Honda Shadow 400 (NV400, VT400)
The cruiser series'Honda Shadow 400'begins its history in 1997 when, as the successor to Honda Steed 400, an updated model was presented -'Honda Shadow 400, which, like Steed , had the factory code "NV400" ". Despite this, Steed continued to be released in parallel until 2001, offering new modifications and minor updates.
The Shadow 400 was released at the same time as Honda Shadow 750 A.C.E. as its "little brother", built on a common base, but with an engine from Steed 400. Subsequently, both models (750 and 400) underwent the same restyling, and also offered almost the same modifications, which could only differ in names. Simply put, the Shadow 400 copied almost everything from the "big brother" Shadow 750, being with him practically the same motorcycle, but with a different engine.
In 2000, along with the 750th version, the Honda Shadow 400 expands the series, offering a new modification - the Honda Shadow 400 Slasher. Visually, the model is completely similar to Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit (Black Widow, Slasher). Like the regular Shadow 400, the new Slasher has the same factory code as the Steed - NV400.
On October 21, 2008, the Honda Shadow 400 as well as the Shadow 750 receive a significant update. First, the model gets an injector and a gimbal instead of a chain. Secondly, the modifications themselves, as well as their names, change - the usual Shadow 400 is now sold as Honda Shadow 400 Classic (visually completely identical to Honda Shadow 750 Aero), Slasher 400 is transformed into Honda Shadow 400 Custom (visually completely identical to Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit). The factory code is changed to - VT400.
In 2010, another modification appears - Honda VT400S . Externally, the model is completely identical to Honda VT750S (aka Honda Shadow 750 RS).
2014 was the last year of production for the Custom and VT400S, and in 2016 the Classic was finally discontinued. Thus, the Honda Shadow 400 is no longer in production, but a large number of motorcycles can be found at Japanese auctions. Quantitatively, there are many more old versions (NV400 Shadow / Slasher, 1997-2008) than new modifications (Classic, Custom, RS). This is due to the significantly smaller production of new modifications, the total number of which has been decreasing from year to year.
Main competitors in the class:
- Suzuki Intruder VS400 / Suzuki Intruder VL400 Classic
- Suzuki Desperado 400
- Kawasaki VN 400 Vulcan
- Yamaha XVS 400 Drag Star
Photos
Specifications
Specifications Honda Shadow 400:
| Model | Honda Shadow 400 |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle type | cruiser |
| Release year | 1997-2016 |
| Frame | steel tubular |
| Engine type | 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, V-shaped |
| Working volume | 398 cm³ |
| Bore / stroke | 64.0 x 62.0 mm |
| Compression ratio | 9.8: 1 - Shadow 400 (1997-2008), Slasher 10.3: 1 - Classic, Custom, VT400S |
| Cooling | liquid |
| Number of valves per cylinder | SOHC, 3 valves per cylinder |
| Fuel supply system | Carburetor, 2x Keihin 34 mm - Shadow 400 (1997-2008), Slasher PGM-Fi (Electronic Injection) - Classic, Custom, VT400S |
| Ignition type | digital transistor |
| Maximum power | 33.0 h.p. (24.3 kW) @ 7500 rpm - Shadow 400 (1997-2008), Slasher 31.0 h.p. (22.8 kW) at 7000 rpm - Classic, Custom, VT400S |
| Maximum torque | 34 Nm (3.5 kg * m) @ 5500 rpm - Shadow 400 (1997-2008), Slasher 33 Nm (3.4 kg * m) @ 3500 rpm - Classic, Custom 32 Nm (3.3 kg * m) at 3500 rpm - VT400S |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Drive type | Chain - Shadow 400 (1997-2008), Slasher, VT400S Cardan - Classic, Custom |
| Front tire size | 100 / 90-19 (57H) - VT400S 120 / 90-17 (64S) - Shadow 400 (1997-2008), Classic 110 / 80-19 (59S) - Shadow 400 Slasher 90 / 90-21 M / C (54S) - Shadow 400 Custom |
| Rear tire size | 170 / 80-15M / C (77S) - Shadow 400 (1997-2008) 160 / 80-15M / C (74S) - Shadow 400 Classic, Custom, Slasher 150/80-B16 M / C (71H) - VT400S |
| Front brakes | 1 disc, 296 mm, 2-piston caliper |
| Rear brakes | drum |
| Front suspension | Telescopic Fork, 140mm - Shadow 400 (1997-2008) Telescopic Fork 108mm - Shadow 400 Slasher Telescopic Fork, 117mm - Shadow 400 Classic Telescopic Fork, 115mm - Shadow 400 Custom Telescopic Fork, 118mm - VT400S |
| Rear suspension | swingarm with two shock absorbers, 90 mm - Shadow 400 (1997-2008), Classic, Custom, VT400S pendulum with two shock absorbers, 80 mm - Shadow 400 Slasher |
| Motorcycle length | 2455mm - Shadow 400 (1997-2008) 2310mm - Shadow 400 Slasher 2510 mm - Shadow 400 Classic 2445mm - Shadow 400 Custom 2295 mm - VT400S |
| Motorcycle width | 945mm - Shadow 400 (1997-2008) 795mm - Shadow 400 Slasher 920 mm - Shadow 400 Classic 835mm - Shadow 400 Custom 870 mm - VT400S |
| Motorcycle height | 1105mm - Shadow 400 (1997-2008) 1060mm - Shadow 400 Slasher 1125 mm - Shadow 400 Classic 1130mm - Shadow 400 Custom 1135 mm - VT400S |
| Wheelbase | 1625mm - Shadow 400 (1997-2008), Slasher 1640 mm - Shadow 400 Classic 1655 mm - Shadow 400 Custom 1560 mm - VT400S |
| Saddle height | 695mm - Shadow 400 (1997-2008) 645mm - Shadow 400 Slasher 660 mm - Shadow 400 Classic 650mm - Shadow 400 Custom 750 mm - VT400S |
| Minimum ground clearance | 140mm - Shadow 400 (1997-2008) 130mm - Shadow 400 Slasher, Classic, Custom 155 mm - VT400S |
| Acceleration to 100 km / h | |
| Maximum speed | 145 km / h |
| Fuel tank capacity | 14.0 L (including 3.6 L reserve) - Shadow 400 (1997-2008), Classic, Custom 13.0 L (including reserve - 4.0 L) - Shadow 400 Slasher 10.0 L (including reserve - 2.5 L) - VT400S |
| Motorcycle weight (dry) | 225 kg - Shadow 400 (1997-2008) 217 kg - Shadow 400 Slasher |
| Motorcycle weight (curb) | 242 kg - Shadow 400 (1997-2008) 232 kg - Shadow 400 Slasher 255 kg - Shadow 400 Classic 244 kg - Shadow 400 Custom 229 kg - VT400S |
Fuel consumption
The officially declared fuel consumption for the Honda Shadow 400 ranges from 2.5 liters (injection versions + Slasher) to 2.94 liters (Shadow 400, 97-08) per 100 kilometers (Japanese calculation method: constant speed 60 km / h, driver + passenger). The real consumption value, according to the owners, is 4-5 liters. The exact value depends on the riding style.