Am I the only one that thinks....

[chris-red]

There is still a market for 400 sportsbikes? I don't understand why they aren't sold anymore. They are the perfect bikes for Women/Smaller People/New Riders. The ones on ebay seem to still be going for a fair amount considering how old they are.
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[Racheldawn]

I was reccomended to 400 sports bikes a few times because of my size so I would have thought there is a market for them, like everything else.

[greatmoorred]

I agree, they are great. My little 400 Bandit goes like shit off a shovel, and with its race can sounds pretty mean too. Just get a bit sick of ringing its neck all the time though.
Great 1st Bike though

[beatnck]

honda/kawasiki/suzuki still make them for the home market, look here https://www.kawasaki-motors.com/model/displacement.jsp

[Vin]

I'd have one.

[craigs23]

Yes, there's still a market - the fact that there's still a demand and supply of parts is testament enough. 400greybike also has a few hundred regularly active users as well. They're all grey imports though, apart from a few Supermotos/Crossers still sold. The ZXR400 was the most recent officially-sold UK 400, but 600s are so cheap now, and arguable offer more on paper, that it was overlooked and sales dwindled. I kind of prefer the way that the 400s have remained a niche market, I doubt I'd have as much interest in them if they were very popular.

A modern day RVF400 would be awesomely good fun.

[h00dwink]

i love my cbr400. just waiting on www.jap4performance.com to release their body kit for the nc23. the tail unit is seckshual.
once i have that i think i'll be more than happy with my bike.
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[mark83]

I agree: there is still a market.

But the reason they don't produce them is because the manufacturers are

a.) cutting costs by agreeing to compete in only a few markets

b.) in a race to produce more powerful/best handling bikes in the 600/1000

I.e. imagine you were 'learning-by-doing' as you build: only having to build bikes in 2 classes means you'll develop technology faster than having to commit resources into another 400 class.
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[G]

Think Keith's pointed out that they used to cost quite a bit - not cheaper than a 600 and not so sure many people would be happy to pay out the same as they would be for a 600.

Would definitely like to see Suzuki's engine mapping-button developed more: (edit : for a 600cc) so that you could maybe 'emulate' a revvy 400 if you wanted. Add a bolt-on supercharger and you've got a bike that can grow with you from 33hp to getting on for litre bike power .

[Kickstart]

Hi

There never really was a market in the UK for new ones. As G mentions they were expensive. An officially imported VFR400 cost about 1/3 more than a CBR600 at the time. OK, 600s have increased in spec, but not that many people would pay the same for a 400 as they would for a 600, when there are not that many advantages.

All we got in the UK was a small batch of GSXR400s in the mid 80s, the 400 Bandit for a short time (very short time), a batch of VFR400 NC30s, a small batch of FZR400s and quite a few ZXR400s. From a 1993 catalogue the ZXR400 (hardly the highest spec 400) is £5190, compared to £5450 for the ZZR600.

All the best

Keith
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[nick606]

i want a 400 in august when im 17 just hope i can find a good one

[Dan 4RR]

[Kickstart]