First bike advice

[Vic]

Well as a few of you may have gathered from my newbie post, i passed my DAS last week. So now the time has come to find a bike. Was thinking I may have to wait a while but that time scale has gotten smaller over the weekend so it may be weeks now and not months!!

Was planning on starting on a 400, and have kind of narrowed it down to either a CBR or a ZXR (being a short arse limits the choices somewhat!!) Altho my reasoning is purely cosmetic and i'm not sure thats the best basis to buy a bike, lol!!

Any impartial advice on either, or suggestions of other bikes would be great, cheers guys and gals

Vic

[Cillit-BANG]

A grand would get you my very tidy VFR400, great first bikes

[_Will_]

About the Grand mark would get you This not a great deal more powerful, excelent starter bike.

*end Shameless plug.

Vfr 400s are very nice bikes
____________________
Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[Vic]

I'll forgive the shameless plug, lol, nice bike there, altho not really what i had in mind!!

I had considered the VFR (ex had an NC21, so familiar with them) but was just preferring the looks of the CBR

[Vic]

No one else got any opinions?

[Whosthedaddy]

If you want a 400cc machine then there are loads of ZXR400s about that would make any guy or gal smile with delight, in my opinion looks far better than the CBR.

My current FZR600 is a nice little bike, a bit sensitive to body movements, maybe a little twitcy but a nice ride none the less with loads of grunt and acceleration.
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Simple]

first bike - your likely to drop it. so bear that in mind when looking at fully faired bikes

also bear in mind whether you want the tidiest one and pay a little more, or a shabby one to insure you against possible droppage.


which cbr400 are you after - there are differet models (nc29, nc23 and the hurricane) same goes for the vfr400's, some are good and some models are more prone.

the most popular (which to some would read as best) is the vfr400 nc30.

the nc23 and nc29 honda's are both good but look difference being tri arm and gull arm respectively. the nc29 comands a higher price than the nc23, mainly based on looks but age also comes into it.

with a 400, don't forget to invest in break down cover as they're all long in the tooth and can be tempremental if left for long period without being ridden.

I like you thought of getting a cbr400(nc29) for my first big bike, but decided on the gpz500s as a better more uptodate (just)allrounder for commuting and playing, (it also has better carb heaters than any of the honda 400's so saves buying pro FST to go in the tank for winter).


Don't rush into buying the first bike you see because it's the right colour...take your time.

If all of this had already sprung to your mind then I appologise for being patronising, if not then I hope it helps you out a little.

if you get a cbr400 I happen to have a pair of much nicer non stock heel plates for sale .
____________________
Insta - FemFeral

[akaDAVE]

I was in the same position a year ago. I liked the look of the CBR and ZXR400s.
Got a ZXR400 and have been very pleased with it. great fun and hasn't broken down once.
I think with the 400s as someone else said it's all about the particular example you find. You might find a 98 model that's imaculate or one that's really on it's last legs.
I bought mine without knowing the difference but the gamble paid off!
____________________
GSXR600

[Vic]

Cheers for the advice guys, think my best bet is to get out there and test ride a few, just to see how i feel on them! Gonna be going for an older bike, for the reasons you stated "simple", and i will hopefully plan on keeping it a yr or 2 before stepping up. Want something that looks tidy (can't be looking like scruff bag ) but isn't so immaculate i'll be scared to ride it!

Didn't really have any particular model in mind, would prob just be dependant on each individual bikes condition. Got a few friends who will come along with me seeing as i know sweet FA about mechanics

On one hand i know i can't rush in to buying but on the other, god i want a bike so much

[Jack_Cheese]

I wouldn't buy a 400 as a first bike from the point of view that spares and parts are likely to be 10x more expensive compared to those for a 600 commuter, or even an old cbr.

You could get plenty 600s for around that price, and not just crappy commuters. A 600 ninja could be yours for around the grand mark, and not one over a decade old either...

Jack
____________________
www.bikepics.com/members/jackcheese <--- NOW FOR SALE! 51 Plate Cagiva Planet 125
Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!"

[Vic]

Cool thanks. Is there much of an insurance jump between 400 and 600?

[Cillit-BANG]

To a 600 sports bike yes. A lot. To something like a 600 diversion, then no.

[Vic]

Yeah, thats what i thought, gonna have to stick with 400 me thinks

[Simple]

as well as a tax jump.

which is why I settled for the 500 as a first big bike to build some NCB up on
____________________
Insta - FemFeral

[Jack_Cheese]

I got quoted £600 tpf&t in a shit postcode including pillion and commuting cover on an SRAD 600 with 2 years ncb at the age of 18 with a restricted license.

The insurance costs being less on a 400 wouldn't bother me at all. One saving grace for the 400s is their residual value though. Demand seems to exceed supply simply because they're regarded as fun bikes and they're not 2-strokes.

Jack
____________________
www.bikepics.com/members/jackcheese <--- NOW FOR SALE! 51 Plate Cagiva Planet 125
Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!"

[Vic]

All the quotes i've had for 400's (varying ones) have been under £400, so think i'll be sticking down there.

[Simple]

a CBR400 nc29 with a value of £1500 is the same to insure as my 97 gpz500s with a value of £1200

a 2000 sv 650 was £300 more than both

thats with no no claims, uber shite area, garaged, high miles and having 2 claims (one fault one none fault) also restricted license

the 400's tend to be cheaper to insure due to age. get a quote for a similar aged cbr6 to a same age cbr4 and see what the difference is.
____________________
Insta - FemFeral