CB500 or ZZR400

[Remoulay]

This will be my first big bike after my Van Van.

I'm looking at a 1991 Kawasaki ZZR400 and a 1995 Honda CB500. Both done under 25k miles and for some reason the insurance is reasonable (only on third party, of course.) Both under a grand.

I don't do a lot of commuting if any, as I live 10 minutes ride from uni and 30 mins from Saturday job. Only thing is, next year I might be frequently travelling from SW London to Northampton and back. Not every day, potentially a few times a month.

Anyone have any personal experience with either, in particular the ZZR? Seat height is low but it's a bit heavy apparently (400 engine in the 600 frame...?)

Thanks
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You've had too much to think, now you need a wife..!

[Eddie Hitler]

CB500 all day long.

[DrSnoosnoo]

[wr6133]

I own a 1991 ZZR400 (and a 92 in bits).

https://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh504/wr6133/LPIC5295_zpsxhl7pruc.jpg

The 400K is a 600D, engine is downsleeved and minus oil cooler.

Did 240 miles on mine 2 up yesterday in comfort. It's an all day comfy ride. The 400 lump is fun if you like a revvy bike that requires a bit of thought while riding but can be spanked without putting your licence in a shredder. It is a heavy bugger (210kg wet) but once moving you don't notice. My wife is just shy of 5'4" and weighs around a grain, she can man handle it without issue.

Parts and consumables are widely available so they are not an issue. Replacing fairings though can be a pain so if the one you are looking at has mashed plastics it better be cheap.

MPG, varies massively on how you ride it. Currently I have a smaller front and bigger rear sprocket and tend to redline it all the time so I'm seeing mid 40's. When I had a bigger front and smaller rear and rode it sensibly in the winter I could get mid 50's (upper 50's on motorways if I just cruised along).

Chewing up motorway miles it is great, comfortable, fairing shelters you reasonably well and you can strap half a metric fuck ton of crap to the pillion seat. Its weak spot compared to the other 400's is tearing up smaller roads, CBR400's and the like out corner it.

Due to it being a downsleeved 600D you can quite easily swap a 600 lump in to it should the desire arise.

[Beehive Bedlam]

Fazer 600 98-03.

[Remoulay]

Update...

Matching !

https://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab5/billyjeans1/IMG_3643_zpsidqxwjjq.jpg

It's been well looked after and I'm not so worried about finding parts for it now (thanks for advice). Price was great, chucked in a new battery too! I rode it around for a bit and felt comfortable, boyfriend gave it the , so why not.

But those Michelin man stickers are coming off straight away...
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You've had too much to think, now you need a wife..!

[DrSnoosnoo]

[Remoulay]

He said that when he was starting it up the previous morning it was straining a little bit. He thought that wasn't a good state to be selling it so bought a new one and fitted it. Will do also, the guy who sold it to me has been a mechanic for his whole life (mostly does Harleys as you can see in pic) so I did get the feeling I could trust his judgement.

You didn't like the bike or the brakes ? How often do you suggest cleaning them then?
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You've had too much to think, now you need a wife..!

[wr6133]

That looks pretty clean

Do you know if the JDM restriction has been bypassed? If it hasn't top gear will restrict at 10k RPM (something like 112MPH). You can bypass it by adding a resistor to I think the pink CDI wire (look at zzr international for instructions) or if you don't want to snip wires just swap the CDI for one from a 600D.

The Tokico front callipers are notoriously poo. If you keep them clean they are ok but in winter if you rack up lots of miles that can mean weekly blasting out with brake cleaner and monthly cleaning the pistons. They can also be a bit fiddly to bleed properly. Looked after they do work fine but lots like to swap them for Nissins which require less maintaining.

ZZR International is pretty much the font of all knowledge for these bikes, if you can't find information relating specifically to the 400K just remember other than the engine it is a 600D.

[DrSnoosnoo]

[stinkwheel]

I did the brembo brake on Mrs stinkwheels CB500 last weekend (strip and cleancalliper, new seals fitted.

Filled them from the bottom nipple with a big syringe and nipped it up. That was it. Three pulls on the lever and had immediate, firm pressure. No further bleeding required. 2 minute job.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[RhynoCZ]

I want to say the ZZR, because of the in-line four cylinder engine and it is a Kawasaki, but I'm afraid the CB 500 is the sensible choice here.

I wouldn't go for the '95, I'd go for something rather later, with Brembo calipers on both wheels and 44 kW engine, but it's up to you. My mate had a '98 model, not a bad motorcycle, a bit boring if you asked me, but the build quality and reliability was superior to anything I've ever owned. Plus, there are tons of spare parts.
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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

[stevo as b4]

You make it sound like an in line 4pot is the only engine worth having in a bike though???

Also I too am a Kawasaki fanboi, but they don't automatically make the best Jap bikes in every category, none of the big four do IMO. You'd need to mix and match every manufacturer to get the best regarded bike in each class.

I would have voted CB500, they are a good bike and also better than a neglected Fazer at the same money too.

[RhynoCZ]

[Aspire2]

I would vote cb500 but that zzr looks nice. cb500 is a very underrated bike keep it spinning and it goes well and only loses out on fast a roads/motorways. When things tighten up cb500 can hang with the big boys. I noticed on mine I can out ride some people on 600's because the cb500 is very manageable and forgiving, people jump on 600's to quickly IMO and miss out a learning curve the little bikes offer.

[Casper]

It does look nice but i would have bought neither. ZZR due to parts availability. Yes you can fin/get them but not as fast as a more mainstream bike i would say. CB500 i like but i think the GPZ500 is a far better bike and very underrated. I have seen nice ones with no MOT pass hands at 400 quid. Great on fuel, No slug when wound up and great wee sports tourer. Whats not to like.

[Motorhate]

CB500 all day long. Stick a racing stubby exhaust on the end and you have a great bike. I loved mine but recently sold it for just under 100 quid less than what I bought for it. Great engines too and as along as you change the oil every 4-5000 miles you won't go much wrong.
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Current - Harley Davidson FXDB Street Bob | Harley Davidson FLTR Road Glide | Harley Davidson Road King
GONE - Honda CB500 Ratbike | Yamaha FZ750 | Yamaha XVS1100 | Kawasaki VN2000 | Kawasaki ER-6 F | Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

I would've said 500 too, fwiw - but mainly because it's naked and will stand more of a dropping. Otherwise there probably isn't that much in it - although the honda is legendarily unkillable. Which appeals.
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Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125