At last a superb review. I am in my second year with the Herald Classic 400 & it is such a good bike, especially as I live in the Cambridgeshire Fens. All I have done is swapped the original tyres for Pirelli Scorpion Rallys, fantastic tyres for these country roads/tracks etc. I downsized from the Bonnie T100 & it was the best move. At 6' & size 11 feet I have no issues with bike size including the foot pedals which seem to be an issue for some according comments I've read. It bombs along effortlessly & the engine note is rather splendid. Big grin factor bike! 👍
@@MrDarcy-OlMan Very true! My mind still wants the 150mph+ bikes but my body says you've done that & been there now is the time for a more leisurely & less frantic machine. The 400 classic is so sensible but still has a pleasing little kick if your feeling feisty. 🤣
@@robertw8225 Yep! Returned to biking after a long time away and bought a sports tourer, traded it against the Classic as it was a case of not if I get killed, but when! Now I ride along having a great time enjoying the journey.
@@robertw8225 I'm 52 and have a disc back problem and I too hurtle along at silly speeds on a Mille RSV 1000. Bought a Ninja 250R for back roads but find that a pain in the back. So looking for a 400 like this.
Lovely review. Im currently using the classic 125 and have fallen in love with the bike. Very happy to see that when I upgrade to my a2 I can continue riding a herald.
What a lovely bike. And it sounds really nice too. So here is a another bike that's got my attention. I've been looking at the mutt 250 for a while now. But the hearlds 400 is appealing. Thanks for showing us guys 👍
Yet another good review. Looked around one in the local shop I have to say I would lean towards the Enfield single over this if I wanted classic styling. Having said that the Enfield does have a pan saddle so a bit limited on your seating position I agree with you step saddles also limit were you sit the old flat saddle does allow you to shift position on longer rides and stretch the old legs. Thanks for this overview I always enjoy your laid back opinions and having prospectives from both a younger and old rider covers all the bases. Cheers guys 🏍
Darcy and the Ol' Man always do good reviews and it's not always exotica! My mates have/had classic Enfield's and the bullet does give you a single, long seat but it is stepped. Most of them have moved to the Interceptor or are looking at the Herald. The problem with the Classic/Bullet is the vibration, riding it puts a smile on your face and then your teeth fall out....
good review , nice to see all sizes and makes being tested rather than away in dreamland with all the posh stuff .. good honest comment about mirrors which are only good for style,,, safety thrown out the window a bit there, well calmly described without slating the bike too much.
Just watched this again. I like singles and, in fact, I've just bought a pristine 25-month-old KTM Duke 390 off a friend over here in Thailand. It has useful accessories and has had an airbox and gearing mod. A good complement to my scooter, a Yamaha Aerox 155.
Great review guys, thank you, I’d like to see one with the Herald 400 cafe if possible, as this has some extras like double front discs and upgraded adjustable suspension for a little extra.
Good review!! I'm considering a 400. Your going way too fast on it. I don't do more than 45 on those roads on my Kawasaki Ninja 250R, as I enjoy the slower pace and seeing the villages and scenic views. Looks like a proper bike. I used to have a New Kawasaki GT550 shaft drive. Only 50bhp and too k me and my girlfriend around wales with luggage so I can definitely see the appeal of this Herald. After many years riding and now 52, been on 1000cc bikes I'm starting to appreciate the green lanes and B roads.
Gary Davidson We had an arrangement pre-Covid19 to review the Indians, but now I can’t get anywhere with them. I’ll keep trying though because it would be nice to compare them to the Harleys
The more I see these simple classic machines, the more I miss my rides of the late 70's & 80's..biking is an engage ring visceral experience and yes, I get that speed and power are the buzzwords but I had XS's, GPz's , Suzuki Gt's , Gs's and later on some big April's but at 60 plus change I want comfort, ease of maintenance, a good soundtrack and back country road bliss and this would be great although I'm probably too big for it too!
This bike is also sold as a Mutt, a Mash, a Jawa and I think Sinnis too. All basically the same apart from badges and other minor bits. Looks perfect for pottering along at 50-60 mph around the countryside! Thanks for the review. BTW You're not far from the importers of Jawa 2 strokes (Wisbech) Any chance of cadging a ride on one of them and making a vid? And it'd help HUGELY if ou could have told us something about the mpg and m/way cruising speed by doing your own tests!
@@MrDarcy-OlMan That'd be super. You know, it's s totally unique bike - still using communist era engine, gearbox, wheels, frame and carburettor No ABS, no linked brakes, no cat, not outsourced to the Far East. Still made in the same factory in Prague.
Tudur Morgan Sounds well worth a look. I think the Chinese bikes sold under different badges is causing some of the distrust in this sector. It shouldn’t be allowed by the factory. One brand per bike only.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan I dont think this is an issue. The bikes are made in China under license. They are basicly a Suzuki design. After arrival in Europe they are assembled and modyfied to fit the trim of the make. Mutt has more quality in the finish, while Jawa is I think the cheapest.
