Sean's Top 5 400cc road bikes of 2025

[@williambell12]

Centre stand on the Guerrilla. Thats worth a few points, in comparison with the Speed 400. Cheers from New Zealand

[@ianhalliwell8604]

You really should try the Eliminator Sean, it's engine is more sporty, the clutch is feather like, the tyres are top notch and its Japanese quality is superb. Yes the exhaust is pretty ugly and the mirrors give a good view of your shoulders, but easily remedied. Of the ones you showed it's the Guerrilla for me, every time.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

I really would like to but the Kawasaki garage in Worcester closed down - it was a completely group dealership... they had a Eliminator demo bikes as well 😒

[@Tony-ug1mv]

Hi Sean, discovered your channel via 2 wheeled Willie. Enjoyed your views on 400cc bikes which appear to be getting popular. Apart from you nippers they also appeal to a lot of us oldies who are in our 60’s that are struggling with the weight of bigger bikes. Myself I’m into Italian bikes so I’ve recently bought an aprilia RS457. Kerb weight of 175Kilos with superb handling and A2 license compatible for younger riders. I’ve also got an RS250 which I’ve had from new, low weight, plenty of go and that 2 stroke smell……Mmmm

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Tony and appreciate the comment. I'm really intrigued by the RS457 that's a new one from Aprilia isn't it?

[@Tony-ug1mv]

@ Yep and built under license from Piaggio in India. I also believe they are bringing out a naked Tuono version of it too this year. I paid 6 1/2 K for mine brand new.

[@SwPiotrek]

Greate video.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks very much 👍

[@williamlylecameron9345]

Another great video thanks both. A really good selection of 5 bikes. For me it is a close call between the RE Guerrilla 450 and the Voge 350 AC (bumblebee) but ultimately, I think due to the amount of dealerships, I would have to go for the RE Guerrilla 450 in either the colour you showed in white or the black. 👍

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks William. The Guerrilla also has quite a lot more torque than the Voge as you're going from 322cc up to 452cc.

[@jonathandeeley6276]

I'm biased because I'm a Royal Enfield junkie and have the 450 Guerilla in my stable. I did look at the Triumph 400 before I boughtvthe Guerilla but for me there was no comparison. The Guerilla has the slight edge on performance and the build quality exceeds the Triumph yes, there are niggles with the Guerilla, the switches don't feel particularly tactile, I don't like the dashboard function, there's to much technology for my tastes and it's difficult to negotiate around using that joystick affair. However, the riding, handling and steering excels ably assisted by those right way up fronts forks which incidentally are made by Showa. No issues either with the CEAT Tyres grip is good and handling predictable particularly during these Winter months. The Guerilla is marginally bigger in physical stature which is enough to give it the big bike feel whereas the Triumph feels on the small size. The biggest deciding factor for me when I decided which bike to go for was reliability and reputation. Sadly, the Triumph got off to a pretty dodgy start with several issues with the bike, lack of spares availability and a manufacturer (so I understand) that cared very little in terms of dealer and customer support. All very subjective I know and I'm sure that some of your channel supporters would like to see me put up against a wall facing a firing sqad!!😉 I agree with you about the up and coming brands of Zontes, CF Moto and Vogue. Such good value for money and the build quality has come on by the bucket load.🙂👍

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Jonathon for an insightful comment into small capacity bikes as usual! 😀👍

[@SteveInskip]

Nice one. If I was buying one today for the road I’d have the Triumph. If I’m having one at the end of the year it’s a Morini 3 1/2 by some margin. Cheers.

[@mattdog1982]

I’m very interested to see the morini

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Quite a few people interested in the Morini, I'll have to have a look at it myself...

[@SherKhan-b1kes]

When people buy new they're taking it easy by running in. Change tyres after some 4 or 5000Km/Miles when wanting to push the revs and corners a bit more. Cheaper and more financially accessible bikes have to be built down to a price. It's then up to the owners to make the improvements (should they desire) on suspension and comfort after a 2 years or so, which was common back in the 70's and early 80's. Thanks for an interesting overview, Best wishes from Germany 🏁

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks for the nice comment SKB!

[@robertmillar191]

The top spec is £5050 for the guerrilla 450 blue and white

[@johna6968]

That NK is everything I wouldn't want my bike to look like.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Fair enough beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that the engine is a peach. They do trade blows these bikes...

[@luddite6239]

Great review, thanks. (I do like the blue and white livery on that Guerrilla.) You were spoilt for choice this year, which shows how much the market has changed recently. Ten years back, you'd have been hard pushed to draw up a shortlist of one desirable 400. And it certainly wouldn't have been from India or China!

