Honda BROS 400 ?

[Joni]

or one of these. it's of newer vintage than most out there. Come on join the four-hundy-undy club aye
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-16488508.htm

He-he-he-hello!!!!
Now you've got me very interested....

[Blakamin]

Yeah, the four-hundy-undy club

[dhunt]

They go pretty good. One of my mates has one. He's also on this site (can't remember his username - something bros). He's really likes it, only problem he complains of is getting sore wrists carrying pillions, this also causes the back end to scrape a bit. Could just be his suspension setup. But definitely a nice bike. His has remote start as well which is really cool.

David

[Nutter34]

Here's a site to see what people do with the Bros.
http://www.hawkland.de/beatty/HawkGT.html

I had a 650. It handled well and was a good project bike. If you don't mind an unfaired bike, it's good.
Like others have stated, it has fallen behind since the SV650 was introduced but then you're also paying quite a bit less.
I changed the pipe by building a new 2-1 manifold and mounted the exhaust can under the bike, Beull style.
I also made the bottom frame rail 12mm longer to raise the tail.
I lowered the headlight and clocks about an inch, got lowered clip-ons etc to try balancing the bike a bit. I thought the rear was too low.
I also did a through the swingarm rear brake line mod, using braided lines.

[badlieutenant]

vfr's (I was bound to say something) are a nice mix engine wise. Ride it like a mellow v-twin or crank the revs up and they still cam out. You dont want to work on the engine but they do last a long time if looked after. Mines a bit long in the tooth age wise (looks it a bit too) but after 100,000kms it still doesnt use any oil. And It has been thrashed a bit (not by me tho :cool2: )

[Kwaka-Kid]

hey dude - i researched the bros a bit and they seem to be a bit on hte heavy side for a 400 as compared to the viffer400 and certainly underpowerd. Why not a viffer 400 with a nice 4into2 pipe system? they wind up really really nice sounding and can still rev and nip many old bigger bikes thru the cruvey wurveys.

[Zapf]

1st of all I haven't really ridden a sports type bike, I have been on a 125cc scooter -> GN125 -> and my VTR250.

As you can tell they are all rather situp oin the scooter and GN, with the VTR a bit in between. I "think" I like to have a relaxed riding position, but I also like my speed and corners. Hence thats why I think I am looking at those naked and SV's. I "think" I don't want a crouch rocket, but I am happy to keep my mind open.

I am equally confused myself, so I think I should go and test ride everything out there. BUT, I need my full license which I'll have by December without too much trouble. ~ I'll go and keep on dreaming .... not that I am not happy with my VTR, but there are just a few things that can be made nicer.... E.g more power, a little screen to deflect some wind....

ermmm.

Anyone know what can be done to upgrade the VTR engine? and if its worth it?

A SV650S will cost 12k. $$$$$ How about a CB600 Hornet? Anyone tried / had them? Are they a bit thirsty? how many k's to the tank? My only issues is that it uses 180 rear tires and I heard they cost a bit.

[Kwaka-Kid]

certainly not worth it mate, and if u do try squeeze more ponys out youll bend the crank.
cam chains are also a prob with teh old VTRs.

well at some stage if i meet you and ever go on a ride again myself ill let you try the VFR400 for size and everything.

[Zapf]

certainly not worth it mate, and if u do try squeeze more ponys out youll bend the crank.
cam chains are also a prob with teh old VTRs.

well at some stage if i meet you and ever go on a ride again myself ill let you try the VFR400 for size and everything.

thanks for the offer KK. I'll be careful

[Mr Skid]

KK: He doesn't like you.

Zapf: I'm sorry.

KK: I don't like you either. You just watch yourself. We're wanted men. I have the death sentence on twelve systems.

I'll be careful

KK: You'll be dead!

Sorry, just felt the need to throw a star wars quote into the mix.
As you were.

[Zapf]

yea men.... watch out for the BROS aya.

[gav]

Guess it depends how much you wanna spend, a Bros 400 would be good cheap option, advantages are no bodywork, comfortable riding position, cheap initial purchase, more power than the VTR, vee twin, still looks pretty good, its a Honda!
Disadvantages, a bit heavy, older model, not as fast as a four cylinder 400 (eg VFR, CBR, ZXR). You should still get OK money for your VTR, dont bother trying to hot it up, very little gain for a heck of a lot of money.
Something else you may like is this
Honda CB400F2R
Its a four cylinder, will have a bit more power than a Bros (which is a twin cylinder) and is a little bit more modern (think of it as a 400cc Hornet)

[dangerous]

vfr's (I was bound to say something) are a nice mix engine wise. Ride it like a mellow v-twin or crank the revs up and they still cam out. You dont want to work on the engine but they do last a long time if looked after. Mines a bit long in the tooth age wise (looks it a bit too) but after 100,000kms it still doesnt use any oil. And It has been thrashed a bit (not by me tho :cool2: )

I've had a 97 and a 86 VFR the 86 had 140,000km on it and as I brought it for the X I wanted to be sure that it was not going to course troubles so I went over it very cearfully including cam covers of to do the tappits.... at 140k the hardening on the cams dident even have the slightest mark on it anywere.

[dangerous]

I changed the pipe by building a new 2-1 manifold and mounted the exhaust can under the bike, Beull style.
I also made the bottom frame rail 12mm longer to raise the tail.
I lowered the headlight and clocks about an inch, got lowered clip-ons etc to try balancing the bike a bit

Bloody tidy job that...... handy being a aircraft engineer huh, was that in SA or here?

[Zapf]

Guess it depends how much you wanna spend, a Bros 400 would be good cheap option, advantages are no bodywork, comfortable riding position, cheap initial purchase, more power than the VTR, vee twin, still looks pretty good, its a Honda!
Disadvantages, a bit heavy, older model, not as fast as a four cylinder 400 (eg VFR, CBR, ZXR). You should still get OK money for your VTR, dont bother trying to hot it up, very little gain for a heck of a lot of money.
Something else you may like is this
Honda CB400F2R
Its a four cylinder, will have a bit more power than a Bros (which is a twin cylinder) and is a little bit more modern (think of it as a 400cc Hornet)

Yea good point about the CB400's. Only reason I am slightly shy of them is their review here Link which compairs a 250 Hornet / CB400 / RVF400 / Yamaha XVS400 Dragstar with each other. And they don't rate the CB400 that much... but! I'll take one out for ride and I might end up being happy as larry.