What is the best 400?

[Laura]

Right soon hopefully I will have passed my test and am looking at 400's anyone got a idea which is the best for reliabilty etc ?

Thank you!
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[Phoenix]

It's an ancient question that's been asked a zillion times, there isn't a "best" 400. What's gonna be the deciding factor for you is purchase price and seat height probably, ZXR, FZR, GSXR and old CBRs being the cheapest to buy, VFRs, new ZXRs and CBRs(NC29) and RVFs geting more pricey. I personally wouldn't go for the FZR or GSXR the other ones are generally longer lasting, more reliable and much easier to find parts for. So out of them you'll have to take your pick.

[Laura]

Ok thanx seat height is not a problem really as I am quite tall it will be moe the cost really.
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[Kickstart@Work]

Hi

The CBR is probably the most road biased, but is also the smallest. Suspect size wise you would be fine with any of them.

ZXR400 rear suspension has a reputation for being VERY hard, which on the road might not be very good unless you either spend money replacing the shock or put on serious amounts of weight. The RVF is still very expensive, and both it and the VFR will be the most difficult for maintenance. However the VFR would probably be the easiest for spare parts, followed closely by the ZXR.

All the best

Keith
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[Hex]

Just get a 600 and don't fanny around Laura.

Being serious I have no idea on 400's, sorry.
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[MarJay]

Are you looking for 400 sportsbikes? if so then there are 5 main contenders;

Honda CBR400
Honda VFR/RVF400
Kawasaki ZXR400
Suzuki GSX-R 400
Yamaha FZR400

The yamaha is the worst for reliability, and the suzuki makes the lowest power, but they're both older and therefore cheaper. The two honda's command top dollar even for the older ones but both are absolutely bulletproof. I used to have an early VFR400 (NC21), but in hindsight I'd have been better off with a CBR, cos it makes almost the same amount of power and its cheaper/easier to work on.

The kawasaki is the most powerful, and physically the largest bike out of those, and it handles well. There are a lot of them about and they didn't change much from 1990 to last year when they were discontinued, so there is something to suit every budget. However the rear shock is reputed to be overly hard and it is probably the least comfortable bar the extreme suzuki.

They all handle so well that very few riders can find their limits even on track, and they all pretty much make almost the same amount of power (50-65Bhp).

Personally, I'd save up and buy as recent a CBR400 as I could afford and be happy. Don't bother with the VFR/RVF cos they'll either be tatty or ridiculously expensive. The GSX-R is good looking but not very powerful and uncomfortable to ride. The FZR is sweet looking but fragile and rare.
The only alternative to a CBR (IMVVHO) is the ZXR400.

I can go on to nekkid 400's as well, but I can't be arsed unless you ask me.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Phoenix]

If you want the best value for bike then go for a VFR400 or a ZXR400, and bear in mind ZXR400Ls are all identical parts wise, CBR if you can find one cheap enough, preferably the 29.

[Deano]

Stick with the inline 4s like the CBR and ZXR are the best choice also when Superbike tested the cbr it got top marks 2nd gear wheelies where achievable and Fast Bikes rated the CBR as the king of 400's aswell.

You want to find more articles on 400s then go to the article section of this website https://www.harkermatic.com/

Happy reading
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[v4forlife]

nc30nc30 nc30 nc30 nc30 nc30 nc30 nc30 nc30 nc30

im not biased

look at sig
well i know how to tell the bike for you
if it aint got that honda stickr on it, its broken so leave it

vfr/rvf with art can

will
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[Bendy]

'Best' is so objective.

What do you intend to use it for mostly? The best 400 for the track probably isn't the best 400 for munching motorways.

How much are you looking to spend?

Have you sat on them? What feels most comfortable to you?

Does the insurance cost vary significantly between different 400s?

Which one do you have the gut feeling that you like the best?

[MarJay]

Insurance groups are all group 12 on sports 400's

Something unfaired like a CB1-400 will be about groub 10/11
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Laura]

Well it will be used everyday for going to work on.
I like the cbr and i am looking for something under 2000 really.
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[MarJay]

Look for a clean CBR400 Tri-arm. If you can find a good one, I'd be surprised if it would set you back more than £1500. The newer Gull-arm model is good but a little more expensive.
VFR400s start at about £1800 for a VERY tatty one, and I expect you can pick up a reasonable Kawasaki ZXR400 for about £1500-£1700.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Phoenix]

[Sparks!]

you can have my ZXR for £2000, i'll fix it first too lol
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[Robby]

The prices vary hugely depending on the bike and the person selling it.

I had a VFR400 NC24. It was a dog, but i sold it for 1300, having paid 875.

In hindsight the V4 was silly to have, the motor was just so complex to work on and spare parts so expensive.

Go for an inline 4, CBR400 or even a filthy kawasaki zxr400. Bear in mind that they can be hard to shift, so don't spend lots on a mint example, because you won't get anything like that you paid for it. £1500 would be a good price for a good condition CBR400 or ZXR400.

[Annabella]

You know you want a CBR....

Did you see my new one? That was £2000 and pretty immaculate.
My first CBR was the best by far, I bought it for £1500 and never had to do anything to it...

At the end of the day though, it is your choice, let Keith take you roudn and sit on them all and see which is the most confortable.
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[zaknafien]

Get a 600.
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[Annabella]

Just like Zak........
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[EuropeanNC30R...]

[Annabella]

No, the CBRs have a better spread of power. Definately. They have much more low end power than other 400s.

Compared to James' gixxer and Tin's RVF and the exs VFR the CBR pulls away with far fewer revs and seems to have much more even power delivery.
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[MarJay]

I'm sorry! The last time I shopped for a 400 was 4 years ago... you have to expect my prices to be a *little* out!!!
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Deano]

[EuropeanNC30R...]

A CBR900 may pull away with fewer revs but the CBR400 has a lot less low down power . The NC30's make peak torque at 10,000rpm and peak power(59bhp) at 12,500rpm - compared to peak power at 14,000rpm for most of the inline4 400's.

[EuropeanNC30R...]