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

I was thinking for a follow up doing 400cc bikes that are due to be launched in 2025!

[@luddite6239]

@MindfulMotorcyclist Definitely!

[@anthonybrown4874]

I am a bit keep it simple stupid on relatively affordable bikes that way the msintenance is kept up because its affordable, Triumph just edges it for that with longer service intervals not that i do that sort of mileage but its comforting to know. The RE has the better screen on higher models, centre stand longer front mud guard though less plush dealership and smaller fuel tank. I'm glad it wasn't available when i bought my speed.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Speed is a great buy! Good comments on the service intervals!

[@anthonybrown4874]

@MindfulMotorcyclist Not many bike dealers in my city any more but there is a Triumph one 10 miles to RE in an industrial unit.

[@andyaptc2907]

The problem I have with my "ugly" NK450 is that it makes me want to rip around all the time, whereas some of these others are probably less bubbly and more relaxed to ride with better torque rather than top end performance.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

That 270 degree crack P twin is really special! The Enfield would definitely make you trundle rather than rip around!

[@joedudz]

Like the Guerrilla. Not interested in fancy gold forks.

[@nicholasjarrold8649]

Totally agree shaun as I said my favourite is the guerilla and second the triumph I do think the Chinese is something I would leave for at least a year or even two just to see how things go with them like reliability condition and cost of running them for a year or two I’ve got nothing against the Chinese after all there takeaways are great 😂but horror story’s over the years it takes a lot of years to get trust in the quality and reliability of them and second hand prices as well but say £4000 over 3 years if there not worth anything it’s not big loss really great video take care you and Suzy keep up the videos with Willie as well that was good bye for now

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Nicolas for the comment. For the £5k bikes it's a toss up between Enfield and Triumph! For

[@simongilbert2704]

i see a lot of triumph 400's and royal enfields , , the colour schemes on these bikes are so good , - i think this may sway new riders ;;

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Simon 👍

[@rodneysweetnam8653]

Hi Sean - it’s Big Rodders in Ireland. I smile when folk, myself included, describe something as “Mickey Mouse” in a derogatory manner when Mickey is one of the most iconic, long lasting and successful brands in existence! I’m not aware if Zontes has any presence in Northern Ireland, I certainly haven’t seen one in the flesh over here.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Hi Rodders, no insult meant here the Mickey Mouse description of mirrors is neither positive or negative it is simply to do with the shape looking like Mickey's ears! TAYM coined this phrase and I've been using it 😂😂

[@pinkiewerewolf]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist I love TAYM's descriptions, he has changed the motorcycling lingo for us all. 🤣👍

[@rodneysweetnam8653]

Big Rodders again. I understand the context now. In that case, my Monkey has Mickey Mouse mirrors also 😄.

[@philipmobbs9520]

​@MindfulMotorcyclist the term Mickey Mouse ears was bein used back in the 70's when I started riding and long before probably.

[@simonchilli2088]

I nearly went for the Zontes over a Classic 350 but the colour I like isn't imported. I think the loox of a motorbike are more of a consideration for a lot of riders than for say if you're buying a car.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

The Zontes 350? I guess you would have lost more in depreciation on the zontes if you had tried to sell that is

[@pinkiewerewolf]

Interesting lineup Sean. It would be a hard decision between the RE and the Triumph but in the end I went with a Husqvarna Svartpilen 410, just because I wanted to support my local dealership. The closet RE to Triumph dealership is about 3.5 - 4 hours away from me. I'd never heard of Zontes before and only recently heard of Voge (Not a fan of the name, reminds me of a Madonna song. Strike a pose. lol) But I like their designs. I wholeheartedly agree with leaving tech off of motorcycles until the day they fly like speeder bikes in Star Wars. 👍 I wish the Svartpilen/Vitpilen platforms were simplified, all that tech on a budget bike is worrisome. Heck, the Pan America left me stranded so many times because of the dodgy tech on that bike and even the 890 Adventure's dash gave me a couple of incidents, but it did keep running and all the lights kept functioning, I just didn't have a dash readout speeding along the freeway in the San Francisco Bay Area. And weirdly the dash came back on when I stopped about a hour North of SF for fuel.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Oh 100% less is more when it comes to tech. The only thing I always fit is heated grips as its cold here and I ride all year!

[@michaelgilbert3311]

A good indepth video Sean, Thanks. I would however encourage any body to test ride prior to buying , RE or Triumh for me? but i shall be looking very closely in months to come. Until next time, Ride safely. Mike Sunny Wales

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Let us know how you get on Mike. Both lovely bikes....

