Honda Bros 400 - a comfortable and practical motorcycle

- motorcycle model, Honda brand

The Honda Bros 400 (NT400) naked model was introduced in 1988 simultaneously with the release of the older version of the Honda Bros 650. The main differences between the Bros 400 and the Bros 650 were the engine, carburetors and gearbox ratios. In all other respects these are almost identical motorcycles. The Honda NT400 Bros model was sold only in the domestic Japanese market, was not officially exported anywhere and had no export modifications (unlike the Bros 650).

The Honda Bros 400 model was intended for novice pilots with an initial category of driver's license. Low seating position, light weight and smooth engine made this motorcycle ideal for beginners and girls.

The basis of the Honda Bros 400 was a 2-cylinder V-shaped 6-valve liquid-cooled engine with a volume of 398 cc. see, producing 37 hp. power and 35 Nm of torque. Maximum engine performance is at 6500-8500 rpm. This engine was installed on the Honda XL400V Transalp, Honda VRX 400, Honda Steed 400 and Honda Shadow 400 models

An important feature of the motorcycle is the aluminum frame and cantilever (one-sided) rear swingarm (Pro-Arm), also used on the Honda VFR750 model. The suspension is presented in the form of a classic fork and a rear monoshock absorber with preload adjustment. Brakes are disc brakes, front 316 mm disc with 4-piston caliper, rear – single 236 mm disc with 1-piston caliper.

Despite the advanced technologies used in the Honda Bros 400, the model was in very low demand in the market, which forced the company to discontinue production in 1990. The main reason, in my opinion, was that it was significantly ahead of its time - at that time there was no class of naked bikes and consumers simply did not understand the essence of such motorcycles. The weak Bros 400 engine also didn't play into its favor, although the more powerful Bros 650 version "survived" on the market for only a couple of years longer. The only exception to this was the European version of the NTV650, which existed until 1998. It was probably easier for the more classic NTV650 Revere to find its buyers, since it had familiar features, was practical and understandable to consumers.

Bike features

Here are the main features of the model:

a lot of borrowings from sports motorcycles (but not the engine);
comfortable fit, despite the compactness of the machine;
Stylish exterior, typical of a classic bike.

Honda Bros 400 belongs to the class of road motorcycles. This is what at one time was the reason for his low popularity. At that time, many in Japan did not understand the beauty of this class and therefore looked at the new model with doubt.

Prices

Today it is almost impossible to find a new motorcycle of this brand. Still, almost a quarter of a century has passed since they stopped being produced. The cost depends on many factors, including technical condition, intensity of operation, and mileage in the CIS. You can start looking for such a motorcycle with about $2,000 in your pocket. On average, the cost ranges from $2,300 to $2,500. Some copies may cost more, depending on the configuration.

Engine

Bros 400 is equipped with an engine with an effective volume of 389 cm³. This is a V-shaped unit, four-stroke and two-cylinder. It is cooled by liquid. The engine produces only 35 Nm of peak torque at 6500 rpm and 37 hp. maximum power at 8500 rpm. The model accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, and its maximum speed is 165 km/h.

Summarizing

On city roads this bike behaves quite confidently. It is not for nothing that it is positioned as a city motorcycle. Its relatively small dimensions provide it with remarkable maneuverability, and in a city traffic jam you will be glad more than once for your choice made in favor of the Bros.

As a rule, this model is chosen by those who are experiencing a turning point in life associated with outgrowing small cars. Some bikers who switched to the Bros from motorcycles with 125 or 250 cc engines note its mischievous character and incredible obedience. He is stable on the trajectory, he can handle the uphill road, and he easily maneuvers in the flow of cars.

Sometimes the Honda Bros 400 becomes the very first motorcycle. Those who switched from this brand to something heavier confidently recommend it to beginners. You can often find this “iron horse” under the saddle of a beautiful girl motorcyclist.

So, this motorcycle model can well be considered as the optimal transport for the city. If your goal is not crazy racing, but driving at the pace of metropolitan life, then perhaps the Honda Bros will be your dream come true.

