Initially, 400 cc motorcycles appeared in Japan , since according to local laws, bikes up to and including this cubic capacity are subject to a minimum tax. But after the flow of used Japanese motorcycles poured into other countries, motorcycles with 400cc engines gained widespread popularity . They are the ones that predominate on Russian roads; both beginners and experienced bikers ride them. Their affordable price made them an entry ticket to the world of real motorcycles; after all, you can’t call them small-capacity motorcycles anymore. But it is impossible to definitively answer the question of whether 400 cc is enough for a comfortable ride. It all depends on your goals and preferred motorcycle class, which we will talk about in this article, offering you our personal top of the best motorcycles in this class.
Chinese 400cc "air" - the Combat 400 motorcycle! Is it worth taking? Review and my conclusion.
Hello dear readers! In this article I want to look at a new Chinese motorcycle with an engine capacity of 400cc
.
The bulk of Chinese motorcycles have an engine capacity of up to 250cc. If this is enough for a beginner motorcyclist, then after 1-2 seasons you start looking for a bike with a larger engine capacity. Engine power is especially important for road motorcycles. In large metropolitan areas, where traffic is very intense, driving checkboxes is not fun. You just can't keep up with the flow. The motor roars, but does not move. Who agrees - put a LIKE!
Naturally, a Chinese motorcycle with an engine capacity of 400cc
involuntarily attracts attention.
Why? Because such a “peppy” bike, more suitable for riding in city traffic, can be bought new and with a guarantee, usually for little money! The only alternative can be old Japanese motorcycles
from the 90s or 00s.
And so, on the Internet I come across a similar copy - Combat 400
. I start digging for information about him: what kind of spendthrift is this? who is the manufacturer? what motor? What is the quality? what's the price tag? Where to buy?
One of the sellers immodestly positions it on their website as a Triumph Bonneville T400 Replica
! Already interesting!
A more extensive search for information yielded the following result: Country of manufacture - China, Plant - Shineray, Engine marking - 185 YMQ, Engine copy of Honda CB400SS.
Or maybe the motorcycle is not a copy of Triumph, but of Honda? Let's compare the photos.
This is true! “Chinese” looks more like a Honda CB400SS
than the
Triumph Bonneville
.
On the way, we stopped at one of the motorcycle shops and saw a Chinese replica of Honda
with my own eyes.
It turns out that Combat 400
can
be bought
in two versions:
Classic and Scrambler
. The models differ in their “painting” and front fender.
What do the sellers write about it?
Motorcycle Combat 400
— a road motorcycle with a comfortable fit and good ergonomics. It has a 400cc engine. cm power 27 hp with forced oil cooling and 5-speed manual transmission. The motorcycle is ideal for both novice motorcyclists and motorcyclists, as well as for lovers of the classic style. Available in two versions: Classic (black/silver) and Scrambler (red/gray/black). Stylish design Soft and wide saddle with PTS
Technical characteristics of the Combat 400 motorcycle
- Engine: 397 cc, 29 hp, 4 valve, 1 cylinder, air-oil cooled
- Starting system: Electric and kickstarter
- Power system: carburetor
- Transmission: 5 manual transmission
- Wheels: front 90/90-19, rear 130/70-18
- Dimensions without packaging, mm: 2130х740х1130
- Saddle height, mm: 780
- Dry weight, kg: 151
- Gas tank, l: 13
- Front brakes: disc
- Rear brakes: drum
My photos of this motorcycle in the Scrambler version:
Hmmm. For 217,000 rubles, I wouldn’t buy such a “replica” for myself. What about the original?
Technical characteristics of Honda CB400SS:
Motorcycle type retro classic Year of manufacture 2002-2008 Steel semi-duplex frame Engine type 1-cylinder, 4-stroke Displacement 397 cm³ Air cooling Number of valves per cylinder OHC, 4 valves Fuel supply system carburetor, 1x Keihin VE Ignition type CDI Maximum power 29 hp (21 kW) at 7000 rpm Maximum torque 31 Nm (3.2 kg*m) at 5500 rpm Transmission 5-speed Front tire size 100/90-19 M/C (57S) Rear tire size 110/90- 18 M/C (61S) Front brakes 1 disc, 2-piston caliper Rear brakes drum Front suspension telescopic fork (without adjustment) Rear suspension pendulum, with double shock absorber Length 2145 mm Width 780 mm Height 1125 mm Wheelbase 1405 mm Seat height 790 mm Maximum speed 162 km/h Fuel tank capacity 11.0 l Motorcycle weight (curb) 153 kg – Honda CB400SS
Is very similar. The Chinese, of course, are great! But the price tag is not adequate! Such a motorcycle could still be bought for 120-150 thousand rubles, but not for 217,000. On Avito you can find a Honda CB400SS both secondhand and from Japanese auctions for quite reasonable money.
So there can be only one answer - you shouldn’t take the Chinese! Here I agree with the supporters of buying a used Japanese car! I certainly didn't ride it. I think that it drives more vigorously than the 250, but the quality still has not improved.
