zxr400

[young_on_old]

hey, im gonna do my full test soon and at the end of summer, and some hard working to get the money, i was thinking of gettin a zxr400.
what are they like and is this a good idea, cause i really wanna get a bigger bike, yea i love my nsr but its just gettin tedious seeing all these bastards on gixers and cbr's an shit.

any info an shit would b helpfull

oh and im bout 5ft 10, will it be a nice fit?
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peece*cheers
willi

[retrofly]

the zxr is a bit scatty in corners and doesnt react very well on bumpy roads, its fairly big for a 400, a vrf or rvf would be better, better performance and handeling and better build quality. Kawasakis rust and corode quickly.
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[Phil.]

Retroflys right there not the best round corners thats what put me off the zxr. Insurance was always an issue for me so i was limited to what bikes i COULD have. The insurance was too much higher on a SV so i decided to go for that instead, as every write up i seen on it had said it was a good learners bike and good handling

[Zimma]

why u all giving it about my bike round corners .. have any of you ridden one?

i think the handling is spot on round corners, although, the first time i go around a bend, i go slower just to make sure theres no bumps, then any other times i go round it i cane it ... i rekon the bike would be nicer with a steering damper, but generally have no complaints at all
its down to you, but i prefer the zxr to the rvf, vfr, cbr and gsxr (400's not the big bikes )

at 5'10" u should fit on the bike fine, as retrofly said it is a big 400, and its definitly bigger than korns rvf.

oh, and if you want to keep the rust off just keep the bike covered up
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-Zimma

[Kickstart]

[Stevo]

Well for sports 400's id say that the Kwak is a good choice, (biased)?
Actually my fave all time 400 for its looks, bottom end power and handling is the FZR400, but again these need alot of care, just as much/more as the kawasaki if you want to keep the finish decent. Id secondly say RVF400 NC35 as its gorgeous and the quality is excellent, but its bloody expensive for a 400, and quite small physically. The gear driven cams and V4 layout make it sound wicked! Definately the rich mans 400. As for the ZXR well apart from some dodgy graphics, its supposed to be pretty good, and exciting to ride as it most definately has the usual kawasaki trademark, A mental top end rush! Have heard of them clocking 140mph which is amazing for a 400!

[Zimma]

145mph down the m3 with the wind behind me
i mean down the straight on a track
seriously tho... its not too gutless below 10k, although korn thinks so.. but hes got a v4 so ...
i actually prefer the sound of my bike to korns.. weve got the same cans, so you can really hear the difference between them although korns does "gurgle"? more under engine braking, which is a nice sound.. mine is definitly a lot louder, could be cos of the twin exhaust outlet port? anyways, both bikes are really nice but, i would still go for the zxr
(biased)?
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-Zimma

[young_on_old]

as far as the handeling, ive already got a steering damper, got it last year for someone, but they ended up selling there bike, so ill fit that, also there is the avalibility and money so i think itll have to be a zxr400, but im not too big on the purpleon it, i think i might get it resprayed

cheers forall the comments
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peece*cheers
willi

[Korn]

I'd go for a ...drummroll please... honda v4. Didn't expect that did you?

VFR NC30:

• Great motor, top bollocks low/midrange
  
• Most of the engine is practically indistructable
  
• Wicked handling, for a 10+ year old bike
  
• Loads of them about so not that expensive
  
• First gear isn't as tall as the rvf so better in traffic
  

I only rode one for a few minutes before testing the rvf but they felt like the same bike, worth going for if you don't need all the uprated bits on the nc35.

RVF NC35:

• Practically the same top bollocks motor as the vfr
  
• Best handling in the class
  
• Top end power delivery isn't that great, although...
  
• ...it shares the highest power output with the vfr
  
• Gorgous RC45 replica styling
  
• It'll eat anything else 'round the bends
  
• Rarer than the vfr and very expensive to buy/maintain
  
• Close ratio gear box, so don't even think about...
  
• ...riding it in traffic, top of 1st gear is just over 60mph
  

My bike, so of course I'm biased - but I really believe it's the best you can buy, it corners spot on and gives you loads of feedback everywhere. As for power, it's got the top spot as regards bhp and torque figures, but it's 5mph behind the zxr on top speed. The power band is stupidly wide so you can really get an edge when exiting corners, and it pulls like a train right from the bottom of the counter. They cost a lot to keep serviced though, being imports. Only thing I'd change is to have it tuned to smooth out the top 1000rpm or so, I used to think it needed a steering damper but I've learned to trust the feedback.

ZXR:

• Smoothest top end, you can just keep bouncing it off the limiter
  
• Feels gutless when you're not above 10k after being used to the v4
  
• Sounds very nice, apart from the last 1/4 of the rev range
  
• Doesn't go round corners too well (as Zim will tell you )
  
• Engine braking? What's all that malarkey about then?
  
