First big bike.

[acydbyrn]

OK, got test on Friday (10th Dec) at long last and have been looking at a rather gorgeous ZXR400. What I want to know is, what is it like for a new rider, and what are its downfalls (as a bike and mechanically. I have sat on one at a local dealership and it seems light (they store them with a dry tank), however I can't test ride one, even after I take my test, because of them shitty restrictions!! However, I get on with most of the guys in there and maybe I could bribe them!!

Thanks for any tips on the bike. Don't need test ones, read loads of them that you have posted!

Jay

[Frost]

Yes they do feel very light, but this is due to the low center of gravity that they have. They are actually quite heavy, they just don't feel it.

What is most important is the age and condition of the bike. Any bike when 33bhp restricted is fairly learner friendly. So long as yours is mechanically sound, and you have a warrenty from the dealer then you will have no problems with it!

I'm sure you want to read all you can about the bike, but in reality thats just a poor substitute to riding the thing! Focus on getting that test passed then you can find out first hand what the bikes like!

Best of luck with the test!

[acydbyrn]

Thanks DaFrostyOne - I know you can't beat a proper test ride. Since I posted the question I have read a riew decent reviews about older models of the bike (between 91 and 94) and all are a big

The bike is (I think) a 2003 model at a local dealership in sunny St. Helens priced at £3995 - is this pricy do you think? Loking on autotrader site a "exellent condition" 94 ZXR seems to sell for between 2k - 3k.

I will let you know how the test goes, hopefully it will be a good cause to drink to on Friday night down the pub!

[Barker-CBR 600]

Hmm sounds about right (not that i know the bike).

Same as i payed for a 1999 CBR600.

Kawazaki's are generally cheaper and its a 400, but its 4 years newer so it balances out. Best bet is to shop around, net/loot etc.. and then other dealers.

Get a good idea of what others go for, and then can quote this to a dealer if its less so as to maybe get a better deal or a few goodies (like the restrictor kit = £180 for kit + labour) thrown in free.

Of course if you find it out to be cheap, make sure you check it all is legit.. then buy it
____________________
Previous - Gilera DNA50 / XVS125 Dragstar/Honda CBR 600F/GSF 650 Bandit
Current - 2013 Suzuki VZ800 Intruder
'Is this a rhetorical question?'

[acydbyrn]

WOO-HOO!!!!

Passed test first time

2 minors, both not getting upto speed quickly enough, because I wasn't to sure on the speed limit. Now, wheres that bike

[0ni]

[Barker-CBR 600]

I agree there Oni!

Well done on the test!

buying the bike?
____________________
Previous - Gilera DNA50 / XVS125 Dragstar/Honda CBR 600F/GSF 650 Bandit
Current - 2013 Suzuki VZ800 Intruder
'Is this a rhetorical question?'

[acydbyrn]

I would, but I got sacked from work the other week and I'm jobless at the moment! Job centre first thing in the morning though

[shellshock]

Congratulations on passing the test - 2 minors - excellent

Hopefully be more congrats when you get a new job !!!

I passed a few months back, have now got a ZXR - and I love her to bits, was kinda scared by the bigger bikes, I dropped the GS 3.5 times during the DAS course, so I wanted something a bit easier.

ZXR all the way ...........

[shellshock]

Bum n double bum

[acydbyrn]

[veeeffarr]

[shellshock]

I dropped it 3.5 times because

1/ I am a girl and therefore a weakling

2/ I developed a mental block, so kept on doing it

3/ I swapped back to the CG and it was no longer a problem

(the half time was when I yelled before it hit the deck and some kind chap came and helped me )

[acydbyrn]

I was just curious about the half time - hopefully you have stopped doing it now though

tobyr - yes it is mmc

[acydbyrn]

Just gone out today and bought a old CB250 Superdream. I've always liked the styling of them and always said I would own one since I was about 12! Seen the bike + money in the bank = bought!

Lovely to ride, and a pleasure to look at, but still I want my ZXR!

[wildcat]

Hi I'm new to the forum and have only been riding bikes since may, I bought a cbr125 and taught myself, I am going to look at a zx6 tomorrow and i'm crapping myself. Any tips on not making a fool of mself in front of my mates. ( they are all men and all ride 600cc+ and are all coming with me)

[BlueNinja]

Hello there.. If you look the pics section you'll see me doing a small project on a ZXR.

Its my first bike and heres what I found..

firstly, it is in fact quite top heavy compared to other 400's.
Handling is 5 star! *****

But you'll find that its a big bike for small people! i get cramp sometimes, and im under 6 foot.. so make sure you sit on it a bit first..

Power is freakishly high.. I have ridden MX for a while, (CR25R Honda) and used some VERY fast mx bikes at some very fast speeds.. but the ZXR was a shock.. pulls from 50-60----->70-80 ver very quick.. watch out with it AND I found out later it actually had a broken carb diaphragm and wasnt operating to its full potential.

Use expensive oil in her, and have her serviced. Cam chains every 25-30,000 miles is a must.

As I said above.. I have never ridden something so fun and quick. ZXR 600 for me in 2 years

Good luck with it. PM me if you want to know any more specs about it, or any mechanical related questions on this bike.

[wildcat]

Well I didn't fall off!!!
Such a big difference in power, handling and size. But I think I'm going to take the bike.
She's fully dynojetted has a lovely micron can, She sounds great.
Took her for a test run it wasn't as scary as i thought it would be.

[acydbyrn]

Nice one wildcat, with all this talk of zx's its making me jealous

lol

[wildcat]

Can't wait till monday til i pick her up

Roll on the summer.