250 or 400?

GBUK101 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Karma :

Thinking ahead to after I've taken my test and passed, I was thinking of going for a 400cc engine bike. But after reading some posts have now been considering getting a 250 instead. Could anyone give me an idea about the difference in speed and power between a 250 and 400? And maybe recommend a couple of bikes in each size that would be ok for a new biker?

dodsi · Dirty Carny Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Karma :

For a new biker or a biker just off a 125 a 500 twin is one of the best options.

whilst they will fire you to over 100mph easily they are very easy to ride and forgiving.

Depends on what you want, the 400's are mostly sports bikes and 250's are next to non existant.

There are a few 250's honda do a new CBF250 which is a single but wont be much more powerfull than a 125 really.

If you are learning to ride a bigger bike a 500 In my opinion is the best option (not just because I am selling one) I did it as I had ridden a 125 for about a year and wanted to get used to bigger bikes before getting something too powerfull.

Keith · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Depends what 250 and 400 you're talking about.

A 400 4 stroke sports bike will be pretty similar to a 250 2 stroke sports bike.

Don't get hung up on size. The 1300cc honda cruiser I had the other day wouldn't go anywhere near as fast as my 250cc 2 stroke sports bike.

What sort of riding do you envigen doing?

GBUK101 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Karma :

It's mainly for commuting during the week but would like to use it for a bit of touring around the UK aswell and for the occasional bike meet. also for blasting up the coast at weekend to get away from it all for a few hours.
I think I am more or less settle on getting a 400, probably a Honda. Can anyone recomend a good 400?

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

It is possible to do that sort of riding on a 400 but unless your a short arse like me (5"7)it could become very cramped and uncomfortable, ive sat on the VFR400 and it felt tiny, I have more comfort on my 125 which although smaller is alot more comfy. For a 400 to do that I would look at the CB400 and CB-1 for Honda's. Also consider the Bandit 400. It also depends on your commute though and what it is through?

A 500 twin will probably do what you want more than adequately though, the GPZ500s particularly.
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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Are you thinking of a 400 sports bike?
Generally, the best model is the one that's in condition at a good price at the time. Ie bike A maybe a much better bike than bike B on the spec sheet, but if it's an old knackered bike at twice the price of bike B, bike B is probably a better choice.
From what you are describing, I would consider an SV650, about the same power as the 400 but more midrange for easier commuting and distance.

Plenty of people do commute and do distance on revvy cramped 400 sports bikes, but I prefer to have something a bit more comfortable with a 'torquier' engine (wide range of power so less gear changes).

dodsi · Dirty Carny Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Karma :

Barney · Spanner Monkey Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Karma :

Theres a gsxr 400 near me going for £1699, 24000km. Its in great condition, looks new, but is 16 years old! 1989. Is that good? shall I go for it? Im just not sure Confused

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I wouldn't want to pay that much for a gsxr 400 with that many miles myself.

Barney · Spanner Monkey Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Karma :

bish777 · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Karma :

Ive had a spin on a 400 bandit and liked it, same motor as the GSXR400.

Alot of people on here seem to have ZXR400s, one of those are worth a whirl also.
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GBUK101 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Karma :

I've seen a lot of bikes for sale which are from around 1988-94, would a bike this old be a waste of time or ok for my requirements? I'm not interested in high speeds but something that can run nicely at 70-80mph without running the engine into the ground. Would an older bike be beyound this?

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Since about 89-91, the 400 class has changed massively.

GBUK101 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

In that hardly any of the models have been continued to be made.

The ZXR design, from what I know, hasn't changed much since the early 90s. The RVF design didn't seem to be a massive improvement on the VFR design, which was from that time.

There haven't been new bikes sold for the other models, that I know.

GBUK101 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Karma :

So parts etc would be difficult to pick up and be expensive then? I've read that Honda's are quite reliable and the parts are easy to pick up, is this true?

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Bikes of this age are as reliable as they have been treated. I have some good hondas and ones that are knackered. Same with the other marques.

Parts are generally fairly easy to come by (at least for the ZXR and hondas) because plenty are crashed etc.