Best '90's 400cc sporty bike?

**racefactory** · 5th January 2009, 08:45

Originally Posted by scracha

CBR400 is obviously the best. FZR400 handles nicer but a bit fragile. Wouldn't touch the GSXR's with a bargepole.......there's a reason why not many of them left.

These are not "novice" bikes though. A bros 650, 650 versys or SV650 is probably a safer buy and easier to ride.

The CBR400 is alright, would be much better to work on than the NC30. So if your into modding and greasing than that's probably the better bet, would be a damn site easier for valves/spark plugs/ carb balancing and all the engine works. And I really did wish for that sometimes with the V4. However that bike is just lacks the specs and is a long shot short of being exotic like the NC30.

I have not heard too many things about the gixxer 400 but then again, i wouldnt go near it due to parts...

hands down majority says the NC30 is the best 400- but it's personal preference aint it?

**racefactory** · 5th January 2009, 08:51

They are definately the most beautiful too...

here's our KB v4 selection...

**quickbuck** · 5th January 2009, 09:22

Originally Posted by scracha

.......there's a reason why not many of them left.

.

Eh, they were never a NZ market bike....
Tonnes of them in their mother land. Just a matter of getting them here.

My vote actually goes to the CBR.
Yep, VFR would be very nice, especially in NC35 trim... or better yet the NC45! However, unless you have the hands of a double jointed Japanese robot, they are a bit of a pain to do anything on under the skin.

CBR comes with Honda reliability, and a very smooth engine (so long as it was looked after).
As mentioned there are plenty of other options out there too....
The Bros may be an option.... The Street fighter look in coming into fashion, so a little tickle up, and some small fancy plastic bits could make it look pretty trick.

**vtec** · 5th January 2009, 09:23

I think the VFR is lighter? And handles better? And has more torque?

**mashman** · 5th January 2009, 09:24

ZXR400 for me!!! I did get to ride a friends brand new VFR400 back in the day and it was all nice and pleasant, but didn't leave me with that eye bobbling sensation where you feel like your eyes have detached from their retina because your brain has just been liquidized by the vibrations of the screaming bitch between your legs...

Having said that the ZXR needed constant TLC... salty roads in the Scotland required brake maintenance the likes of which I never hope to repeat, 2 head gaskets went poof, circlip broke in the gearbox and it locked in second and I blew her up once doing 125mph on the motorway... havin said that when she popped she went gracefully, spewing oil out of her arse and still running. I stopped when I heard the grinding. Got a second hand engine for buttons and that one seemed pretty bulletproof...

Get the ZXR if only for the eye bobbly muchy brain sensation, if fakin bizzarre...

**nico** · 5th January 2009, 09:31

honda v4 either vfr or rvf cant go wrong

**Hoon** · 5th January 2009, 10:26

Personal preference really. Performance wise there is not a lot of difference between the big 3 (FZR 3TJ, VFR NC30/NC35, ZXR L model).

I prefer the ZXR but that's more due to having the most exposure and racing 2 of them rather than the result of any extensive research, but either of the above bikes you can't go wrong.

The ZXR seems to be the most popular 400cc on the F3 grid these days. There used to be more VFR/GSXRs but these have thinned out over the years. Don't see a lot of FZR/CBR or RVFs at all.

The ZXRs are a fav with racers because the SP model comes with flatslide carbs, fully adjustable USD forks, adjustable race cams and other goodies, that means these parts can also be fitted to standard ZXRs under current F3 rules. Also parts from the 96-99 zx6r (rear shock and rear 180 wheel) fit onto the 400.

Haven't had any reliability issues with mine, they've all performed flawlessly (no mechanical DNFs to date) - guess it all depends on how well they are maintained.

**vtec** · 5th January 2009, 12:42

Best 400cc and below bike...

CBR250RR for the win haha.
Check these results. I've posted them far too many times. Just makes me laugh.
http://www.silver-bullet.co.nz/event...p?eventid=5510
7th equal place in F3... CBR250RR, only one non 650 ahead.
It's for sale here too
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=89481
Only done the one race day, and one track day.

**samgab** · 5th January 2009, 13:03

Originally Posted by vtec

Best 400cc and below bike...

CBR250RR for the win haha.
Check these results. I've posted them far too many times. Just makes me laugh.
http://www.silver-bullet.co.nz/event...p?eventid=5510
7th equal place in F3... CBR250RR, only one non 650 ahead.
It's for sale here too
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=89481
Only done the one race day, and one track day.

Hey hey hey, quit trying to plug your CBR... We all know you prefer VFR400's now...

