TECHSPEC
Herald Classic 400
Engine:400cc SOHC singlecylinder
four stroke
Wheels/Tyres:(F) 17” (R) 17”/(F)Timsun
100/80-17 (R)Timsun 130-70-17
Brakes:(F) Single disc with ABS (R)
Single disc
Suspension:(F) USD forks (R)Twin rear
shocks with adjustment
Power:27bhp@7000rpm
Seat Height:790mm
Fuel tank:12 litres
Weight:165kg (dry)
License:A2
RRP:£4299+OTR
Contact:www.heraldmotorcompany.comTHE OPEN ROAD
TheHeraldClassic 400 ’s engine is basedon
thereliable andwell receivedHondaXBR
powerplantfromthe mid-80s.Basically,
it’s asinglecylinder,fourstroke400cc unit
whichkicksout 27bhp. Yes, youcould argue
that’s notvery much in this dayandage, but
whenyouthrowyourlegover the lowseat
heightandreach forthehandlebars, you’ll
soonrealisethatit’s spot on for this easy-
goingretroroadster.
Thepull from the engine isjust spirited
enough tomaketheHerald ahell ofalot of
fun.It’s byno means smooth–itisalittle
singlecylinder after all.Butworkthe engine
hardand get therevs up high and it all
begins tomakesense.
Igavemyselfacouple of days travelling
the shortdistance frommyhousetothe
officeand back, gettingusedto theHerald,
and beforeIknewitanentireweekhad
gonepastandI’mstaringdownthe barrel
of ascorchingweekend and no plans.Oh
joy.Theopenroadwascalling. Idecided
that ablastalongatwistylittle B-roadwould
betheperfecttestofthis bike’sall-round
capabilities,withsweepingcurvesand
changes in elevationaplenty.
Thebendswere happilyattackedand it
soonbecameevident that the moreyou
push this little bike, thebetteritgets.It’sa
real blast, and itjust keepsgivingandgiving.
Admittedly, itwould probablybenefitfrom
aproperlygood setof tyres,asitcomes
fittedwith aset ofnylonmix asstandard
(with an almostdual-sportstyle tread).
Admittedly, itwasn’t too detrimental to
the whole biketoput me off,and inreality
aquicktriptoyourlocal garage orachat
with your dealer andI’msureanevenmore
capable alternativecould befitted.
AsIsaid, the engine comes alivehigherin therevrangeand whenyoushift down
the engine brakingisquiteexquisite, as
it not onlyslowsyou,but alsogivesyou
abeautifulburble andpopfromthe twin
exhausts.Thebrakesare well balancedand
givejust enough feedbacktomakeyou
feel confident.Theyarenot the best Ihave
riddenwith in the price bracket, butthey
aregood;capable and assured–but nothing
revolutionary.