Looking at upgrading to a 400

[Hitcher]

i came to the conclusion that the reg/rec had gone poof.

Thanks to Fran Wilde that hasn't been an illegal act since 1986.

[Redstar]

There are 400's and there are 400's! some have less punch than a wet bus ticket, and some make the average 600 look tame. : so lets take the CBR600 as a benchmark 600
thats a handy 60hp(for a basic restricted CBR) not a kitted CBRRR fang.
so if you go 400 there are only a few 400's that will excite you. Now I have studied this a bit and there are four jap imports to consider. In no particular order VFR400
ZXR400 and the Yamaha (YZXup)400 or the GXR400. the RF is to heavy.
now the GXR is the fastest but small looks like a 250 the rest are similar size.
the next fastest and most ps is the Kawa check out the F3 results its kawa zxr but its a very agressive bike and you have to be short and keen. the RF is too heavy forget it the plum is the VFR Honda for power and looks but personally I would get the Kawa zxr400 for raw fanging fun. 400'S are a very underated class. PS the suzuki350 goose new is cheap and worth a strangle if only 40hp its light and flickable

[TwoSeven]

I went from bigger bikes down to 600s then from that down to the cibby 250 which I enjoy emensly. I have my eye on a cibby400 (a black an teal one) that I shall get when I stop spending my dosh on everything else. After the 400 i'm planning on getting a cibby1k mainly because it will be the only one in the cibby range I havnt owned/ridden.

I personally find the vfr slightly too heavy - it reminds me of the old Revere (NTV600) we used to have - nice commuter. There are a lot more aftermarket bits for the vfr than the cibby which makes it easier to mod and tune up if you are into that - also means easier to get parts for if you break it somehow. I'd also avoid one if someone has chopped the end-can off as well - but thats just my preference - you can always pick up a complete system from a breakers and keep it for resale. I'd like to have a rvf400 at some stage (when I can find more garage space) but they seem a bit rare here (and most are probably lacking their rear wheels anyhow).

[ben444]

I'll probably have 3 400's for sale when I get back in the country next month.
CBR400 NC23 race bike $1900
RVF400 NC35 race bike, bit of a bitza but goes real well $2900
CBR400RR NC29 road bike, fireblade colours, very tidy $poa (I may have someone already to buy this, but not confirmed yet)

[Kwaka-Kid]

Darryboy... theres lots of thinking to do.
First - Redstar where did u find out the info on those bikes? as in my experience the GSXR is the biggest of the 400's in terms of leg room etc as the frame was based off the 750. The ZXR is next biggest and feel wide between he legs, dont have much of knee cutaways so they dont bother you.. and the VFR400 is the smallest, with deep knee cutaways in the tank that can aggravate you a little if you find it hard to get ur knees tucked in.

Handling? ZXR400 Wins above them all, its got the best suspension esp for track use - thought often critized for being a bit firm on the road. GSXR400 would possibly be second though im not entirely sure, definatly firmer then the Viffer put it that way (and thats the way i look at it) VFR - Pussy Soft honda suspension almost identical to that put on the NSR250, the front springs are just far too soft, but if you get a remote resivour showa rear shock (came with some VFR's) its much better then the other hardley adjustable rear shock that too came std with them.

Power? Yeah ZXR is certainly higher but hey they are still all 400's putting out near/around 60hp. Weight - ZXR and VFR is about the same, think the ZXR has 2-3 less KG stock.

Finally diff between NC24 and 30? Lots! Enough to make you not touch a 24 if you are seriously thinking about racing it.. the rims are much smaller so really only fit crossply tyres, only have 2 pot sliding caliper brakes vs 4 pot, seat is lower and bars are higher creating a "less race" riding position. the 24 has a 180 degree crank not 360, i think thats what gives it the lazier power curve - it doesnt make as much power as the 30 but it definatly has more of it down lower. They weigh a fair bit more then a 30. They handle worse then a 30, if you can imagine not the best suspension on a 30, then take away the adjustments you can make to them you had 24 suspension.
Rear wheel takes 4 bolts to get off on NC24 not just 1, and also the exhaust is on the same side as you take the wheel off on the 24 so it gets in the way - very smart thinking.

NC30's are incredibly reliable bikes as are 24's... if it was just for street use i would own a 24 again - lasier street sitting position and more of its power down low. They both suffer from the Reg/rec frying problem though at around 30,000km. But if you replace it with something big and nasty they never give you a problem again Also NC24's are easier to adjust tapets as its a posidrive adjuster you get at thru an inspection cap, 30's are underbucket shims.

[NC]

Oh I'm selling mine in 6 to 8 weeks

It's a 91, Aftermarket arrow system (sounds sexy as ), new tyres, disc's, breaks, the glitch with the regulator/rectifier was fixed long ago. It's black and red (thems fast colours) It's getting a new paint job before I sell it so it'll look even more pretty
And has had a careful lady owner for the last 2 years

[White trash]

Is it very easy to switch from a 250 to a 600?

Rgv250 to '98 GSXR750W when they were first released. No problems.

