Honda Steed: biker's first teacher

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The Honda Steed is a light, reliable, comfortable and relatively inexpensive cruiser designed in the American style. As of today, the model has already been withdrawn from mass production. However, it is not very difficult to find it in the secondary market. Here, the cost of this motorcycle, depending on the condition, ranges from three to four thousand US dollars.

Begin production

Serial production of the model started in Japan in 1988. She immediately stood out against the background of the rest of the line from this manufacturer. It should be noted that a modification called Shadow was provided for the European market, and VLX for the American market. Under the name Honda Steed, the motorcycle was sold in the Asian region.

The 1988 model was equipped with a 600 or 400 cc engine. In the first case, the power of the power plant was 41 horsepower, which was issued at 6500 rpm. It was transmitted to spoked wheels through a chain drive. Quite original on the part of the designers was the use of a monoshock absorberfor the rear suspension. As for the second option, the Honda Steed 400 produced 30 “horses” and was equipped with a five-speed gearbox.

Model update

In 1995-1996, the model was modified. The updates affected, first of all, the styling, which made the motorcycle more modern. Two years later, the designers redesigned the suspension and some other elements. Innovations did not affect the power plant. On the other hand, the model has become more attractive from an aesthetic point of view. These changes have significantly increased the number of sales.

Model advantages

Such a motorcycle has rather limited technical characteristics (relatively inexpressive dynamics and lack of power), and therefore it is unlikely to interest true bikers. Such people, if they have financial opportunities, are likely to pay attention to a model like Harley Davidson. On the other hand, some advantages are also obvious. For fans of this class of technology, as well as for novice motorcyclists, the Honda Steed is the ideal solution. Feedback from users of the model from all over the world is a clear confirmation of this. In addition, a motorcycle in the conditions of domestic potholes, hillocks and off-road is considered one of the most successful in terms of endurance. Moreover, the fuel system of the model is absolutely not picky about our gasoline. No great experience or strength is required to drive this Honda. As for the cost of service,she is not very tall.

Dynamics

Honda Steed, regardless of the size of its engine, accelerates quite briskly and keeps the momentum well. After reaching the mark of 100 km / h, the motorcycle steadily keeps its balance. It makes no sense to accelerate the model to the maximum possible speed (it is about 130 km / h), since it is not designed for such a driving style.

Competition and tuning

Against the background of many other models, the Honda Steed has always looked apart. The solutions applied in it by the manufacturer turned out to be quite successful. As a result, the main competitors of this motorcycle were not so much Harley Davidson, but similar variants assembled in garage conditions. At the same time, they did not have a chance to compete with a model designed and assembled at the factory in compliance with all advanced technologies. As a result, thousands of Steed copies have spread to all corners of the planet. As for the tuning of this motorcycle, it is no stranger to it. The fact is that the model easily lends itself to progressive innovations both in design and in structural elements. At the same time, it should be noted that almost all of its nodes are available on the domestic market.