Thoughts on CB400sf

[Feisty92]

Hi guys
I got my licence a few months ago And Ive joined as Im still looking for a bike.
I would desperately like to get a cb400sf but I cant seem to find one except for the one that colmans is trying to sell for 8G.
Any opinions on whether i should hold out for one of these or just settle for something else?
I tried one of the hyobag 250 a little while ago which was ok but it was far from smooth and they seem to cost more than theyre worth.

Open to any suggestions and welcome all opinions. Im 6'4 80kg if that makes much difference
So yea let me know what you think. BTW i hope ive posted this in the right place

Cheers
Jonathan

[Ender EnZed]

They're excellent bikes but $8k is crazy money for one. In the past there were often a couple for sale around the $3k mark but I think LAMS might be starting to really have an effect these days. There are no older GS500s for sale and a 10 year old ER5 (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-751199257.htm) is asking $5.5k.

[Feisty92]

Yea im at a bit of a loss to be honest. I wouldnt mind paying 4-5g for a late model one but 8g is crazy.
The hyosungs are rarely under 4000 as well so dont have many options

[Oakie]

Just viewed their advert. $7995 for an 11 year old 400cc bike with 10100km seems a bit steep. I used to have a CB400SF but only paid $4995 for it with under 9000 kms on it from a dealer. Not a bad bike I'm sure you could do better pricewise.

[Feisty92]

Im certainly keen to get one if i can find it for a reasonable price. Ive put a wanted add in the trades section so hopefuly someone on here has one theyre willing to part with.
How did you find the size of it? I have heard theyre a little small

[Grashopper]

How did you find the size of it? I have heard theyre a little small

Have a look at this website: http://cycle-ergo.com/

Just find the bike model and enter your height. Hm, it says the sf has a seat height of about 76 cm. That is pretty low.

[Oakie]

Im certainly keen to get one if i can find it for a reasonable price. Ive put a wanted add in the trades section so hopefuly someone on here has one theyre willing to part with.
How did you find the size of it? I have heard theyre a little small

I'm 6ft tall and i guess I was about 85kg then. Size was pretty good. I don't recall ever wishing it was bigger.

[Spyke]

I had a 96 model. Real nice smooth power, comfortable (ride it all day), suspension for me was a bit budget but it did the job, sounded awesome with a leo vince pipe on it. If you can get one for the right price grab it. I sold mine for 3.8k. had a new pipe on it and was mint with 30k on the clock.

[Feisty92]

Have a look at this website: http://cycle-ergo.com/

Just find the bike model and enter your height. Hm, it says the sf has a seat height of about 76 cm. That is pretty low.
Yea thanks ive been on there before, its a bloody useful site. Im a little concerned on the size but ill have a go on one before hand. Also im pretty confident that i can tweak the riding position enough to fit me by adding clipons, lowering the pegs and spacing up the rear shocks. But thats yet to be seen lol

[Feisty92]

I'm 6ft tall and i guess I was about 85kg then. Size was pretty good. I don't recall ever wishing it was bigger.
Good to know thanks

[nzspokes]

Yea thanks ive been on there before, its a bloody useful site. Im a little concerned on the size but ill have a go on one before hand. Also im pretty confident that i can tweak the riding position enough to fit me by adding clipons, lowering the pegs and spacing up the rear shocks. But thats yet to be seen lol

They are small. Have sat on one and was surprised by the lack of size.

If I was on a Lams bike it would be a 250 Hornet. Full size bike with stacks of power. Cheap these days to.

[Feisty92]

They are small. Have sat on one and was surprised by the lack of size.

If I was on a Lams bike it would be a 250 Hornet. Full size bike with stacks of power. Cheap these days to.

I have heard that the hornets aren't that big either. Looking in cycle ergo they look pretty similar but the seat height is about 10mm lower. Do you have a hornet? I was looking at those but 250cc in an i4 seem like a recipe for no torque

[Erelyes]

I wouldn't be worried about the lack of torque of an I4 compared to a parallell twin / single to be honest.

I had a Scorpio on my learners (225 single) then a '07 Ninja 250 on my restricted (250cc twin, 13k redline). You'd have to thrash either of those just as much as the I4 up a hill.

400cc is nice of course but fuck paying 8k for one. Save your money for 2 years' time, trust me.

I'm 6ft3 and 88kg for reference, the above bikes were fine fit wise.

[Feisty92]

I wouldn't be worried about the lack of torque of an I4 compared to a parallell twin / single to be honest.

I had a Scorpio on my learners (225 single) then a '07 Ninja 250 on my restricted (250cc twin, 13k redline). You'd have to thrash either of those just as much as the I4 up a hill.

400cc is nice of course but fuck paying 8k for one. Save your money for 2 year's time, trust me.

I'm 6ft3 and 88kg for reference, the above bikes were fine fit wise.

Thanks for the input. I am tempted to have a go on a hornet to see what they're like. I think your right about the 250s. Had a go on a hyosung and it seemed to have enough power. I do a lot of driving on the motorway so a little extra power would be nice tho

[Ender EnZed]

Thanks for the input. I am tempted to have a go on a hornet to see what they're like. I think your right about the 250s. Had a go on a hyosung and it seemed to have enough power. I do a lot of driving on the motorway so a little extra power would be nice tho

Definitely have a go on a hornet. Probably the closest thing to a cb400 you're going to get unless one comes up for sale.

[nzspokes]

Thanks for the input. I am tempted to have a go on a hornet to see what they're like. I think your right about the 250s. Had a go on a hyosung and it seemed to have enough power. I do a lot of driving on the motorway so a little extra power would be nice tho

Hyo will have 25ish hp where the Hornet has 40. They go well.

Ive ridden a few.

[Feisty92]

Anyone have any opinion on how reliable they are? Youd think that little engine spinning at 16k wouldnt last very long but I havnt been able to find any complaints

[Oakie]

Anyone have any opinion on how reliable they are? You'd think that little engine spinning at 16k wouldnt last very long but I havnt been able to find any complaints

So don't rev it that high then! Red line isn't a target you know. Which bike you talking about anyway? The CB400, the Hornet or the Hyo?

[Ender EnZed]

So don't rev it that high then! Red line isn't a target you know. Which bike you talking about anyway? The CB400, the Hornet or the Hyo?

The Hornet redlines at 16k.


Anyone have any opinion on how reliable they are? Youd think that little engine spinning at 16k wouldnt last very long but I havnt been able to find any complaints

Pretty sure they run forever, there'll be a few threads on here about them. Same engine as the CBR250RR and that revs to 19k, they're all over 20 years old now and there are plenty of high mileage examples of them around.

[Ender EnZed]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-779137065.htm