New sports-touring motorcycle Honda NT1100 (2022): all details and photos

— Cardan or chain?

— Chain or belt?

— Belt or cardan?

It's like arguing: Honda or Yamaha? The answer will be simple: all markers have different tastes and colors. Namely, everyone chooses what he likes best and fits his lifestyle better than others. Some people like cardan drives, others like chain drives, while others look exclusively for a belt to stand out. By the way, we have already talked about chains (“Tensioning the chain - learning to do it right” and “Secrets of lubrication of the chain”).

A cardan is a privilege on heavy and high-capacity motorcycles; it is found on road bikes, choppers and tourists. Sports and light city models will use chain drives, since the cardan is too heavy in structure. And as you know, the weight of a motorcycle plays an important role, especially on sportbikes, so the modern world eliminates even the theoretical installation of a cardan on racing models.

So what is good about the cardan then? Why is he so popular?

Structural rigidity

One of the main differences between a driveshaft and other types of power transmission is the rigidity of the structure. The belt and chain are too mobile against the background of the static fixation of the cardan. In addition, you should not be afraid that the cardan, like a chain, will suddenly break and fly out into the pilot driving behind you or get wrapped around the wheel and hit the legs. Due to its stable design, the driveshaft is much more durable and wears out less. In addition, the small number of components does not require as much attention and maintenance as a chain. This gives rise to the next two undoubted advantages.

Serial all-wheel drive motorcycles

The only company that produces such products is Rokon, and the company has been developing more and more new models since the 60s of the last century. If you wish, you can even buy them, although the meaning of such an event remains questionable - the equipment is very specific, and spare parts for it are extremely difficult to find. True, most Rokon models are completely devoid of front suspension, despite the fact that they are positioned as off-road motorcycles. The designers decided that massive low-pressure tires would be enough for shock absorption, and they began attempts to combine the front suspension on a front-wheel drive motorcycle relatively recently.

Durability

The long service life of the cardan is due to the strength and generality of the system. A chain or belt, due to its mobility, is weaker than a powerful driveshaft. And one more thing, the cardan unit is sufficiently protected from moisture, even forcing a ford with it is possible, except that when moisture is sucked into the gearbox, you need to change the oil as soon as possible after the water procedures.

There are legends that the cardan dies abruptly and silently, but it only does this to very inattentive motorcyclists. Cardan wear can always be predicted by extraneous sounds, metal chips/shavings when changing the oil, crunching sounds and the condition of the clutch. It is enough to pay attention to the behavior of the motorcycle components to notice the wear of the part.

Specifications

Since there were many modifications of the motorcycle, it is difficult to judge its technical characteristics unambiguously. The 650 cc engine had 40 hp, the 720 cc engine had 45, but there is practically no information about the 825 cc engine. Otherwise, this model resembles any domestic boxer, heavy, massive and noticeably outdated at the time of release.

Engine

There were three of them, depending on the volume - 650, 720 and 825 cubic meters. see accordingly. The designers even experimented with liquid cooling! Although such examples are rare, and most of them have a 650 cc (40 hp) or 720 cc (45 hp) opposed 2-cylinder engine. Moreover, the first of them was borrowed from the old “opposites” IMZ with virtually no changes.

Transmission

IMZ engineers used a 4-speed gearbox, well known to all boxer drivers. But they did some experiments on her too! How else can you explain the fact that some Voyages have reverse gear and some do not?

Chassis and brakes

This part of the bike was least affected by the experiments, although the frame for it was developed from scratch. It was in this that they placed the engine, gearbox and everything else. Disc brakes were installed, but only on the front wheel, and at first there was only one disc, and then a second one was added to it. On the rear wheel, the drum brake was also replaced with a disc brake over time.

Electronics

The only way to understand Voyage's electronics is through practice. Apparently, during manual assembly, the factory employees were guided by some very arbitrary rules, so the wiring can vary noticeably on motorcycles from different batches. There is nothing complicated about it, but it doesn’t smell like some kind of standard.

Weight and dimensions

The Ural Voyage motorcycle not only looks heavy - it is really heavy. At least heavier than most other bikes from the Irbit plant. Its different modifications weigh from 260 to 280 kg, and its center of gravity is higher than that of its brothers in the model range, so it is not easy to move it. But its relatively compact size makes it easier to navigate city traffic jams.

Controllability

The bike has a pronounced tendency to roll over on its side, which is clearly felt when maneuvering at low speed. Sharp maneuvers are also not his thing, since it seems that the motorcycle obeys the driver’s actions extremely reluctantly. But it can boast of excellent directional stability, and even strong side winds do not bother it too much.