I just wondered about the mirrors - in the video it looks as if the stalks pointed forward with the mirror turned at almost 90 degrees, could the bases be rotated so the stalks were more to the sides, which would give a longer unit? Just a thought.
We tried that. To be honest, it's a very easy and cheap part to swap for either bar-end mirrors or some taller/wider ones. It wouldn't surprise me if Herald change them in time.
No, they can't really be adjusted to look behind you. They do however, make a great shaving mirror..... I replaced mine with a £13 set of 'classic' mirrors from Amazon and I feel they look more in keeping than the originals.
I am intrigued by these Chinese variants however it would seem the real world experience does not match expectations. Build quality, reliability, spares backup etc are all important factors. The cheaper prices do seem tempting but I would still worry about being stranded somewhere. Some of them do look cracking though. Another great review!
R. D. Thanks R.D. It’s impossible for us to tell really, doing a review, but I guess reading the comments from owners is the only way to gain this knowledge.
I had a Sinnis Retrostar 250 single and overall was very, very impressed by it. It would hold 70mph and averaged 76 mpg. The only snag was odometer reads in km and the poor quality OE Chinese chain and sprockets. You can upgrade the chain to DID but no reputable brand makes pattern sprockets. Rear shocks crap too but easily upgraded.
That is a valid concern and I think it was true a few years ago. I feel that the Chinese bikes are like the Japanese ones were in the 70's, initially not so good but they got better and better. I previously had a Zontes X310 Sports tourer and that was amazing. The build quality was superb, the tech was amazing (graphic screens, rider modes, electrically adjustable screen, electric seat, electric fuel cap, key-less locking and ignition, LED lights all round and so on and on... It was water cooled and put out 35HP, which is not bad for a 310cc. It would cruise at, ahem... 80 all day long. The only reason I changed, was that it was too tall for me and the scooped seat hurt the old hips, when I got on it. When they bring the Zontes cruiser over, I will be buying one of those for sure! There are still some awful Chinese bikes out there but Herald, Zontes, LexMoto, CFMoto, Benelli (yes Benelli are made in China) and so on are certainly catching up. That said, I absolutely love the Herald! With 2 years warranty and breakdown cover, I'm happy.
Hi gents good review yet again. I got the feeling while this bike was good, it was still a plain Jane. I suppose this bike summed up would be ....:does exactly what is says on the tin:.....
Wow the luster of the paint finish looks amazing! Are these Chinese and tweaked in the UK? I think the exhaust routing might have something to do with the cat and emissions? Hope the bike has some miles on it before you thrashed it lol! Trouble is, for the same money you could pick up a couple year old Japanese. But the styling is awesome. Great review
Thanks Pike! Yes it’s manufactured in China for a British company. The quality is certainly noticeable 👍🏼 Yes it had already been run-in! Good points bro 👊🏼
I like bikes like these, although I don't like riding on inner-tubes. I prefer cast wheels. There are a number of bikes like this out here in Thailand. Stallions are a Thai motorcycle company which would interest you. As someone who had an XT500E in the 80s, I like old school singles.
Thanks again for a great review! Have you considered the Mash Five Hundred - actually 400cc for some reason! It would be interesting to hear your views back to back with the Herald 400. I am trying to whittle down my preferences and may go for something smaller, perhaps a 250 as it’s just for fun, something to clean, polish and maybe customise a bit but also be reasonably priced. I love the Brat from Herald too and they have a 250 in the pipeline...
Nice review, can't find too many reviews of the Classic 400, did you take it on any faster roads at all, would it be happy tootling along at ~70 on a motorway if needed?
Thanks Thomas. Yes it’s certainly capable of 70mph cruising and more. I wouldn’t want to ride 200 miles at 70, but for a few junctions yes no problem at all.
Looks perfect for me at 74 as my Harley Dyna Fatbob at 315kg was so heavy it was a worry when backing up or putting it in the garage! This light 400 looks ideal!
Great review. I'm trying to decide between the Herald/Mash 400 and the RE 500. They both seem to have similar power output, so I guess it will all come down to a test ride. most important for me is the weight (I have back problems) and an upright riding position (I have back and wrist problems!). With a bike like that though, they don't hold their value well, but I could seemyself keeping it for a long time. Rear shocks, mirrors, tyres can all be upgraded so I'm not so worried about that.