• It's got a bigger rear tyre than it needs and this messes with the handling
  

Zim's got one of these and to be honest it doesn't corner. He's happy with it but it's a good 10/15mph slower through the bends the rvf/vfr, it's lighter than both of them but the width of it (it's fucking huge) and the oversized rear wheel mean it's not as flickable. Having said that it's got the smoothest top end power, when I rode it I was bouncing off the rev limiter all the time because I'd been used to the feedback vibes the v4 provides. No real low end/midrange to speak of, so if you're not in the power band you're not going anywhere very fast - but it is the quickest in a straight line once it gets going or if you're willing to sacrifice the clutch for a quicker start. Excellent brakes too but the handling spoils it.

Bottom line:
VFR: If you're on a budget and want the most bang for your buck.
ZXR: For very fast, straight roads where you can use the top end.
RVF: If you've got the money to buy/service it - best 400 going.

[young_on_old]

this has opened up a new debate, butg then again its all up to the money, and avalability when i have the money
so its either a vfr or a zxr
dam decisions
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peece*cheers
willi

[young_on_old]

ive talked to a few poeple and seen stats and review's, and its the vfr400 nc30, mos def
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peece*cheers
willi

[Korn]

Welcome to the dark side

[air]

Me thinking about an nsr250 ( considering you can buy 'em pretty cheap in england compared with here -- 6 grand over here )
More acceleration than the 400's , not the best top speed, in or around the same bhp.
And alot better in corners...... only problem being the 2 stroke-ness of it.

I'll see what happens when i turn 23 and can afford insurance on either, then i'll decide which one.

[young_on_old]

spot on handeling, nice engine, lovley sound, loox i like, and no purple like the zxr, so, its training, full test, fail, full test, pass, find bike, buy bike, kick the arse of all the barrys that take the piss cause of the sound and top speed of my nsr and piss on the bigger bikers who show no respect by nodding
got my checklist
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peece*cheers
willi

[young_on_old]

ya cant go wrong with a honda
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peece*cheers
willi

[Zimma]

bitter bitter defeat.... oh well
dont blame me when u decide maybe u shoulda got the zxr
hehehehhe.
have fun on ur new bike!
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-Zimma

[Stew]

Now I like what you write korn. Everything seems to be exactly what I read on every 400 review page I read. (and I read a lot of reviews on the net).
I would love to own the RVF400 NC35 but as you said they are a bit expensive, so I went for the VFR400 NC30, and you know what- its bloody lovely.

Only downside is that I have to wait till my full test before I can ride it on the roads.

[Stew]

Just pinched this off a RVF/VFR forum:

[mike]

how much is the servicing on an rvf400, will it be cheaper than servicing my aprilia rs125( considersing i spent nearly £250 on a 5000km service).I have read on some site that its easy to service the minor jobs but the majors services i am not to sure

[Springbok_Tony]

Hi,

I know i'm probably a moron for choosing the ZXR as my first bike as i am only 17 and will get one in a few months time.
I think it's fucking gorgeous compared to the other 400's i think, and my bro in law did suggest getting the Suzuki 400 bandit or 500E as it hasnt got a front fairing so if u fuck it up, then u dont have to pay £300 for a new panel, just watch out for the frame. But i think i'l stick to my former, get the ZXR.
Check this out, (a woman who I met on ... www.ukbike.com)
Introduced me to this community, she's owned a Kawasaki for 7 years and she is 29, she's also 5'2 ( for all you short arses like me ), And she says, her first bike was an RS125 and she hated it... Love to hear!

Anyway here's the community, check out the pics....

https://communities.msn.co.uk/ZXR400OwnersGroup/bikephotos.msnw

P.S Some1 on this site mentioned that if u take off a tooth on the front sprocket, u'll beat an R1 off the lights, but loose about 5-15mph top speed!

Later, Tony... 8)

[wat_400??]

hey right i'm only 16 :E but i'm intending on getting a 400, urrm i entered a few other forums but i think this one is the best, as you all sound like you know wat you are talking about, i'm 6ft and i reckon i wont grow much more, 6ft 1 maybe. i love the ZXR as it looks the nuts, but so many peeps have said its the best 400 for price etc, but wont be suited for a taller rider!!!! also i'm on a budget! i like the mini blade aswell! well i like most sport 400's which one/s do you reckon would be most suited for a 17 year old (i also have to think about the insurance and it being restricted to 33BHP :'( ) also i have been looking at the RS 250 please help Byrneey@hotmail.com is me email
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It wasnt me officer

[Sparks!]

Erm, sorry

Scatty in corners?

dont corner well?

youve obviously only ever ridden a fucked ZXR then.

ZXR is one of the best handling bikes I've ridden (I have ridden a few....) and a lot of other people do agree, it's got a great front end and leans so easily.

Don't believe what the others tell you! I rode one all summer last year and it was great.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[v4forlife]

OMG!! , My old screen name, wow, aint seen that in ages
oh and i ended up getting and still have a very lovely vfr 400.
why was this dug up anyway?
someone has been searching through the archives again, havent they
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www.wilcollinsphoto.co.uk

[Sparks!]

WTF I didn't even notice it was an old thread! lol
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Phil.]

A post dug up after 2 years? I half expected cob webs on it.

Havn't they stopped knocking out the ZXR400?

If i was going for a 400ish bike i'd fancy one of them new Aprilias.

But seeing as its got RSV in the name it will probably be Really expenSiVe.