vfr 400 nc30

[Yojimbo]

Hey guys, I'm looking at this Honda on trademe atm and I'm pretty sure its the same bike on 'kwaka-kid's avatar . Anyway, I just wanted to know what you guys thought about this particular bike and NC30 in general. I have done a wee bit of reading and have a general idea but I want hear other opinions.


Cheers

[rudolph]

I can sell you cheep parts

[Yojimbo]

awesome....I heard that the reg-rectifiers die quite often.

[Cruisin' Craig]

A briefly owned a 1993 one a fair few years ago.

It didn't quite have the straight line squirt that my 1987 FZR400 had (I owned them at the same time, so was able to compare reasonably accurately I think) but the power delivery was certainly stronger low down, and for this reason alone I'm sure most riders could have got more pace out of the Honda.

The best thing though was the handling. Cornered like it was on rails, and if I were to name the best three handling bikes I've ever ridden, the NC30 would be one of them.

The Honda also felt lighter, and I'm positive that the brakes were a bit stronger.

Speaking for myself, I wouldn't hesitate to own one again.

[Zoolander]

My first sportsbike was an NC30 in the red/white/blue colour scheme. Like a mini RC30. I loved the thing to pieces and still have a real soft spot for them. awesome little pieces of engineering, way more exotic than an inline 4, go like stink as well. Quite high first gear but have the grunt to pull it. (I had mine geared down for a while and it suprised me how hard it accelerated). The rectifiers are a weak spot but can be changed for an aftermarket part quite cheaply. Get an open pipe on it so it doesn't sound like a sewing machine. Don't be tempted to run an oversized rear tyre. Don't adjust the chain by tapping the adjuster with a hammer and punch as this stuffs the bearings, get the proper c-spanner. And the seats a little close to the pegs if you have long legs.

If you buy one I reckon you'll love it.

[hazard02]

Seconding Zoolanader on this one. Arguably the best 400 there is. I've only had a short blat on a couple of other 400s (ZXR and GSXR) and the inline-4s do seem to have a little more grunt in a straight line, but the low end torque from a V4 coupled with the NC30s handling make it a winner on the corners.

[skidMark]

I can sell you cheep parts

NC21 is completely different to NC30 rudi.

[Coyote]

Brilliant model of bike.

However, I bought a lemon. I couldn't afford a decent one when I wanted one so had to opt for a cheaper one with higher k's. I thought this wouldn't be a problem, I was wrong. The engine has an annoying tick, had to replace brake disks at great expense, the front end shakes, etc. I've since spent more in total on it than a decent one would have cost.

My most fatal mistake was I got it sight unseen off trademe. Don't do that! I was an idiot! Make sure you check it out for yourself at least or best, get a mechanic mate to check it out with you. The guy off trademe won't tell you the frame has a dent (like mine does). Luckily you're in Auckland and more of them pop up there, not so much turn up in Wellington which was what forced me to buy from Christchurch (which cost $300 bucks!).

Good luck, if you don't do what I did you'll love your new NC30.

[n0regret5]

reg/recs are notorious for dying..start there. otherwise, in stock trim, they're easily the greatest 400 race-rep bike ever built. i'm sure people will argue with me on this, but they're retarded and haven't ridden an NC30.

mine was great..tuned, ported, aftermarket exhaust, high flow leads, velocity stacks, braided lines..sounded like a killer sewing machine on crack. hah! no it sounded much better, really

[skidMark]

reg/recs are notorious for dying..start there. otherwise, in stock trim, they're easily the greatest 400 race-rep bike ever built. i'm sure people will argue with me on this, but they're retarded and haven't ridden an NC30.

mine was great..tuned, ported, aftermarket exhaust, high flow leads, velocity stacks, braided lines..sounded like a killer sewing machine on crack. hah! no it sounded much better, really

To ride i prefer the NC30 over the ZXR400. but i have only cornered a vfr400 around corners at 80 kph around a local road.

would be interesting to see how it would go at higher open road corner speeds....160-180....would be a good compare, but i'm not gunna corner at those speeds on a 5k bike that aint mine. Did it on the ZXR 400. Too risky.

I found the ZXR 400 quite stable at high speed.

But the huge gas tank put me off.

I actaully feel alot better riding an 06/ 07 ZX10r.... lets you feel in control in a way, ZXR400's huge tank is a put off for me, puts it in your mind it's a big heavy bike, in reality it's not too bad.

[HenryDorsetCase]

where does one purchase a new reg/rec for this fine motorcycle?

[koba]

Dont write off earlier NC's when considering VFR's either.
They are also fantastic.
My NC21 goes alright, Doesn't feel as connected to the road in a back to back swap, but I think its just the feeling rather than reality.

If you are going to buy one check EVERYTHING, or get it all checked because it will be expensive to work on if It needs work.
Dont rely on the word of the seller either, they may tell you a mechanical check has been done or whatever but even tho they have a reasonable rep they may be a liar.

Good luck mate, cracker bikes those NC's

[Coyote]

Dont write off earlier NC's when considering VFR's either.
They are also fantastic.
My NC21 goes alright, Doesn't feel as connected to the road in a back to back swap, but I think its just the feeling rather than reality.

This dude bet my bike at the sprints. And although it has a lower redline it's about dead even from the lights.

Also if you're not a fan of the hunched over race bike seating, the NC24 is better and the NC21 is better again. Although the NC30 isn't that bad compared to modern bikes.

Knowing what I know now, I probably wouldn't have skipped the chance to get that NC24 with the fully worked engine for $3000 just because it wasn't an NC30.

[Kwaka-Kid]

Oh no, another NC related post

Although that NC looks to be sold, yes it was mine-and they are mint little machines.

Even bad ones are not too bad - you just have to have a good mixture of confidence, and will-to-learn (im sure there is a big word for that).

Reg recs? Easy. Honda were remarkable with the output on such little bikes from the alts., however shindingen slapped too small a unit on so many of these. Simply solved (which this yellow VFR in particular already had done) by fitting an early MB3 center code Reg/Rec, able to be sourced after market (however still O.E.M from Shin.)

ahhh ive already rambled! thatll be enough, but seriously, miss that old NC! Esp. considering i only sold it for $3300 or something.

Oh and i did own it from 2,000k's through to 47,000k's and loved riding every last one - just waiting to find another with such low k's ex-japan to cosmetic rebuild.

[n0regret5]

nc24's are excellent bikes, first 'big' bike for me, comfy as. had it for 3 years, toured from the bottom of the north island to the top.

and skidmarx..i know you're just 'voicing an opinion'..heres mine. nc30 corners better, goes better, looks better, sounds better...

anyway, vfrs have VERY strong engines and go forever..my nc24 had 80000 when i bought it, sold it with 130000. had it checked at 120000, mechanic said he's never seen an engine with such high kms in such good condition. its a shame honda keeps losing races with them!