Choice on 400cc motorbike?

[MaxCannon]

I picked up my ZZR400 for under $2K

It needed new tyres, a tune up and a shock rebuild (which hasn't happened yet)

I stepped off a GN250 and the weight difference was the biggest issue.
I'm used to it now but in the first week saw me drop it (a very controlled drop as I was putting it on the stand - no damage).

It's sporty enough for me, although I do find myself wanting greater flexibility, bottom end torque is not it's strong suit.

It's comfy around town and on long distances, and pretty agile. I can thread it through the same gaps I put the GN into.

If I had a bit more cash to spend I'd look closely at the ZZR600
A lot more grunt for not much more cash.

[Qkchk:Me]

VFR400
VFR400
VFR400
VFR400
VFR400
VFR400
VFR400
VFR400

Did I mention VFR400?

[NZsarge]

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.

Good scheme.

[Coyote]

VFR400
VFR400
VFR400
VFR400
VFR400
VFR400
VFR400
VFR400

Did I mention VFR400?

No?

10 characters

[mark247]

Top of the list is certainly the VFR400R NC30. I have owned a few 400cc bikes and they are awesome. Second choice would be the NC29 CBR400 and the ZXR400, both of them are great bikes as well. The FZR400 is not too bad, i owned one of them, they have NO torque.

The cool thing about the NC30 is there are a few really cool paint schemes they came in, the Black and silver ( like mine ) and the red and black really look awesome in my opinion.

[scracha]

NC29 would be top of my list (cheaper servicing than the viffer for starters) possibly followed by the ZXR400.

Then again, for similar money you can pickup very cheap VFR750's, Thundercats, SV650's, hyobag 650's etc so why go with a nearly 20 year old jap 400?

[BadCompany]

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

Bad tiime to look on trademe I guess. Before the cold came there was alot of VFR's on TradeMe.

[lostinflyz]

vfr400 is the best bike but is a farkin nightmare to maintain, the japanese dont understand that somedays you might need to remove some of those screws. dont pay more than 4g for a nice example (people ask the dumbest money for them). I have owned several (3 in the garage). Make sure they run good. cause u dont wanna try tuning them.

if you not so keen on work then the cbr zxr's are pretty good. GSXR 400s are real nice to but rare as and good luck finding parts.

but again with all them make sure they run perfect. and have complete fairings. you can often get a deal on one thats been dropped (they all have been no matter what people say, or you might as well assume it has) and its not too much to get them repaired or/and repainted (chch has a great guy for fairing repairs and paint). Then it will run and look perfect.

[marty]

i had a gixxer 400. great bike - bit heavy but loved to rev, sounded great, and looked not too bad in blue/silver

[LittleJohn]

I have a zxr400, goes like a dream. Easy maintenance and picked it up cheap. It was orange when I got it as the previous owner wanted a different new bike that was orange but couldn't afford it so gave this a rather crap paint job. Had some luck when a ladie decided to pull out in front of me and scrap the side of my fairing, meant I got a full custom paint job for cheap as chips. Added about 2K to the value of my bike. Happy hunting and try and find something with lower k's.

[Skunk]

ZXR400 tended to be raced so good luck finding one.

Any reason not to get an older 600? I did the 250 - 400 - 600 thing and only kept the 400 for two years. I was pretty much over it soon after I got it.

At the end of the day YOU must be happy with what you buy.

[bismarck]

I wouldn't mind to get a bigger bike, but I'm still a student and I'm not tall (166cm) I think 400cc bike would be better for me to ride.
btw the weather is horrible, cold and wet

[puddytat]

How about the awesome Honda Bros...comes in a 400 & 650 version,bomb proof V-twin motor, RC frame & the beauty of a single sided swingarm.
I got mine for 4 grand & 23000k's...

[Chrislost]

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

get the VFR400 (NC30 version)or the CBR400(NC29 version).
in that order. the older model VFRs are not that great and the older CBRs (IMO) are fugly
i got my CBR for 3200 and my VFR for 3600.
both in mint(pre me) condition.
the VFR is now my track bike and it is mint at that too.

[digsaw]

CBR 400 aero 45k good nick go like stink, make a good offer