I've fallen for a honda, talk me down...

**gamgee** · 8th June 2006, 12:39

Just spotted a Honda VFR400 nc30
i love the look of it, the single sided swing arm, the curved spokes on the wheels, the headlights, the lot, it just looks so good, but I was wondering before i start to thinking about commiting cash, are their any common faults with these, anything i need to check, i've read (via google) that they are very reliable. also what effect does the use of cam gears as oposed to a cam chain have?

**Sniper** · 8th June 2006, 12:46

They are gorgeous bikes, dont ask questions, just buy it

**Fishy** · 8th June 2006, 12:47

Yep cool little bikes them NC30's. I say go for it mate.

**kiwifruit** · 8th June 2006, 12:49

yep, they are a great looking bike, they go very well for a 400
probably the fastest factory 400 available
go for it!

**Blackbird** · 8th June 2006, 12:55

Great choice. You'll find international websites which cover Honda 400 multis, including how to disable the rev limiter!

**Dafe** · 8th June 2006, 12:57

I used to own one. They are as good a 400 as you'll ever own!
They're probably the most reliable 400 too.
And they sound better than any other 400. (and look better)

Hurry up and buy it, before I do!

**Fooman** · 8th June 2006, 12:57

Originally Posted by gamgee

Just spotted a Honda VFR400 nc30
i love the look of it, the single sided swing arm, the curved spokes on the wheels, the headlights, the lot, it just looks so good, but I was wondering before i start to thinking about commiting cash, are their any common faults with these, anything i need to check, i've read (via google) that they are very reliable. also what effect does the use of cam gears as oposed to a cam chain have?

Rectifiers on them are supposed to be a bit dodgy. They can overheat a bit (not much airflow between the Vee). 18 inch rear wheel makes modern rubber a bit hard to get a hold of.

Cam gears will: Not need to be adjusted, make a nice whine as engine speed builds and will not let you do any skimming of the head, unless you can adjust the subsequent change in centres (e.g. thicker gasket).

I've been semi-seriously looking at getting one...there was a nice one just up the coast I was going to have look at, but it was sold before I got there. And now, I've seen the same bike advertised as a wreck...

FM

**mynameis** · 8th June 2006, 13:03

They are nice bikes aye, but have a look at the NC 35 mate you won't stop drolling. Few things I am aware of are the 18' rims on a NC 30 and tyres are hard to find compared to a 17' on a NC 35 newer model 94 and upwards.

NC 30 is meant to output 59 hp and NC 35 53 hp. But I really like the newer ones, there was one on TradeMe for 6g, overpriced in my opinion. If you have more info on them chuck it up here

Here a good link :

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~john/vfr/specs/

**Insanity_rules** · 8th June 2006, 13:03

Originally Posted by gamgee

Just spotted a Honda VFR400 nc30
i love the look of it, the single sided swing arm, the curved spokes on the wheels, the headlights, the lot, it just looks so good, but I was wondering before i start to thinking about commiting cash, are their any common faults with these, anything i need to check, i've read (via google) that they are very reliable. also what effect does the use of cam gears as oposed to a cam chain have?

Nice work Gamgee, watch the battery box filling with water in heavy rain while sitting parked (common Honda problem all over), clutches are a biarch to replace, get a shim adjustment every (I think its) 30,000 Ks, Keep radiator cleaned out and use GOOD oil. Bulletproof lil bike and they corner like nobodys business.

**Swoop** · 8th June 2006, 13:11

So..... have you bought it yet???

**sugilite:Me** · 8th June 2006, 13:12

I bought the NC24 (almost identical to the NC30) as a commuter and it seemed to thrive on neglect.
As mentioned in a prior post, the rectifiers went on it twice, but otherwise it performed faultlessly.
I liked the gear driven cam whine and mine did over 100,000 very hard km's with no motor work what so ever.

It handled very well and was good enough for me to win a few official hill climbs on.
It was a weapon over the Rimutakas too, about 4 years back I took it down 2 Weekends in a row, the 1st Weekend I put all the big bore bikes to the sword and then went back the following week and did the same to the smaller bikes that had gathered for a organized small capacity ride (400's and smaller) they put up a much better fight with some national level racers in there, same result in the end though, and all on commuter tyres.

As 400's go, you would be pushed to find a better all round road bike.
This will probably be the only post you will ever see me praise a Honda!

Get it, and get it now.

**gamgee** · 8th June 2006, 13:13

Originally Posted by Swoop

So..... have you bought it yet???

nah, it's still a couple more months till i can get my full, i just think i'm hooked on the vfr as the step up, as i should be able to get one for under $4000 and from what you've all said they are a very good bike, about the battery box, is it possible to just drill a hole in the bottom of it so that the water drains out?

**Nicksta** · 8th June 2006, 13:21

they are a niec bike.... and yes, i love the bling single swing arm too!!
it is on my shopping list for when i get my full too... enjoy it if you get it!