Go and ride one. I am not as young as I'd like to be and also have achy hips, back and wrists but the Herald is a joy to ride. It's not too heavy, the riding position is good (I'm only 5 foot 7) No problem with the shocks or tyres, although I'm still running it in, so not pushed it too far yet. The mirrors were only good for shaving in and a £13 pair of traditional mirrors from Amazon work great. I also think that they are more in keeping with the style of the bike. Like you, I don't plan on changing it as it is a weekend toy, and the price is so good that depreciation is not too much of a concern. 30% of £18,000 is a lot more in depreciation than say, 40% of £4,400! ;-)
Hi I’m looking for a reasonably priced small bike to ride around the coast roads of Britain soon, I won’t need speed or mod cons, I will need reliability as I’ll be doing up to 100 miles a day, would you recommend this bike , I’d need panniers too, throw over or otherwise and a rack. Your comments greatly appreciated or even a recommendation on another make, but as I said I need a bike that is reliable but around the £5000 mark. If I’m barking up the wrong tree please advise otherwise. Thanks in advance
@@williamfarrell6654 Sadly, I'm a born again biker from the 70's :-) Seriously, it is a great bike for just cruising about on. A trip out to the pub with your mates. It doesn't look bad when parked up with Royal Enfield Interceptors and the like. It draws a lot of interest and makes me smile when you get the odd older gentleman say 'I used to have one of those'...
Like the review and I am considering buying one, but can you define the statement doesn't like going slow or going fast eithe. Is the bike hesitant in anyway? I know it's been awhile since your review but I would like to know your thoughts on this question 😊
Yes it is a long time ago and I remember it being a really nice bike to ride. I not sure what we meant by that to be honest, but it would have been nit picking, nothing serious at all 👍🏼
I can't get the idle speed below 1600 rpm, which impairs braking and bumps up fuel comsumption (50mpg!) Anybody know how to do this? Have tried slackening off throttle cable and also wound back throttle wheel stop (so ot's not contacting) but it still wont damp down to ideal 1300-1400. Any ideas anybody?
I was impress with the Herald when I visited a dealer, but the 400 seemed more under powered and the 250 was way too small for me at 6-2 and even the 400 felt undersized but I liked the feel and sound of it, I would have liked a 500-650 single.( I did not ride it).
@@MrDarcy-OlMan Thank you very much guys for the reply!. Some of us are surrounded by fast dual carriage ways lol! So always nice to know thanks again.
Good video as always however a bit of feedback: I think we'd get more value out of your opinion if you started pitting different bikes against each other or at least acknowledging the competitors. Measuring A against B is the only real way of determining if A is 'good' or not. For example the RE Interceptor 650 is a similar price point with similar looks and for the same target audience and is the UK's best selling bike currently. You tell me the Herald is good, but is it better than it's competition? My presumption is no.
Joe Kenny We evaluate each bike for what it is and people can make up their own minds about whether they prefer A or B. Imagine if you were a manufacturer and sent us a model to review, and we told the viewers that another brand was better. We’d soon have nobody sending us bikes. We try to be objective and give all the info you may need. It’s a bit like describing how good a BigMac is, without mentioning Burger King; you can imagine whether you would also like the BigMac. We get your point and appreciated your feedback don’t get us wrong 👍🏼
Um... I wouldn't say that the Interceptor and the Herald are the same price point. The Herald is £4,299 whereas the cheapest Interceptor starts at £5,699 depending on the colour. The Interceptor is a twin and the Herald a single, so not really comparable. I love the Interceptor as several of my friends have them, for what I want I prefer the Herald. I'm going to go on a mini tour once the lock-down has ended, so it will be interesting to see how it is compared to the Interceptors...
@@pauld1966 any updates regarding that mini tour? I’m undecided between this Herald and the RE Meteor. There’s so little info out there about the Herald and I would love to hear a bit of your experience so far with it. Cheers
@@vogahl34 Well... I loved the Herald, fast, reliable and excellent value for money. It sounded wonderful too! However, I have since traded it in for a Meteor in Stellar red, with a screen and 'low rider seat'. Have done about 800 miles in 6-7 weeks (due the poor weather) typically racking up between 40 and 80 miles on each ride. It's not fast but it brings a huge smile to your face every time you ride it! Can now do 50 mph, as the running in period progresses, but that's not the point. Once run in, it will cruise about at 60-70 mph happily, which is fine for A and B roads. It handles very well, the sound is wonderful and I've yet to see a bad review. If you want a bike to get from A-B in any situation (maybe not motorways), enjoying the ride and feeling great, I don't think you would go wrong with a meteor. One downside is that it draws a lot of attention, so be prepared to have long chats with people who think it's a restored classic (mine has a personal plate) or are convinced that they had one back in the 50's/60's!
splodge 57 Thanks Splodge! Yes it’s an enjoyable ride. There certainly are some badly made products coming from China but this bike looks to be good quality
Made in China? I thought that Herald in Cambridge had the license to import the parts ( some of which they have replaced with UK parts) and it was built here in the UK? Am I wrong?
