400cc bikes. Pros and Cons?

[Morcs]

Can they be replaced with disks off anything else? TYGA fitted a NC35 with CBR954 disks but I'm not sure what modifications were needed. More options means possibly finding something cheap

Not sure about the nc30, but the nc35's front brakes (nissin 4 pots) are the same as the vtr 1000.

RC51 brakes are also a well known up grade...

[Coyote]

Not sure about the nc30, but the nc35's front brakes (nissin 4 pots) are the same as the vtr 1000.

RC51 brakes are also a well known up grade...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...18925.htm?p=20
These may fit then?

$400 is more than I can afford though

[Morcs]

Yep those discs are the same as mine

[El Dopa]

[LEFT]I'm a huge fan of 400cc bikes, there is little more satisfying than getting it right on a 400. Matching revs, slick changes, agility that is little short of miraculous after riding a 750cc or bigger bike and enough power to cope with pretty much anything thrown at you.

I haven't found parts to be a problem for the Katana, but that's largely because Suzuki have lots of part commonality across the range, being a relatively small company compared to Kawasaki and Honda. Pick the model you buy and you'll be able to get parts easily.

Second all of this. I love my bandit 400. Plently of power for me, loads of mods you can do, plenty of part interchangability if you've done your research. Katana, GSXR400 and Bandit all share pretty much the same engine, wheels, front forks and who knows what else. Probably reg/rec, brakes and a whole bunch of other stuff. Some parts from the same years of 750, 1100 etc bolt straight up. Some bits from more recent 600's, 750's and 1000's fit with minor mods.

Same size as a 250 - you can throw it around without any problems. Small enough that my fat arse helps damp out my hamfisted downchanges.

The only small problem I have is that they are small bikes. I have nearly tipped over at the lights before because my hamstring cramped up after riding without a break for 2 hours.

I also remind people of Homer on his clown cycle as I ride by.

There's a big step up in power from a 400 like my bandit to zx636r, much bigger than the step from a 250 to a 400.
My bandit's got enough power for me. With a 600 or bigger bike you might not have to change gears so much when going quick.

The point being that you're far less likely to get yourself in trouble with a 400, but the fun come by the bucketload.

NC goes well off the 180 clock. How much do you need as a newely graduated 250 rider?

Exactly. My stock-standard bandit nudges 190-200 on the back straight at Taupo. How fast do you need to go?

[Zapf]

Don't let slowpoke fool you into thinking a 400cc V-Twin will have more torque than IL4. Torque is a function of capacity, not engine layout. An SV400 or Monster 400 will have the same torque as an IL4 400 or parallel twin 400 (GPz400) but both the V-Twin and parallel twin will have less HP.

yes, that being true. One of the advantage about twins is that the way they deliver power offers more traction. That being said I am currently considering a BMW F800 at the moment, and it is a parallel twin 800.

[Lucy]

I gave the view that 400's were overrated (high maintenence for not particularly inspiring performance), .......

If I get one the bike will match the rider then.

[Lucy]

So when you are selling the 750 Jim?

I can think of a few more practical, easy to ride, confidence inspiring bikes to jump to from a GN than a race rep 400 too. Lets see a noobie fresh off a GN do a figure 8 in the width of a 2 lane road on an RVF400 as they'd have to for a license in OZ.

What are your suggestions?

[clint640]

Wasn't this thread about comparing a Suzuki GN250 to a 400cc? Since when did 2t 250's, inline4 600 and litre bikes come into play?

Yep, it is such hard work going from a lil GN250 to a 4 cyl 400, they've only got like THREE TIMES AS MUCH POWER!

The 500 twins are definitely worth a look in this category but they're a bit rare & there are lots of very tidy 400's out there (not the race rep ZXRs & RVFs) that can be had for very little coin.

Cheers
Clint

[avgas]

400's are awesome pieces of machinery.
i find 400's one of the best buys in NZ as people tend to shy away from them because they are not 600's.
I've had about 4 400's over the years, and test rode over about 30. To me they feel as agile as the 250's but with the low down pull of a decent sized bike.
The limits are both reachable and realistic in them - and they happily to everything you ever want a bike to do, cruise, open road cruise, hot laps, low rev twistys, high rev twisty's, flat tack runs.
If i buy another bike it will probably be another 400.
Plus if you looks around there are some cheap 400's that a way better than bigger bikes. The one Klown owns is a classic example

[Bonez]

I own a GB400 and it performs remarkably well on the more interesting, read tight and twisty, roads. Always come home with a smile on my face. Done a few
longer multi day roads no problems what so ever.

Yip getting a 400 or as Frosty suggested a 500 is a grand idea.

[Brett]

400's are fun bikes. I hae ridden my brothers one a few times, and it is a blast. Also plenty power for doing almost anything.

I amgoing to look for one shortly as an entry level race bike...perhaps an NC30 VFR or similar...maybe early next year.

That street fighter above looks pretty cool, would make an awesome stunt bike!