Menus
- Flexible, efficient and ideal for the duo
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Contact
- In the city
- Highway
- Braking
- Comfort
- Convenient
- Consumption
- Conclusion
Flexible, efficient and ideal for the duo
The SW-T 400 is the 400 cm3 Honda scooter, evolution of the SilverWing appeared in 2006. Completely revised in terms of aesthetics in 2009, it also gained C-ABS braking and some modifications to the cycle part made more rigid. Initially declined from the 600 version – with such a heavy weight (250 kilos with ABS) – the 400 offers a 38 horsepower inline twin against the competition’s single cylinders. Because the 400 cm3 are the poor relatives of scooters, stuck between the huge sales volumes of 125cm3 and the more flattering displacement of maxi-scooters. And yet, they are on average 2,000 euros cheaper than their big brothers 600/650. This is also the case for the 400, at € 5,990 compared to the 600 at € 7,990. So, out of step with the market or a practical and economical alternative to maxi-scoots? One week trial ….
Discovery
The SWT400 impresses with its exterior size, very close to a maxi-scooter. Modern line, well-designed front and rear, rewarding plastics, the 400 exudes luxury and quality. The slender front optic topped by a tall screen contributes to a slender line and almost contrasts with a wide rear in which two huge, equally well-designed lights are embedded. The integrated turn signals on the sides are the most beautiful effect. The exhaust fits perfectly to the side and contributes to an elegant overall line. Available in pearly / pearl white for the 2009 vintage, it offers a rewarding and definitely top-of-the-range look. Moreover at traffic lights, it is the only scooter that has made other scooters turn away, almost systematically asking for its price. !
In the saddle
The good thing about this 400cc displacement is that even the 1.60m rider – sitting on the saddle – touches the ground. Even wedged at the bottom of the backsplash, both feet are still touching the ground. We are far from the 500 and 650 cm3 whose feet often only touch the tip … and not at all when we are wedged to the bottom. The SWT immediately surprises with its apparent lightness, despite its 250 kilos fully loaded. Even with the passenger, it feels light. With a very low weight, we have more the impression of being on a 250, than on a 400 cm3.
The large analog, automotive-inspired instrument panel features a large speedometer and tachometer, as well as a fuel gauge on the left and temperature on the right. In the center, a digital counter displays consumption per 100 km, clock and trip. Everything is there clearly, and easily readable, under the sun and at night. We just regret the absence of a warning.
Two similarly sized storage compartments under the handlebars offer some room for small items, with the benefit of a key lock for the left one. Their opening is easy and natural.
The mirrors provide the same vision as a small motorcycle, reflecting a good third of an elbow in vision.
Contact
The SW-T 400 snorts in almost total silence and without vibrations; ideal for going out at night without being heard. The feet find their place easily on the sides of the central beam. They can especially position themselves raised well in front or in a natural way flat with an upright position. Fairly low, the central beam allows the leg to pass easily without having to step over.
Accelerator, the revving precedes the reaction of the scooter. If the needle goes up to 4 / 5,000 rpm, the SWT snorts gently and winds up on the road.
In the city
Red light accelerations are smooth. It starts off well, but without achieving the apparent dynamics and velocity of a Burgman 400 over the first few meters. However, as soon as the scooter exceeds 40 km / h, the acceleration is there and very quickly takes you to speeds prohibited in town. In fact, the maximum torque. of 37.8 Nm is only achieved at 6,500 rpm, a speed that the 400 never achieves in town. At 60 km / h, the SWT is still only at 4,000 rpm.
The scooter is really manoeuvrable and even more so compared to its size and weight. The lane rises are therefore natural, with a particularly easy and worry-free passage between the cars. Even at very slow speeds, the weight is totally forgotten. And when stationary, maneuvers are still possible without too much effort, even if they are more difficult than with a Burgman, which weighs 35 kilos. !
It has a better turning radius – 2.8m – than its predecessor, making maneuvering in town easier..
Highway
Faced with the smooth acceleration seen in town, the SWT 400 quickly climbs to 130 km / h when it is only 7,000 rpm. The scooter then climbs 20 km / h every 1,000 rpm to the red zone located at 9,500 rpm. On the track, it thus accepts willingly going up to 170 km / h with road holding that remains good, even with side winds, a clear improvement compared to its previous vintage. Beyond more power (more than 3 horses compared to the Majesty and 6 horses compared to the Burgman), it is thus placed as the most stable and the most reassuring of the engine scooters. Compared to its big brother 600, its handling is even better, including and especially at high speed.
The protection offered by the bubble is excellent, even at high speeds and generates virtually no noise, at least compared to the competition..
Braking
With a single 276 mm hydraulic disc with 3-piston combined caliper, the SWT400 brakes hard and hard, without forcing; thanks to the C-ABS braking, coupling the front and rear with control to the left lever. The result is stunningly efficient. The feeling offered is good. You really have to push the scooter to its limits and on slippery roads to trigger ABS…. which is therefore totally forgotten.
Comfort
The rider saddle is comfortable, and the back fits well on the backrest. The passenger seat is at the same level of comfort, with the same very appreciable backrest which supports well. The passenger benefits from well-placed handles that allow an easy and impeccable position and hold even on long journeys. Above all, the SWT remains imperturbable and without swinging, even in duet, and whatever the speed..
Moreover, it is as a duo that the scooter demonstrates one of its other qualities by completely forgetting the passenger. No swaying here as on the Burgman, on the contrary, the passenger does not feel, even when riding in the back.
The double adjustable rear shock absorber plays its role perfectly.
Convenient
The 55-liter trunk offers ample storage space and room for 2 A-class…. but not just any. While two Shoei XR1000s come in while playing a bit, the same is not true with a bit longer integral ones like Lazers. Two modulars will not pass like this. The trunk is approved to receive 10 kilos of load, but given its capacity and the low position, it can carry much more. We just regret that it is opened at the rear, on the side, and not at the main contactor.
A handy interior light – which can be turned on by a switch inside – completes the trunk.
The scooter is placed easily and without any particular effort on the central stand, useful for filling the tank as well as possible.
The front wheel readily accepts an anti-theft device between fork and rim. The HISS immobilizer system completes the safety equipment of the scooter.
Consumption
At stabilized speed on departmental roads, consumption turns to 4 liters and rises to 5 liters per hundred in town with an average of the test at 4.5 liters. The fuel gauge stays on the cleat for the first 85 kilometers and then drops off every 10-15 kilometers, arriving at the start of the red zone around 190 km. There is then the red zone to cross before approaching the reserve. Thus with its 16-liter tank, the SWT 400 offers a range of over 330 kilometers….
Conclusion
Elegant, qualitative, rewarding, the Honda SW-T 400 is truly a beautiful scooter that has nothing to envy its big brother 600, quite the contrary. It surpasses it in handling and is also better than it in terms of consumption, much more economical. So, at 2,000 euros less than the Silverwing 600, it is more than a budget alternative, it is quite simply the best choice. Facing the other Japanese 400s, it offers a trunk capacity halfway between the Majesty and the Burgman, the Burgman taking home the prize for living space. Above all, it offers better handling, especially at high speeds. He just fishes with a high weight and setbacks, despite his extra horses which do not compensate except in top speed. In short, a success that places it on the podium for scooters over 125 cm3, with a price largely justified for its performance. With more than 1,500 models sold in 2009, market figures confirm its success.
Strong points
- price
- quality
- consumption / autonomy
- aesthetic
Weak points
- weight
- motor
Competitors: Piaggio X10 350, Suzuki Burgman 400, Yamaha Majesty 400, Yamaha T-MAX 500
Available in 4 colors: white, silver, red and black
Datasheet
Related articles
-
Yamaha TMax 530 ABS scooter test
The Thug Star The TMax is the big Yamaha scoot, even THE big benchmark maxi-scooter, to such an extent that it is the main target of copies of the…
-
Urban GT scooter Hexagon, X8, X9…. Piaggio has come a long way since 1993, posting more than 400.00 cumulative sales for the brand, which is the segment…
-
The hyper-scooter signed Gilera 839 cm3, 75 horsepower, 76 Nm of torque, 8 valves, 18 liter tank…. ! The GP 800 is by far the hyperlative scooter par…
-
Test scooter BMW C600Sport vs C650GT
Between Zyva and Bobo One would have thought that after the success of the C1, the brand’s first foray into the scooter segment, BMW would have buried…
-
Piaggio MP3 Yourban scooter test
The three-wheeled scooter 1100 euros cheaper than the standard MP3 Piaggio continues to decline its three-wheeled scooter and comes out after the…
-
Piaggio Liberty 125 scooter test
The small city scooter True sales success for Piaggio with more than 800,000 units sold since its launch in 19997, the Liberty returns at the end of 2013…
-
Piaggio MP3 300 HPE three-wheel scooter test
True False Yourban 180,000 MP3s sold worldwide! Almost all of which is sold in France! This is how to sum up the three-wheeled scooter. A success that…
-
Peugeot Satelis 125i scooter test
Urban GT scooter If Peugeot is not the benchmark in terms of maxi-scooter, the Satelis 125 is on the other hand a benchmark in the world of the 125 cm3…
-
Test of the sport-GT vintage scooter 2017 and Euro4 Honda Forza 125? Who would have said two years ago that Honda would succeed in dethroning Yamaha’s…
-
40th anniversary bagger Test over nearly 6,000 kilometers When we think of traveling abroad, we often think of a big trail and possibly a big GT but…