Reviewed 1996 | By: Pauline Williams | Dealer: Lintons | Price: £2500
1989 BROS 400 This is the baby brother of the Honda NT650 BROS (RC31)(Japan) and the NT650 GT HAWK (USA). From information on some web pages the bike is widely raced in the US with lots of trick parts being available. UK version is the NTV 650 but the BROS just oozes style compared with the chunky NTV. The most noticeable differences are the seat panel shape, smaller tank, tapered tail end, chain drive rather than shaft, and the alloy frame, making the BROS much lighter than its UK cousin, and of course the lovely single sided swinger! One popular misconception is that parts are difficult to get for grey imports. For some models this may be true but, with the BROS and the majority of more commonly imported machines, parts are readily available from local mechanics/dealers providing you know the part number or they are recognisable. Major importers in England will provide genuine parts by mail order but once you've purchased something it's worth keeping a note of the Honda part number as many are just standard UK parts. A good starting point for dealer contacts and general info is Grey Bike magazine which is bi-monthly - well worth a read. OK, I've had the jokes about BROS as in "Matt and Luke Goss" ad nauseum, but comparing it with the US HAWK, I reckon the word BROS looks better on the tank! That's just personal preference ;-)
Why did I buy the BROS? It was a matter of simply seeing the bike and knowing it was the one I wanted...you know how it is...some bikes you just fall in love with them. I test rode a couple of CBR250s...one was a 1988 and the other a 1993 CBR250RR Urban Tiger and although they were both OK, they weren't as good around town as the BROS.
The rest of my decision was swayed by the fact that the NTV has a reputation as being a very reliable and comfortable bike, if a bit bland. Mileage was fairly low: c.12,000km (7,500 miles) and there was little to no corrosion or damage. When I read around a bit later, it was a bonus that the bike was getting such good reviews. Oh yes, insurance for 400s isn't crippling, even when you're only 24!
	Before purchase I insisted on a new rear tyre and a new chain being fitted and since then I have spent a little on basic maintenance. Brakes were sticking a bit and I noticed there were no scratch marks on the brake fluid reservoirs so I had the fluid changed and the callipers rebuilt. I had stainless braided hoses put on at the same time...just cos I wanted them and felt like splashing out a bit :-)
My 1989 BROS 400 cost £2500 in August 1996 from Linton's Honda in Ballymena and I reckon I got a lot of bike for the money. The only problem seems to be clunky Honda gear change which sometimes occurs between 1st, 2nd & neutral and I believe that the NTV has the same problem as do many other Honda machines. However, this does not detract from the smoothness around town which is a major factor when commuting in and out of Belfast city centre almost every day.
I've decided that I want to keep the BROS even if I were to buy something bigger in the next couple of years and the only way I would get rid of it would be to buy a 650 model.
A few months later... What was that I said? The only reason I sold my 400 was to buy a 650 and even now I want my 400 back too - well what's £200 between bikes? Well the 650 is a year older - 1988 - but is in even better condition than the 400. Stuck a new set of tyres on so can't comment on the difference in handling between the two as the 400 only had a new rear.
	Not a lot of difference to most people but when the 2 machines were side by side it was easy to see that the forks on the 650 were longer and the ride height slightly higher. Obviously there's a bit more power with the 650, handy for riding two-up, but other wise either bike is a joy to ride and is equally at home in town or on a nice long run in the country. Motorway riding is a struggle if it's windy and you're doing more than 85mph but then you expect that with a naked bike.
Below is a table of how the specs measure up compiled from a number of different mags. BROS 400 specs are same as the 650 except as stated. Some sources quote the BROS 650 as having only 48 bhp - I haven't had that confirmed.
BROS 650 BROS 400 NTV 650 Engine 647cc 52° V twin l/c 8 valve 398cc 52° V twin l/c 8 valve 647cc 52° V twin l/c 8 valve Bore/Stroke 79 x 66 mm 54 x 54.5 mm 79 x 66mm Power 57bhp 33bhp 57bhp Torque 5.7 kg.m 3.5 kg.m 41 ft/lbs Top Speed 107 mph 100 mph 108 mph Weight 165 kg 164 kg 215kg Wheel base 1430 mm 1425 mm 1460 mm Seat Height 770 mm 780 mm Fuel cons 50 mpg (est) 53 mpg Fuel cap 2.6 gallons (12l) 4.2 gallons (19l)
Insurance Insurance wise there isn't much difference between the two and even though they're inported bikes I managed to get insured for the 400 for around £285 when I turned 25. I think the 650 is costing me £40 - £50 more (TPFT) (4 yrs no claims / 3 yrs test). It actually paid for me to move insurance companies part way through the year to Highway at Lloyds through EA Davies in Glengormley. Quote for 30 year old, just passed test, no 'no claims', for 400 was approx £285 through MAG UK.
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