Ok so 400's are really popular so why can't I buy one?

[Psychonaut]

Just wondered as a lot of you have one or recommend one as a first big bike but looking through manufacters web sites the seem to jump straight from 125 - 600 (with the odd 500 commuter bike in the running). From what I understand most 400 sports were grey import anyway km/h (can be changed) but km ODO fixed so why if the demand is here do they not make them anymore (from what I understand) or ever for uk sales.

[feef]

they are mde in Japan, for japan to fit with theiur regulations, which make it bonkers expensive to have anything bigger than 400.

I suppose the manufacturers are happy to see a destination for all these old 400's in japan, meaning they can sell more new ones.

now that the 33bhp limit has been in force for a while, there's more of a reason to have 400's in the UK and it's something that might change in time.

a
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[Clanger]

Depends where you look I suppose. I bought my Honda Bros 400 straight off the crate from Boxhill Motorcycles all those years ago. If you look through the classifieds in the Bike mags and trader you will see all sorts of 400's.

My mate just bought her ZXR 400 via ebay.
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[map]

You're right in that the 400 sports bikes were/are grey import. Made for the Japanese market. The restrictions there make it popular (have to go through hoops to get bigger machinery). However, this market is very fashion/style driven and sports bikes are now not the thing to be seen on in Japan. So that's why they're becoming scarce.

I'm not sure what the current fashion in Japanese 400s is, I think someone mentioned cruisers. If that's the case I can see why grey importers aren't falling over themselves getting them here as that market is very specific and quite small.

The rules and restrictions in Europe don't make it viable, cost-effective, profitable (you choose the words) to distribute 400s. I guess the market wouldn't be big enough. Besides, sports bikes appears to be mainly a UK thing, sales in other countries aren't that wonderful.

I'm sure others on this forum can add more.

HTH
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[Josh|RD125LC]

And also the Jap 400's are usually very low down, for the tiny Japs that will be riding them, hence why I'm not looking at the Jap 400's apart from the ZXR.
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[oldgit]

I was told that the law in Japan on 400cc was more to do with their full-licence test requiring the bike to be lifted. As Japanese folk are often physically smaller than westerners, this led to a sports bike 400cc class weighing in at less than 170Kg. Over the last few years the weight of 600cc, 750cc and 1000cc bikes ahs dropped to about the same, so, I think, the 400cc class is no longer made. So you'll have to buy used - I think the RVF and ZXR were tha last in production.
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[Lee_367]

I have no trouble fitting on an RVF and i'm not exactly small.
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[Itchy]

tsk thats nonsense , I weigh in at 11 stone ish (mostly fat) and I can lift my honda NTV650 which claims to be 185kilos which I don't believe at all since with oil , brake fliud , petrol top box and chain in the box I reckon is 210kilos.


heck I've seen a really small woman pick up a GT550 and those babies dry are 205kilos

[craigs23]

Anyone seen a GSXR1000 K5 yet? There's barely any physical difference in size between that and a 400cc import. The 400cc market is quite popular, with all shaped and sized riders owning them. One of the guys over on 400gb is a bodybuilding champion!

400s aren't exactly scarce, there's always an NC30 or CBR or Superfour appearing in the local rags down my way, just have a browse through Biketrader if you're having trouble finding one.

[Dom_]

[Psychonaut]

Not having trouble finding one as I'm not currently looking but I bought my 125 new (not passed test yet) and would prefer to buy the replacement new in a year two's time. Its not like buying a car where you have to get a loan for 3-5 years just to get a crappy 10,000 hatchback.A decent new bike can be had for 3,500 - 4,000 so I'll start saving next year. Feel more confident on something I know hasn't been crashed or thrashed and not properly maintained

[TheShaggyDA]

Bat Motorcycles tend to have a range of nearly new 400s on offer :-

https://www.batmotorcycles.co.uk/
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[Nolongerhere]

[kawashima]

Lately, young guys in japan are fond of scooter custom.
They seem to have bike as part of fashion.
That's why replicas disappeared in this class.
Young guys think these ones as cool. Do you understand their sense? We can see many customs in Shibuya, Roppongi etc.

[zaknafien]

So now it's mainly scooters over there then?

What about all the 400's? Send them over here.
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[Josh|RD125LC]

Well put it this way I can't fit on the VFR or CBR400. I look like a twat because its so low and I have long legs.
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[Nath]

The problem with the 33bhp limit is that nearly everyone over the age of 21 will take direct access and so not have to deal with it. Since most 17yr olds cannot afford brand new bikes, there is no demand for bikes targetted to this market.
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[kawashima]

What a long post