speshboy]

I'm looking at getting one of these. I had an Sh300 and it was a great all-rounder. They're excellent on the motorway - will hold 80 all day long. I toured Normandy on the 300.

[@DSR1YT]

That’s impressive. 🤙

[@DavidHunt-pw4yd]

I’ve got a 300 and have toured all over the uk so it’s much more than just a city bike. Did Scotland last year and it performed admirably😬

[@DSR1YT]

I mean hats off to you David. Not sure I’d want to tour the uk on one 😁🤙

[@RoofRack2]

I have a 2010 ShH300. Bought it because I was commuting a long way (150 miles a day) on a K1100RS bmw - wanted to replace - wanted economy. Thought it probably would not manage the trip - Maldon to Feltham each day - whole M25 plus 40 miles. Was a dream. Did over 85 if pushed. V few downsides but - range not great - at motorway speeds about 110 to a tank. Also I snapped four belts - don't know if I was unlucky, one only did 1000 miles so clearly a fitting error or wrong belt - but it put me off motorways - three of the snaps occurred on three lane roads and I didn't want it happening again. Eventually I switched my journey to the NCR rather than the M25 - which was 130 miles at slower pace - and it would do it on one tank. (I've had close to 150 out of a tank at lower speeds). Other downside is luggage - the Honda topbox is tiny - not worth getting, but there's also nothing really usable under the seat. I put an 80L box on the back and I'd really have preferred a bigger fuel tank to a tiny underseat space. There's no real capability to add panniers to scooters. I've looked. Riding a gearless bike is less fun. It moves pretty quickly but it doesn't give much impression of speed. You have to be careful of that too with the cameras everywhere. Finally the nature of these simple scooters is the engine and box are essentially unsprung weight. That simple can't be fixed and leads to a choppy ride on rough roads. Some people say that aftermarket shocks transformed their bikes but frankly I'm not sure I believe them. Anyway - I'm on my second one, reckon it's probably the best bike I've ever owned (and I had an early 1100GS which I liked a lot - not economical though). I have a Givi height adjustable screen too, which is great. Plus muffs, heated grips and an apron. It's really all-weather. If you just need to get somewhere I think the bike is virtually unbeatable. It's big enough for town to town riding on A roads easily. If I were really only going around town I would probably get the 125cc - 65mph and an extra 60mpg. But if you go out of town at all or if you carry a pillion - get the 300. If they got rid of the underseat storage, doubled the fuel tank size and designed a rack that could hold a big box and panniers it would be almost the perfect machine.

[@DSR1YT]

Maybe you should put that forward to Honda for next years improvements :P. Enjoy your bike mate. Ride safe

[@Pihlalorjoone]

I would love a 15l or more petrol tank and a hefty rack able to hold a bit of weight! Ooh, the possibilities!

[@EvilBard666]

should have bought the forza 350, it essentially fixes the storage and comfort problems.

[@RoofRack2]

@@EvilBard666 have considered it but smaller wheels, longer wheelbase, heavier and more attractive to thieves.

[@ericbowers71]

I'm 6'4", 275 pounds and I have a 2013 Honda PCX 150. I use that thing to get my two wheel therapy in from time to time and it pushes me along just fine. It tops out at around 67-70MPH.

[@DSR1YT]

Another win for the scooters. More capable than people give them credit for. Enjoy your PCX, and ride safe.

[@JOHN-e8y4e]

Don't under estimate the sh300i cc scooter or sh350i for city, town or long distance, i have a BMW800gs a Harley Davidson v rod and a 2009 Honda sh300i, but the fun i have on the sh300i Honda is just fab, light easy to handle easy to park, jump on and off in a jiff, you don't have to put all your motorcycle gear on as you can go casual, goes like a little rocket and forget about worrying about fuel it just goes on and on, do i have fun on it? yes you bet,

[@Amos1965]

Just bought one brand new and it just so awesome 👌My VFR1200 crosstourer will always be my number one for long days and many miles of travelling, but this 350i has just blown me away it’s just so fun to ride 😂. I calculate after filling it up twice with E5 it’s going to give me 150 to 160 miles to a tank full, and that may get better as it’s run in. The Honda SH350i eh, superb scooter and I’m very happy with it 😊

[@DSR1YT]

Great returns on petrol price aye :). Enjoy both of your rides mate.