Are you sure? I had a 250N in 1979 which I bought from Phil Read's bike shop. Great bike, but it put out about the same power. I loved that bike and put a huge mileage on it as I travelled between Wokingham and Bishops Stortford every weekend.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan it was a 2019 classic 125, the electrics kept shorting, the throttle mechanism snapped twice, among other problems the warranty wouldn't cover half of them even though it was a brand new bike, it was a shame as they are bloody nice looking bikes, it shame they skimp on some parts
@@MrDarcy-OlMan it probably was just a bad one as even the mechanic said he's never seen one so bad, from what he said they pretty reliable, but then again he was dealing them so I'm not sure what to think about them... But yes I upgraded to a honda hornet, now a touring harley and I've had no problems thus far haha
At last a superb review. I am in my second year with the Herald Classic 400 & it is such a good bike, especially as I live in the Cambridgeshire Fens. All I have done is swapped the original tyres for Pirelli Scorpion Rallys, fantastic tyres for these country roads/tracks etc. I downsized from the Bonnie T100 & it was the best move. At 6' & size 11 feet I have no issues with bike size including the foot pedals which seem to be an issue for some according comments I've read. It bombs along effortlessly & the engine note is rather splendid. Big grin factor bike! 👍
Robert w Excellent! Thank you 👍🏼👍🏼 Yes super bike and everything you need in the real world 👊🏼
@@MrDarcy-OlMan Very true! My mind still wants the 150mph+ bikes but my body says you've done that & been there now is the time for a more leisurely & less frantic machine. The 400 classic is so sensible but still has a pleasing little kick if your feeling feisty. 🤣
Robert w 100% 👍🏼
@@robertw8225 Yep! Returned to biking after a long time away and bought a sports tourer, traded it against the Classic as it was a case of not if I get killed, but when! Now I ride along having a great time enjoying the journey.
@@robertw8225 I'm 52 and have a disc back problem and I too hurtle along at silly speeds on a Mille RSV 1000. Bought a Ninja 250R for back roads but find that a pain in the back. So looking for a 400 like this.
I really like that you address what heights bikes would be suitable for, not many reviews do that. Great channel
Thanks Dan! It’s certainly an important factor in making buying decisions 👍🏼
Lovely review. Im currently using the classic 125 and have fallen in love with the bike. Very happy to see that when I upgrade to my a2 I can continue riding a herald.
Leon Sant - Jennings Thanks Leon! Yes it’s a really lovely bike and something definitely to look forward to
It looks and sounds great and would make a great work/commuter bike. As it comes with two years free breakdown so there is not much to dislike 👍🏼
Neill Yes 100% We loved it! 👊🏼
Thanks for the review, I have been interested in the Herald brand for some time and the 400 is on my wish list.
Good choice! It's really nice to ride and it's relatively inexpensive!
Awesome review chaps 👍🏻
Thanks buddy! 👍🏼
I live in the states an I never heard of this bike before. I'm taking my motorcycle class and hopefully this might be my first ride
OK hopefully you can get one in the states
Love the video, straight forward. Like the way and what you considered to discuss 👍🏻
Good informative video, have been waiting for one on the Herald Classic 400.
2007stor Thank you 👍🏼 Great bike!
What a lovely bike. And it sounds really nice too. So here is a another bike that's got my attention. I've been looking at the mutt 250 for a while now. But the hearlds 400 is appealing.
Thanks for showing us guys 👍
Thanks mate. The Herald is a really nice ride 👍🏼👍🏼
@@MrDarcy-OlMan one for sure that can not be overlooked. 😉👍
Yet another good review.
Looked around one in the local shop
I have to say I would lean towards the Enfield single over this if I wanted classic styling.
Having said that the Enfield does have a pan saddle so a bit limited on your seating position
I agree with you step saddles also limit were you sit the old flat saddle does allow you to shift position on longer rides and stretch the old legs.
Thanks for this overview I always enjoy your laid back opinions and having prospectives from both a younger and old rider covers all the bases.
Cheers guys 🏍
Lee B thanks buddy! Very good points again 👍🏼👍🏼
Darcy and the Ol' Man always do good reviews and it's not always exotica! My mates have/had classic Enfield's and the bullet does give you a single, long seat but it is stepped. Most of them have moved to the Interceptor or are looking at the Herald. The problem with the Classic/Bullet is the vibration, riding it puts a smile on your face and then your teeth fall out....
My last bike was a 1200 Vmax and I'm now looking for something to enjoy the countryside. This could be just the thing. Thanks for the review
Thanks Clare 💯
good review , nice to see all sizes and makes being tested rather than away in dreamland with all the posh stuff .. good honest comment about mirrors which are only good for style,,, safety thrown out the window a bit there, well calmly described without slating the bike too much.
simon gilbert Thanks Simon! It’s nice to do all bikes to be honest 👍🏼
This does look like a combo of street twin and interceptor 😆
Thanks for reviewing 👌
Shakeeb Ahmer Yes it does rather; good observation! No worries Shakeeb 👍🏼
LOVE the sound. Badass review for badass bike.
hellride Yes it’s pretty cool 👊🏼
Awesome video guys!
