Home
Bike Reviews
Review of the Honda NT 400 BROS - By Ren Withnell
I loved this bike...even though I was nearly killed on it!
I'd seen these around a few times, and I liked the single sided swing arm, the simple compact styling and the small but beefy looks. It always made me think of a mean aggresive terrier, small but vicious.
And when I needed some simple, reliable transport when the training bike had to go back I looked for one of these. I found a clean one but with some scratches and nicks for a good price. Those who know me will know I'm not fussy about how a bike looks, it's how well it works that bothers me. And it worked very very well. I'd been using a more powerful CB400 super four and was concerned the lower power would be dissapointing. But what it lacks in HP it makes up for with plenty of torque. It made me smile, and that's what matters.
It took a while but when I got used to the handling...what a superb handling bike! It feels like a big 125 in that it's light and thin, but it has more power and that torque. It's at it's best on twisty roads using it's flexible engine and planted handling. It is awesome fun.
On the larger roads it will cruise 2 up all day at 70, going to 95 or 100 at a push. Acceleration up to 60 is plenty good laughs but over this it pulls solidly but slowly. It's OK on motorways, it took me to Brighton and Cornwall with no great worries. It's not ideal for distance and loading the thing took some inginuity. Nah, it's a b-road hopper that can do anything else if asked
The motor is a sleeved down and reduced stroke version on the NTV650, the popular courier machine. It should last forever. In 650 fromat it's been known to run to 100,000 miles and more, so the less stressed 400 should be even better. I ran mine up to 45,000 kilometers, about 27,000 miles and it never missed a single beat.
But beware the tyres. I had this bike up to my accident when I still liked to push on a little. I was never a mad rider but I could eat a rear Bridgestone in 4,000 miles. You might expect this on a big weighty 750 sports bike but not a light 400. With fuel running about 50mpg it was not the cheapest transport available.
I'd recommend this bike to someone who wants reliability, good handling and is not too fussy about overall speed. It can be used everyday then played with at the weekend.
It's such a shame mine ended up in a breakers in a poor old state. Some bugger is probably using the nice new Bridgestone I'd just fitted before I was wiped out.
Reader's Comments
James said :-
I had an NT 650, what a cracking bike! Much better with more power than the 400. Good review.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Peter Gubarsen said :-
I also had the 650, never knew Honda made a 400cc version. I tuned mine right up and raced it. Splendid machine in the corners, still not enough power on the straights.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Spiros , Athens GR said :-
My Bros 400 PGM is a 1990 model , imported directly from Japan equipted with an JMCA exsaust and a K/N air filter . I 'm at least the 4th owner of the bike which has run by now 82000 km.I am very proud to be the owner of such an historical Honda bike .It's not fast although I 've seen about 175 km/h on the free way . It's not a touring bike , but it carried me and my girlfriend full of luggage all the way form Athens to Ioannina and then to my home island Corfu . About 520 km .I 'm sure tha some biggers bikes would choke on that . It's power is not to be scared of but if taken lightly it will lead to a crash or a fall for sure . Good braking and good steering are also usefull. About tyres i use Bridgestone BT92 (the 18'' rear one ) which after 10.000 km still look good and soft .Consumption in mixed ride is about 160 km before reserve (9 lt) running on super (96 oct) and about 200 km in trips. I 've noticed lately some evaporation of the lub oil after 2000 km but in logical point for a 16 years old motor . I have decided to keep it untill it breaks down and then start looking for a good conditioned 650 . Excuse my english . Cheers
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Haresh said :-
I have a 1990 Honda Bros 400cc. It goes like a dream and I have just done 5609 kms since new.I use it as weekend bike.The build quality and ride is excellent.If you are looking for a street bike with lot of torque this is the bike.
Dr Haresh
Cape-Town,South Africa
email....drmharesh@hotmail.com
mobile=27 832317555
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
kirsty said :-
what would you say a 88 model would be worth with a great service history?
