Honda Bros NT400
Engine size 398cc
Power 31bhp
Top speed 94mph
Insurance group 9
Strictly speaking, the BROS 400 is heavy, underpowered and outdated. But the cheap grey imports are surprisingly nice to ride – they’re well balanced, steer well and the engine is flexible, torquey and characterful given its 33bhp output. That also makes it legal for new riders on a restricted licence.
Engine: Very similar to the Africa Twin engine (specials builders actually fit the bigger 750 in the chassis), the understressed motor pulls from low in the rev range unless you labour it in a high gear. Fuelling is classic crisp carburettor response, though power tails off higher in the rev range. Great around town, and it’ll sit happily at 80mph too. It has a surprisingly prominent and pleasant airbox noise too.
Ride And Handling: Suspension fatigue affects the Honda BROS – new fork oil springs and a new shock transform it. Then you can take advantage of the neutral handling, strong RC30-derived brakes and plentiful ground clearance. It’ll even take sticky tyres, though not in the correct front profile (which affects the speedo reading) – standard sized, modern crossplies are widely available and grippy enough unless you’re a lunatic or a trackday fiend.
Equipment: Basic - the BROS has a comfy, semi-upright café racer riding position but poor pillion provision. Underseat storage only accepts the standard tool kit, and the tank lasts around 90 miles before you need to flick the fuel tap to reserve.
Quality And Reliability: Find a cared for BROS (ideally one that’s been loved and kept dry since import from Japan), and you’ll be astounded at the quality. Deep paint, quality fasteners and lovely finish all-round is nicer than most new bikes – including some Hondas! Understressed engine is unburstable, the chassis is tough. Make sure the eccentric chain adjuster/rear wheel hub isn’t seized, and there’s little else that goes wrong. Specialist backup is available too – new-old stock parts are readily available as well as pattern parts.
Insurance: Insurance group: 9
Model History: 1988: Introduced as Japan-only model. Six-spoke wheels, Product 2 seat graphics
1990: Second generation – mostly identical, 18” three-spoke rear wheels, improved PGM ignition.
1992: Discontinued.
Other Versions: Honda NT650 BROS Product 1: Identical to BROS 400, but with more powerful 650cc motor, wider spaced gears, 112mph restriction and slightly lower rev ceiling. Available in Mk1 and Mk2 versions.
Honda Hawk GT: US-market version of the BROS 650 is branded differently with cheaper front brakes and higher handlebars. Otherwise identical, but even rarer.
This article was taken from: Motorcycle News