Which of the 400's?

Teamcalibra · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 06 May 2002 Karma :

I've got my theory test next month and then will book DAS. After the feedback on here I've decided to look for a bigger bike (originally only wanted an NSR125).

I'm also going to save some extra squids £££ (doh stayed in tonight) so I can get a decent bike.

So far I've been looking on the net and found the ZXR400 and CBR400. Which would you choose of these and why? Or would you suggest something else? I'm only 5'6 and don't want to be dwarfed by the bike!!!

Cheers....

Doddmaster · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

You want a VFR400 Mate, you should fit one perfectly and they are a lot nicer than CBRs and ZXRs

Teamcalibra · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 06 May 2002 Karma :

Wll have to take a look at them Wink

Which is the highest insurance group?

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

The ZXR is the biggest (physically) of the bunch...the VFR and RVFs are quite tiddly incomparison...my RVF is much lower than my previous NSR...

Tin

Teamcalibra · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 06 May 2002 Karma :

the place nearest me that do DAS use / hire CBR600's and these looked far too big for me!!

Just having a look at the VFR and they look quite nice Smile

Ryan · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 09 Mar 2002 Karma :

they're all in the same insurence group (zxr, vfr, rvf, cbr, fzr, Gsx or any other faired 400) I think its 14 or 13, not to sure. but id recommend the vfr if ur a it short of dosh or the RVF if uve got £3000 or more

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

They should all be in group 12...

Tin

Guest · Posted: 18:35 - 21 May 2002 Post subject:

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

that was me- got logged out somehow Rolling Eyes

zaknafien · Joined: 25 Mar 2002 Karma :

i like the RVF but i've heard the VFR is a better option
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02 Firestorm.

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

I suppose the VFR is alot better value for money. What else makes it better? (I'm thinking of getting a 400 after my 2 year restriction is up).

zaknafien · Joined: 25 Mar 2002 Karma :

i thought handling was better?
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02 Firestorm.

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

dunno much about it to be honest, thats why I was asking. I just like the RVF cos I think it looks absolutely mint Very Happy

motoraca · L Plate Warrior Joined: 21 May 2002 Karma :

well i ride a 600 yam , mates just trashed his bandit and hes opting for the vfr 4oo / rvf 400 , we have looked em up ,they are the best engineered 4oo on the market , a lot of imports in this country but fairly easy to attain parts , only 60 hp but can be upgraded to 88 bhp , very low and fast v4 engine,nice for knee scraping sessions |(knee sliders a must !! ),rev high so check service history , also check for damage ,a lot get crashed , altho if you look around you can get some real bargains and you wont go far wrong ,you will learn a lot on this mini fireblade ,also renowned for pissing bigger sports bikes off on bends etc...
have fun
dave
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dave dee

dannygill111 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 21 May 2002 Karma :

If i was u. i would stay with a nsr or i would opt for a gpz 600 coz of the insurance, i am 18 and the nsr insurance was £875 tpft. I also was going to go bigger but the cheapest quote i got on the zxr 400 was £2500 tpft so i wouldnt bother get a 125 much better and fun to.

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

Yeah, 88bhp on a 400 would be quite a feat...the HRC teams will probably want your phone number!...the most powerful RVF400 that I have heard of delivers around 73bhp, and that would be a full racing bike, so it would be useless on the roads...

I personally think that a 400 would a nice little stop gap before moving onto a "bigger" bike...the 400s would still move fast, but you would know about it...I personally don't see the point of 130+mph unless you do a lot of track days, or know of some nice little roads somewhere...you can preserve your license a little longer...maybe...

The RVF has USD forks as standard, so in theory it should handle a little better than the VFR, but it all depends on the situation...most reviews seem to favour the VFR, but mainly 'cos of the price...the CBR4 is supposed to be in a similar league as the RS250, in terms of "madness" (don't ask me what the hell that's supposed to mean!)

Insurance prices vary depending on your age, occupation, area, type/size of bike, and age of bike...my premium would almost halve if I moved to my uncle's address down (up?) in Bishops Stortford, but would almost double if my bike was a 2000 model rather than a 1994 one...

It all boils down to your own personal situation, and whether you can your "perfect" bike...

Tin

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

why/how do upside down forks make it handle better? my Planet's got them but I thought it was just a cosmetic thing.

Teamcalibra · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 06 May 2002 Karma :

I've gone off the idea of an NSR and I'm 24 this year and think I'd probably be wanting a bigger cc bike sooner than later. This is what the people here seemed to think too.

I've been looking at the prices of the VFR400 and they seem to be my sort of price range (allowing for insurance TPFT). Also read loads of good reviews on these bikes Very Happy

As mentioned there are lot's of imports but a fair few bikes with low mileage.

Better hurry up and get that DAS out of the way Wink

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

USD forks are generally stiffer, which means that the bike won't wobble as much around corners (in theory)...telescopic forks tend to flex a bit when there is a great amount of pressure on them, but this can actually be a good thing 'cos it may absorb a few knocks...

USD forks also lower the centre of gravity on the bike ('cos the heaviest bits are closer to the ground), so again, in theory, you can go a little faster around those bends...

However, as you have pointed out, the use of USD forks for standard road riding is almost purely cosmetic...but the theory's good!

Tin

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

thanks- just for status then, but I suppose it might give you more confidence. Plus, with 125's being more 'extreme' models with their low power and low weight do you think it could have more effect (proportionally) than on a big bike? just a guess.

GasGas · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 24 Feb 2002 Karma :

as we are debating 400`s, what do you all reckon .....is it worth me buying a 400 to restrict to 33bhp? i know, i know, i should have done DAS but its too late now. Embarassed

Ryan · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 09 Mar 2002 Karma :

USD forks also meanless unsprung weight which means 'better' handling not that any of us could honestly say we'd notice. I'd say the rvf is definately better (but not by much) as it is the newer model but its not really worth the cash, but hey im gettin one!!!!

My mate on his zxr400 doesn't exactly fall behind in the twisties to my other pals vfrs, and if anything its a bit quicker in a straight line. Personally ive ridden both and prefer the smaller vfr, it just feels better (im only 5"9). So if your thinking of gettin one id try and get a test ride, or at least sit on one to try it for size

Just had my final lesson today, test is on friday, so ill have my licence (with a bit of luck) very soon. And my insurence claim is almost over, as the 'nobhead' who knocked me off insurence is finally gettin a shift on. I sent my damaged helmet off to them the other day (I dont really understand why they want it) and they're inspecting my written off Y reg RS125 on Friday as well. So I should b gettin some mula soon.

Sorry ive blabbed on a bit, but anyone whose been off the road for a month and a half will under stand. ROLL ON SUNNY HAPPY DAYS!! YES YES YES.... Twisted Evil

I cant F"£$%ng wait Twisted Evil

..... (im gonna have to go calm down)

Scooby · Scrappy Doo Joined: 26 Mar 2002 Karma :

Go and give the bike a bit more of a batteringwith a baseball bat just for good measure, oh and make sure the restrictors are in if you are still on Loony plates. That's what they'll be checking, if they find no restrictors, basically your claim is void.
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A big enough hammer fixes anything!

Ryan · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 09 Mar 2002 Karma :

oh shit, cheers mate i'll whip em out tomorrow i completely for got about that, dont need to hit it any more its already proper fucked, every panle on the right side is scrathed and some scratches on the tank