Honda Steed 400 - classic and reliable

Honda Steed 400 cruiser model

appears on the Japanese market in 1988 in parallel with the older version of the Honda Steed 600. In the first years of production (until 1991), the model was in extremely low demand and there were even rumors that Honda was planning to end production of the motorcycle. However, by 1993, another boom in American-style motorcycles began in Japan, and the Steed 400 very quickly became a bestseller - within 10 years of production, the total number of Steed 400 and 600 sold reached 80,000 units.

Why did both versions exist at the same time? The fact is that in Japan, driver's licenses for motorcycles have different levels, depending on the driving experience. Thus, the Steed 400 could be used by any novice driver who had recently graduated from motorcycle school, while the Honda Steed 600 required a more advanced license.

The model was based on a 2-cylinder V-shaped liquid-cooled engine with a volume of 398 cm³, producing 30-31 hp. power and 32-33 Nm of torque. This engine was also installed on the Honda XL400V Transalp, Honda VRX 400, Honda Bros 400 and Honda Shadow 400 models.

Features of the Steed 400 include a classic steel duplex frame, front disc and rear drum brakes, simple suspension in the form of a conventional telescopic fork (VLS - springer) and a rear monoshock absorber, a 9-11 liter fuel tank (depending on the year and version), 5-speed gearbox and curb weight from 208 kg.

At first, there was only one modification of the Honda Steed 400 on the market (in addition, you could only choose a steering wheel - a curved or straight drag bar), which received the abbreviation VLX

(interpretation: V-Twin, Lowered, eXtended rake) - this is the designation of the standard version of the motorcycle.

In 1995, the model line was replenished with 2 modifications at once - VCL

(standby: V-Twin, Custom Limited) and
VSE
(standby: V-Twin, Special Edition).
The VCL
is a budget variant of the standard VLX, featuring the absence of a passenger backrest, a stock drag bar and a simpler saddle.
This version was 30,000 yen cheaper than the VLX. VSE
modification received a cast rear wheel in the style of Honda Magna and a curved steering wheel in stock. Both versions lasted until 1996, after which they were no longer offered.

In 1998, the Steed 400 line was replenished with a new modification - VLS

(decoding: V-Twin, Lowered, Springer front end). It features a unique style with a springer instead of a classic fork, a 21′ front wheel, a smaller fuel tank, ergonomics and overall dimensions. This version existed only during 1998.

2001 was the last year of production of the Honda Steed 400 model, which was slightly updated (added an exhaust afterburning system to comply with new environmental standards and other minor innovations) and finally rolled off the assembly line. In 1997, a new model, the Honda Shadow 400, was proposed as a successor to the Steed 400.

Main competitors in the class:

• Suzuki Intruder 400 / Suzuki LS400 Savage
• Kawasaki VN 400 Vulcan / Kawasaki EN400 Vulcan
• Yamaha XV400 Virago / Yamaha XVS 400 Drag Star

Brief history of the model

• 1988 - start of production and sales of the Honda Steed 400 model.

Model

: Honda Steed 400 VLX (Japan).
Frame number
: NC26-
100
XXXX~.
Factory designation
: NV400Cj.

• 1989 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda Steed 400 VLX (Japan).
Frame number
: NC26-
105
XXXX~.
Factory designation
: NV400Ck.

• 1990 - The passenger backrest comes standard.

Model

: Honda Steed 400 VLX (Japan).
Frame number
: NC26-
110
XXXX~.
Factory designation
: NV400Cl.

• 1991 - model not produced.

• 1992 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda Steed 400 VLX (Japan).
Frame number
: NC26-
115
XXXX~.
Factory designation
: NV400Cn.

• 1993 - fuel tank capacity increases from 9 to 11 liters.

Model

: Honda Steed 400 VLX (Japan).
Frame number
: NC26-
120
XXXX~.
Factory designation
: NV400Cp.

• 1994 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda Steed 400 VLX (Japan).
Frame number
: NC26-
130
XXXX~.
Factory designation
: NV400Cr.