**samgab** · 5th January 2009, 13:23

Originally Posted by lostinflyz

the vfr is a nice bike. it does what its supposed to in a good way. especially on the road. the rvf is better in most aspects but only by the slightest of margins. but these days the vfr's are getting pretty tatty and they are the hardest bike to work on by miles. With these older 400's you need to be able to do most the work on them yourself or someone will run away with all your money.

The cbr400 is pretty similar to the vfr but just not as speccy and i cant say im a big fan of them really but thats just personal preferance. The zxr's are alright in zippy terms but i have heard of alot of problems. The fzr400's are slow and floppy. cant say i know much about the others except the gsxr400 which is also a really good bike. There pretty rare so parts can be hard and expensive to come by but if you find a good one in reasonable nick they are reliable and probably as good as any 400. And they are a bit more exclusive as no one has one (esp. the SP model.)

If i had 6 grand to spend id be looking at a RVF400 in spotless order or a gsxr400sp from about 93 onwards. for 5 grand you should get either of these in reasonable order (a few scratches are common, but nothing else) dont be sucked in by guys offering these up at huge prices or any other of the 400's.

anyway that was a nice big rant.

Thanks for that advice. I can do a lot of the basic work myself (oil/filters/spark plugs/general service stuff), but when it gets to changing cam shims and stuff I generally leave it to a workshop. Also, having read up on how tricky it is to adjust the carb sync on the VFR, I don't think I'd be up to that -- don't have the tools for it.

I should clarify: I won't be racing at ALL. Will be commuting to/from work, and also going on the odd cruise to Coro/Rotorua/Waihi, etc.
Being known for reliability and fuel economy are higher on my list than being able to stick my eyeballs to the back of my skull.

But I'd still like it to be fun to ride.

**samgab** · 5th January 2009, 16:02

Well, in the poll so far it's a crushing victory to the mighty Honda V4!!

Also, I was just browsing the cover of the October 2008 Performance Bikes magazine, and on the cover: "NC30. MUST. HAVE. ONE."
In a late 2008 bike magazine, that's a fairly surprising cover.

Quotes from the article:
"...Accepted nugget of NC30 wisdom number two: It's the perfect first sportsbike...."
"...It turns out that the old cliche about Honda V4s being deceptively fast is absolutely true. It's an easy if not especially quick steering bike. The ride quality is fantastic - pliant yet controlled, even at speed. But above all else there's a sense that the NC30 is hardly trying..."

This from a writer whose usual ride is a 2008 R6.

**quickbuck** · 5th January 2009, 16:26

Originally Posted by vtec

I think the VFR is lighter? And handles better? And has more torque?

However the riding position is a little more scrunched up.
The pillion accommodation is non existent, unless it is for Bubbles (Wacko Jacko's Chimp).
And the Hunger for fuel of the VFR rivals it's 750 big brother......

Aside from this, if I was going to buy a 400 again, the VFR would be for me....
As I will only buy a 400 for weekend blasts, and most likely track time....

I must say Samgab, I think your head is in the right place when you have made the decision to step to a 400 from your 150, rather than take the 600 route. I make it a rule to only ever get a bike that won't scare me... and frankly, a 600 is a big step from a 150.....

**McDuck** · 5th January 2009, 16:49

I still feel a katana 400 is superior.

Just onbody as ridden one because they have been distracted by the honda.

Get the katana 400...

If you can find one... worth the wait...

**quickbuck** · 5th January 2009, 16:53

Originally Posted by McDuck

I still feel a katana 400 is superior.

Just onbody as ridden one because they have been distracted by the honda.

Get the katana 400...

If you can find one... worth the wait...

The trouble is that Suzuki make the Katana.....

**lostinflyz** · 5th January 2009, 16:57

Originally Posted by samgab

Thanks for that advice. I can do a lot of the basic work myself (oil/filters/spark plugs/general service stuff), but when it gets to changing cam shims and stuff I generally leave it to a workshop. Also, having read up on how tricky it is to adjust the carb sync on the VFR, I don't think I'd be up to that -- don't have the tools for it.

I should clarify: I won't be racing at ALL. Will be commuting to/from work, and also going on the odd cruise to Coro/Rotorua/Waihi, etc.
Being known for reliability and fuel economy are higher on my list than being able to stick my eyeballs to the back of my skull.

But I'd still like it to be fun to ride.

for the money you speak of you shouldn't have to touch much in terms of carby synch screws or cam shims. That said shims are pretty easy.

if your doing alot of cruising and commuting rather than riding youll love a 650 twin alot more as they are much cruisy and town nice. A 4 cylinder bike is made to be riden near on or over the rev limiter. which is dangerous in town.