400cc bikes - Think track

[Pumba]

Ok seeing how my last thread on this seamed to disapear due to the Great KB Crash 07, I will start another one on a simular subject but from a different angle.

We have already figured out that most KBers think that getting a track bike would in fact be a good idea. So bearing this in mind what bike would be the best choice?

My thoughts were that if I was to get somthing (this all dependant on the right bike at the right price at the right time) it would be best that it conformed to the MNZ rules and actually fitted in to a class, that way it could be raced if I find the itch cant be satisfied, so I was thinking VFR400, FZR400 or maybe even SV650, Hysoung 650 (note I dont think my pockets are that deep buts it worth thinking) etc.

So can some people in the know let me know what I should be keeping my eyes open for.

[Morcs]

Naturally I would recommend the VFR. it has the strongest motor out of the 400's and I reckon it handles the best too. The extra mid range is the main bonus in performance.

400's in general are hard to find, and if they are cheap then they either have very high K's and have been raped, or are extortianately expensive from a dealer.

Colemans have 2 vfrs over $6k, but speaking with them today they were complaining that they werent moving and they wont bring anymore in, so I reckon its worth trying ya luck and putting in an offer on one.

Let me know if you want to take the RVF for another spin, as its the best 400 ever, it would be a good benchmark to compare others to.

[Chrislost]

naturally if your selling a bike for more then their worth nobodys guna buy it...
6k :2guns:
i paid 2500 for mine and it was in reasonable nick.

[Morcs]

naturally if your selling a bike for more then their worth nobodys guna buy it...
6k :2guns:
i paid 2500 for mine and it was in reasonable nick.

So 2500, and its been raped, wheelied etc...

So ill give you $700 for it? :D :laugh:

[Karma]

Could be interesting that there seems to be a lot of people now finding that the 400s and 600s are cheaper than 250s and so breaking licence conditions to ride them.

Might this be pushing up the prices of the 400s a little? Twice the power of the 250s, but to the untrained eye they're basically the same?

[Boob Johnson]

Naturally I would recommend the VFR. it has the strongest motor out of the 400's and I reckon it handles the best too. The extra mid range is the main bonus in performance.And the best looking IMHO :niceone:

[Morcs]

And the best looking IMHO :niceone:

that prize belongs to the RVF ;)

[Boob Johnson]

that prize belongs to the RVF ;)I like all of them to be honest, just such a nice balanced shape. I'm easily pleased I know :innocent:

[yod]

i got a VFR and I'll be selling it soon....

[feral1]

Pumba,

Yeah go for a 400. Just look for a track bike to buy, instead of a road going dealers bike etc. This way all the work has been done and its likely to be heaps cheaper than converting a road bike to track spec yourself (new fairings etc). A good ol' CBR or VFR will do great. I race a ZXR myself.

Have fun out there and do a few races or clubman's rounds.

Cheerio
Feral

[Pumba]

Naturally I would recommend the VFR. it has the strongest motor out of the 400's and I reckon it handles the best too. The extra mid range is the main bonus in performance.

Let me know if you want to take the RVF for another spin, as its the best 400 ever, it would be a good benchmark to compare others to.

Please dont temt me!!


i got a VFR and I'll be selling it soon....

Yes Yod I remeber that from the last thread, just settle down I havent decided for sure Im doing anything yet:bleh:


Pumba,

Yeah go for a 400. Just look for a track bike to buy, instead of a road going dealers bike etc. This way all the work has been done and its likely to be heaps cheaper than converting a road bike to track spec yourself (new fairings etc). A good ol' CBR or VFR will do great. I race a ZXR myself.

Have fun out there and do a few races or clubman's rounds.

Cheerio
Feral

Thanks Feral thats probally more the info im after, are all the 400 pretty even?