• 1995 - appearance of new modifications VCL and VSE. Starting this year, the model increases maximum power by 1 hp. and maximum torque by 1 Nm. The compression ratio is reduced from 10 to 9.8.

Model

: Honda Steed 400 VLX, Honda Steed 400 VCL, Honda Steed 400 VSE, Honda Steed 400 VSE (Japan).
Frame number
: NC26-
140
XXXX~ (VLX);
NC26- 139
XXXX~ (VCL);
NC26- 147
XXXX~ (VSE).
Factory designation
: NV400Ct; NV400CVs; NV400CMt.

• 1996 - no significant changes. The last year of release of the VCL and VSE modifications.

Model

: Honda Steed 400 VLX, Honda Steed 400 VCL, Honda Steed 400 VSE, Honda Steed 400 VSE (Japan).
Frame number
: NC26-
150
XXXX~ (VLX);
NC26- 144
XXXX~ (VCL);
NC26- 157
XXXX~ (VSE).
Factory designation
: NV400Cv; NV400CVt; NV400CMv.

• 1997 - model not produced.
• 1998 - appearance of the VLS modification. The standard VLX no longer has a stock passenger backrest and becomes a cross between the outgoing VLX and the budget VCL. The suspension settings are changed, the saddle height is reduced by 10 mm.

Model

: Honda Steed 400 VLX;
Honda Steed 400 VLS (Japan). Frame number
: NC26-
164
XXXX~ (VLX);
NC37-100-109
XXXX~ (VLS).
Factory designation
: NV400CBw; NV400CSw.

• 2001 is the last year of VLX production. The model receives an exhaust gas afterburning system and wiring for the installation of an alarm system.

Model

: Honda Steed 400 VLX (Japan).
Frame number
: NC26-
210
XXXX~, NC26-
211
XXXX~, NC26-
212
XXXX~.
Factory designation
: NV400CB1.

How to choose your first bike if you want a chopper?

The question of choosing your first motorcycle is always relevant. To date, thousands of publications have been written that describe hundreds of mots recommended for beginners. But only one of them was and remains the best. This is a Honda Steed 400 vlx. And it’s not just that its engine size is “forgiving of mistakes” with inexperienced driving.

It has enough power to be a biker's companion for many years. Repair and maintenance of the Honda Steed 400 is simple and inexpensive. This motorcycle is reliable and unpretentious. Change the oil and pads, fill it with gasoline, and it's always ready to go. But first things first.

Specifications

Technical characteristics of Honda Steed 400:

Appearance, character and a little history

This is a chopper whose appearance is not inferior to the legendary Harley. The low center of gravity gives the motorcycle stability. Sitting on it, the rider has a straight back. This fact makes the Honda Steed 400 a full-fledged representative of cruisers. The rider's legs are stretched forward and never become numb on long rides.

The Honda Steed 400 vlx was produced exclusively for the domestic Japanese market. There is also its brother, which is similar in appearance, and is called Honda Shadow. Despite all their similarities, they still differ and have design differences. A version with a 600cc engine was released for the American market.

But still, it was the Japanese four hundred that took the leading position in popularity among choppers. Here:

• V-shaped engine;
• abundance of chrome parts;
• wide rear wheel;
• characteristic landing;
• ideal proportions ensuring flawless contours.

All this is accompanied by outstanding technical characteristics. Let's talk about them.

Reviews

Reviews about Honda Steed 400:

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It was bought by me after a short and very superficial viewing for 97 thousand. The set includes small arches and ears (they turned out to be a cool company), straight-through fish, and battered trunks and frames for them.

At first, the following problems emerged: the gasket under the antifreeze filler neck leaked (original 75r), the carbs required synchronization and cleaning, a weak charge was cured by restoring the wire in the generator-relay section. Dying rubber bands in the brake machine. Unfortunately, I’m putting off replacing it until I can drive like this.

For a beginner, I think this is a good motorcycle. The controls are clear and the seating position is comfortable. The dimensions are small, although it looks much larger than Viraga or Intruder. Low center of gravity. Forgives many mistakes.