[@Nooziterp1]

I have a Forza 350 which uses the same engine, and it's certainly all I need. Good in town as you say (though the 125 version would be more suited for this). And it's good for A roads and motorways. If you want to tear along at 120 then get something else, but it suits my sort of riding. A gentle ride, moderate speeds enjoying the scenery. And with the addition of a top case it will carry my weekly shop. This is why I ruled out the SH350i. Not enough under seat storage. And the seat height of 805mm is a little lofty for me (5 feet 6 and 29 inch inside leg.) The Forza is 780mm and it is just about manageable. Good review.

[@DSR1YT]

Thanks mate. It’s good there is a decent amount of bikes in this bracket of the market. I’m going to try and test out the BMW’s electric CE-04 and see how that is as well. 🤙

[@FlyingPanMan]

At 0:18secs you can see the rear shock is set at Number 3. This is quite firm and may explain your discomfort. I have mine set at No. 2 or 1 and can ride all day on B roads (with an air cushion ;) )

[@DSR1YT]

Good to know. On test rides I don’t normally have time to properly play around with the bikes suspension. Hopefully someone else can take this knowledge away though.

[@bennyxr400]

Good review 👍 I just got the older model sh300, its spot on for my commute, I take it on the motorway for 25miles each way it copes very well with it, I traded in the crf250l for it and yes im pretty pleased with it👍

[@DSR1YT]

Enjoy your SH Benny, very capable bikes and make the journey very easy, also i love the storage space on that thing :)

[@willswheels283]

A Moped used to be a 50cc bike that you also had to pedal like a pushbike, but for some reason scooters get labelled as “Peds” or Mopeds, it’s like calling an estate car a van! I think you buy a scoot when your looking for practicality as well as fun, plus they’r light enough to zip in and out of cars in traffic. Traditional bikes although practical, they lean more towards the fun side of things.

[@DSR1YT]

There’s always one person who knows the answer to these random points :). Thanks for helping out with the knowledge side. Ride safe.

[@michaelwade1092]

A Moped, was always a Motorised Pedal Cycle it was or had to be less than 50cc it also had to have pedals so you could pedal it if you needed to. that was in my day, 70s/80s

[@thosoneill]

I think that you do this scooter a bit of an injustice - it has features similar to any modern motorcycle if not more - full l.e.d lighting - antilock braking system - traction control and electronic fuel injection - just shy of 30 brake horse power it is no slouch either - I don't deem the sh350i to be just a city commuter either - this scooter will take you the length and width of the UK with consummate ease - the acceleration is fantastic - consumables are cheap - I agree that the screen is slightly high and that the suspension is a tad harsh but overall this deserves the status of being one of the most popular scooters available in Europe

[@DSR1YT]

I thought i was quite positive about it, i enjoyed the bike and its a very capable bike 🤙

[@TheDervMan]

It gets away from the lights pretty swiftly 😎

[@DSR1YT]

Sure does, no cyclists beating me passed those lights 😁

[@Rick-ve5lx]

I rode the 300cc version when my 650cc bike was in for servicing. Looks like granny going to the shops but it was a rapid and fine-handling machine. I would guess it could indicate 90mph (on a track or private road.)

[@DSR1YT]

On a private road I’m sure 🤐😉

[@DavidHunt-pw4yd]

Yeh managed to squeeze 90 out of it😬

[@drgeoffangel5422]

I bought a new Honda SHi125, and I am a pretty heavy guy too. I agree with the comments about the screen, I bought the Honda one separately , yes the rim is right in your line of sight! and the seat is way too hard. However I bought an after market padded seat cushion that sorts the sore bum issue right out, but makes the screen vision even worse. Having said all that, its the best bike you can buy for local trips to the shops, and the occasional further journey too. Its what motor biking uses to be like, simple and fun, gets you from A to B without any hassle! I didn't think that I'd like the technology in the bike, like the auto stop start , for saving fuel, and its keyless ignition, but both features are great. If you want a cheap to buy and run runabout, do yourself a big favour, buy the Honda SH i 125cc, and get 130 miles to the gallon!

[@ridehead8771]

There's no such thing as pure citybound machine, any bike can be a touring bike, its all bout determination and will lol. I've done long rides on my SH125i even on motorway and i have no issues. It will sit at 65mph all day , so let alone a 350cc.

