Which 400?

[carsounds_dan]

hi,
im looking at options for my first bike for when i turn 17, i intend to do my A2 and then have 2 years restricted to 33hp. To do this im going to want a small (400cc ish) bike to use and to gain experiance on.
I've riden motor-cross bikes in a field before and now don't panic when the front slips or the back decides to go for a wonder so i knw the basics and really just want to get on the road!
ive been looking at CBR400's and VFR400's (Hondas) and both seem brilliant reliable bikes, and i like the look of a sports bike. But people have mentioned a Kawasaki ZXR400 as another similar bike, can anyone tell me the pro's and cons of each?
Bare in mind that:
1) ive got about £1300 to spend on the bike
2) im about 5 foot 9 and weight 10 stone (im still growing so must be good for up to 6" and 12/13 stone)
3) I have quite good mechanical knowledge (i've re-built numerous car engines)
4) It will be used as oftern as possible and will usually be used to take me to 6th form (6.5 miles away). Althought it will be warmed up before riding and will be riden down a 50-60mph A road
5) It may be used it wet wether and in the winter months, although it will be cleaned whenever possible etc.
6) I think thats it!

Sorry for the long post, just want u to have the most info, can all owners of the bikes or any other examples of similar bikes please tell me some pro's and con's and what to look out for when buying one?

Cheers
carsounds_dan

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add me on msn for info on CAT 2 immobalisers, and cheap fitting in the crawley area

[mr.z]

Dont forget maintainance costs when your looking, you'll be paying out £200 for tyres every 3000 miles or so on a zxr (unless your carefull or get touring tyres, but kind of defys the point)

zxr400 can be ran all year arroud no problems, it will need more attention and cleaning than say a cb500..

Also dont forget, there a very good chance you'll drop your first bike, so crashbars or mushrooms are a very very sensible idea, or just get a bike that you dont mind scuffing

Good luck with it though
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Whosthedaddy]

[carsounds_dan]

yeh crash bungs it is and i knw a decent paint shop to re-do all the fairings if they get a bit scratched... lol
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add me on msn for info on CAT 2 immobalisers, and cheap fitting in the crawley area

[Type_Mo]

DRZ400 if u can get one for that kinda money!
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- Typhoon ?0 - Yamaha DT125R - Aprilia SR125 - Yamaha DT125R - Honda Hornet 600 -

[MarJay]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=30791&highlight=
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[tony532]

suzuki gsxr400rrsp 1990 model for the win.

as it isnt green and doesnt look like a shell suit.

i owned one for a year.

and tyres will last well over 4000 miles on a 400.

cheap as chips to run and good on petrol as well.


ride that for two years then get a 600
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bikes owned :-

aprilia rs125 - suzuki gsxr400rrsp 1990 - yamaha yzf600r thundercat - honda hornet 6

[ram_doom]

*cough* ZXR400 mine might have blown up in a big way, but before then it was fantastic great handling and plenty of spares, and hasnt got a stupid bolt between the headlights like a honda nc30 (thats always irked me ) At your size though, a cbr400 or NC30 would be great anyway. As said countless times before elsewhere, at the age these 400's are now, you may as well pick the one you come across in best condition regardless of make or model. Of course, I'd still say the kawasaki
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TL1000s, KDX200

[Flip]

Yours blew up because you were 'cruising' at nearly top speed. What did you expect?

[carsounds_dan]

i saw a CBR400RR the other day at the local bikeshop and i fell in love with it, it was the tri-arm, so im gunna keep my eye out for one within my budget i think, unless anyone else has any ideas?
dan
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add me on msn for info on CAT 2 immobalisers, and cheap fitting in the crawley area

[ram_doom]

[craigs23]

NC30.

[h00dwink]

[Biker-Kev]

try a nc24, bloody great bikes and you could pick up a reasonable one for £5-600 and have plenty money left to put towards a 600 next year.
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Zhongyu ZY50, Aprilia SR50, Motorhispania RX50, Aprilia RS125, Honda VFR400 nc24 and my corsa
https://www.bikepics.com/members/bikerkev/
Theory: Passed 8/11/2005 Practical: Passed 13/12/2005 Proud holder of A2 license

[minesweeper]

Any of the hondas will be a good buy as long as you find a good example, thats most important. check out the forsale section of www.400greybike.co.uk for alot of cheap options.

Matty
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Rvf400, 955i daytona, 954 fireblade, cbr1000rr fireblade 06 Hm plant

[jap4performan...]

NC30 ZXR400 or either of the CBRs (NC23 NC29) would be a good choice for yourself