Honda CB400SS anyone?

[iansoady]

I bought a CB250RSA earlier this year as I wanted something light & easy to manage to keep my Norton ES2 company and for those days when I fancy something smaller. However I think I've gone too far. The little Honda, admirable though it is in many respects, isn't really capable of hauling my bulk (much increased since the days when I fancied one) as rapidly as I'd like.

So I'm casting round for a replacement and my eye has landed on the Honda CB400SS grey imports like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284965589438?hash=item425945 - although this one is on the garish side.

Any experiences good or bad? Or anyone interested in the CB250?

[The Spin Doctor]

It's essentially a shrunk version of the XBR500 motor isn't it?

Generally good for around 80k before they eat themselves. Same as most Honda singles, the rockers, cam and head all wear out, even with regular oil changes.

One thing I would change on the 250 RS is to go up one on the front sprocket - that may sound like you're going the wrong way as it raises the gearing, but it actually makes 1st a bit more usable - you're going quicker before you need 2nd - and drops the cruising revs in top around 400 rpm at 55 or so... again, it doesn't sound much but it just makes the bike feel a little more relaxed.

[Screwdriver]

Or get a real one...

[A_morti]

They never come up for sale, but the nc36 is the real gem in Honda's JDM classic/retro line.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

They never come up for sale, but the nc36 is the real gem in Honda's JDM classic/retro line.

It's a 400 Super Four in different clothes, pretty sure he's had a Super Four as I think I sold him a seat for one a few years ago.

You can also see it's an early CBR400 engine mounted more upright, I wonder if a CBR600 engine would fit.

[iansoady]

I had a CB400 Super Four (AKA "The Big One") for a few months and absolutely hated it. 15K rev limit is just not my style.....



Yes, the engine is very similar to the XBR, Dominator, SL650 etc. I've had a Domi and an SLR before and liked the engines. It's not so much that I want relaxed, more that I need a bit more shove behind me.

[A_morti]

If you like that engine and aren't fixed on a retro type bike, maybe an FMX650? They never reviewed very wheel, but seems like that's mainly due to it being overly adequate and can make them cheap.

[A_morti]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265913302941

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284967959501

[iansoady]

Yes, they're just a bit on the heavy side for what I want. But there are a few cheap(ish) ones around.

I was also looking at Mash - I had a test ride on one a few years ago and quite liked it - but it's essentially a Chinese copy of the CB400SS and has had some build quality issues (and lumpy fuel injection) reported so might as well get the real thing.

Yes I did have a seat off you Big Cheese although I think you were called something else back then. This is what I did with it to make the riding position more comfortable:

[KungFooBob]

What about a nice Suzuki Savage

Or one of these...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165683125133

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I had a CB400 Super Four (AKA "The Big One") for a few months and absolutely hated it. 15K rev limit is just not my style.....



Yes, the engine is very similar to the XBR, Dominator, SL650 etc. I've had a Domi and an SLR before and liked the engines. It's not so much that I want relaxed, more that I need a bit more shove behind me.

I liked my one, it was the same colours as that, just could have done with some mid range power.

[Yorick]

They never come up for sale, but the nc36 is the real gem in Honda's JDM classic/retro line.

It's a 400 Super Four in different clothes, pretty sure he's had a Super Four as I think I sold him a seat for one a few years ago.

You can also see it's an early CBR400 engine mounted more upright, I wonder if a CBR600 engine would fit.

Just buy a 600 hike.

[Ditchfinder]

If it doesn't have to be retro then a duke 390 maybe or there's the SWM Gran Milano https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265894464112 ... SwuURjBMmb

[Yorick]

If it doesn't have to be retro then a duke 390 maybe or there's the SWM Gran Milano https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265894464112 ... SwuURjBMmb

That needs burning.

[Ditchfinder]

If it doesn't have to be retro then a duke 390 maybe or there's the SWM Gran Milano https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265894464112 ... SwuURjBMmb

That needs burning.

How bad are they? Never ridden one....

[Yorick]

If it doesn't have to be retro then a duke 390 maybe or there's the SWM Gran Milano https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265894464112 ... SwuURjBMmb

That needs burning.

How bad are they? Never ridden one....

Just looks shit

[Ditchfinder]

Indeed it does but a cb250 RS has never been a looker in my eyes either

[Screwdriver]

If it doesn't have to be retro then a duke 390 maybe or there's the SWM Gran Milano https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265894464112 ... SwuURjBMmb

OMG. I find myself agreeing with Yorick!

That thing couldn't look more shitty if it literally fell out of a dogs arse.

[iansoady]

I'm a retro bloke so need a bike that suits......

[iansoady]

Indeed it does but a cb250 RS has never been a looker in my eyes either

A round headlamp improves the looks significantly (in my eyes anyway)