[@DSR1YT]

🤙

[@dinsdalepiranah1189]

Totally agree, my 2014 sh mode 125 has 22,000 miles now. My biggest day out was 275 miles on a national rally.

[@ridehead8771]

​@@dinsdalepiranah1189That's awesome 👍

[@drgeoffangel5422]

Agree I too have the Shi125cc, and prefer the lower cc, because I just need it to potter around town, and I am in no rush!

[@qqqsfdf1232]

Great video. Im about the same size as you so its really helpful to hear your opinions. Good to see the fist being introduced as a standard unit of measurement, its about time to be honest.

[@DSR1YT]

Thanks for the comment. Glad you found it helpful. 🤙

[@RoofRack2]

In the vid he says he likes to use the left brake. I don't think this is good advice. Left lever does rear brake but because of Honda's linked system it adds a little front brake. It probably feels slightly more stable at lower sppeds but the rear brake disk is small, but the pads themselves are tiny. You should be using the front brake predominantly. The rear bike is not really designed for constant use it's a backup. Use it constantly and you'll change those pads every year and it's a bit of a job too. Front ones, right lever designed for use, easy to change. Use it.

[@DSR1YT]

😁

[@petrbelan4899]

It’s not just around town is even for travel to airport with your luggage between leg 👍I doing this all the time 😀

[@DSR1YT]

Fair play. Get the most out of it. 🤙🤙

[@farmoboy83]

i have the 2011 non abs with almost 80000km (50000miles) of city riding, touring 1 and 2 and many thousands on motorways. All maintnance done by myselfe and only left me stranded for 30 minutes when it developed a blockage on the cooling system and overheated (cleaned everything and flushed with vinagre and water). Had many bikes meanwhile that i sold but always kept the scooter. Its impossible to understand how a single cylinder 27hp is faster on a daily basis than a 4 pot 120hp i also had. The combination of instant acceleration and effortless progression since at least 120kmh is mindblowing. Honestly, the best 2 wheels i ever tried and i believe the best small multi purpose engine honda ever done.

[@maks5445]

Do you know if modern engines are still reliable? Wanna buy 2022 SH

[@farmoboy83]

@@maks5445 knowing honda i have no reason to believe otherwise. The engine block is probably the same, they increased piston size to 350 just to meet euro regularions and keep power. Mine is 279cc 27hp and later 279cc were only 25hp due to emissions laws. My engine only "problem" is that on certain riding conditions it uses some oil, something like 200cc every 1000km which is considered normal for the brand. Appart from that, only changed clutch at 65000km since the pads were getting too thin for my confidence. Rest pure basic maintnance and only 1 battery replaced.

[@o00scorpion00o]

"you don't get a bike like this to do long rides" haha, there are lads out there riding all over the place on Cub 90s and the new Cub 125 ! ever see the video of the chap riding from Alaska to Argentina I think it was on a C90 ?

[@DSR1YT]

Haha yeah but that’s a small minority of riders who do that 😁

[@johnbeaney1237]

Bought my Grom back in 2022 from Branson so know all tbose roads that were in your vid, great to see! Am looking for a scooter, but the ADV 350 ,which looks like a fantastic bit of kit,isn't much more money than this bike that you tested here! If would be more appealing if it were priced at just below 5k. All in all,i love the idea of a mid sized scooter and would have no qualms going abroad on one .

[@DSR1YT]

I think the ADV looks pretty cool for a scooter, this one has nothing in the looks department though does it haha :)

[@johnbeaney1237]

Just went for it last Tuesday and bought an ADV! Can't wait to pick it up!😊

[@colsearle]

I'm 5'6" and the biggest problem with the bike for me is seat height. One sided toes only at junctions. Tried just about everything including seat shaving, lowering brackets and even Frankenstein boots :). I miss my old 125 where I was flat footed. BTW I preferred the old SH300 just because it felt lighter and slimmer and no silly matte paintwork. Later engines had a horrid sewing machine sounding tapping noise when warm though. The 350 engine is fine.

[@DSR1YT]

This is the first SH bike ive been on so unfortunately couldn't compare to its predecessor. Im sure there will be the right size scooter for you between all the manufacturers, just got to keep looking :).