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Alan B said :-
I will be buying a J reg 400 Bros in the next few weeks, so reading about yours was a great help. I will post another comment when I have had it for a while.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
hectorauto64@hotmaul.com said :-
tengo la honda nt400 bross, necesito el CDI(electronico), culaquier informaci{on a mi direcciona. gracias
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
andy said :-
My partner is 4ft 10ins & she has just passed her test. Could the BROS 400 be lowered enough for her? Any help or comments most welcome.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Alan B said :-
Hi again, i posted a few weeks ago before i bought my Bros 400. I love this bike, it just rides so nice. i just wish it would stop raining long enough for me to get out on it more than once a week
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
hectorauto64@hotmail.com said :-
necesito el electronico cdi de la honda nt 400 bross cualquier información favor remitir a mi direccion
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
hectorauto64@hotmail.com said :-
necesito el electronico cdi de la honda ntv 400 bross cualquier información favor remitir a mi direccion
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
adam said :-
my bike is better than this
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Mr Phil said :-
Got my '88 400 in 00 ! Fitted 21ltr Givi boxes on a modified CB750 frame and screen.Did 30,000klm around Ireland since then. Malin Head to Mizen Head - 430 miles - in a day - twice. What a great bike. Carb troubles for the last year. Am not a mechanic so friends are trying to sort my bike out.The Bros will always be with me - can't wait to get it back. Am considering buying a new Deauville but with a aftermarket exhaust to liberate that v-twin sound that I'm used to from mu Bros.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
kairogna@hotmail.com said :-
Hello you all.
Is there anyone here that can help me with some numbers on the NT 400 BROS. I imported a NT 400 BROS from England to Norway, but I have big problems getting the registration done. So my question is. Do any of you users have the registration card scanned in on your computer and are willing to mail that to me. The numbers I need is the total weight, both dry and total with passenger and ballast. I got the info from the internet, but the registration office in Norway won't do the registration before I can show them an original document. So a scanned copy of the registration card would help me BIG time. I hope one of you is able to help me with this. I have tried everything to get this done, this is kind a last hope for the registration.
Kind regards from
Kai
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
hectorauto64hotmail.com said :-
necesito el modulo ingnition referencia 30410 kw0 006 honda bros ntv 400 j
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Shim said :-
I was riding a Honda CG 125 as my very first bike, followed after my test by the bros 400. It was such a smooth but fun transition, enough power for a small person like me, good to handle and good fun on the corners. I adore the look and feel of the bike and what it lacks in power it makes up for in reliability! (i am the 8th owner!) I (touch wood) have had no problems thus far bar minor maintenance and would reccomend this bike to any new rider under the 2 year restriction. Have fun but treat it with respect and it'll do you good.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
pasi said :-
I have a bros 400, and get to ride a 650 often, since a friend has one. The 400 exists as a sad accident because of Japanese tax regulations (i think)
Great bike for town or small roads, very narrow and easy to turn. Torque makes riding in town a pleasure, can start in top gear, which is rare for a 400.
Ugly rear, though changing the look doesn't waste too much time or money. Right kinda paint job brings a little shape out of the gas tank and the rest is already perfect...
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
baldrab@yahoo.com said :-
Has anyone got a rear wheel like the pictured above as i can not find one anywhere, not a 6 spoked one. a three spoked one.
These are great bikes as i have rode one many times, when i traveled throw out asia, to many good times to write about. good web site also.
thanks Ric.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
hondaowner said :-
i do not agree with this rteview and would like to state that the person who wrote this does not even know how to ride a bike
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
bike rider said :-
yes i do ride here and over there, thank you and i do know what i am talking about...
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
george said :-
I have seen this bike here in Greece and like to buy it, is ?1650,00 a good price?
