I had a dream about 400s

[CoolHands]

I used to have a zxr400 (loved it) and my brother had an NC35 too. I wish the japs would bring that class of bike back cos I like the high revving nature so you feel like you're really shifting, but it isn't terribly fast in real terms. Even on a CBR600 etc you can whip up to 130 no problem, whereas on the 400 that took a lot more effort! I think the top speeds were 135 or 140 so it wasn't achieved by the end of the road, if you know what I mean.

They could probably make them lighter than 600s too, these days. Here was mine:

Edited by CoolHands on Wednesday 22 February 00:54

[Tall_Paul]

Love my little CB400, ok it's a naked but it's the same thing. 14k rpm red line, 110mph (GPS confirmed on an Autobahn) top speed, hit 12k+ rpm in 1st, 2nd and 3rd and you're only just doing more than about 80mph

They were built so much better than the current A2 bikes too, mine has proper twin discs with 4 pot calipers (the same as the ones on the early fireblade), showa forks, after all they were built for the Jap market where anything over 400cc was grossly expensive to run, so they built 399cc versions of their big sports and naked bikes and specced them the same.

Edited by Tall_Paul on Tuesday 21st February 21:54

[obscene]

I sold my NC30 a couple years ago and didn't know as much as I do now about bikes. Wish I had kept it and got the suspension set up as it was a minter. Needless to say, I keep seeing them and would kill for one. Sadly the prices have rocketed

If they could remake them I'd be off to buy one this second.

[CoolHands]

I think the 300s are all cheap as st made aren't they? I.e. Just like large st 125s, generally twins too. Whearas the old 400s were proper inline-4 bikes made just like 600s etc as far as I can tell.

[WindyCommon]

Oh yes. I had an RVF400 in West Honda colours. I used to take it to track days and ride around nervous blokes on big bikes. It was awesome...

Edited by WindyCommon on Wednesday 22 February 07:28

[obscene]

The 390 duke was alright when I rode it (better than the RC) but they are as you say, cheap as st when compared to the quality of 400's.

[spookly]

So, maybe a bit like this, but more revs?

[Fleegle]

How could you not like that little beauty

[Moulder]

As we're doing pictures...

[Simes205]

I've got an NC30 hibernating.
Must get it out soon.

[Tall_Paul]

spookly said:

So, maybe a bit like this, but more revs?

Not really. the current single cylinder bikes are rubbish vs the pocket rocket IL4 400cc and under bikes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VkJeA33i5Y

or even better, a CBR250RR with a 19k redline.
https://youtu.be/cwyksKx6txo

I will miss my little CB400 in a way when i come to move it on, would love to keep it and retire it from commuting duties, strip it down, hunt down all the OEM bits and rebuild it to it's former glory but I just don't have the space.

Edited by Tall_Paul on Tuesday 21st February 23:16

[obscene]

Being we're all adding pics now...




I miss it so much. Those gear driven cams

[AdamIndy]

I do love a 400. I once crashed an NC30, it was epic before I launched it at the scenery!

[CoolHands]

Nice RGV I've always loved those. I used to have a Pepsi Suzuki paddock jacket! (Remember those?)

My mate had a lovely TZR250 at the time, it used to shift like a rocket when it hit the power-band! I think even less TZRs are around than RGVs these days for some reason.

[IanUAE]

My second bike was a ZXR400 in green, white and blue, white powder coated wheels and dark tinted screen. Taxi minibus reversed into it and wrote it off.

My brother also had a ZXR400 in the same colours at the same time.

[Pope]

CoolHands said:

Nice RGV

That's a GSXR 400; I had a lucky strike coloured one in '98; 17k redline and buzzy as hell - loved it!!

Also had an HRC painted NC30 - the local bike shop owner used to crate over loads of 400's some previously crashed and with parts to fix them - he did great business in the late 90's - most bikers I knew had Gull arm or Tri arm honda's from there - Elliots in Cricklade

[CoolHands]

I'm an idiot. My excuse is it was very late and I didn't look properly!

[Loyly]

It's a class of bike which is dead but not forgotten. The fact that they maintain such a passionate following is testament to their appeal. The modern 300cc bikes are no replacement, they strike me as cheap tat whereas the old Japanese 400 sports bikes were very high quality.

I suppose a changing taste in bikes internationally killed their export appeal and perhaps Japanese rules changed too, I'm not sure. It's a class I would like to see return.

[Weso]

I've always wanted to have a go on one of this class of bikes, but at 6'3" I'd never fit on one.
On a similar note, I love this video of a ZX2R
https://youtu.be/FJ8R4tYbX5w
Wes

[Superhoop]

A guy I work with has taken his already very tidy NC30 and fitted a full Tyga kit to it, in original colours, but for the additions of satin black number boards - It looks awesome..



My first bike (collected the day of passing my test) was a ZXR400... Still miss that..

Edited by Superhoop on Wednesday 22 February 08:41