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Specifications
In terms of its parameters, the model, of course, is inferior to the average representative of modern motorcycles. This is as it should be, given the historical focus of the bike. The technical characteristics here correspond to what connoisseurs of the retro classic class expect from them.
| Motor type | in-line, 4 stroke, 2 cylinders |
| Power | 29 hp |
| Torque | 29 Nm |
| Maximum speed | 140 km/h |
| Acceleration to 100 | 11.2 s |
| Fuel consumption per hundred | approximately 3 l |
| Drive unit | chain |
| Transmission | five-speed |
| Frame | tubular steel |
| Rear suspension | pendulum, 2 shock absorbers, stroke 105 mm |
| Front suspension | telescopic fork, 39 mm, travel 130 mm |
| Rear brakes | drum |
| Front brakes | 1 disc, 300 mm, two-piston caliper |
Although the bike is new, it gives a good feel for the dynamics of the past examples. The advantage compared to rarities is that compared to them, the Kawasaki W400 has relatively new parts, which means that there will be much fewer problems with it. If, of course, the previous owner was careful in use.
Suzuki → Suzuki DR-Z400S enduro review (2001-2010)
In 2001, Suzuki released the DR-Z400S enduro, which was designed to replace the old DR350 model. The motorcycle can cope well with dense city traffic. The DR-Z400S can be described as a strong, durable, easy to maintain and reliable motorcycle. It’s difficult to call the DR-Z400S a real off-road king, since the bike is a little heavy.
The Suzuki DR-Z400S enduro is equipped with a single-cylinder engine with a SOHC camshaft. The motor is considered very reliable and easy to maintain. Apparently, any beginner can easily handle the DR-Z400S motorcycle. The DR400S's handling is described as satisfactory around town, but the 21-inch front wheel is a mixed bag, as are the rather poor brakes: a 250mm disc at the front and a 220mm disc at the rear. The wide steering wheel ensures comfortable handling.
Suzuki Intruder 400
Due to the growing popularity of chopper bikes in America, there is a need for new models. This trend was picked up in time by the Japanese brand Suzuki, which began producing the excellent model Suzuki Intruder 400. At first impressions, the motorcycle looks simple and restrained, but Japanese quality and its own technologies once again prove that the new product turned out to be successful.
In general, the first Suzuki Intruder 400 appeared in 1985 with the 750 model. But already in 1994, another new model entered the American and world markets - the Intruder 400 chopper. To this day, the production of the Intruder series motorcycle has not survived, but the models remaining until 2005 are still actively purchased due to their convenience and high performance. Moreover, you can hardly distinguish all the models from the series by their appearance; all Intruders differ only in the engine.
- Branded Japanese quality;
- Excellent top speed;
- Possibility to supply a part from another Intruder;
- High power and appropriate design.
- Frequent carburetor breakdowns;
- Poorly designed driver footrests.
The name of the model was not created by chance; Suzuki Intruder 400 is translated as “Invader”. This invader was truly able to conquer the chopper market and become one of the best in its class. When developing the new product, the Japanese did not even think about such success, so the bike must be included in the review.
Technical characteristics of Suzuki Intruder 400
Initially, the motorcycle was produced in two versions, but regardless of this, the technical characteristics were the same. The traction is provided by a proprietary V-shaped engine with 2 cylinders, with an average volume of 399 cm3. the bike produced 33 horsepower. The weight of the motorcycle was impressive, in order to correspond to the status of a road chopper; the dry weight was 200 kg. Fuel is supplied through 2 carburetors; the system also assumes liquid cooling.
The first modification operated from a 4-speed gearbox, which was switched by foot. Soon it was improved, and there were 5 speeds. It is worth noting that the VS and Classic versions on the market differed only in overall dimensions. The Suzuki Intruder 400 VS model has a length of 2255 mm, a width of 770 mm and a height of 1130 mm. The wheelbase is decent and amounts to 1560 mm. At the same time, excellent ground clearance of 140 mm allows you to control the road. As a result, the design and engine of the Intruder 400 allowed long trips at a maximum speed of 130 km/h, and this was supported by a tank with a capacity of 12.5 liters.
Dimensions and weight
Dimensions correspond to the class:
- height – 1115 mm;
- width – 855 mm;
- length – 2175 mm;
- wheelbase – 1460 mm;
- seat height – 765 mm;
- curb weight – 209 kg;
- Tank capacity – 15 l.
Other retro classics with the same capabilities will have approximately the same characteristics. If a person is used to driving a motocross motorcycle or a sportbike, this option will be inconvenient for him.
However, if he previously preferred road bikes, most likely he will not notice much of a difference.
Motorcycle versions
The basis for the creation of the chopper was another Suzuki Intruder VS 800 bike, the new product was supposed to be sold only in Japan. But soon after 1999, the manufacturer decided to create a new version, a more modern one. It was called Classic. Among the advantages of the new version are:
- Tank capacity increased from 12 to 17 liters;
- the diameter of the wheel rims decreased from 21 to 16 inches;
- two exhaust pipes are located on the right (on the VS 400 on the sides);
- longer wings.