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
sid said :-
Hi,
I owned own when i passed my test in 1995 and totally loved it as it was a great city bike for commuting to work .Now my girlfriend is sitting her test so thought this would be ideal. Unfortunately i cant find one in relatively good nick without paying a fortune for it. Does anybody have one for sale in the UK? Im in Glasgow Scotland and would be willing to travel in the uk to get one and even if it needed minor stuff done to it.
Cheers
07969389586 mobile
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Dave said :-
I got the 400 for my first bike and i couldn't be happier with it. Good learner bike not too powerful but lots of fun. The only problem i had was having to replace the barings in the bars but well worth it. The steering really can alive after.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Jim said :-
I have a bros 400 can you tell me how to get the fuel tank off?
I have removed front and rear bolts but cannot get the front of the tank off the rubber mounting,am i missing something.
Advice appreciated.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Haronis said :-
I have a '88 Bros, the bike felt from a stationary position on the left side, the gear shifting leaver was bent but I've managed to straighten it up however i discovered i'm stuck with 2nd and 3rd gear, the engine is running smooth, no weird sounds, just the gears won't change
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
steve b said :-
hi,and help please,i have a bros 400jnc25 through illness my bros has been parked up for a few months now i am fit for work my bros has sprung a water leak,from the radiator down where it enters the engine on the left hand side i have to try and repair the fault,do i need any gaskets or not??? thank you.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Jason said :-
Just bought a Honda 400 Bros 1989 with 33k taxed and Mot for 1year. It cost me £550 Thats what I call a bargain.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Karum said :-
Where can I buy one of these? Do they still make this model? I very rarely see them for sale and when I do they are quite old.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
John said :-
Hi Jan
To get the fuel tank off (after you have switched off the tap and disconnected the hose, remove front and back bolts. Then take the back bolt, turn it into the front sslide (where the front bolt came out of) and pull the slide out. The the tank is loose.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
stewart said :-
Any advice on a replacement petrol tank
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Charles said :-
Here is a web site specific to the Bros with all the mechanical parts, how to change them, where to buy them and a lot more. I hope it helps.
http://homepage.eircom.net/~hondabros/
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Bart said :-
@Charles
Hi do you (or anyone else here) know the person responsible for the mentioned site (http://homepage.eircom.net/~hondabros/)? I'm based in Ireland and was wondering if he/she could help me with one Bros...
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Tricia said :-
I used the Bros 400 for 3 trips around the UK - 2006, 2008 and 2010. I paid 300 quid for it and sold it for the same. In between the trips it lived under a tarp on a friends front lawn. What a bargain. What a bike! Not the most comfortable, not the most economical - but loyal and willing. Had a fuel blockage issue that went on and on but it was my own fault cos I'd run it out of petrol and the old tank had lots of shit in it. Apart from that, pretty much no probs. Back in NZ you can't get one of these for under $3000 (1500 quid) - I seriously looked at bringing my old dunger home with me.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
They are a rugged little bike aren't they the Bros. Thanks for that Tricia. I'd love to hear the tale of your trips around the UK. Living here in the North West of England it's hard to imagine anyone actually wanting to come here :-)
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
F - Athens GR said :-
My Bros NT400J is a 1988 model , imported directly from Japan. equipped with the original exhaust system and the original air filter . I bought it 10/1994 at 11000 km. I'm the 3nd owner of the bike which has run by now 185000 km, mainly in urban areas. As a dipl. mechanical engineer (although working proffessionally in other fields, but having a good technical background) , i am very proud to be the owner of such an "technical mistake" made by Japanese Engineers . It's very cheap, reliable, stable. A double front braking system would avoid accidentally tumbles from the motorcycle, especially in the case of stuck brake caliper. Anyway minor damages of the rider and the bike have happen to me.
It's very fast until 100 km/h (2nd gear), although I 've seen instantly about 150 km/h . There is a problem with air turbulance in highways when you pass trucks. It's mainly an urban/suburban everyday bike , but once it carried me alone from Athens to Delphi full of luggage (circa 200 km).