Fuel consumption

The brainchild of the Irbit plant, without hesitation, consumes 7-8 liters per 100 km. You can safely fill in any gasoline, especially since fuel with an octane rating below 92 is no longer possible. The gas tank capacity is 21 liters, so the bike has a decent power reserve.

Disadvantages of a cardan unit

Some people list its costly repairs as the first line; yes, the cardan itself is a rather expensive motorcycle component. Therefore, by the time it is completely worn out or broken, the cost of repairs will be exorbitant.

The massiveness of the driveshaft - we have already talked about this.

In addition to the total weight of the system, the difficulty is that the driveshaft cannot be installed on every engine. The horizontal structure of the power apparatus, especially boxer engines (hence BMW's success in this area), facilitates the installation of a cardan. But not every chain drive can be replaced with a cardan and vice versa. There are originals that replace the chain with a cardan, but this requires a lot of effort.

Loss of power. A controversial point in some respects. Although many argue that the cardan, due to its structure and weight, is much inferior in transmitting power to the same chain or belt. I think that if we evaluate motorcycle models as a whole, and not just one component, then this point can be reconsidered. Will a chain transfer power from the same engine on a heavy motorcycle more efficiently than a driveshaft? Many people consider a chain to be better than a cardan, forgetting that they have an advantage in weight or aerodynamics.

Conclusion: there is no point in arguing, because the type of power transmission is good for each specific motorcycle within the model developed by the engineers. But a driveshaft will always be beneficial for heavy motorcycles, as the enormous weight wears out the chain too quickly. On touring motorcycles, the cardan is more convenient due to its increased strength. Consider the model as a whole; the way power is transferred will be just one of many characteristics that make up the ideal motorcycle.

Practical characteristics of the Honda Steed 400

Considering the low gasoline consumption of 3.5 liters per hundred and an 11-liter tank, this motorcycle model can cover long distances without refueling.
Comfort complements reliability. It is extremely rare to see a Steed on the side of the road due to a breakdown. All its components and assemblies have extreme endurance. Therefore, it can be used for commuter trips, as well as long-distance travel. And in the city he behaves confidently and does not cause any trouble. Its weight is more medium than heavy. Therefore, it is not difficult to keep him at a traffic light. Water cooling prevents the engine from overheating even in a traffic jam. Despite the fact that the power characteristics cannot be called outstanding, this motorcycle can be easily ridden by two people. The Honda Steed 400 has all these, reviews of which you can read on the Internet.

Useful tips

Remember that you should never ignore any signs of a cardan malfunction. If you do not heed this advice, you may experience the following consequences:

1. If the cardan breaks, the vehicle body itself is damaged. Additionally, the cardan can damage the pipeline that runs along the bottom of the car.
2. If constant vibrations are observed, this will negatively affect the rigidity of the suspension and body mounts. All threaded connections and fastenings of interior panels will also begin to loosen. The car will literally begin to fall apart while driving.
3. All parts directly connected to the driveshaft will wear out faster and more intensely. This will significantly shorten their service life and require early replacement and expensive repairs.

It is unlikely that any car owner will consciously want to face such troubles.

But in many ways they can be avoided if you follow a few simple rules. All these recommendations are aimed at increasing the service life of the driveshaft.

If you are interested in preserving the HF resource, then you need to:

• try to minimize vehicle operation in rough terrain;
• do not accelerate sharply;
• move away smoothly;
• do not skid the car for a long time;
• do not skimp on quality spare parts;
• carry out diagnostic measures;
• If complex faults occur, contact qualified technicians.

The driveshaft is in many ways an important element of a vehicle, which, although considered an intermediate link, plays a key role in the operation of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles.

The unit does not have an extremely complex structure, and its operating principle is clear to many. This allows you to independently solve problems that arise, detect faults in a timely manner and maintain the HF in working order for a long period of time, simply by following a few simple rules.

Repair and maintenance of Honda Steed 400

We will not rewrite technical publications on repair and maintenance. This information is contained in specialized literature, as well as on websites dedicated to this topic. When we said that Steed is easy to care for, we meant that any part can be accessed without complete disassembly.

Almost all parts are made of metal. No plastic body kit. This is a pure chopper, only in the factory version. Everything here is accessible, reliable, simple, but at the same time fundamental. In order to independently service a Honda Steed, you do not need any special equipment or devices. This can be done in a regular garage.

The simplicity of the design and standardization of fastening units makes it possible to carry out repairs and maintenance directly on the road. In order not to be taken by surprise, it is enough to have a minimal, standard set of keys with you. We believe that simplicity and ease of maintenance are also characteristics of the Honda Steed 400.