Consumption is 4-5 Russian (if you come to a gas station on reserve, they can pour from 8 to 10 liters into a 9 liter tank.) liters in the city-highway. Comfortable speed is 100-110 km/h. Then the shaking begins (fingers then ring), deflation (maybe the glass solves the problem, but 400 cm is too heavy) and other delights of a small-volume chopper. By the way, I didn’t overclock it to more than 145, there seemed to be some reserve. Together (85kg+75kg) it goes up to 130 km/h, which is normal for the “itch” of this class.

In half a season I covered about 7000 km. I am almost completely satisfied with the motorcycle (weak engine). 400cc is already not enough and very often I feel like a vegetable, although for such a dynamic city as DS its motor is enough. If I were again choosing my first chopperoid up to 100 sput, I would take the steed again.

I skated on Steed for two seasons. Among the advantages, I would like to note its beauty, reliability (in 2 years it has never failed, it starts with half a turn, except for changing the oil - I did nothing at all), cork-permeability.

Among the minuses is a weak front brake (although if you use both the front and rear at the same time, you can slow down), a small saddle (although my big ass is more likely to blame for this), and 30 horses, which, together with the already mentioned part of the body, did not allow the conic to accelerate more than 120 km according to the speedometer. Although in the city, where the operation mainly took place, there were no complaints about the dynamics, in any case, you can stay in the flow without cranking the engine until it rings.

In general, I liked the mot and left the most pleasant memories. Good luck to him with his new owner!

Citizens, this is the perfect bike for the first season. The dry frame partly compensates for the low power of the engine, giving the output a light, passable car that can scoot perfectly both on the highway, without breaking out of the cruiser speed/comfort framework, and on country roads, demonstrating grip in low gears and stability on uneven roads, and even knead shit is no worse than the brainchild of the domestic motorcycle industry.

It makes sense to take a motorcycle if you have not yet decided whether you want to connect your life with two-wheelers. It is quite difficult to clean on the road, it is inexpensive and open to tuning. Another thing is that it is tuned quite rarely - rather than buying a 750 engine from Shadova for it and tuning it yourself, it’s easier to sell the Konik into good hands and buy a new one. Although, as a designer, Steed is very, very good. If desired, it can be equipped with spare parts from Junker, fenders and running boards from the Urals, cameras from Minsk, and even a Ural lever fork, which turns the kataka into a chic mess of avant-garde exterior.

In short, based on the results of the first season, the impressions are only positive. It's a pity to even give it away.

Practical characteristics of the Honda Steed 400

Considering the low gasoline consumption of 3.5 liters per hundred and an 11-liter tank, this motorcycle model can cover long distances without refueling. Comfort complements reliability. It is extremely rare to see a Steed on the side of the road due to a breakdown. All its components and assemblies have extreme endurance. Therefore, it can be used for commuter trips, as well as long-distance travel.

And in the city he behaves confidently and does not cause any trouble. Its weight is more medium than heavy. Therefore, it is not difficult to keep him at a traffic light. Water cooling prevents the engine from overheating even in a traffic jam. Despite the fact that the power characteristics cannot be called outstanding, this motorcycle can be easily ridden by two people. The Honda Steed 400 has all these, reviews of which you can read on the Internet.

Repair and maintenance of Honda Steed 400

We will not rewrite technical publications on repair and maintenance. This information is contained in specialized literature, as well as on websites dedicated to this topic. When we said that Steed is easy to care for, we meant that any part can be accessed without complete disassembly.

Almost all parts are made of metal. No plastic body kit. This is a pure chopper, only in the factory version. Everything here is accessible, reliable, simple, but at the same time fundamental. In order to independently service a Honda Steed, you do not need any special equipment or devices. This can be done in a regular garage.

The simplicity of the design and standardization of fastening units makes it possible to carry out repairs and maintenance directly on the road. In order not to be taken by surprise, it is enough to have a minimal, standard set of keys with you. We believe that simplicity and ease of maintenance are also characteristics of the Honda Steed 400.