Choice on 400cc motorbike?

**bismarck** · 24th July 2008, 23:05

Originally Posted by Chrislost

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.

Am I sleepy or what?! VFR250?

**lostinflyz** · 25th July 2008, 00:00

Originally Posted by Chrislost

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.

in contrast my nc21 (oldest) VFR is a demon and about on pace with my nc30 race bike. The NC21 engine isn't as revvy as the 30 but pulls nicer, pretty certain cause its gotta a more intelligent set of gears. for the road at least.

21 also has a nicer rear end than the early 30's. personal opinion

and the 21 sounds better (different crank design). But the 30 is purdy.

**jrandom** · 25th July 2008, 00:09

What do you want a 400 for? That's 1000 too few cubic centimetres.

**owner** · 25th July 2008, 00:35

Dont buy a time bomb! 1990's 4, Please Please Wait for while keep saving and buy something 2003+
anything
The best purchase I have ever made was a brand new 600RR for 12000$
2year warranty and 15 trackdays 30000kms in 12months still no problems

Worst purchase I ever made mint 92 GSXR400 for 4550$ 3 road rides 2weeks and it exploded sold it after a year looking for second hand engine I gave up and sold it for 800$

Not tryn to scare you, thats just my story can you hear the violins in the backround?

**xwhatsit** · 25th July 2008, 01:47

Originally Posted by owner

Dont buy a time bomb! 1990's 4, Please Please Wait for while keep saving and buy something 2003+

Yeah but they don't make frigging 250-400 screamers any more, dunnit? All bloody silly 600cc ones and thous, all you get in 400ccs any more is dirt bikes and obscure rare Jap imports like CB400SSs.

**JeremyW** · 25th July 2008, 06:18

I love my 400, was selling it but have decided to keep it because I cant justify the extra money when it will keep up with anything with the right rider onboard. Still quick enough to get yourself into some serious trouble....

**mctshirt** · 25th July 2008, 06:50

I use and reccommend the 400 bandit - fun, fun, fun!

**Patch** · 25th July 2008, 07:53

Originally Posted by JeremyW

I love my 400, it will keep up with anything with the right rider onboard

you're kidding right?

Unless you're a short arse pint sized peanut, go with a late 80's early 90's 6 hundy. e.g. GPZ600R etc.
Similar power etc to 400 but a crap load more comfortable.

Who wants to ride a glorified 250 anyway

**JeremyW** · 25th July 2008, 08:10

GPZ600R = 208kg =

......poor example maybe. Some of the 600+ of the time were not really considered too sporty and they carry some serious weight. If it is comfort you are after then those aforementioned bikes would be ideal. For the money some of the 400 are going for there are some bargins to be had.

Just going on personal experience....Im happy to be proved wrong....

**xwhatsit** · 26th July 2008, 00:11

Originally Posted by Patch

Who wants to ride a glorified 250 anyway

Me -- I'm of the opinion something around 350 to 450ccs is perfect. Lightweight like a 250, superb handling, enough grunt over a 250 to make hills and long straight bits of road less of a chore, yet not so much power that it's frustrating to have to control it.

Plus nobody buys 400s here. Things like CBR400s and ZXR400s sell for stupidly low amounts on Tardme. GB400s frequently sell for a grand less than similar GB500s despite nearly identical performance.

**Patch** · 26th July 2008, 03:34

Originally Posted by JeremyW

poor example maybe.

unless you know the bike, then how would you know??

200 odd kg in/on/over a bike - so what?? most bikes are around that weight, so I don't quite see your point.

**mark247** · 26th July 2008, 08:32

This shit about early 90's bikes being 'time bombs' is a load of crap. A lot of the older bikes are better made than some new ones as well. The parts are cheaper too. If you are going to buy a shitter then its going to explode, but if you spend say $4000 on a ZXR400 or a VFR400 or something like that it will be a great bike ( obviously with some exceptions ).

I paid $3900 for mine, its nearly done 60,000km and its 100% reliable. Goes like a cut cat as well and its a HELL of a lot of fun to ride because you can just thrash it and thrash it and thrash it and it loves every moment of it.

**JeremyW** · 26th July 2008, 13:11

Originally Posted by Patch

unless you know the bike, then how would you know??

200 odd kg in/on/over a bike - so what?? most bikes are around that weight, so I don't quite see your point.

I was meaning the ZZ6600 was a poor example on your behalf.... Im not sure what 400s you are talking about but I am sure they are not 220+kg fueled and oiled.

**xwhatsit** · 26th July 2008, 15:23

Originally Posted by Patch

200 odd kg in/on/over a bike - so what?? most bikes are around that weight, so I don't quite see your point.

Hell no. VFR400 is supposed to be 164kg dry, compared to your GPZ600R being 195kg dry. Power not too far behind, 60-odd hp vs 75hp.. I know what I'd rather be riding. Even a GB500 comes in around 160kg dry (well, it's 180kg wet anyway, which is less than a wet VFR400).

Some people don't want to ride a `comfortable' bike. Comfortable normally means lard-arsed and clumsy when confronted by the slightest kink in the road, unless you get something modern and expensive. At the end of the day, what I really want is a fleshed-out, motorised mountain bike; something along the lines of a motard or a sub-400cc road bike suffices quite nicely.