[@tdgdbs1]

Check out the Forza 350.

[@farmoboy83]

my sh300i is over 70000km and no weird noises...only 300ml of oil consumption every 5000km.

[@johna6968]

Im a tall guy and the seat width is the issue when feet down. Fine here but any shorter I can see problems

[@farmoboy83]

@@johna6968 5'8 here and yes, even taller bikes are easier to manage than this one due to the large seat. Never had any problems though and just a slight angle to left or right is enough to plant a foot down. Also, the scooter is light and with weight down that is always easy to handle even at slow speeds. Most riders give too many importance to plant both feet on the ground which is not necessary at all. If you can put the tip of your feet or one foot with an angle is more than ok. Softness when stopping and analises of the ground is far more important. Also, stay fit and strong because riding a scooter or bike is way different from a car

[@marcvanheugten9472]

115, I was 106, went to the gym and do the MH diet (munch half) in three weeks now 97.5 was fed up with being the fat old bloke on a bike. Nice bike review

[@MadsWorld34]

i was told just this week we won't be getting these in the US and that sucks. i have a silver wing and love it looking at the ACV 160 but want one of those bad

[@DSR1YT]

There’s always importing the bike if you wanted it that bad 😁

[@MadsWorld34]

@@DSR1YT i have seen a few videos and read that there has been bring them over here but they wont title them or give them tags so they can be street legal.

[@jamesfox7721]

Your comment on the Africa twin dct is wrong,ive got one snd its brilliant,like a manual,you can drop two gears and it flies,You cant do that in an automatic, its more relaxing to drive than a manual,and to top it off honda sells more dcts than manuals.Good reviev on the sh350i, i enjoyed it.

[@DSR1YT]

I like your enthusiasm and appreciate you liking this video. However, 1) My opinion can’t be wrong. It’s just my opinion. I wouldn’t say your views on your bike was ‘wrong’. Each to their own. 2) I will however say your comment on Honda selling more DCT AT’s is wrong. Of all AT sold last year only 45% were of the DCT variant 😁. 🤙

[@jamesfox7721]

Thanks for that information.

[@DSR1YT]

Anytime Jamie 🤣

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

A well done video mate. Enjoyed. Somehow it is strange that you as a 6ft 1 cannot flat foot it. I am the same height. :) Got my like.

[@DSR1YT]

Thanks mate. Maybe I’ve got short legs and a long torso 🤣

[@o00scorpion00o]

I enjoyed the video, thanks , the video quality is also excellent and no music ! 🙂

[@DSR1YT]

Glad you liked it mate. Music is only used sparingly on this channel 😁🤙

[@BikingChap]

Funnily enough I was looking for a bigger scooter and thought they were expensive for what you get and so ended up with an NC750X with the DCT. Sure it's a glorified scooter really but as a bombproof workhorse that's stupidly economical (i managed over 110mpg once!) it ticks a lot of boxes, except maybe the 'fun' one :)

[@DSR1YT]

I tested and reviewed the nc750x and that’s exactly what I called it. The workhorse of the group 😁

[@BikingChap]

@@DSR1YT great minds think alike! ;)

[@DSR1YT]

Sure do 😝

[@pastorofmuppets9346]

How different does it feel to ride compared to a regular shaped scooter of the same size? I mean smth like a kymco downtown 300? They weigh about the same but this seems so much smaller, tho with a taller seat. Gonna get my first bike soon, idk which style scooter would be easier to handle but this looks way less bulky

[@DSR1YT]

I haven't been on many other scooters, but this is nice and nimble, easy to handle as well. You wouldn't go wrong with getting this scooter for sure.

[@mart7798]

Isnt anything under 50cc a moped!😂looks like a stress free type of bike.i noticed over a certain speed the dash goes blurry though! Good review,solid 8 i would say.😂

[@DSR1YT]

The blurry must have been a dead fly on my camera lense 🤣. I got so much hate on my last scooter video with me calling it a moped I had to turn off the comments box 😁. An easy and honest mistake yet the YT world hates it 🤦🏻. If you’re all about town life then this is certainly a contender. Money saver, always good.

