The Honda CBR400 was a domestic Japanese small-capacity sports motorcycle introduced by Honda in 1983 as the first Honda motorcycle that featured the CBR badge and tweaks inside the engine that enhanced its performance.
The naked bike was powered by a 399cc four-stroke four-valve air-cooled engine that featured a rational-speed valve stop mechanism (REV), which was a prototype of Honda's VTEC system that used two valves until it reached 9,500 rpm when the remaining two valves activated.
As for the power figures, the 1983 Honda CBR400F had its soul in a 399cc four-stroke four-cylinder air-cooled engine that delivered an output power of 58 hp with a peak at 12,300 rpm and 35 Nm (26 lb-ft) of torque available at 11,000 rpm.
The CBR featured a 16-inch front wheel with quick steering geometry that allowed it to turn nimbly without messing with the stability, a well-shaped seat with a sport-touring position rather than pure sport, and fairings that offered a decent amount of wind protection.
The only things that created discomfort were the footpegs, which were raised closer to the seat, and cramped taller riders after a few hours in the saddle.
For suspension, the 1983 Honda CBR400F packed a telescopic fork on the front and a shock absorber linked to a swingarm on the rear, while the braking performance was achieved by two discs with hydraulic calipers on the front wheel and a single disc squeezed by a hydraulic caliper on the rear wheel.