NC21 VFR400 vs 1988 FZR Exup

[Str8 Jacket]

PART I

Well this weekend I was lent a 19?? VFR400 (nc21) to ride for the weekend to Manfeild and around. Rode it for about 600k's....

Now keep in mind that at the moment I am only comparing the VFR to what the FZR WAS when I owned it. I have yet to ride my old FZR but will be at the sprints this coming weekend...

I have to say that I really enjoyed the VFR! I hadnt ridden a "real" bike in over 8 months and I was nervous as hell riding someone elses bike. We left at around 8pm on Fri from Wgtn, heading to TeHoro so obviously it was dark.... Me being nervous had initially decided to follow the truck there but by the time I go to Ngauranga Gorge I was sweet!

The lights on this bike are waaaaay better than I expected and had an awesome high beam! The bike was small enough to be easy to ride but big enough to feel like you are riding something. The biggest difference I noticed immeadiatley was how easy ity was to twist the throttle. I get OOS and my wrist never ached once!

The chain on the bike was very near its end but the bike still ran pretty smooth. I cruised happily at just above legal speed limits in 6th gear easily. Though the FZR did too..... Another thing I loved about this bike is the sound it makes. Its not loud loud but it has a nice rumble to it. Unlike the FZR it didnt scream so much when twisting the throttle. Im pretty sure it ate alot less gas that the FZR, but then agin I reckon the FZR might be btter now?

The VFR is definately quicker of the mark than the FZR was so thats a bit worrying fo rthe sprints!

Both bikes seemed to turn just as fast as each other into the corners and with the chain on the VFR being a bit bung it didnt accelerate as fast as the FZR out. Then again the FZR had a brand new Oring chain on it. The VFR is alot llighter so its easier to get round corners and correct etc. The tank on the VFR was not as long as the FZR so the reach to the bars wasnt as long either. The positon is more of a sports bike than a cruiser type bike though.

I have to admit that at the moment I reckon the VFR is better than the FZR was. But I'll let y'all know after Ive ridden the new and improved FZR that Paul has worked so hard on. The FZR was a good bike when it was goijng so I reckon it'll be alot nicer maybe even nicer than the VFR....

Thank you so much for being so trusting and letting me ride your bike koba!

[_intense_]

well of course its "better" it is a honda after all

[Str8 Jacket]

well of course its "better" it is a honda after all

Ah but remember the FZR was a peice of pooh when I owned it. The person who now owns it has completely stripped this bike and fixed everything possible so I reckon it'll be a totally different bike.
Im also not really a "brand" person. Ive owned and destroyed a Suzuki a Kawasaki and a Yamaha. Anyway I cant ride well enough nor have I ridden enough bikes to really be able to tell which is the "better" bike!

[merv]

Nice one Hels sounds like you enjoyed the V4 engine which is what really makes the difference.

[Str8 Jacket]

Nice one Hels sounds like you enjoyed the V4 engine which is what really makes the difference.

Yeah, I especially like the sound! Its also quite smooth, had the chain been a better I may have pusehed it a bit more. I was definately quicker of the mark and if id twisted the throttle a bit more then I think it would have redlined a bit faster than the FZR. Im looking forward to riding the FZR this weekend. Im expecting it to run alot better and possibly faster! I now have also been able to check out, first hand my competition for the sprints... hehe Here's hoping he doesnt get that new chain in time!!

[merv]

OK have fun at the sprints and make sure you get a good result.

[koba]

I've ordered the chain

Now just coolant and a good carb clean...

[NZsarge]

Yeah, I especially like the sound! Its also quite smooth, had the chain been a better I may have pusehed it a bit more. I was definately quicker of the mark and if id twisted the throttle a bit more then I think it would have redlined a bit faster than the FZR. Im looking forward to riding the FZR this weekend. Im expecting it to run alot better and possibly faster! I now have also been able to check out, first hand my competition for the sprints... hehe Here's hoping he doesnt get that new chain in time!!

Be sure and post what you think about the FZR after it's re-furbishment. I'd be interested to know how much better it goes now.

[Teflon]

Love the old vfrs.. They do sound wicked with a pipe. My old nc30 had a carbon can, nice deep raspy sound.. it was the only bike i never dropped.

I think they changed the firing on the 30s, so the 21s will have a different note.

[Paul in NZ]

Be sure and post what you think about the FZR after it's re-furbishment. I'd be interested to know how much better it goes now.

Far out - nothing like pressure eh?

These bikes run great for ages and then just die - I don't expect it to be markedly different other than it now runs...

But yes - I'll be interested in Helens comments afterwards...

[NZsarge]

Far out - nothing like pressure eh?

These bikes run great for ages and then just die - I don't expect it to be markedly different other than it now runs...

But yes - I'll be interested in Helens comments afterwards...

Yeah, I don't think you can expect too much more from a 400cc motor really, partiularly higher reving 4 potters as opposed to a big singles (lower revving)....eh ...I dunno.

[yod]

Yeah, I especially like the sound! Its also quite smooth, had the chain been a better I may have pusehed it a bit more. I was definately quicker of the mark and if id twisted the throttle a bit more then I think it would have redlined a bit faster than the FZR. Im looking forward to riding the FZR this weekend. Im expecting it to run alot better and possibly faster! I now have also been able to check out, first hand my competition for the sprints... hehe Here's hoping he doesnt get that new chain in time!!

Love the old vfrs.. They do sound wicked with a pipe. My old nc30 had a carbon can, nice deep raspy sound.. it was the only bike i never dropped.

I think they changed the firing on the 30s, so the 21s will have a different note.

yeah mine sounds farkin awesome...way better than any inline 4 (imho)

once I get passed 80kmh on the RF i cant even hear the engine but on the VFR you can always hear it....a few of the crowd i ride with never liked following me on the VFR

[Str8 Jacket]

Be sure and post what you think about the FZR after it's re-furbishment. I'd be interested to know how much better it goes now.

Hell yeah, that was also the intention of this thread....

I've ordered the chain

Now just coolant and a good carb clean...

Well if worst comes to worst then I can sabotage your bike some other way... Either way I'll be stoked ifI kick your arse!

I don't expect it to be markedly different other than it now runs...

But yes - I'll be interested in Helens comments afterwards...

The fact that its actually going now is a marked improvement!! I'll just be stoked if it idles at anything less than 6000 revs!

[Paul in NZ]

The fact that its actually going now is a marked improvement!! I'll just be stoked if it idles at anything less than 6000 revs!

Eh? It idles perfectly at the factory specified 1250 rpm.......

In that case - I think you will find it a different bike - it has rather good manners (except for the $%^# charging) ;-)

[Str8 Jacket]

Eh? It idles perfectly at the factory specified 1250 rpm.......

In that case - I think you will find it a different bike - it has rather good manners (except for the $%^# charging) ;-)

Awesome! IM really looking forward to it