[@slyfox186]

Great review. Depends how close your nearest dealership is when buying a bike, support wise. Over 400cc tax go's up, I think too much tech to go wrong on bikes these days which only dealerships can repair and even they struggle. Lot of it is driven by emissions compliance I guess, although there are far too many toys aswell, you say electric button for fuel flap, seat and steering, really! The Speed 400 has ABS and Traction control, the next thing will be proximity radar sensors, so even more to go wrong 😮🙄

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Slyfox appreciate the comment 👍

[@derbyshireruralrider9398]

I’d like a look at Voge….If I could find anyone that stocks a demonstrator to test ride

[@PeterHolland-mu7yn]

That’s the colour Guerilla I would go for but Sarah hated the colour 🤣 went on Tuesday to st Malo to have proper look but came over all grown up and thought hang on “why” I’ve got the classic sorted to do what I want I’ve only done 10k km, so came home and decided to upgrade my H&B C-Bow semi rigid panniers to the rigid Orbit pannier boxes, lots cheaper 🤣🤣🤣🤣 … Pete 🇫🇷

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

I agree it's always cheaper to invest in your current bike, I'm in the same spot with my BSA. I've actually got a lot of custom bits on it now. To get rid of it now would involve having to sell off all the extras. I am also really considering the next set of tyres that go on her, as the knobby ones are wearing fast (as expected). Outside of my bike the brand that tempts me more often than not is actually Voge. They are just so 'useful' bikes if you know what I mean but they don't have the same draw as a RE or BSA... Such good travel bikes...

[@PeterHolland-mu7yn]

I did like the voge 350AC in yellow you tested I must admit lot of bike for the money I remember you liking it a lot exhaust makes it a bit impractical, but has that extra “pep” over the classic, have one possible two tours coming up this summer the second hopefully putting in the kilometres classic is ready to go, so will look again at the end of the season, ….. Pete 🇫🇷

[@stephenmundane]

That Voge get's my vote for an inexpensive everyday ride with a touch of something different. If I had a bit more cash, I'd buy the RE but it would be the "poverty spec" one with the analogue instruments ;-)

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

The Voge is indeed a winner, that said I'd need one nearly new as I think buying new would see you lose a bit in first owner depreciation!

[@Brettmotorcycles]

I just like the speed 400 or x more than RE because of touches, smoothness , and less maintenance. Also in the states Royal Enfield is more of a niche brand and terrible on resale . Also may wait for the Thruxton 400

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thruxton I imagine won't sell as well because of the riding position? Do you think? Cheers...

[@mattdog1982]

What about the Honda cb300r? Ok, it’s 299cc, 145kg wet and has around 31bhp. I also think Yamaha are missing a trick not making an xsr 300 based on the mt-03 twin.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Sounds like a decent bike, how much is it?

[@mattdog1982]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist 4500

[@ΠαναγιώτηςΔημάκης-φ3γ]

Voge 350 ac ❤

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

They don't sell a lot of them here sadly...

[@alf21g]

The same here in Greece but its a very good bike 😊

[@0scartheCat]

switchgear on the Zontes is actually better than the Triumph which is cheap & Toy like. The Guerrilla needs a hugger else you get covered in dirt, that RE navigation is a bit pants, you might as well use your phone. Correct the CEAT rubber is hopeless for wet roads no matter what people say., that Triumph engine gets covered in dirt with that short front mud guard. Interesting I would have thought the Chinese bikes were better.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

The zontes is actually back-lit Switchgear which is really nice

[@kevindarkstar]

​​​@@MindfulMotorcyclistmore form over function,as firstly you should know where your switch's are, and secondly the light doesn't help you identifying what a switch actually is if you don't already know 🤷🏻 (and I've owned one,the adv version)

[@rcfokker1630]

You make a damning statement regarding the CEAT tyres. On what is your statement based?

[@lipsee100]

I think it would have been better to do the choices via price and not CC,,

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Price would open it way up, you could for example have a CFmoto CLX 700 for £4.5k!

[@lipsee100]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist Yeah I agree it would BUT,,,price is the main consideration of most folks,,not cc ,in fact for young riders I consider a BSA 650 single a better bike then a highly strung 125 rocketship..but thats another vid

[@robertmillar191]

There a common fault with the triumph speed 400 ..in the kill switch

[@slyfox186]

I believe they had a dodgy batch affectingsome bikes, mine is fine

[@1990-t1j]

If you are counting a 452cc RE in this list, what about a 471cc one? The Honda CL500 is the best one, for me. Nick

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Good point Nick!