Thanks Max 👊🏼
Just watched this again. I like singles and, in fact, I've just bought a pristine 25-month-old KTM Duke 390 off a friend over here in Thailand. It has useful accessories and has had an airbox and gearing mod. A good complement to my scooter, a Yamaha Aerox 155.
Thanks buddy! 👍🏼💯
Love the review and I have actually just bought this exact bike lol and I'm loving it 👍
I like Herald but surely you would go for the Royal Enfield Meteor or Interceptor. Lets hope I can part exchange in a few yrs😉
Like rhe review. I am still drawn to the 450 Brutal though as i am 6ft 2 inches
Great review guys, thank you, I’d like to see one with the Herald 400 cafe if possible, as this has some extras like double front discs and upgraded adjustable suspension for a little extra.
Thanks Peter. Hopefully we can do this one soon 👍🏼
Good review!! I'm considering a 400.
Your going way too fast on it. I don't do more than 45 on those roads on my Kawasaki Ninja 250R, as I enjoy the slower pace and seeing the villages and scenic views.
Looks like a proper bike. I used to have a New Kawasaki GT550 shaft drive. Only 50bhp and too k me and my girlfriend around wales with luggage so I can definitely see the appeal of this Herald.
After many years riding and now 52, been on 1000cc bikes I'm starting to appreciate the green lanes and B roads.
Good afternoon gents. Any sign yet of a test and review of any of the Indian scout range 60/ Bobber or scout. Hopefully soon 😊
Gary Davidson We had an arrangement pre-Covid19 to review the Indians, but now I can’t get anywhere with them. I’ll keep trying though because it would be nice to compare them to the Harleys
Nice Video and Nice Bike!
Thank you! Yes it’s a really lovely bike to ride.
The more I see these simple classic machines, the more I miss my rides of the late 70's & 80's..biking is an engage ring visceral experience and yes, I get that speed and power are the buzzwords but I had XS's, GPz's , Suzuki Gt's , Gs's and later on some big April's but at 60 plus change I want comfort, ease of maintenance, a good soundtrack and back country road bliss and this would be great although I'm probably too big for it too!
Great and clean review. I'll keep watching. And just subscribed to the channel.
Thanks buddy. Welcome aboard 👍🏼👍🏼
Great looking bike...
Paul Cowell yes it certainly is 👍🏼 thanks buddy
You're looking very good on the motorcycle⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🏍️🏍️🏍️💛👍 Herald 400 cc is definitely a very good motorcycle to own👍
Thank you 👍🏼👍🏼
This bike is also sold as a Mutt, a Mash, a Jawa and I think Sinnis too. All basically the same apart from badges and other minor bits. Looks perfect for pottering along at 50-60 mph around the countryside! Thanks for the review. BTW You're not far from the importers of Jawa 2 strokes (Wisbech) Any chance of cadging a ride on one of them and making a vid? And it'd help HUGELY if ou could have told us something about the mpg and m/way cruising speed by doing your own tests!
Tudur Morgan Thanks Tudur. I’ll look into Jawa 👍🏼
@@MrDarcy-OlMan That'd be super. You know, it's s totally unique bike - still using communist era engine, gearbox, wheels, frame and carburettor No ABS, no linked brakes, no cat, not outsourced to the Far East. Still made in the same factory in Prague.
Tudur Morgan Sounds well worth a look. I think the Chinese bikes sold under different badges is causing some of the distrust in this sector. It shouldn’t be allowed by the factory. One brand per bike only.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan I dont think this is an issue. The bikes are made in China under license. They are basicly a Suzuki design. After arrival in Europe they are assembled and modyfied to fit the trim of the make. Mutt has more quality in the finish, while Jawa is I think the cheapest.
Like to see you guys review the herald maverick. It’s quite a large frame for a 125 and the aesthetics are something else.
I just wondered about the mirrors - in the video it looks as if the stalks pointed forward with the mirror turned at almost 90 degrees, could the bases be rotated so the stalks were more to the sides, which would give a longer unit? Just a thought.
We tried that. To be honest, it's a very easy and cheap part to swap for either bar-end mirrors or some taller/wider ones. It wouldn't surprise me if Herald change them in time.
No, they can't really be adjusted to look behind you. They do however, make a great shaving mirror..... I replaced mine with a £13 set of 'classic' mirrors from Amazon and I feel they look more in keeping than the originals.
Love the classic look of it and it makes a really nice sound. I had not heard of this make until I saw your video. Would it be suitable for me?
Yes it’s a very nice bike. It would be really good for a female rider too, so yes definitely
I am intrigued by these Chinese variants however it would seem the real world experience does not match expectations. Build quality, reliability, spares backup etc are all important factors. The cheaper prices do seem tempting but I would still worry about being stranded somewhere. Some of them do look cracking though. Another great review!