Dimensions and weight

The model is very compact, the length of the bike is only 2080 mm. The width and height are also insignificant and are 695 mm and 1060 mm, respectively. The wheelbase here is 1425 mm, while the seat height is 778 mm. Without fuel, the Bros 400 weighs 165 kg, and with it – 181 kg. With a gas tank capacity of 12 liters, of which 2 liters is a reserve, fuel consumption per 100 km is quite good at 4.5 liters.

Photo gallery

Bros is extremely well constructed.
Not surprisingly, it received very positive reviews during its release. The NT650 is often described as an iconic motorcycle. So let's take a look and evaluate its appearance. In our selection you can find photographs of the motorcycle from all sides, which will allow you to examine it in as much detail as possible.

Chassis and brakes

The diagonal aluminum frame is another clear indication of the bike’s similarity to sports bikes. The famous sports bike from Honda, the NSR 250, had this type of frame. The design is typical for road motorcycles. The steering wheel has dimensions that are comfortable for a person of average height, and the wheels, as is customary in this class, are alloy.

Both the rear suspension and the front brake disc of the bike are similar to those equipped with sports motorcycles. At the rear, the Bros 400 has a cantilever pendulum suspension with a travel of 120 mm. The front uses a 41mm telescopic fork. Its stroke reaches 130 mm. The rear brake is a 236mm disc assisted by a single-piston caliper. The front brake disc has a diameter of 316 mm, and is supported by a four-piston caliper.

Brief history of the model

1988 – start of production and sales of the Honda Bros 400 model. Frame number: NC25-100XXXX. Factory designation: NT400J.

1989 - frame number: NC25-105XXXX. Factory designation: NT400K, NT400K-II. Until this year inclusive, models are usually classified as generation 1 (Bros 400-1).

1990 - frame number: NC25-110XXXX. Factory designation: NT400L, NT400L-II. Last year of production and II generation of the model (Bros 400-2). The main changes affected the design of the wheel rims (3-spoke instead of 6-spoke), wheel size (120/70-17 58H and 150/60-18 67H instead of 110/80-17 57H and 150/70-17 69H) and configuration ignition

Meanwhile in Europe

The inhabitants of the old world never got the chance. Europe received RC33 instead of RC31. It was sold under the name Revere, which was later replaced by the NTV650. The NTV got a steel frame, the engine was painted an ugly gray color, the seat was stretched so that the tail began to go behind the rear wheel, the chain drive was replaced by a cardan. In short, NTV is the ugly cousin of the Bros/Hawk GT. Most Hawk GTs in mainland Europe were gray imports from the US. In 1991, official importers, having found demand, also began selling the Hawk GT. Due to the strange tendency of the British and Japanese to drive on the left side of the road, the gray RC31 import to the UK was the Japanese version of the motorcycle - Honda Bros.

Modifications

Honda NT650 Hawk GT – aluminum diagonal frame.

Honda NTV 650 Revere – steel diagonal frame.

Depending on the sales market, the model received several modifications that differed both externally and technically:

Honda Bros 650 - version for the Japanese market. Main, road worker. 56 horses, 4-piston brake calipers, chain. Closed in 1992.
Honda NT650 Hawk GT is a model for the American mainland. To a large extent repeats the Japanese version. Same power/torque ratings. 2 brake calipers on the front axle, chain. The cardinal difference is the reconfigured gear ratios in the gearbox, as a result of which it has lost its elasticity, forcing the owner to swing his left leg. Closed in 1991.
Honda NTV 650 (Revere) - European version. Steel frame. There are 60 horses under the hood. Also a pair of brake calipers. There are 3 main differences. The main cardan drive. The fuel tank has been increased to 19 liters (mileage on one fill-up has increased to 450-500 km). Dry and curb weight increased by 24 and 27 kg, respectively. The only version whose weight exceeds 200 kg. It was assembled from 1988 to 1994 and from 1995 to 1997 (the line was idle for a year).
Honda NTV 600 (Revere) - assembled for the UK. It is based on the European version, with all its advantages. But a smaller engine capacity and smaller carburetors are used. Produced from 1988 to 1991.
Honda NTV 600 Revere - the version for the English market, was no different in appearance.

and competitors

The model was not left without competitors:

Suzuki offered its “legend” SV650;
Yamaha introduced the SRX600.

