Do I get a 400 or a 600?

[finchy95]

Hey bcf, I've been looking at getting my A2 licence done and am currently in the process of saving up for one. I've seen a few bikes I really like honda NC23/29 cbr 400 and the NC35 RVF 400 and any of the early CBR600F range. However I have no idea what will be better for me as a newbie. I've been riding for about 18 months now on 125s so I have a basic idea of what I'm doing (I think) I don't want to know what's going to be best for wheelies and fucking off chavs. I'm more concerned about what will be better on fuel and run more effectively, as I have been told restricting a larger engine might not necessarily be better than a smaller engine not needing one. Sorry for waffling but any help/advice/don't get those get this would be gladly appreciated.
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2005 suzuki van van - Sold. -> 2015 honda cbr 125 r - current bike.
Now's not the time for fear. That comes later.

[Beehive Bedlam]

Fazer 600 1998 - 2003.

[RhynoCZ]

I had a CB-1, 400cc, in-line four (basically a detuned CBR400RR engine) and that motorcycle was the most fun I've ever had. You could really push it and you'd be still ''just'' around 85 mph, 100 mph at straights and 115 mph if you lay down and leave the throttle wide open. You could feel like a GP rider nearly everywhere, going through gears up and down all the time, making corners at 3rd gear around 10,000rpm and so on.

But, I felt like it's not alright to ride a motorcycle at 12,000+rpm all the time and the mpg was terrible even when I was commuting on it + and that's why I sold it, pushing the engine to the limit all the time causes it to spit some oil into the airbox. There's no harm in that, but still, I felt like I needed something a bit bigger, that I wouldn't push to the limit all the time and that'd be more versatile.

The ZXRP1 can, with significantly less fuel, do all the CB-1 could, but I don't rev it that high that often, for a very good reason.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[finchy95]

Any reasoning behind fazer or just fazer 'nuff said?

I don't really like the CB, I prefer bikes with a fairing. My Cbr feels so much better than the vanvan ever did at anything over 50. And as nice as it'd be to get into triple digits I'd rather do it without spitting oil about. What cc is the ZXRP1, I don't know what it is with any certainty and Google is showing me clutch parts?
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2005 suzuki van van - Sold. -> 2015 honda cbr 125 r - current bike.
Now's not the time for fear. That comes later.

[RhynoCZ]

748cc, also known as ZXR 750P1 and ZX7R,

Fazers are cheap, but dull. It's almost like a new version of the 600 Diversion. Just a happy commuter with no ability to bring joy.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[finchy95]

Definitely not a fazer then. I don't want to do a million mph but I'd like to be able to have fun on whatever I get. And my main concern then is that it'd be too thirsty. I do 60 miles of commuting every day.
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2005 suzuki van van - Sold. -> 2015 honda cbr 125 r - current bike.
Now's not the time for fear. That comes later.

[Matt B]

[Beehive Bedlam]

Fazer 1998 - 2003 is the most powerful bike you can legally ride on an A2 license when restricted to 47BHP.

You will also be able to take the A modules on it without the need of a training school done it myself.

[dandelion]

Hi,

I had my 125 for 18 months as well and then went for DAS. I was thinking of a VFR 400 and tried one. Felt a bit tiny but it sure went. On the A1 though it felt a bit breathless.

Tried a Diversion 600 for size, bought and am happy. Might not be for some but if you can restrict it for a2 it'll save you having to change bike, unless it's something you want to do, changing bikes often.

Also, friend got a vfr400, he was wanting something more after 2 months... they'd make good second bikes I guess. Still holding on to the Suzuki vanvan for winter months.

[weasley]

What about a Honda Bros 400 or, even better (if you can find one), a 650? Not the fastest but a bit different and you can punt them on for what you paid for them.

EDIT: oh, right.... fairing. NVM.
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[stevo as b4]

I didn't like the riding position of the FZS600S after sportsbikes or even a CB500S, but that engine is a smooth peach of a middleweight IL4, probably all the better for being de-tuned to 95bhp.

I've seen plenty of people having a ball and lots of silly fun on Fazers, and the best wheelie I saw of 2014 was an FZ6S fitted with a nutter on top.

Not too sure on the A2 limitations, but could you not have a restricted YZF600R? I always liked the cat, and it was a close second choice to my ZX6R or TT600, when choosing a 600.

I think 400cc IL4 grey bikes are a bit of a dead end for many riders these days. Call me a kill joy too, but I don't think old and smart tidy 400cc sports bikes should be owned by newbies as only transport in all weathers, and whom might sling them up the road a few times a year.

Better off as a fun no expense spared sunday best out for a sunny blast bike, or for people with more money than sense and a fetish for expensive JDM aftermarket performance parts etc.

[weasley]

[tomupcraft]

[stevo as b4]

Fook me isn't this daft anti biking licensing system the biggest load of old bollocks you ever heard!

To OP, I'd give up and buy a car and an off road bike for fun, until you can sit a full fat shove the system up your arse A license tbh!

I never really thought it was a great idea having certain types of bikes restricted to 33bhp back in my day, but if you wanted to you could do it. A 33bhp GSX1300R or NSR250, or XV1900 etc would have all been possible if the rider was daft enough.

I hope something changes in Brussels soon or we leave the EU in the referendum as there won't be anyone learning to ride bikes in 5-10years at this rate!

[josh95]

[finchy95]

[Beehive Bedlam]

[iooi]

[finchy95]

[stevo as b4]

[Codge]

the comment about fazers being cheap doesn't quite register with me, i've long hankered after a good boxeye with the old thundercat engine but even now i struggle to find a good un within my budget. mind you i haven't got a lot to spend - my current bike cost £650 3 yrs ago

if you bought a 600 would it have to be restricted?
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Prevarication and procrastination are my worse enemies

[wr6133]

In your OP the CBR600....... pretty sure that's not A2 legal.

I like IL4 400's so I'd say get one. They are fun you can make them scream without placing your licence in a shredder.

[Beehive Bedlam]

[Codge]

re:
my 2001 Fazer was £1000 IIRC back end of February this year with just 21K on the clock.

i haven't looked for some time now but i'd say you did well there matey - good going
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Prevarication and procrastination are my worse enemies

[garth]

I've owned a CB-1 and am on my second Fazer, also had hornets, SV's, bandits etc.

The mk1 Fazer is a very good bike. It has a nice step in power at 7k, and is definitely absolutely nothing like an old diversion, which I have also owned previously.

Id choose one every single time over a CB-1, or Infact anything I've listed above.

I got an excellent condition, clean, straight '00 bike with FSH, stainless pipes and 12.5k miles on it for £800.
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You ain't a has been if you never was