Choice on 400cc motorbike?

[bismarck]

Hi all! Just got my full licence
My budget is around $4500 and I'm after a 400cc sport bike. I like Japanese inline 4 but my mate said why not buy a ducati 400ss or monster 400 ? I suppose it would be more expensive and powerless than Japanese, doesn't it?
I've looked on trademe, it seem not many ZXR400, CBR400RR or VFR400 out there.

Thank you
Bismarck

[NOMIS]

Go japaneese inline four bro.

[vtec]

I've heard really bad things about the Ducati 400ss from that era. Lots of issues (reliability), heavy and slow.
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motor...cati-400SS.htm
Holy shit... 42HP, you'd be much better off with a cbr250rr.
173kgs dry... it's a fucking tank.

Here's some more reasons not to get it
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?p=433784

Reasons for a 400ss... it's rare. It looks the same as the 900 and 750... which is why it's so heavy.

Dream bike... VFR400 single sided swingarm, little light and raceworthy... awesome.

[bobsmith]

for 4500 you MIGHT be able to pick up a VFR400 which apprently are really great bikes and they look the part too.

I recently picked up my CBR400RR NC23 for 3300 so you can get these bikes for that price. Mine had a mint fairing but I did have to change tyres, chain & sprockets and clutch cable on it (and oil and fuel filter) but none of these cost too much (except for the tyres and chain which you would want to do on a second hand bike anyway)

Anyway any japanese inline 4s are great bike and lots of fun! So take your time and shop around, you'll be able to find something in your budget.

[James Deuce]

Hi all! Just got my full licence
My budget is around $4500 and I'm after a 400cc sport bike. I like Japanese inline 4 but my mate said why not buy a ducati 400ss or monster 400 ? I suppose it would be more expensive and powerless than Japanese, doesn't it?
I've looked on trademe, it seem not many ZXR400, CBR400RR or VFR400 out there.
There is a kawasaki xanthus 400 from Thunderbird Nelson. Is it save to buy from them? Are they good dealer?

Thank you
Bismarck

Keep the 250. It's quicker and more reliable than a Ducati 400.

[bismarck]

Thanks! now Ducati 400ss is out of my list
Still looking around for my next wife

[Coyote]

VFR400's are excellent bikes. Just don't go for one with higher mileage or you'll end up replacing everything on it. I've spent $6000 ($4000 to get it, $2000 on parts) on mine and I'd only get $2000 if I was to sell it. It's currently sitting in the garage waiting until I have the money to fix it. Don't let that put you off a VFR, it'll be the case with any bike with high mileage. Unless you want a restoration project, the bike is dirt cheap or every worn part has been replaced, avoid anything with 60,000kms+

Watch out for bikes that have been around the clock too.

Koba on here has an NC21 with around 30,000kms (when I last checked) which he got for cheap (had a few scuffs). It's served him very well. My NC30 is nicer looking though, which is really what counts amirite?

[Str8 Jacket]

Koba on here has an NC21 with around 30,000kms (when I last checked) which he got for cheap (had a few scuffs). It's served him very well. My NC30 is nicer looking though, which is really what counts amirite?

bismarck, what he's trying to say is that koba's NC21 is faster and runs much better than his. koba has had minimal issues, especially compared to its age than Coyote has had and the NC21 is really nice to ride and kobas is the fastest 400cc at the sprints so far...
What you need to do is check everything yourself or get someone who knows what they are doing to do it. Four cylinder, 4 strokes are really fun lil bikes but like any bike the older ones can have issues. If you find a bike that you like at a reasonable price with minor issues it could run just as well as a bramd spanker (well, kinda). What im trying to say is that any bike can end up being a shitter so have a look around and check the bike out, you might get lucky.

[Coyote]

bismarck, what he's trying to say is that koba's NC21 is faster and runs much better than his. koba has had minimal issues, especially compared to its age than Coyote has had and the NC21 is really nice to ride and kobas is the fastest 400cc at the sprints so far...

Phff, mine's purdy

[Str8 Jacket]

Phff, mine's purdy

So koba's. Anyway, last time I saw your's it was in pretty manky condition...What's ya point???

[avgas]

ZXR4 is nice, so much that i dropped my misconceptions about 400's as being crap and bought one many moons ago.
However if you have the coin get a GS350 - i didn't but i always wanted one.

[Squiggles]

Monsters go for around 5-5.5

[Coyote]

So koba's. Anyway, last time I saw your's it was in pretty manky condition...What's ya point???

Well actually it's worse since some inconsiderate person backed into it and scarpered. A week after I painted it's tail and polished it too

Next time you'll see it, it should be orange. Or purple. Haven't decided yet.

And my point was looks are everything. Course I was joking. Afterall, Koba's bike has always been in better condition than mine...sigh...

[NZsarge]

Next time you'll see it, it should be orange. Or purple. Haven't decided yet.
[/SIZE]sigh...

Reckon a nice burnt orange would suit that bike.

[Coyote]

Reckon a nice burnt orange would suit that bike.

I'm keen on bright orange. And possibly black 'realistic' flames inside a Honda wing, or just wherever.

Or classic RC/NC30 colours (red and blue on white) only brighter. Have the blue on top as usual but have the Red as a Honda wing on the side. I've drawn this and it looks quite good.

Or metallic purple, to be a bit different.

I have access to Auto paints so I can do whatever I want. I'll spray some schemes onto a panel and see what effects I can get. Want to see how much pearls will change a colour. I was hoping a green pearl on bright orange will only be seen where the sun hits rather than turning the orange a putrid colour (from what I know the former is what happens but I'll have to see it for myself. Could work but look crap ).