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Short test, Honda CB 400 Four

Honda CB 400 Super Four

A Honda with a pseudo-giant effect: viewed from a distance a grim big bike with at least 1000 cubic meters, on closer inspection a small, cute 400.

D.he track "Big in Japan", with which the German pop group Alphaville stormed the charts years ago, sounds in the ear again in view of the Honda CB 400. The Super Four, as the machine is called in the subtitle, tries on the Japanese market to show size on a small scale, to be a big bike with reduced dimensions and small displacement. In order to put this daring project into practice, the CB 400 uses a trick that is known as a pseudo-giant phenomenon (you already know: Jim Knopf, Lummerland, die Wilde 13, King Alfonso the quarter-before-twelfth) – with success, because with growing From a viewing distance, the CB 400 actually expands noticeably into a full-size big bike, a full-value Super Four, and its big sister CB 1000: the same proportions, the confusingly similar tank-seat line, the same eye-catching ingredients – from the front double disc brakes to To the backpack shock absorbers on the mighty aluminum box swing arm. Conversely, the change through approach is not long in coming: Face to face with the CB 400, it turns out to be a motorcycle that is unmistakably Four, but not at all Big. With the stature, the seat height and the weight of a CB 500, it lacks the deterrent potential of the considerably larger and 70 kilogram heavier 1000 series. Even the narrow-shouldered four-cylinder in the shadow of the wide-flanked tank is far from spreading fear and terror with its appearance. Not to mention its performance potential: The Small Four has 53 hp, for which it chases its little flask through the 55-millimeter bores 11800 times per minute. The high rated speed and the fact that the CB motor only turns red at 12500 rpm sees, feeds the assumption that this is a sophisticated, nervous engine that requires endless switching work and a constant look at the tachometer. True, and not true. That’s right, if you want to tease out the considerable performance that is in the machine: In order to accelerate to 100 km / h in less than five seconds, you have to conjure up with the clutch at the start, top speeds have to be achieved. Fortunately, however, the small four-cylinder can also do something completely different. At around 40 km / h in sixth gear, accept full throttle without complaint and gently increase speed. Or whizzing around in the middle of the rev range in a completely unsportsmanlike manner – highly cultivated, without annoying mechanical accompanying music, without vibrations. The sitting position on the CB 400 is also suitable for loosely tying up: the tank offers excellent knee grip, hands fall automatically onto the handlebars, the seat recess offers a comfortable place in the long run, only taller people have to fold their legs badly – a consequence of the low seat height. Tea question of the rear seating is more of an academic character: With a payload of 137 kilograms, the machine refuses to carry out heavy transport tasks, which is a good thing because the CB 400 is also a sole entertainer when it comes to setting up the chassis. Loaded with around 75 kilograms, it offers decent suspension comfort, the fork and suspension struts respond well and make the most of their commutes. Sometimes even to the limit: under the action of the powerfully gripping double disc brake in the front wheel, the fork goes fully into diving station, and the shock absorbers sometimes hit the stop at a jagged speed on undulating ground. The handling of the CB 400 suits her job description: It does not convey the weightlessness of lightweight super athletes, it wants to be moved with a little force, but without appearing clumsy. And without wanting to enforce its own will: self-steering reactions in the curve – whether on an undulating road surface or when braking – the CB does not have in its repertoire. The good feeling for the road only disappears at – let’s say – inappropriate speed: With full-tube bolts on third-class slopes, steering precision and directional stability dry up in the up and down of the suspension that is too weakly dampened. But sponge about it – a few minor nasties are allowed to the CB 400 – its big sisters are not without either.

Short test

Honda CB 400 Super Four

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€ 2.00

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