I have used Bridgestone BT45F 110-80-17, Michelen Pilot 110-80-17
Michelen Pilot Active 150-70-17 , etch.
Consumption in urban areas is about 6.5 -7.0 lt/100 km and about 5.0 lt/100 km in trips.
I 've a great story of burning/leakage of the lub oil because of engine overheating and the subsequent one cylinder/piston /rings wear due to almost total loss of cooling liquid via a damaged o-ring in 2002.
Since then I have decided to use 300 ml of BARTHAL in every oil change. The oil consumption between 2002 and 2010 was from 223 ml/1000 km to 460 ml/1000 km.(compression neasured front/rear cyl. 170/165 psi)
In 2010 I bought an "almost new" Honda bros 400, having only about 40.000 km dismantled with a full kit for rings/piston/valve springs replacement.
My very older, engine wounded, bike already had a total distance traveled downtown Athens of about 150.000 km
Siince then, I have use many almost new parts from the second Honda earning about 1000 euros (fuel tank, fuel pump, lock set,clocks, seat surround, frond and rear whells,front forks, rear suspesion,...)
8-1-2013 i had a brad new honda bros with thoroughly clean all the carbon off of the valve & new rings/piston/valve springs!!!!
After almost 3 years in my brad new honda bros 400 the oil consumption is only 80 ml/1000 km, 1/3 & 1/6 of 2002 & 2010 figures, respectivelly !!!
Conclusion.
If you want to keep and use -almost everyday as we, the bikers, do in Athens today 24 C @14.00 - your classic motorcyycle, simply buy another one for spare parts.
Greetings from sunny Athens!!!
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
F - Athens GR - It sure as hell ain't sunny here! Thanks for the comprehensive information. I'm glad to see someone is actually using their bike properly and racking up some serious miles.
It is a great bike the NT400Bros. I sure do miss mine and finding one in this country is very difficult these days, there's not many left. If you hang onto it long enough you could have one of the world's highest mileage classic motorcycles.
Keep up the good work, and thank you.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
F - Athens GR said :-
@Ren - The Ed
Thanks for your possitive acceptance of my long review.I wrote a lot because it's my first review for motorcycles.
I wanted to emphasize that new spare parts for classic motorcycles are rare and if you are lucky enough they cost 4 to 6 times the real price.
The only way i found, after 16 years of searching and byuing expensive new or used parts, is to buy another bike for spare parts.
I'm a lucky man (I'm alive after 39 years on 2 wheels)the price was ridicoulous only 300 euro!!! Remember that i bought an "almost new" Honda bros 400, having only about 40.000 km dismantled with a full kit for rings/piston/valve springs replacement aw a gift!!(est. cost for full kit was 350 euro 2006).
Some Tips.
About exhaust system. The only way to maintain it is -at first- to spray inside about 500 ml of lub oil and to start the engine. Afer an hour a protective layer of tar & smoke is formed inside and so i have the original exhaust system since 1988!!!
Mirrors. Dont' bye new mirrors, simply move the broken and cut a new mirror . Cut a carton and put it in the plastic nest, in order to protect the new mirror from hiting it by the long bold behind, during moto falls.
Lubrication.
Use 300 ml of BARTHAL in every oil change
Use water proof moto grease, almost everywhere!!!
As alreay Charles wrote here is the valuable site for Honda Bros (http://homepage.eircom.net/~hondabros/ (See mainentanc tips)
I use bikes (1. STEYER PUCH , Puch Maxi 49cc 2hp, 2. Honda CB 175 and 3. Honda Bros NT 400) since 1976. I have calculated that using bikes for my everyday transprort needs i have gained four years of free time !
Sorry, I have to go out for beerw with a frend also mechanical engineer who has the same Bros NT 400 , but a little better the PGM.
This must be the last week in Athens with 24 C @14.00
Again, Greetings from sunny Athens!!!
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Name
Comment
Add a RELEVANT link (not required)
Upload an image (not required) -
Uploading...
Home
Bike Reviews