NC21 VFR400 vs 1988 FZR Exup

**Str8 Jacket** · 2nd October 2007, 17:11

I sat my eyes on me old FZR for the first time on Sat night. I couldnt believe that it was the same bike! Paul has done an amazing job on this bike both cosmetically and mechanically. It is soooo clean, no rust all cosmetic damage was fixed and its sooo shiny! I needed only a tiny amount of convincing to take it for a blat....

So I start the bike and put in in first gear then I twist the throttle. FARK, just then I realised that it was nothing at all like it used to be. The thing just started moving way faster than I expected so I stopped halfway up the driveway and take a breather while Paul comes running up to see if I was OK.
I forgot how heavy this bike is. Compared to the VFR it is quite noticably heavier. It doesnt look like it but it is. The reach over the tank is alot longer than the VFR as well. Unlike the FZR of old it is now alot easier on the hands. Paul has fixed the levers so they arent as hard on the hands as they were.
The next morning we get up and I get to take the FZR over Paekak for the first time ever. Boy was I slow! The FZR turns in faster to corners than the VFR and its rear suspension was and never will be existent without spending mega bucks.... So if I was honest Id admit that it was scarier to ride than the VFR but the position of the footpegs (higher up than the VFR) and the length of the tank actually makes it alot easier to tuck into it. So by the time we got to the Takas I was quite happy!
The FZR hums now! When I owned it, just before it really died it was idling at anywhere between 6-8000revs. Now its around 1000? I actually had to keep revving it at the lights just to make sure it was still going!
As if I wasnt already excited enough, by the time I got to the sprints I was so excited I couldnt even eat all my pie!!!!........
My experience at the sprints to come....

**merv** · 2nd October 2007, 17:18

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

As if I wasnt already excited enough, by the time I got to the sprints I was so excited I couldnt even eat all my pie!!!!........

Damn I hope that bit of the pie you ate wasn't responsible for that last 0.5km/hr you were looking for?

The pie story last time we were filling you up to stop you getting blown off the KR, now salads would be OK eh!

**Str8 Jacket** · 2nd October 2007, 17:40

Well it's official the FZR can do at least 199.5kph!

I was very conscious that I was not on my own bike and after riding over Paekok and the Taka's quite slowly I was feeling quite comfortable. I still think that the VFR is faster of the mark but thena gain its most likely to be the rider!!

It was a bit gusty on my first flying run and as I was approaching 180k's I was suddenly riding on a sideways lean I instantly dropeed the throttle for some insane reason and my whole body tensed up. Luckily I got my head together leaned into the bike and before I new it the bike was taright again. Having never done the sprints before I wasnt to sure when to slow down. So I didnt, I was still going about 180 when I passed the parked up bikes. The brakes are pretty good on the FZR, they always were but there smoother or something now... I turned around parkked up and had a laugh. Unfortunately I only got a 189 for that run...

The next few runs were great I avereaged about 198... The bike really screams when it hits 4000 revs in second and you suddenly find yourself being pushed back in the seat. Codura doesnt help either. The bike redlines really fast and jumps noticeably in speed when you change up a gear. For the first 4 runs I didnt go past 5th gear and the bike was only at the beggining of redline 14000 revs. The speedo moves up reasonably fast when you hold the throttle open. On my last flying I managed to get the gear changes almost bang on and used 6th gear. I new when I crossed the line that it was the best run. Thats when it did 199.5

Standing quarters.... Well the bike isnt terribly quick of the mark so I had to get the revs right. Never did but Im not convinced that even if I had that it would have been spectacular of the mark... I had two absolutely terrible runs when I kept hitting neutral instead of 2nd (doh!) But I have to admit that it needs a pretty decent kick to change gears and id forgotten. The bike really throws you back when your accelerating fast and it can be a bit scary but the screen protects you form too much if you lean into it..
I saw a 180 on the speedo and my best time wass 13.6 seconds, quite average but again thats the rider not the bike!

It eats the gas but you are more than rewarded with the fun! I know ive said this many many times but WOW!!! Paul has put his heart, soul and wallet into this bike. It is immaculate and it really runs well. It was awesome to be able to take it out in the sprints and I think I have way more confidence in my riding than ive ever had before. I fell in love with this bike on the weekend. It is now the bike I thought I was buying originally and I would happily pay more than I did ($3000). Some lucky bastard is getting an awesome bike!!!

**koba** · 2nd October 2007, 17:58

Good shit to you and paul!

Having a quick sit on the FZR showed me that HEALL YEAH them pegs are higher and the reach longer! - prob great if your taller than us shortarses

It was a great day out and the Fizzer looked better than the NC21 partly because mine has gotten alot dirtier since Ive owned it.

What I notice was the VFR Looks Mint from a distance alonside a mint FZR but given a closer inspection my example loses mega marks to the effort and time that paul has put into that fizzer in the small details.

199.5 and 13.6 - Right on par for an 80's 400 Inline 4!

Had me worried there for a while

Watching your standing launches, looked like you got off the line pretty bloody good.

If The VFR hadn't popped up when it did for the price I got it for I would grab on to that FZR in a snap, what a machine!

And ya beat an NC30!

**Str8 Jacket** · 2nd October 2007, 18:00

Originally Posted by koba

And ya beat an NC30!

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

**Clivoris** · 2nd October 2007, 20:26

Gaaar. Shoulda given the CBR a thrash. What was the prize for fastest 400 not to grenade?

**koba** · 3rd October 2007, 09:23

Originally Posted by Clivoris

Gaaar. Shoulda given the CBR a thrash. What was the prize for fastest 400 not to grenade?

I got a Bike Rider Mag, Pile of stickers and A HUNDIE BUCK QUASI VOUCHER!

Was also entitled to a prize for fastest standing 400

The sprints are pretty cool that way, 50 bucks to enter but heaps of the people there walk away with real deacent prizes.

**skelstar** · 3rd October 2007, 10:19

Originally Posted by koba

The sprints are pretty cool that way, 50 bucks to enter but heaps of the people there walk away with real deacent prizes.

That is largely due to a LOT of work by Deano and Nikki securing those prizes eh.

**koba** · 3rd October 2007, 14:07

Sure is!

The sprints is an awesome event that is made possible by the organisers and volunteers putting in so much work.

Good Shit guys, your work is really apreciated!

**Paul in NZ** · 3rd October 2007, 17:28

Originally Posted by koba

Sure is!

The sprints is an awesome event that is made possible by the organisers and volunteers putting in so much work.

Good Shit guys, your work is really apreciated!

Too bloody right! The organising of these events is a thankless task and we would be the poorer without em - well done folks...

Well done to all the people that turn up and have a go as well.... Its burdy good fun and I dunno why more people don't give it a go...

Actually - I wonder if I should start tricking out the Triumph for November? Chrome reverse cone meggas, flat bars, remove the mirror, pump up the tyres? I reckon I can crack 160 this time lads...... (will I need oxygen at that speed?)

Cheers