Also note that the Classic version is considered a real chopper, while the VS was characterized as a cruiser. The older model Suzuki Intruder VS 400 has a narrower front fender and an equally narrow fender. Other differences in the old VS include a double seat, teardrop-shaped fuel tank, a passenger backrest and a short rear wing.
Purpose of the motorcycle
Even though the model is old, many fans are actively buying the Suzuki Intruder 400. Of course, with the advent of more powerful devices, this motorcycle will seem weak, but it deserves its place in the motorcycle world. Despite its relationship to a classic motorcycle, the Japanese has an appearance that is too similar to a true custom one. The classic is manifested precisely in the technical characteristics; those who do not intend to drive fast and take great risks will want to buy a Suzuki Intruder 400 motorcycle. A motorcycle for measured, smooth and high-quality operation.
At one time, the famous Forbes magazine considered the Intruder 400 model the best motorcycle for urban travel. This is an ideal solution for the city; the driver feels the motorcycle perfectly, the seat is comfortable, and the high quality of the parts makes it possible not to worry about sudden breakdowns. Many Intruder owners are already actively using the motorcycle not only for the city; it performs well for trips to neighboring cities. For this type of riding, the bike is easy to control, quick to respond to the gearbox, and stable on the road.
Road motorcycles
The most extensive category. It can include both old “Japanese” and modern motorcycles from different countries. It is in this direction that novice motorcyclists on a limited budget should look.
Examples
- Honda CB400SF . The most popular motorcycle in Russia! It is inexpensive, there are plenty of spare parts, and it drives very cheerfully. Thanks to his flexible character, he earned the reputation of “the best study desk” of all times.
- Kawasaki ER-4N . A lightweight version of the ER-5N, modern and technologically advanced.
- Honda CB400SS . Vintage bike in retro style. For fans of antiquity. Simple as a brick and just as reliable.
- Yamaha XJR400 . A direct competitor to the Honda CB 400, similar in price and characteristics, like a twin brother.
- Suzuki SV400 . It was produced on the same base as the SV650, and was distinguished by good qualities and a unique L-shaped engine with a perky character.
- Bajaj Dominar 400 . An Indian bike developed in collaboration with the Austrian company KTM. Inexpensive, cute and surprisingly reliable.
- KTM Duke 390 . An option for those who don’t mind paying about 1000 rubles for each “cube” in the engine. But it's worth the money.
Suzuki Intruder 400 price
Since the release of the Suzuki Intruder 400 motorcycle, its versions began to be actively sold in other countries, the new product appeared in Russia, Europe and America. Today, production of the official Intruder 400 has ceased; a similar bike is produced under the name Boulevard.
The cost of the motorcycle is completely justified; you have to pay for Japanese quality. In Russia and Europe, a similar model is sold on the secondary market in large quantities. The price of a motorcycle is in the range of 100-200 thousand rubles. The newer Classic version sells a little more, you'll have to pay up to $3,500.
Cruisers and choppers
The typical cruiser is a heavy and archaic bike, so 400cc. see, it’s simply not enough to carry such a weight while maintaining dynamics. At the same time, such models are not too different in size from their heavier and more powerful counterparts. Their main advantage is the price! But don’t forget that all this beauty moves in space very slowly, and the presence of a passenger kills the last remnants of accelerating dynamics.
Examples
- Yamaha XVS 400 Drag Star . Unified with the 650cc version in many areas. It looks stylish and drives slowly. It has a reliable cardan drive instead of a chain drive, typical of most 400s.
- Yamaha XV 400 Virago . The ancestor of the “Drag Star”, structurally similar in many ways, but differing in some way towards road bikes. The landing is straight, like on a classic. The main advantages are light weight and low price on the secondary market.
- Honda Steed 400 in one modification or another. In many respects it is unified with the Steed 600, and partly with the VT 400 Shadow. Loved by bikers around the world for its stylish appearance, inspired by the Harley-Davidson Softail.
- Honda VT400 Shadow . A cousin of the Steed, and like it, it is equipped with a chain drive. It exists in different modifications, differing mainly in appearance.
- Kawasaki VN400 Vulcan . Not the most frequent guest in Russia. A solid average in all respects.
- Kawasaki EN400 . A peculiar device with an in-line “two” instead of the classic V-twin. Equipped with a belt drive, just like some Harley.
- Kawasaki ZL400 Eliminator . An even rarer motorcycle. The engine is a slightly derated inline-four from the classic. Loves high speeds, is voracious, reaches speeds of up to 180 km/h. Spare parts are very difficult to find, since the model was discontinued a long time ago.
- Suzuki VS400 Intruder . A reliable and durable motorcycle, for the maintenance of which it is advisable to be an octopus. Because otherwise, it will be very difficult to perform some service operations.
- Suzuki LS400 Savage . An archaic 1-cylinder cruiser with sluggish acceleration dynamics. But it is very light and easy to operate. There are also fresh copies, however, already under the name Suzuki Boulevard S40.
- Lifan LF400 . A good Chinese 400cc motorcycle, structurally an almost exact copy of the Yamaha 400 Virago. In Russia it was also sold under the name Stels 400 Cruiser, which differed from the Lifan in that it was assembled in Russia instead of in China.