Yea Keeping mys eyes open for somthing the hard work has already been done or some one may have crashed would be the idea. Lets put it this way I wont be running in to Colmans to put a deposit down in the morning:buggerd:

[Clivoris]

I'm biased. 400's are a great way to get into racing. But forget about cheep. Even if you get one for under 3k, there are many other expenses involved. The ZXR's are pretty popular but most peeps who want to be competitive are looking at the 650's. See you out there sometime.

[westie]

I have just bought one (zxr400) and am preparing it for the taupo track day(its first outing).
There are lots of bits to pull off. lol
Made a set of fibre glass - fairings, mud guard, and rear cowl this weekend. Still got sticky fingers from all the resin.
Almost there.

This one cost me $500 but still it costs alot to put all the stuff you want on it.
Getting one already set up might be a good idea. You could buy a bike for fuck all like I have and then spend a lifetime of hours to get it up to what you want. Or for a little more money but weeks of saved time get a bike that is ready?

[clint640]

The RVFs are no doubt the sexiest of the 400s, but you'll pay a lot for one, the next best is probably the ZXR, but there aren't many around that haven't had a thrashing now though. My NC21 VFR took a hell of a thrashing on the track with no problems, but the shagged old suspension wasn't the greatest. An already set up race bike would be the cheapest way to go.

Once you've tried proper racing track days seem pretty lame, she's damn good fun, even if you're just out for a fang in clubmans class.

Cheers
Clint

[HenryDorsetCase]

I recommend the VFR's too. Particularly the NC30. I bought a track only one from KB :love: off a guy who was leaving the country. (thanks Mr Postie)

I paid $2000 for it (nearly) ready to rock. Ive spent a little bit of time and money on it since though, just tidy up stuff and a few improvements. I guess it owes me between $2500 and $3k now? (I dont keep receipts, I dont want to know really)

Bear in mind you'll need some spare stuff (levers, handlebars, foot controls maybe fairings blah blah) and you have to get it to and from the track (car and trailer, van).

Also budget for the best tyres you can get (use sticky street tyres first up) and decent leathers and kit and a back protector if you dont already have them.

Racetrack: Its definitely the most fun Ive ever had on a motorbike. Oh yes.

also there was an NC30 racebike on tardme and also advertised here until recently: a red one (so you know how fast it is)

[HenryDorsetCase]

Oh yeah, what convinced me was dropping my street bike at a trackday (the very first one I ever went to) and doing $500 damage to the bike (and dinging my helmet, another $500). So all up cost $1000, more if I fixed up some minor bits I didnt bother with,I reckon if I didnt have crash knobs, it would have cost me a radiator and fuel tank also, so MAJOR $$

Thats vs $2000 odd for a track specific bike. New replacement clutch lever for street bike $28, new replacement clutch lever for racebike $10.99.....

[Pumba]

I paid $2000 for it (nearly) ready to rock. Ive spent a little bit of time and money on it since though, just tidy up stuff and a few improvements. I guess it owes me between $2500 and $3k now? (I dont keep receipts, I dont want to know really)

Bear in mind you'll need some spare stuff (levers, handlebars, foot controls maybe fairings blah blah) and you have to get it to and from the track (car and trailer, van).

Also budget for the best tyres you can get (use sticky street tyres first up) and decent leathers and kit and a back protector if you dont already have them.

Yea I had been thinking about all that other stuff in the economics of doing this as well


Oh yeah, what convinced me was dropping my street bike at a trackday (the very first one I ever went to) and doing $500 damage to the bike (and dinging my helmet, another $500). So all up cost $1000, more if I fixed up some minor bits I didnt bother with,I reckon if I didnt have crash knobs, it would have cost me a radiator and fuel tank also, so MAJOR $$

That is exactly my thinkings as well, my original thought were lost in the first thread but what you stated above was pretty much the reasoning, I havent dropped mine on the track but if I keep doing track days the chances of it happening will just keep increasing.

[Pumba]

Ok been doing the math and the finances may not quite be there todo this yet, that cool im young and I have time on my hands. Imput so far has been great.

On a side note anyone out there got an opinon on buckets??:scratch: