Honda Cb400sf Review

Item: Honda Cb400sf
Rating: 8.5
Author: Motoryk

"The best all-rounder middleweight Honda ever produced, full stop."

Riders wanting long-term, confidence-inspiring daily transport $3,500-$7,500 used 1999-2014

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Key Specs

speed

Top Speed

180 km/h (estimated, varies by version)

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Power

53 hp

@ 10,500 rpm (NC42 HYPER VTEC Revo spec)

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Torque

39 Nm

@ 9,000 rpm

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Fuel Economy

22.2 km/L

52 mpg · 4.5 L/100km or approximately 22 km/L (typical real-world average)

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Service Every

6,000 km

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Weight

174 kg

(wet/curb weight, NC42 spec)

settings

Engine

399cc liquid-cooled inline-4 DOHC 16-valve HYPER VTEC

height

Seat Height

755 mm

cog

Transmission

6-speed

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Engine Lifespan

100,000+ km with proper maintenance

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Used Buyer Review

The CB400SF is one of those bikes that makes you question why you ever needed anything bigger. Honda built this thing for the Japanese domestic market with obsessive attention to detail, and it shows in every bolt. The HYPER VTEC system clicking in at 6,750rpm still puts a stupid grin on your face after the hundredth time. Engine is essentially bulletproof if maintained — these motors routinely crack 100,000km without complaint. Buying used, check the VTEC solenoid first. It's the one known weak spot and a dodgy one kills the top-end pull completely. Also inspect the front forks for scoring and the throttle bodies for dirt ingestion from previous owners who skipped air filter changes. Fairings are expensive to replace, so walk away from anything that's been dropped without documentation. This is genuinely one of the finest middleweights ever made. It handles better than bikes twice its price, the ergonomics suit almost every body type, and resale holds surprisingly firm. Don't let the modest displacement fool you.