BEST 400 SPORTS

big eck · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 May 2004 Karma :

What is the best 400 sports bike out there as i'll be buying one as my next bike, I have had my 125 for some time now and need something more powerful.

I'm 6ft and have a big build (not fat before anyone says lol) so it'll need to be one of the more powerful 400's.

Thanks for your help

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Have a read of this thread. Thumbs Up

Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

If you're 6ft you may wish to avoid the CBR400 and VFR400 which are both physically small bikes. I'm about five eleven and had a couple of GSXR400s with no problem. Great bikes too, just not very comfortable Laughing

skyline · Scooby Slapper Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

Im just over 6ft and i find the vfr400r nc21 fine, but then i havent really rode much to compare it against :/

Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

Jrod · Page 3 Girl Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

It depends what you want in a bike, I prefer the more modern looks of the ZXR over the VFR etc.

minesweeper · Whoah there! Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

There isnt much between all of them just concentrate on which look you prefer and finding a good example.

Matt

theftvictim · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 03 Dec 2004 Karma :

Honda RVF 400 - I'm 6ft 2 and rode that until it was stolen recently. It's compact to say the least but I enjoyed riding it. The ZXR is probably better suited to the larger 400 rider.

carnislick · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 17 May 2004 Karma :

zxr400, USD forks

dnt get one with RWU's

Paul
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Paul

Marc_Buck · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 31 May 2004 Karma :

Personally i like the fzr400 and the gsxr is a lovely bike too.
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94 fzr600r

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

Yeah the FZR was a lovely looking 400. The RVF is probably the best overall, but the ZXR400 is another mental screamin kawasaki, so i know which one gets my vote!

Marc_Buck · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 31 May 2004 Karma :

I do like the retroness (new word) of the vfr, but also the modern(ish) look of the zxr, they are all georgous bikes. The most interesting bike class out there.
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94 fzr600r

big eck · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 May 2004 Karma :

Thanks for your help folks, what i'm lookin for is something that will last me a good few years and is very easy to live with.

TBH I love the look of the Hondas but most of them are pretty pricey for what they are also the ZXR is a great lookin bike.

How easy is it to get hold of parts for these bikes as I can imagine it bein a bit of a nightmare with them bein Imports.

Also are there any aftermarket parts avalible for them and are the parts interchangable with there bigger brothers the 600's???

Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

minesweeper · Whoah there! Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

After 2years with my rvf i can report that finding parts isnt a problem at all, my local honda dealer (dobles) could get me every part i could need, the price on the other hand..... a pair of forks would be over 1200quid plus fitting.... (use ebay 140-180quid)

My favorite has to be the rvf, beautifal design and build quality, actual midrange and looks that dont grow old. will post pics of mine tommorow.

Just had my paint job finished in full smokey joe, carbon fibre fairings, single seat, tinted double bubble screen, braided hoses, Ebc brake discs, carbon fibre engine guards, stubby indicators, Art race exhaust, no mirrors.

MAtt

Rory · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 May 2004 Karma :

The earlier CBR400RRs can be quite cheap even for good models, and are rumoured to be better in some ways than the later models. I've never had a problem getting parts for mine (god knows I needed them too!). You can get plenty of trick / racing bits for them (same as the other 400s) as they're raced. It's probably easier to find a decent tri-arm that cheap and isn't shagged than a VFR or ZXR for the same price.
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My Old CBR400RR | Bike Oil FAQ | Petrol FAQ

big eck · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 May 2004 Karma :

The RVF is a great lookin bike but most go for £2.5k plus and i'm lookin to spend £1.5k MAX

I know that dosnt seem alot but i've been lookin on the 400grey site and have noticed that alot of good looking honest VFR's have been sellin in that price bracket, I suppose the 2 main bikes that grab my attention are the VFR NC30 and the ZXR so the more info on these 2 the better.

Thanks again for your help on this lads

Thumbs Up

Rory · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 May 2004 Karma :

A grand or less should get you a decent NC23 if you look around. There seems to be less demand for them, for some reason. It's possibly because they look less like baby Blades.
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My Old CBR400RR | Bike Oil FAQ | Petrol FAQ

Flywheel · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Karma :

hi

i prefer the CBR ot the ZXR mainly cause of the looks but realy they are all good and fairly easy to get parts for.

im going to look at a CBR400 tonight, it is gona be cheap since its been off the road for 2 years(think its just the CDI) so could be in for a bargin at £500 or mabey less.I will be willing to spend alot of money on making it work well and look good cause im gona have it for 2 years.

Mindsweaper how much were u for the smokey joe paint job caue i want that on the CBR if i get it.CHEERS

cya

minesweeper · Whoah there! Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

I only got the 2 side panels completed this time and that was 240, including the top fairing, tank and seat unit would be around 700quid mate or around 800+ from dream machine. Will post pictures as soon as ive got a chance. Is simply a beautifal paint scheme.

matt

tony532 · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 May 2004 Karma :

i've only ridden the gsxr400sp 1990 model which i own

but can tell you it's a lovely bike to ride and handles beautifully

Git · Brolly Dolly Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Karma :

In my eyes if it hasn't got a v4 engine it's not worthy of having my bum in the saddle.

EuropeanNC30R... · Gay Hairdresser Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :

It's not a good idea to buy a grey import 400 that hasn't been used for years and has suspect electrics, just ask robby.

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Lots to go wrong in a compact V4 engine, and little room to fix it even if you want to.
Old electrics rot, particularly if its been left outside. A couple of months of regular use will show up rotting electrics by burning them out, perished gaskets will either plump up and seal, or give up and fail properly. Rust in the fuel tank will block your carbs up, the old perished tyres will slide everywhere on shitty roads, the brake linings will seperate from the pads after a few heat cycles and a little damp.

Don't buy a bike that's been standing, unless its very cheap.

Flywheel · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Karma :

hi

well i bought it and am picking it up at the weekend hopefully.got it for £600 but does need the lower parts of the fairing.Think its the CDI hopefully.
befare it goes on the road it will have a full service done by me and my dad and have new tyres, gaskets,oil and al that kinda stuff aswell as all the electrics being checked, carbs cleaned and balanced, valve clearances sortd and new shims too.will also get a new paint job at some point.

so if u get a cheap offer i'd say take it if u know what ur doin, trust me i have seen a RD50 wreck that u would think would never b on the road again transformed and sold for £400 by me and my dad.Also learned alot so can do the work my self now until i get stuck. lol

cya