400cc shootout

[Goblin]

yeah the vfr is nice, but what about the reliability of the others? like what things are known to go wrong?

All sorts of different things go wrong on all the different bikes for all sorts of different reasons! I dont think any one brand is more reliable than the others. Just go test ride all on your short list & find one you're most comfortable with and buy the friggin thing and have some fun!

[kiwifruit]

All sorts of different things go wrong on all the different bikes for all sorts of different reasons! I dont think any one brand is more reliable than the others. Just go test ride all on your short list & find one you're most comfortable with and buy the friggin thing and have some fun!

Damn skippy!
I couldnt agree more

[T.W.R]

As Goblin said but it all boils down to how the bikes have been treated by previous owners, any bike carrying age & that has been through a few owners will have some vices, but thats what it's all about. You may well pick up some issues that the previous owner has had enough of and on the other hand some issues may have been rectified also.

As an all-round bike the NC30 would be the pick of the VFRs & RVF Hondas but ground clearance is an issue along with the limited choice of rubber for the rear as it's an 18inch rim (solved by fitting a RVF rear wheel), but then you loose more ground clearance (solved by fitting a longer rear shock). Plus if it hasn't been de-restricted having 2 cylinders go to sleep at 180kmh isn't pleasant.

A ZXR is a slightly better performer but looses out by having a peakier engine, it has a better front end. The primo model is the ZXR400RRSP but lols try finding one

[Karma]

A ZXR is a slightly better performer but looses out by having a peakier engine, it has a better front end. The primo model is the ZXR400RRSP but lols try finding one

Yeh that's true, but that's half the fun eh... I know someone on here has one, can't remember the name though... speedygirl or girlygirl or something...

[FzerozeroT]

Took a mates FZR out on the weekend (to carry a pillion), definitely faster up the top end, but the beauty of the NC30 is you can thrash it like a little bike whan you want to, but if you are having a lazy day you can just leave it in top and roll on to pass traffic. turn in is a lot faster on my NC30 but the front is about 40mm lower than standard! get a couple of rides on each and then decide, I love my NC (but am getting rid of it ) but mate likes his FZR better.

[steved]

Word of caution, I'm 6'4" and find the seat height to be too low for my size, on a long ride I get knee cramps after a few hundred km but that's sports bikes for ya...

Thought about raising the ride height? Makes them even more uncomfortable I'd think as you're more horizontal.

[steved]

Yeh that's true, but that's half the fun eh... I know someone on here has one, can't remember the name though... speedygirl or girlygirl or something...

How do you know if a particular ZXR400 is the SP model? I've been told mine is and would like to know.

[Karma]

Thought about raising the ride height? Makes them even more uncomfortable I'd think as you're more horizontal.

Ah... I don't mean the ride height, I mean the distance between the seat and the pegs.

Means my longer legs are bent at an awkward angle and causes problems.

Regards whether it's an SP... no idea I'm afraid.

[gamgee]

wouldn't it say on the vin/ chassis?

[T.W.R]

How do you know if a particular ZXR400 is the SP model? I've been told mine is and would like to know.

The SP has the front end from the ZXR750R (refined) close ratio 6speed gear box, and larger diameter flatslide carbs compared to the 32mm CV units

[HDTboy]

I can't be bothered reading most of the crap in here. I will tell you about my CBR400RR though. It's used for both road riding and racing

I bought mine cheap after it had dropped a valve due to a big overrev by the previous muppet owner. A $50 valve had it going mint again (I'm a mechanic).
I had an issue with a rear wheel bearing, but I believe this is specific to my bike.
After setting the tappets it was making respectable power, then the clutch started to slip. I've fixed the clutch, and am not worried about that, it's a normal service item.
While racing at manfield I threw it in the mud a few times and no levers broke. I did destroy the bottom end being a rough bastard though.

For the record, CBR400s have Gear Driven Cams, if you'd like to argue about that I invite you to look at my engine while it's in bits

To summarise, if the bike had been looked after by the previous muppet and myself, it'd be a nice reliable bike. It's only got half the power of a modern 600 and weighs the same. It crashes pretty well. The 18 inch rear wheel hasn't caused me any grief, I found that cycletreads get dunlop GPR-70sp tyres with ease, these are by far the best tyre for little bikes.
Ground clearance isn't a problem on mine, with rearsets fitted, the side stand is the first thing to scrape. they make the knees sore though. I'm 6 foot

If you want to talk 400s go to www.400greybike.co.uk

If I had the choice I'd place the VFR and ZXR 1st equal, then the CBR and wouldn't consider the FZR or GSXR

[SPman]

.... The primo model is the ZXR400RRSP but lols try finding one

Also the FZR 400SP - same sort of specs -
The VFR is torquier than the IL4's

[kickingzebra]

If I had the choice I'd place the VFR and ZXR 1st equal, then the CBR and wouldn't consider the FZR or GSXR

But thats just cause gixxers don't look better when covered in mud, unlike your poor CBR!! LOL

Thanks for clearing up the cam thing, I was stuck on belt vs chain as in cars.

[sAsLEX]

The VFR is torquier than the IL4's

And sounds better

[imdying]

CBR400RRs are great, they always seems a little bit more polished designwise than the others (but only a little more than the VFR). They're all gear driven cams, and go ok.

ZXR400s are a bit more 'racey' in comparison, a big rougher around the edges. Still go fine though, just don't have the depth of finish of the Hondas.

GSXR400s are much like the ZXR400. They don't have a beam frame which makes them look old tech, but it doesn't affect their handling etc.

FZR400s are a bit argicultural (cheap?) in comparison to the others, but they seem the easiest to get bits for.

The VFR is the nicest looking, single sided swingarm etc. Makes a great noise (compared to any other 400) on an open pipe, the cam gears make them a bit whiney without one. They go good too, maybe not ultimately as quick as the ZXR, but you'd not notice on the road... The RVF is as above, but has an even better finish. Slightly down on power compared to the VFR, but has slightly better torque. By all accounts, a prick to get secondhand parts for.

Whatever you buy, make sure its been looked after. Walk away from anything that looks abused, or if the owner isn't a 'biker'. They all turn to poo pretty quickly if neglected.

Look for one that has had few owners in NZ, and the owner has had it a while and is looking to trade up. That would indicate a positive experience, and hopefully less neglect.