R. D. Thanks R.D. It’s impossible for us to tell really, doing a review, but I guess reading the comments from owners is the only way to gain this knowledge.
I had a Sinnis Retrostar 250 single and overall was very, very impressed by it. It would hold 70mph and averaged 76 mpg. The only snag was odometer reads in km and the poor quality OE Chinese chain and sprockets. You can upgrade the chain to DID but no reputable brand makes pattern sprockets. Rear shocks crap too but easily upgraded.
That is a valid concern and I think it was true a few years ago. I feel that the Chinese bikes are like the Japanese ones were in the 70's, initially not so good but they got better and better. I previously had a Zontes X310 Sports tourer and that was amazing. The build quality was superb, the tech was amazing (graphic screens, rider modes, electrically adjustable screen, electric seat, electric fuel cap, key-less locking and ignition, LED lights all round and so on and on... It was water cooled and put out 35HP, which is not bad for a 310cc. It would cruise at, ahem... 80 all day long. The only reason I changed, was that it was too tall for me and the scooped seat hurt the old hips, when I got on it. When they bring the Zontes cruiser over, I will be buying one of those for sure!
There are still some awful Chinese bikes out there but Herald, Zontes, LexMoto, CFMoto, Benelli (yes Benelli are made in China) and so on are certainly catching up.
That said, I absolutely love the Herald! With 2 years warranty and breakdown cover, I'm happy.
Taiwanese i think..
R. D. It gets good reviews from the Herald Facebook group from owners along with the Cafe 400.
Here in the Philippines it’s called Bristol Motorcycles. Hoping to get one someday
Awesome
I put bar end mirrors on my Herald.The stock mirrors weren’t much use.
Rachel Taylor That’s ideal! Much better I’m sure. 👍🏼
how are you getting on with herald,,any issues?
A really nice bike. It's a shame it is not available here in the Netherlands.
Pramod Srikanth Yes thank you! Maybe one day 🤞
Look for Mash Motorcycles, it’s how they sell in most EU countries.
Hi gents good review yet again. I got the feeling while this bike was good, it was still a plain Jane. I suppose this bike summed up would be ....:does exactly what is says on the tin:.....
Thanks buddy. It’s perfectly nice but we get what you’re saying 👍🏼
Wow the luster of the paint finish looks amazing! Are these Chinese and tweaked in the UK? I think the exhaust routing might have something to do with the cat and emissions? Hope the bike has some miles on it before you thrashed it lol! Trouble is, for the same money you could pick up a couple year old Japanese. But the styling is awesome. Great review
Thanks Pike! Yes it’s manufactured in China for a British company. The quality is certainly noticeable 👍🏼 Yes it had already been run-in! Good points bro 👊🏼
I like bikes like these, although I don't like riding on inner-tubes. I prefer cast wheels. There are a number of bikes like this out here in Thailand. Stallions are a Thai motorcycle company which would interest you. As someone who had an XT500E in the 80s, I like old school singles.
1990 Yes we like them too. I’m all for simple design and it’s a shame the big 4 arent making bikes like this any more.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan I agree. great channel.
1990 Thanks 1990 👍🏼
Hi I also live in Thailand and have a Stallions Centaur CT400 which is really a Shineray XY 400 having a Honda clone engine. regards Con!
@@conradstone6719 I know the make/model. I bet it's fun, Conrad. Where in Thailand are you? I am in Chiang Rai.
Thanks again for a great review! Have you considered the Mash Five Hundred - actually 400cc for some reason! It would be interesting to hear your views back to back with the Herald 400. I am trying to whittle down my preferences and may go for something smaller, perhaps a 250 as it’s just for fun, something to clean, polish and maybe customise a bit but also be reasonably priced. I love the Brat from Herald too and they have a 250 in the pipeline...
Mash didn’t want to know last time we contacted them. Definitely some new models coming from Herald and Bullit
@@MrDarcy-OlMan Shame. Thanks
Great review.... thanks
Great video! I like the look and the sound of this bike. I know that it's a personal choice but would you take it to a 2k road trip?
Madrò! Yes nice bike, but I personally wouldn’t choose it for that distance.
I would.
Really like Darcy’s “fantastic shoulder views but nothing on the road” description of mirrors. 😂🤣😅
Whoa ,move over father Christmas you've got a rival !!!!!, no disrespect intend.
Hoho ho
Nice review, can't find too many reviews of the Classic 400, did you take it on any faster roads at all, would it be happy tootling along at ~70 on a motorway if needed?
Thanks Thomas. Yes it’s certainly capable of 70mph cruising and more. I wouldn’t want to ride 200 miles at 70, but for a few junctions yes no problem at all.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan Lovely thanks. For me would mostly me A47 Norwich to Leicester
Thomas North OK it would be fine for that 👍🏼
Looks perfect for me at 74 as my Harley Dyna Fatbob at 315kg was so heavy it was a worry when backing up or putting it in the garage!
