Honda CB400F will be cheaper and more practical compared to competitive models
Apr 03, 2024The popularity of the streetcar is far less than that of the ADV and the imitation race car, which is mainly related to its positioning and appearance. After all, the former has a clearer positioning and is very intuitive for what scenes it is suitable for; the latter not only has a more aggressive front end, but also has a more dynamic body.
This makes the streetcar sandwiched between them a bit awkward, especially for more sporty car models, this performance is particularly notable. For example, the Honda CB400F is a motorcycle that is easily squeezed out by its sibling models.
However, streetcars also have their own highlights and uniqueness. This type of vehicle is easier to conceal and can play the role of a hidden powerhouse, such as the Honda CB400, which is a typical representative.
Furthermore, the practicality of this type of vehicle will obviously be higher than that of sports imitation models, and its application scenarios will be more diverse. With a little modification, it can actually be a great tool for motorcycle travel, although its performance may not be quite as professional. This makes this type of vehicle suitable not only for commuting, but also for leisurely excursions, and even for short-distance motorcycle trips.
If you also agree with this statement, then why not take a look at the new CB400F that Honda is about to launch? This model, in addition to having the characteristics of a street bike, will have the lowest price in this series, clearly much cheaper than the NX400.
In terms of appearance, the CB400F, as an optimized model, retains its original style while moving closer to the overall design of the Honda Hornet CB750. The headlights of these two models are identical, giving it a more fashionable and sporty look.
Of course, to this day I still believe that this car could be more effective if equipped with round headlights, but in Honda's street car system, it seems that only the CB400 and the larger-displacement models CB1100 and CB1300 are eligible to be adorned in this way. This type of twin-cylinder model does not have this blessing.
In terms of power, the new CB400F will continue to use the old powertrain. It is equipped with an in-line twin-cylinder water-cooled electronic fuel injection engine, which doesn't have a particularly aggressive performance and is considered to be stable. The data is also not very remarkable, but it is sufficient for daily commuting and nearby excursions.
After all, its displacement is only 400cc, with a maximum power of 33KW and a maximum torque of 37N·m. However, its performance is relatively balanced, belonging to the low energy consumption model, with an official fuel consumption of 3.63L per hundred kilometers, so it can also be considered a highlight.
In terms of the body, the car is not as large as we imagined, and the overall structure is relatively compact. It has a length of 2080mm and a wheelbase of 1416mm.
However, its lightweight control is not outstanding, maintaining at 190kg, but this is normal, after all, it is not a pure NK model, so there will be differences from the KTM 390 DUKE. Obviously, its practical attributes will be more prominent, so a 16.1L fuel tank capacity and 789mm seat height are set.
In terms of configuration, the biggest difference between the old and new versions will be the installation of inverted front shock absorbers on the new CB400F. It will also integrate Honda's adjustable torque HSTC system and be equipped with a more practical 5-inch TFT full-color instrument panel and LED headlights. In addition, the bike will also have a slipper clutch, dual-channel ABS, and other configurations, making it more complete compared to the previous generation model and thus enhancing the user experience.
Finally, let's talk about the price that fellow car enthusiasts are interested in. Looking at the selling price of the standard version of the NX400 at $5K, the final selling price of this joint venture Honda motorcycle CB400F should be able to be reduced by about $500, to around $4.5K.
Once this price is realized, although it cannot be considered absolutely cheap, it will still be tempting given the performance of this car. This is particularly true for those who value practicality, don't require a high degree of attractiveness, and aren't focused on motorcycle travel. It is definitely worth considering for them.
Of course, the shortcomings in its final price will still exist. After all, the current street cars in the domestic 500 level cost only around twenty to thirty thousand. However, in Honda's new 400 series, this car will be the cheapest, so please look forward to it!
