Honda NS 400 R test ride

Finally got round to get my Honda (the only in my collection) ready for the road. I had kept it functioning throughout the years by kick starting it, but never took it out on the road… nice sunny Sunday…

After 20-odd kilometers, the final verdict is clear: it’s a Honda. It’s funny how they manufacture bikes that have such a specific ergonomic touch.
All the controls fall nicely under your fingers, no need to fumble around to find the blinker switch or the light switch , it all feels natural. The seating position is sporty but not too much and the bike feels (and is) light and flickable. The result of all this: you quickly end up riding it at stupid speeds… The 3 cylinder motor spins effortlessly and the usual 2 stroke kick in the pants is present but quite discreet. The bike zips through the gears (brilliant gearbox) and you’ll have soon the needle pegged to the red zone. All this without the slightest worry… it’s a Honda. It behaves extremely well but at the same time, all this perfection gives a slightly bland taste to the whole package… it’s a Honda, I tell ya!

Needs to be done:
Brakes (spongy front and non- existant rear)
Turns signals, none of them work. I suspect they got disconnected when the fairing was removed. 

and that’s all… not bad for a 23-years-old bike.

Here we go.