[aff-man]

There are quite a few zxr400 flooding the market at the moment probably due to all the new 600's coming out but yeh. They are the most powerfull of them all moohahahahahahaha. But i got warned off the gsxr400 for handeling reasons don't really know why but the viffer's are tiny compared with the zxr.

zxr's man

[Coldkiwi]

Is it very easy to switch from a 250 to a 600? I know that you should learn as much as possibl etc, etc... BUT, ONCE I acheive Oneness with the road and bike on my patented SoonToBeTwoFiftyButIAmStillWorkingOnTheFunds, would it be a rather SAFE leap to say, a CBR600RR? *DROOOOOL*

I went from an 89 ZXR250 to a 97 ZX6R ok (but forget test riding a 600 yourself because if you're anything like me you'll go gaga when you open the thottle, fall in love with it and completely miss any other faults!). Having thrashed the pants of the ZXR 250(sorry jono!) certainly helped me appreciate the 600's improvements (brakes, suspension, chassis etc have also moved on in the 8 years of development) because it wasn't just the lack of engine that I felt was limiting.
The ZX6 was a good bike to go to for me because its a little easier going than the gsxr (same would apply to a ZZR600, and pre 2002ish CBR600).

You need to be aware that its not just more power you get when going from an early 90's 250 to a late 90's or early millenium 600 because the whole competitive nature of the supersport category has really intensified over the last 6 years since all 4 Jap manufacturers have been trying to beat each other on the track with their proddy bikes. The end result now is that the 2004 ZX6R, GSXR600, CBR600RR and R6 are all nutter bikes with bloody twitchy handling and responsive throttles... and if you don't ride them smoothly they can bite you. But if you're smooth and not too aggressive when getting used to the bike you should be fine.

[Cajun]

I went from an 89 ZXR250 to a 97 ZX6R ok (but forget test riding a 600 yourself because if you're anything like me you'll go gaga when you open the thottle, fall in love with it and completely miss any other faults!). Having thrashed the pants of the ZXR 250(sorry jono!) certainly helped me appreciate the 600's improvements (brakes, suspension, chassis etc have also moved on in the 8 years of development) because it wasn't just the lack of engine that I felt was limiting.
The ZX6 was a good bike to go to for me because its a little easier going than the gsxr (same would apply to a ZZR600, and pre 2002ish CBR600).

You need to be aware that its not just more power you get when going from an early 90's 250 to a late 90's or early millenium 600 because the whole competitive nature of the supersport category has really intensified over the last 6 years since all 4 Jap manufacturers have been trying to beat each other on the track with their proddy bikes. The end result now is that the 2004 ZX6R, GSXR600, CBR600RR and R6 are all nutter bikes with bloody twitchy handling and responsive throttles... and if you don't ride them smoothly they can bite you. But if you're smooth and not too aggressive when getting used to the bike you should be fine.

i don't think the k4 600 is a twitchy bike, and not a total nutter bike

[MrMelon]

...careful lady owner ..

[Cajun]

you laugh at that one as well

it has new brake disc/pads so should stop onm a dime now tho

[Darryboy]

Thanks for the advice guys.

For those that wanted to know I am currently on my learners and sit my restricted in a couple of weeks. I'm only 21 but I'm going to see about the possiblity of sitting one of those fast forward courses.

I understand that there is alot more than just throttle control but there are a whole bunch of positives I see to upgrading to a 400. One of these being overtaking (esp. uphill) As this is quite a task on the GSX.

I did consider getting a more sports orientated 250 e.g. GSX-R but the legal for learners/restricted premium makes them the same if not more $ than a 400.

I am aware of the penalties of riding over 250cc and you may think it's stupid but I see the reward outweighing the risk (which I see as very slim).

My poor GSX has to go to the shop as some nob from work that parks 4m behind my bike backed into the back of my bike causing it to fall on it's right side denting the tank and scratching fairings The fool was going way too fast for reversing in a carpark and was still pushing the bike after it fell over. The poor thing was shunted more than a metre. He'll pay! Gaddammit he'll pay!

[Two Smoker]

I did consider getting a more sports orientated 250 e.g. GSX-R but the legal for learners/restricted premium makes them the same if not more $ than a 400.

I am aware of the penalties of riding over 250cc and you may think it's stupid but I see the reward outweighing the risk (which I see as very slim).

Just remember because you are on your learners/restricted you can't get insurance for your 400, so in essence it isnt the same amount as the 250's insurance...

I still say get some mint tyres for the GSX and see what she can really do in the corners.... also maybe get some velcro sewed onto your leathers and try moving around on the bike.... Then look at getting a 400.........

[k14]

Just remember because you are on your learners/restricted you can't get insurance for your 400, so in essence it isnt the same amount as the 250's insurance...

Yeah that was the main point behind me not getting a 400 and getting my CBR. Just think if you cause an accident and write off a $70000 BMW you are screwed repaying that for a long long time. Now I bet that reward doesn't outweigh the disadvantages. (sorry if i sound like your mum)

Anyways, hope you make the right decision. You should be able to get your full within 12 months of getting your restricted, depending on what course you do and how much $$$ you want to pay.