This light 400 looks ideal!
See if you can get a testride 👍🏼
I wish we had this here in India..
Yes that would be popular there we're sure!
Nice bike review! 😊👍🏼
Thanks bro! 👍🏼
Great review. I'm trying to decide between the Herald/Mash 400 and the RE 500. They both seem to have similar power output, so I guess it will all come down to a test ride. most important for me is the weight (I have back problems) and an upright riding position (I have back and wrist problems!). With a bike like that though, they don't hold their value well, but I could seemyself keeping it for a long time. Rear shocks, mirrors, tyres can all be upgraded so I'm not so worried about that.
Yes a testride would be the best way to see which one suits you. 👍🏼
Go and ride one. I am not as young as I'd like to be and also have achy hips, back and wrists but the Herald is a joy to ride. It's not too heavy, the riding position is good (I'm only 5 foot 7) No problem with the shocks or tyres, although I'm still running it in, so not pushed it too far yet.
The mirrors were only good for shaving in and a £13 pair of traditional mirrors from Amazon work great. I also think that they are more in keeping with the style of the bike.
Like you, I don't plan on changing it as it is a weekend toy, and the price is so good that depreciation is not too much of a concern. 30% of £18,000 is a lot more in depreciation than say, 40% of £4,400! ;-)
Hi I’m looking for a reasonably priced small bike to ride around the coast roads of Britain soon, I won’t need speed or mod cons, I will need reliability as I’ll be doing up to 100 miles a day, would you recommend this bike , I’d need panniers too, throw over or otherwise and a rack.
Your comments greatly appreciated or even a recommendation on another make, but as I said I need a bike that is reliable but around the £5000 mark. If I’m barking up the wrong tree please advise otherwise.
Thanks in advance
Royal Enfield Interceptor would be the best bet!
Check out our reviews 👍🏼
It might look like a Suzuki from the outside, but I doubt you will have much luck getting a rebore when the time comes.
I notice the Classic 400 has a black engine, but on the site it's silver. Is it just the cafe racer version that is black?
We’re not sure about that. I guess things are subject to change but check with your local dealership
I bought a 400 Classic in October and the engine is black - looks great as the bike is also black. Takes me back to the mid-70's! ;-)
@@pauld1966 excellent 👍🏼
@@pauld1966 hi thanks for reply. I too want a black one with black engine as im a born again biker from the earky 80s
@@williamfarrell6654 Sadly, I'm a born again biker from the 70's :-) Seriously, it is a great bike for just cruising about on. A trip out to the pub with your mates. It doesn't look bad when parked up with Royal Enfield Interceptors and the like. It draws a lot of interest and makes me smile when you get the odd older gentleman say 'I used to have one of those'...
Like the review and I am considering buying one, but can you define the statement doesn't like going slow or going fast eithe.
Is the bike hesitant in anyway? I know it's been awhile since your review but I would like to know your thoughts on this question 😊
Yes it is a long time ago and I remember it being a really nice bike to ride. I not sure what we meant by that to be honest, but it would have been nit picking, nothing serious at all 👍🏼
Thanks for the reply much appreciated 😁👍
Where to buy that kind of side mirrors?
I guess you’d find them on eBay
I can't get the idle speed below 1600 rpm, which impairs braking and bumps up fuel comsumption (50mpg!) Anybody know how to do this? Have tried slackening off throttle cable and also wound back throttle wheel stop (so ot's not contacting) but it still wont damp down to ideal 1300-1400. Any ideas anybody?
Hopefully this is the engine for Honda Highness
Oh dear! That rear light as you were revving it was shaking about and half the led's were going on and off, faulty unit me thinks
That's a safety feature to make people notice the lights actually haha
@@MrDarcy-OlMan Ahhh yes those crafty chinese 😜
Hi is this bike the same size as a herald classic 125 ? Great review
Pretty much 👍🏼
I was impress with the Herald when I visited a dealer, but the 400 seemed more under powered and the 250 was way too small for me at 6-2 and even the 400 felt undersized but I liked the feel and sound of it, I would have liked a 500-650 single.( I did not ride it).
OK yes. Perhaps a new BSA?
Same bike as Mash 500 and/or G400C?
Don’t know tbh. Maybe
Would this suit a 29" inside leg?
Yes I’d say it would be ok 👍🏼
@@MrDarcy-OlMan great thank you 😊
What does a stone weigh?
14lbs
How big a stone?
@@pauld1966 14 lbs
@@larrynorsworthy8582 That's a really big stone!
Will it cruise at 70mph though guys?.
Not cruise, more like manage to get there
@@MrDarcy-OlMan Thank you very much guys for the reply!. Some of us are surrounded by fast dual carriage ways lol! So always nice to know thanks again.
