Honda’s X4 comes at the muscle bike genre from a completely different angle to the V65 and V-Max. This 1300cc inline-four doesn’t boast huge horsepower as part of its arsenal. A claimed 100bhp is paltry in comparison to the other two – disappointing even. Until you ride it.
The X4 was built primarily for the home market (it first appeared as a concept teaser at the Tokyo Show before being put into production) and therefore had to conform to Japan’s manufacturer-agreed horsepower limit. Consequently, Honda channeled the X4’s oomph lower down the rev range; 100bhp might not be much to get excited about, but 89lb.ft at 5000rpm certainly makes up for any shortfall at the top end.
Up to 100mph the X4’s not far behind the others – its 190-section rear boot is far better equipped to deliver a fat slug of torque to the tarmac than the Sabre’s spindly 130 hoop or the V-Max’s marginally wider 150-sized tyre. The chassis is low and long, so stability is good, particularly at speed or at maximum drive away from the lights. But there’s a trade-off in low-speed manoeuvrability. Around town the steering feels heavy and laboured. Sharp bends and 90º junctions are particularly horrible on the X4; it drops in like a recently tranquilized rhino, which in turn necessitates an extra whiff of throttle to regain composure. Blame the lengthy 1650mm wheelbase.
Fortunately, the fuelling and throttle response are deliciously sweet, so the motor’s always on hand to pick up the pace.
This 1284cc unit powers early versions of the excellent CB1300, which in Japanese spec is also held back from delivering its full potential, but neither bike feels wanting or lacking in grunt.
Despite its long, low stance, the X4 feels more like a roadster than a custom cruiser to ride. The flat ’bars are perfect for bracing your arms against under strong acceleration and the ’pegs, although low, are mounted behind the swingarm spindle, so the riding position is closer to a Bandit than a V-Max. For those of modest inside leg, there’s an LD (Low Down) version with an even lower seat than the standard 730mm spec.
Of the three, the X4 is by far the easiest to simply jump on and ride. Heavy steering aside, this Honda’s controls and manners are light, responsive and a delight to use. There’s also an air of solidity and quality