Kawasaki could not present a competitive model. However, later the situation developed rather strangely. He responded to almost all competitors' developments in this scope with the ER-6 road builder.

Video

People who really want to race might find that they are more comfortable on the relatively light and stiff Bros. At the same time, the rigid frame makes it very stable in high-speed turns. We offer you a video with the participation of the hero of our article, overcoming the bustle of the city on the roads.

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Comments (2)

Dmitriy:
06/10/2015 at 19:03
It would be nice to also talk about his sports career. After all, Bros participated a lot in circuit racing...
Answer

The VFR is overall a great bike. When not killed. And if you don’t need to stand in dead traffic jams on it.

Pros:

Not a bad light
Smooth traction from low revs
Good wind protection
Excellent chassis and suspension
Good dynamics, good brakes
Comfortable fit

Minuses:

A little heavy for traffic jams (IMHO) 240 kg
Quite gluttonous
Complex design (to replace spark plugs, you need to remove all the plastic and dismantle the cooling radiator and oil cooler)
The V4 engine still does not run as smoothly as an inline four. Vibrations make themselves felt after 500 km. But still, an order of magnitude less than the throw.

There were also about six thousand km wound on the wheel. I drove almost until it snowed.

In general, given that I mostly drive around the city, the decision was made to sell it. And already in late autumn, I bought myself a half-dead four hundred for the city. Yamaha FZ400 Fazer. Lightweight, moderately narrow, quick to throw, in-line four, quite comfortable. I will slowly restore it. After the pick-up, of course, it feels like some kind of ridiculous moped. But it’s just right for the city, and it drives more or less tolerably.

In general, for those who think - yes or no, I will answer - yes. It's worth it.

A motorcycle gives you a feeling of unreal freedom, joy, after all, only on it, you can quickly move in the city from point A to point B. And you don’t need to fly 200 in the oncoming lane, on the rear wheel. It is enough to drive 40 km/h in a dead traffic jam, and instead of two or three hours, the journey will take thirty minutes.

Don't skimp on equipment. It may be used, but it should be high-quality equipment, and not a suitable old jacket, and a helmet for a thousand rubles. Always wear your head under your helmet. This is precisely the main criterion for safe driving. Accuracy, and again accuracy. When unscrewing, even on an empty Moscow Ring Road, remember that the interference may be unexpected. For example, a moose jumping out onto the road. And the braking distance increases in proportion to the square of the speed. And on a motorcycle, there are no wrinkled, energy-absorbing areas, belts, pillows, etc. Be careful

Watch those around you, pay attention and pay attention again. Not all drivers are adequate, not everyone knows the traffic rules, and instead of a scratch on the wing, you can end up in the hospital

So once again - accuracy, attentiveness, reason, equipment. Be sure to read the books listed above. They are found by searching on the Internet, once or twice.

In general, 12 thousand km are behind us, the first season is closed. The used equipment has been sold, now I am buying a new one. The motorcycle changed my consciousness, I can’t push in traffic jams, I even almost stopped driving a car. Only at night and on Sundays. Transport - metro and bicycle with studded tires.

It's a pity that we don't have a season all year round.

Comparative characteristics of Honda NTV 650

Below are the main differences between the bike in question and its European counterpart, the Hawk GT. The parameters of the last unit are given in parentheses:

Frame type – steel (aluminum alloy).
Fuel tank - large 19 liter tank (compact 10 liter tank plus reserve tank).
The steering wheel is standard (with clip-ons).
The seat is large, low, soft with a full-fledged passenger seat (the saddle is high, compact and hard).
Luggage compartments – there are several places for storing tools and other “small things” (there are practically no luggage compartments).
The tail part protrudes beyond the dimensions of the wheel (a shortened tail that weakly protects the motorcyclist’s back from dirt).
Switching box - during operation, the unit creates a characteristic sound during switching (the unit operates almost silently).
Drive – cardan (chain).