Honda CB400F vs KTM 390 Duke: Battle Of The Entry-level Streetfighters

  • Aug 5, 2021
  • Views : 24782
  • 4 min read
  • By Team Zigwheels
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Is the new Honda CB400F good enough on paper to end the reign of the KTM 390 Duke?

Honda has recently launched its 2021 CB400F in China, which now gets a few cosmetic updates. However, the sub-400cc naked segment is ruled by the renowned KTM 390 Duke. Over the course of its existence, it has always reigned supreme over its rivals. Can it do the same against the new CB400F? Well, here’s how they fare on paper:

Engine

Specifications

Honda CB400F

KTM 390 Duke

Engine

399cc, twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine

373cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine

Power

45PS @ 9000rpm

43PS @ 9000rpm

Torque

37Nm @ 7500rpm

37Nm @ 7000pm

Gearbox

6-speed

6-speed

The 390 Duke has always had an upper hand in the performance aspect. But it seems like it has finally found its match. The CB400F not only makes 2PS more than the Duke, but it also features a lower compression ratio and an extra cylinder. These would make it smoother and more linear on the go. Not to forget, there’s also Honda’s reliability factor, something which KTM is usually discounted for.

Nevertheless, the 390 Duke’s peak torque kicks in 500rpm earlier, which would make it quicker off the line. Also, judging from the claimed efficiency figures, the 390 Duke is 2kmpl more fuel efficient than the CB400F.

Underpinnings

Specifications

Honda CB400F

KTM 390 Duke

Frame

Diamond 

Steel Trellis 

Front suspension

Telescopic Fork

USD Fork

Rear suspension

Monoshock

Monoshock

Front brake

Disc

Disc

Rear brake

Disc 

Disc

Front tyre

120/70-17

110/70-17

Rear tyre

160/60-17

150/60-17

On the underpinnings front, both bikes are pretty closely matched. But the 390 Duke has the more modern components between the two. For instance, it features a tweaked trellis frame with a bolt-on subframe while the Honda CB400F gets a conventional diamond frame. The same goes for the suspension as the Duke packs a modern USD fork while the Honda makes do with a conventional telescopic unit.

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Both bikes feature single disc brakes at both ends. While Honda hasn’t revealed the disc sizes of the CB400F, we think this is the same setup as the BS6 CB500X, which we found quite impressive when we rode it. The 390 Duke is no slouch too, thanks to its sintered brake pads and big 320mm disc up front. 

Where the CB400F has a slight edge over the 390 Duke is in terms of tyre size. It gets wider tyres compared to the Duke, enhancing cornering clearance, straight line stability, and even giving it a big bike persona.

Dimensions

Specifications

Honda CB400F

KTM 390 Duke

Wheelbase

1416mm

1357mm

Ground clearance

156mm

185mm

Fuel tank capacity

16-litres

13.5-litres

Seat height

790mm

830mm

Weight

188kg (kerb)

167kg (dry)

Judging from the photos, the CB400F seems larger than the Duke. And this is backed up by the CB400F’s bigger fuel tank and longer wheelbase. The CB400F is also more accessible for shorter riders, thanks to its lower 790mm seat height (as opposed to the 830mm saddle on the KTM).

However, thanks to a significantly shorter wheelbase and more ground clearance, the 390 Duke would be more agile in tight spaces and glide over bigger bumps more easily, thus making it more suitable for our bumpy narrow roads.

Features

 

Honda CB400F

KTM 390 Duke

TFT Instrument Cluster

No

Yes

Slipper Clutch

Yes

Yes

Switchable ABS

No

Yes

LED illumination

Yes

Yes

Smartphone Connectivity

No

Yes

Quickshifter

No

Yes

2017 KTM 390 Duke Instrument Cluster

This is where the KTM 390 Duke truly prevails over the Honda CB400F. With features like a TFT instrument cluster, smartphone connectivity, switchable ABS, and even a quickshifter, the 390 Duke is miles ahead of the CB400F.

Don’t get us wrong, the CB400F does get all the necessary equipment like a slipper clutch, dual-channel ABS, a fully digital instrument cluster, and LED lighting all around. But it just falls short when compared to the KTM. 

Price & Verdict

KTM 390 Duke BS6

Honda CB400F

KTM 390 Duke

Rs 4.25 lakh (Chinese price)

Rs 2.87 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)


The 2021 CB400F retails for Rs 4.25 lakh in China while the BS6 390 Duke retails at Rs 2.87 lakh in India. This makes it the more value-for-money offering between the two, considering all the tech on offer.

Nevertheless, there’s no denying the CB400F is closely matched and better in some aspects than the Duke on paper. However, the CB400F is purpose-built for the Japanese and Chinese markets to keep their license norms in check, so it won’t make it to Indian shores. What will arrive in India, though, is the bigger CB500F. But whether that will sweep the floor with it or not is something we’ll have to wait to find out. 

KTM 390 Duke (2017-2023) Video Review

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