Let's sum it up

A cyclist must take the choice of vehicle seriously. How many riders, so many opinions.

Maintenance of the cardan drive is rarely performed. Such a system is considered “environmentally friendly”.

The designers have already been able to get rid of many shortcomings, which means that the development of the design has great prospects.

Nowadays, many companies offer professional servicing for bicycles with driveshafts. Specialists will carry out qualified repairs using modern equipment and eliminate existing problems.

Advantages

• No problems with the chain. If it tears, stains pants, tears clothes, constantly falls off, and so on, then a bicycle with a driveshaft does not have such problems.
• Less prone to breakage. This is due to the fact that the transmission in question has fewer rubbing and rotating parts.
• Durability. Again, due to the more reliable transmission design.
• A closed cardan drive requires less maintenance and adjustments. It is not affected by weather conditions and mechanical damage.
• Greater distance from the drive to the ground, which will allow you to take sharper turns and ride in mountainous terrain.
• Unlike a chain drive, you can change gears while standing still. For the first, it takes time for the chain to move from one star to another, while for the latter this time is reduced to a minimum.

Why you shouldn't buy cheap chains

Often, motorcycle owners who are faced with the need to replace a chain prefer to save a couple of thousand rubles and choose cheaper chains.

At first glance, saving on a chain seems reasonable, because when replacing it you will also have to spend money on a set of sprockets, a decent amount. But the saying about “the miser pays twice” can actually turn out to be three times or more.

Let's divide inexpensive chains into three categories.

Just inexpensive chains in the store up to 3000-4000 rubles

These chains mean budget JT type chains, as well as Chinese brands. We repeatedly bought these chains for ourselves and got burned. Alas, the JT brand's Japanese pedigree doesn't help. If there are no problems with the stars, they use up their resources, then the chains stretch like chewing gum. JT has to constantly tighten up, and by the end of the season she already sounds like beads. If this chain is not replaced in time, it will eat the drive sprockets of your motorcycle. Complete disappointment.

We won’t talk about the Chinese chains for a long time; those who have contacted them know that it stretches out over several trips. In order not to waste the resource of new stars, in all public pages on social networks dedicated to Chinese motorcycles it is recommended not to save, but to immediately buy a normal chain, for example DID.

Inexpensive chains of good brands

We think that cheap and good is fantastic. If they sell you a DID 520 chain for less than 4,000 rubles, it is most likely an outright fake. When purchasing, check the data and, based on indirect evidence, try to determine what kind of circuit it is. At best, such a chain will stretch, at worst, it will shatter under serious load and destroy your motorcycle. Unfortunately, counterfeits can be found even in famous stores.

We had a case when, for a trip to the mountains, our friend purchased a fresh AFAM SX2 chain from an online enduro store. On the second day of riding in difficult conditions, this chain broke. The motorcycle was dragged on a cable, on the same day a DID VX2 chain was purchased as a replacement in the original KTM packaging, which cost almost 10,000 rubles; there were no other options. But, unfortunately, it turned out that the clutch was lost. Two days of pumping and troubleshooting did not yield results. At the moment of the break, the chain damaged the clutch release cylinder, breaking the channel. Visually, the cylinder was intact and did not show itself in any way.

The initial savings on the chain resulted in a ruined trip (the motorcycle sat until the end), the purchase of a good chain is obviously expensive and the purchase of a new clutch cylinder. If the DID chain had been purchased initially, then there would have been no problems and there would have been no need to overpay several times.

Just a ready-made instruction “what not to do”, so we advise you to buy high-quality Japanese chains such as DID or EK.

Broken chain AFAM (fake)

As it turns out, the purchased AFAM chain is a fake. Please note that the word "JAPAN" is stamped on each link, but AFAM is a French company and has nothing to do with Japan. An uneven rivet also hints at an obvious fake. Unfortunately, these chains were sold in a well-known online store, which we will not name; you can find it yourself using a search in Yandex. This chain is currently out of stock, but oddly enough, there are other types of these same AFAM chains, which are most likely also fake, judging by the photo of the packaging.

Good Japanese chains (DID, EK)

If a chain is sold under the DID brand and in size 520 it costs more than 4,000 rubles for an oil seal chain, most likely it is an original. Apart from the price, these chains have the following advantages:

• Long service life with proper care and lubrication.
• Strength

Once you install a DID circuit, you won't want to try cheaper options. This is an absolutely hassle-free option that will work and not cause headaches. The strength of these chains is so high that you will rarely need to check tension and tighten them, turning it from a routine operation into a rare maintenance task.