I clicked on this review just to have a laugh and take the piss, but I'm happy to say, as Chinese made bikes go, this one doesn't seem too bad at all.
Thanks that’s good. 👍🏼
Except for the dodgy rear light 🤣
Price is amazing
Yes isn’t it! 👍🏼
Good video as always however a bit of feedback: I think we'd get more value out of your opinion if you started pitting different bikes against each other or at least acknowledging the competitors. Measuring A against B is the only real way of determining if A is 'good' or not. For example the RE Interceptor 650 is a similar price point with similar looks and for the same target audience and is the UK's best selling bike currently. You tell me the Herald is good, but is it better than it's competition? My presumption is no.
Mr Darcy, you've replied to every comment on this video apart from my constructive feedback!
Joe Kenny We evaluate each bike for what it is and people can make up their own minds about whether they prefer A or B. Imagine if you were a manufacturer and sent us a model to review, and we told the viewers that another brand was better. We’d soon have nobody sending us bikes. We try to be objective and give all the info you may need. It’s a bit like describing how good a BigMac is, without mentioning Burger King; you can imagine whether you would also like the BigMac. We get your point and appreciated your feedback don’t get us wrong 👍🏼
Um... I wouldn't say that the Interceptor and the Herald are the same price point. The Herald is £4,299 whereas the cheapest Interceptor starts at £5,699 depending on the colour. The Interceptor is a twin and the Herald a single, so not really comparable. I love the Interceptor as several of my friends have them, for what I want I prefer the Herald. I'm going to go on a mini tour once the lock-down has ended, so it will be interesting to see how it is compared to the Interceptors...
@@pauld1966 any updates regarding that mini tour? I’m undecided between this Herald and the RE Meteor. There’s so little info out there about the Herald and I would love to hear a bit of your experience so far with it. Cheers
@@vogahl34 Well... I loved the Herald, fast, reliable and excellent value for money. It sounded wonderful too! However, I have since traded it in for a Meteor in Stellar red, with a screen and 'low rider seat'. Have done about 800 miles in 6-7 weeks (due the poor weather) typically racking up between 40 and 80 miles on each ride. It's not fast but it brings a huge smile to your face every time you ride it! Can now do 50 mph, as the running in period progresses, but that's not the point. Once run in, it will cruise about at 60-70 mph happily, which is fine for A and B roads. It handles very well, the sound is wonderful and I've yet to see a bad review. If you want a bike to get from A-B in any situation (maybe not motorways), enjoying the ride and feeling great, I don't think you would go wrong with a meteor. One downside is that it draws a lot of attention, so be prepared to have long chats with people who think it's a restored classic (mine has a personal plate) or are convinced that they had one back in the 50's/60's!
Woner how much it costs in China, before the UK badges are stuck on?
Yes not much probably
My Honda Forza 350 will thrash this.
👍🏼
Nice looking bike, like the petrol tank. Personally I wouldn't buy a bike that's made in China.
splodge 57 Thanks Splodge! Yes it’s an enjoyable ride. There certainly are some badly made products coming from China but this bike looks to be good quality
@Steve Bush That's great to hear Steve! They are lovely bikes! We will be reviewing the whole range, including some new releases when they come!
@Steve Bush That's good to hear. I think the bad rep of 'Made in China' is more a thing of the past now
Made in China? I thought that Herald in Cambridge had the license to import the parts ( some of which they have replaced with UK parts) and it was built here in the UK? Am I wrong?
Taiiwan is where the 400 is made if i'm not mistaken.
My 40 year old honda 250 superdream goes faster than that.
Are you sure? I had a 250N in 1979 which I bought from Phil Read's bike shop. Great bike, but it put out about the same power. I loved that bike and put a huge mileage on it as I travelled between Wokingham and Bishops Stortford every weekend.
Yeah but it's still a superdream, this thing is way cooler😂
@@emilycritchley312 Yep!
Owned a Herald and it was absolute shit, after 2 months it had constant problems...
That’s a shame. What model and year was it?
@@MrDarcy-OlMan it was a 2019 classic 125, the electrics kept shorting, the throttle mechanism snapped twice, among other problems the warranty wouldn't cover half of them even though it was a brand new bike, it was a shame as they are bloody nice looking bikes, it shame they skimp on some parts
lafincow12 Yes thats a shame. I hope it was just an unlucky one off. Have you got a different bike now?
@@MrDarcy-OlMan it probably was just a bad one as even the mechanic said he's never seen one so bad, from what he said they pretty reliable, but then again he was dealing them so I'm not sure what to think about them... But yes I upgraded to a honda hornet, now a touring harley and I've had no problems thus far haha
lafincow12 That was a quick progression! Ride safe 👍🏼
Remove the subtitles because we can't watch anything.
You can turn them off yourself 👍🏼