Once you start going bigger, you just expend more energy just lugging that lump of a motor. Sure, more power means that it probably won't be sluggish when accelerating, but the heavier bike is more work moving it side to side.
I think the Suzuki GSX400 Bandit would be a really good all-around street bike. That 400cc inline four was really smooth and made a good amout of power. The 700cc twins will make a little more power but will always be a little buzzy.
Wow, nice... The 400s used to be a Japan only thing. Only 2 models made it to the US and that was the FRZ400(yummy aluminum frame) and the 400 Bandit. A few other 400s(honda RR and VFR) may have made it through some grey-market importers. But really nothing official.
I think for the ~400cc inline-fours in the US, you have to go back pretty far. My dad had a CB350F back in the late '70s, and Honda also brought the CB400F that succeeded it to the US. (The CB400SF is a separate bike from later on.)
Neil E. Hodges
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Neil E. Hodges
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GP-u-Moto
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Neil E. Hodges
in reply to GP-u-Moto • •GP-u-Moto
in reply to Neil E. Hodges • • •A few other 400s(honda RR and VFR) may have made it through some grey-market importers. But really nothing official.
Neil E. Hodges likes this.
Neil E. Hodges
in reply to GP-u-Moto • •GP-u-Moto
in reply to Neil E. Hodges • • •Yeah, I was like 3 when the CB400F came out. It was a little before my time...
I think Honda had the CB1 though, it was also 400cc... Wow, has been a while.
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Neil E. Hodges
in reply to GP-u-Moto • •You mean the CB1 wasn't 1cc? :P
Honda should really bring the CB400SF and CB1300SF to the US. Both are great bikes from what I've read.
GP-u-Moto
in reply to Neil E. Hodges • • •Yeah, that is Honda... They will keep you guessing.
I guess if they thought they could sell them they would.