[@mart7798]

@@DSR1YT ive always called that style of bike a moped,whether it be a c90,or a lambretta! Its alot of dollar for a moped to get round on though isnt it.for town an electric bike would be more suitable,and better for the environment!👍

[@DSR1YT]

@@mart7798 Controversial there Mart, the YT police will be on to you soon. If you think that's an expensive look up the Honda Forza 750cc, it's about £12,000. Now that's an expensive moped 🤣

[@mart7798]

@@DSR1YT i know,its mad isnt it.the cost of these mopeds is unreal!i'm doing my best to stay off yt's radar.its probably nap time for them now anyway.😂

[@DSR1YT]

@billaldridge4174 honestly I tried my best this time round to not say moped. First thing out my mouth was moped 🤣🤦🏻. I’d like to try the Forza 350 adv and do a little green lane and see how it handles. 😁

[@o00scorpion00o]

Shame there are not more people on scooters instead of clogging the roads with cars with only 1 person in them, I think Governments should provide tax incentives to get a lot more people on motorcycles and scooters. In my opinion these are far more practical than those crappy e-scooters where people have no license, no form of road training, no insurance and they are, in my opinion, much more vulnerable on the road because they can't keep up with traffic, they are in the way of traffic, no proper lights, no indicators. In my opinion, petrol scooters are far more practical and safer.

[@DSR1YT]

Here here :)

[@elise10lies84]

Great review! What is your height in cm? Need to now if i take a screen or not 😊 thanks!!!!!

[@DSR1YT]

Thanks. I’m about 186cm. 🤙

[@maks5445]

Guys, what about maintenance and figures on ODO? How can boast about it?

[@peterwilliamson4296]

Comparable to a Vespa 300 but a bit faster maybe?

[@DSR1YT]

Sorry Peter, I’ve not ridden a Vespa. But hopefully someone else watching this will have an answer for you 🤙

[@fjp3305]

Is that speed we see in the speedometer, mph or kph?

[@DSR1YT]

Mph 🤙

[@hobbayne]

I'm a short arse at only 5'6 would this be a bit of a high seat for me??

[@DSR1YT]

Honestly I wouldn't want to guess. Not the answer you're looking for, but try and get to a dealer and test the seat height for yourself. Sorry I couldn't be any help.

[@johna6968]

You could probably get one foot down but thats about it. Its the width not the height to be honest.

[@farmoboy83]

173cm here and not possible to flat both feet but its so light and thin it was never a problem.

[@hobbayne]

@@farmoboy83 Thanks for that you're about the same as me then. I did buy one eventually. It's not too bad. I can get one foot down.

[@itzerisadomeeiot4980]

a small scooter with a engine swap 350?

[@slimfit767]

3:25 actually scooters go up to 850cc.

[@DSR1YT]

🤦🏻

[@hungominh147]

how much it cost to run in UK ?

[@DSR1YT]

Not sure, as this is just a demo bike I had for the day. Hopefully someone who owns one can give you a quick break down of tax, mot, ins and fuel.

[@pigslefats]

Wah is boh-um?

[@DSR1YT]

Aye?

[@恭喜发财-e5y]

Facebook 群里经常看到你

[@DSR1YT]

What group is that mate?

[@恭喜发财-e5y]

@@DSR1YT HONDA SH350i

[@DSR1YT]

Do you mean my video? Because I’m not in any sh350i FB groups?

[@恭喜发财-e5y]

@@DSR1YT 不好意思……我认错人了

[@DSR1YT]

Haha know worry’s mate. 😁

[@bufalong]

300cc scooter waste much gas

[@DSR1YT]

No mate.

[@bufalong]

Yes its

[@bufalong]

@@gha-kantfrj 110

[@bufalong]

@@gha-kantfrj fi or carburetor?

[@bufalong]

@@gha-kantfrj maybe you fat

[@ToxicVaccines_HivHoax]

10:37 The blurring! 😂👍

[@ToxicVaccines_HivHoax]

How does this scooter compare with the honda adv 350? I hear the suspension is better on the adv... 🤔

[@farmoboy83]

suspensions are usually bad on most scooters due to swing arm design attached to the motor and transmission case. They are generally stiff and bad when compared to nirmal motorbikes even if you buy good aftermarket shocks. Its something you have to accept

[@ToxicVaccines_HivHoax]

@farmoboy83 - The ADV has got proper motorcycle suspension.