For enduro motorcycles we recommend the DID VX3 chain. This is a new Japanese development that replaced the VX2. It easily endures all the hardships and hardships of off-road operation and rolls back its service life, delighting the owner. Also easily fits any motorcycle with a 520 chain size, including road bikes. Withstands engine capacity up to 800 cubic centimeters.

Honda Steed 400 technical characteristics and dynamics

The most striking characteristic of this bike was its “indestructibility”. This applies to both the engine and chassis. With simple care, a motorcycle can last for decades. Today on the roads you can find copies that were produced more than a quarter of a century ago. And if Steed had been produced earlier, then surely earlier bikes of this model would have crossed the landscape.

The list of technical characteristics of the Honda Steed 400 is as follows:

• engine type – V-shaped;
• cooling type – water;
• power unit volume – 400 cubic centimeters;
• number of cylinders – 2;
• number of valves - 2 for each cylinder;
• power – 31 horsepower;
• torque – 33 N.m.;
• number of transmission stages – 5;
• type of transmission of rotation to the wheel – chain;
• speed limit is 140 km/h.

Regarding dynamics, it is worth noting that up to 80 km/h this motorcycle is capable of very “vigorous” and high-torque acceleration. Above this, it suffocates, and the acceleration is sluggish. But on long runs this does not interfere at all.

The only negative is that you need to be careful when overtaking vehicles driving along the highway at speeds over eighty. This motorcycle will not be able to “shoot” on the move.

Specifications

Far from modern in the very essence of its design, this bike is beautiful in its masculine simplicity. The Yamaha Drag Star 1100 has perfectly balanced technical characteristics in all respects, and this is one of the main advantages of the famous Japanese cruiser, along with recognized reliability.

Engine

The power unit used was the proven air-cooled V-twin from the XV1100 Virago, whose roots go back to the early 80s, but modified to take into account modern realities. It is powered by two carburetors, producing 62 hp. and 85 Nm of torque, respectively, with all the torque available at 2500 rpm. The engine has tractor-like thrust, as befits a cruiser, and it is capable of accelerating the bike from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. The maximum speed is 180 km/h, but in such conditions fuel consumption will increase catastrophically.

Transmission

The extremely reliable 5-speed gearbox has one peculiarity - it works very roughly and clumsily, although it is easy to get used to. But when the gear is engaged, a powerful blow is heard from somewhere in the depths of the transmission, making you think that there is a little gnome sitting there with a hammer and anvil, and the bike itself shudders so much that it is visible to the naked eye. At the same time, the transmission life of the Yamaha Drag Star 1100 Classic is enormous; this unit is capable of running hundreds of thousands of kilometers without requiring any attention.

Chassis and brakes

A steel frame, a telescopic fork without adjustments, a pendulum and a monoshock absorber with preload adjustment - that’s the whole chassis. The wheels are either spoked or light alloy, depending on the modification. “Cast” is usually found on V-Star, US market versions. The brakes are good, but nothing more than that: the front wheel has two 298 mm discs with 2-piston calipers, and the rear wheel has one 282 mm disc with the same caliper. There is no ABS, even as an optional extra. Torque is transmitted to the rear wheel using a cardan drive.

Electronics

There are no auxiliary systems, so the electronics are very simple. All wires converge into a switch located under the saddle, which acts as a primitive “brain”. But the European and Japanese versions differ from the American ones; the latter do not have an “emergency light”, a “blink distant” button and a standard immobilizer.

Weight and dimensions

The curb weight of the Drag Star 1100 is 275-285 kg, depending on the modification, but the additional body kit increases this figure. Subjectively, it does not seem heavy due to the center of mass shifted downwards, and the seat height of about 70 cm allows everyone to confidently reach the ground with both feet. The bike is relatively compact and very comfortable to sit on, but tall and long-legged riders may experience numbness in their legs on long trips. There is a solution - installing roll bars with extensions on them, on which you can stretch your legs while driving on the highway.

Controllability

The Drag Star steers approximately as you would expect from a structurally simple and fairly heavy chopper. By the standards of the class, its handling is excellent, but it would be inappropriate to compare it with some kind of sportbike or “road bike”. Let's just say that it has enough maneuverability to perform well in any conditions.

Fuel consumption

On the highway at a speed of 110-120 km/h, fuel consumption is about 5.5-6 liters, depending on the quality of the fuel and the technical condition of your bike. At 140 km/h it already increases to 7.5 liters, and in the city it rarely drops below this mark, especially if you like aggressive driving. The engine, created in the 80s, digests AI-92 perfectly, but AI-95 burns better, which reduces consumption by about 0.5 liters per 100 km. On long trips, this helps to slightly increase the range, which is very important, since the gas tank volume is small - 17 liters.