CBR vs RVF vs VFR

[phill.c]

i have been looking at the rvf and vfr as a second option for some time now. i've never really thort of getting a cbr, and i really do like the looks. i don't know much about them and was wondering if anyone could please tell me how they compare to the vfr and rvf, i.e speed, reliability, parts, acceleration, braking you know what i mean.
cheers for any advice
phill

[mchaggis]

On speed and acceleration they are all more or less the same, or so I have been told by people who own them. As far as servicing goes, V4s are going to be a pain in the arse as they're somewhat more complicated.
____________________
I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[skyline]

from specs i would say go for the rvf, but tbh they are all just like the mito rs nsr. the older cbr's though are miles infront of there time

[phill.c]

what type of engine is the cbr? because ive been told the v4's are a pain to work on, so in the long run it could work out cheaper to get a cbr, anyone know what insurance is like? got quoted £560 tpft for a rvf m-reg.

[DynaMight]

Theres 2 CBR's, NC23 and NC29. NC23 is more powerful (Slightly) and apparently has a 'better' engine, NC29 looks better imo and is a proper Babyblade. I cant say much more because I've never owned one or rode one.

VFR400 is more powerful than a RVF400 on paper, But Honda put better (more race style) carbs on the RVF to boost midrange, Goes about the same topend too. Personally I prefer the looks on the NC30 to the NC35 but thats just me, Both are pretty much direct copies to the RC30 and RC45. The V4 engine can be hard to work on, Full service cost me about £200 with parts and labour. The engine is a peach.

NC23, 29, 30 and 35 will have pretty much the same performance, All have Honda relaibility, All handle pretty well. Sit and ride all of them, see which suits you better.
____________________
My bikes are at https://www.bikepics.com/members/dynamight/

[DynaMight]

[Deano]

Performance all the 400's are practically the same it only makes a difference when you start tuning them.

I'd say you would be best off getting yourself a CBR or ZXR as the parts are easy to get hold of and they are generally easier to mechanically work on.

Base your decision on what you prefer cosmetically and make sure you get your self something that hasn't been abused and you enjoy the bike.
____________________
Dean Stone #777
EMRA 2012 final standings, Formula 600s 3rd, Superstock 600s 3rd.
www.triplesevenracing.co.uk: www.ljmotorcyclerepairs.co.uk www.gettaylored.co.uk BN RaceScience, Now officially run out of money to carry on racing

[Annabella]

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

Rvf has the engine situated more "mass centralised". Well more than the Vfr. Can't say it is compared to the Cbr, because Cbr has an inline 4.

Power all about the same. Maybe Rvf 4-5bhp down, due to Jap "laws".

Handling. I have Cbr and it’s perfect. Do what you like: flip it from side to side, anything. I doubt the Rfv/Vfr is noticeably better. They could be, but not really that much better.

All are very good none are bad.

Cbrs are easier to work on. I just waited till I saw a nice Honda sports 400 for "cheap" and got it. I stand by my choice: Cbr 400 Gullarm.

[EuropeanNC30R...]

[spitefuljack]

"Mass centarlisation" was also put to limited effect on 02/03 and new Blades.

Cant comment on the other bikes, but mine is like a mad thing after 3000rpm.
The mid-range pulls so hard, you really have to hang on.
It wheelies in 3rd.
Hits 150mph in 14seconds.
Acceleration is out of this world, as is insurance.

Realiability and build quality is typicaly Honda - very good.

[Rory]

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

I'm pretty sure I read that the engine was shifted back into the frame to make it more even/equal weight distribution on the Rvf.

While they may not have said: "we used mass centralisation on XXX, (or to an extent mass centralisation)", Honda have been doing this kind of thing for years, it's nothing "new".

[Kickstart]

What people were mainly doing was shifting the engine forward to put more weight on the front wheel. This is why the FZR400 / 600 / 750 / 1000 engines leant forward at ~45 degrees.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[colin24]

Hi,

very interesting your comments on the 3 different bikes and i was interested to know if anyone had a definitive answer for what that thought of would make the best 400 out of the VFR/RVF/CBR.

Reason being i getting back into biking and my last bike was a VFR400 I was always a little disappointed with the initial performance from pull away upuntil midrange.

I had a go of my mates CBR400 and was very impressed by the performance and smooth power delivery so I was thinking of getting a CBR. Problem is I cant find one round where i live that hasn't been thrashed. But i found a RVF400 in a local shop thats in smashing condition and i really like.
The bad thought ive got was is it going to be like the VFR will i be disappointed, Any suggestions?

Thanks,

[loply]

colin, there is basically nothing between them.

Ride them all blindfolded and it would take an expert to tell the difference (if you couldnt hear them anyway).

Horsepower variations are minute, as are handling variations. The variation from one bike to another (ie well treated or mistreated) is very much bigger than the variation between the specs.

So basically... Take your pick.
____________________
Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

Rvf has the same engine as Vfr, except Rvf is 5bhp down. So I suspect power delivery will be pretty much the same.

Take into account the bikes condition and gearing. Sprockets can be changed.

Rvfs look the nicest/newest IMO, but I can't fault my Cbr4. Not as exotic looking as the Vfr/Rvf, but rides like the best of them.

[colin24]

yeh i quite keen on the RVF and your right it is the prettiest one. Just Dont want end up saying I wish i bought the other one,

however I was never completely unhappy with VFR I had, It was a very smart Bike Had sprayed in the repsol racing colours so it looked the business I just felt it was always a little slower then the CBR off the start

[WildGoose]

rvf's are still, even now, very expensive for not very much improvement over the old NC30

however, it is a damn fine looking bike to open the garage door too

ive got a CBR400 gull and i find the position much more extreme than on the VFR and RVF, the RVF's i have rode feel very much more upright, but your legs are still cramped just as much, but it does feel more comfortable, not sure what this is, might be just me

no real difference in performance, nothing noticeable anyway, i like the sound of both engines, V4 is maybe slightly nicer, but with a less satisfying top end scream

both are tiny bikes, with engines that are shoehorned into place, everything is a bitch to get to, and your knuckles will suffer, people say the V4 is slightly more complicated, it might be slightly but the CBR is just as cramped in its own way

reliable yes, if you get a good one, ive had my fair share of problems cos i bought a nail, and i know of various peoples reg/rec's generators and starter motors going up the spout, but only reg/reg problems are common

my advice.... spend time finding a nice one (may not mean get the most expensive one), pay particular attention to resprays and aftermarket/repaired fairings, all my fairings are fooked, and it would cost an arm and a leg to sort them, and the bikes look very ugly without them
____________________
So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[colin24]

Thanks for the advice, im just looking forward for getting back on the road its been 3 years since i last riden a bike.

[M1ke]

What about one of these...

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/dscf0024_142.jpg

Beats vfr's and rvf's just for the fact that its an inline four and looks 10X better

[Ric]

id have a VFR over a RVF anyday

a 5-10 yr old 400 for the price of a almost new 600 is silly IMO (rough guess on prices too)

zxr 400 are the way really altho i did almost buy a vfr

[Frost]

[binge]

I love the Honda VFR 600. Especially in white! I saw one at an autojumble / bike show in Ashford once... My dad wants to replace his CBR with 1...

https://www.mujweb.cz/www/reno01/Honda%20VFR%20800%20Fi.JPG

Hes geting old now and its time to go from Sports bike to a more upright seated Cruiser

<|Binge|>

[Jrod]

IMO none better than the ZXR. Even the RVF rear end looks dated.