First bike (Sorry)

[lockstock2sb]

I know this is always done to death on here but i couldnt see anything on the bike i was thinking of sorry !:

Honda VFR400R NC30 - whats your opinions on it and would it be usable for me when i pass my test ? Insurance is pretty damn good @ £223 and i love the styling so what do you guys think ? They are not badly priced also at around the 2k mark. Are there any other options that are similar in looks and performance ? Any pics of said bikes will be well received !

Cheers

Steve




>> Edited by lockstock2sb on Friday 13th January 15:24

[catso]

Had a brief ride on one once a few years ago, went well for a 400, good handling, lots of fun I liked it.

[Mon Ami Mate]

Get it properly checked out first. Many of these have been raced, most of the others thrashed to death. Check that engine and frame numbers match, look out for bodywork that looks much newer than the rolling chassis, lock-wired sump plug and obvious signs of heavy crash damage (wheel alignment). Get a compression test done on the motor and walk away without a decent service record. Assume it's a mangled old shed that will make all your money disappear, unless proved otherwise.

[lockstock2sb]

There seems to be a fair amount of imports floating around with 10-20k miles on them - whats the view on imported bikes ? Should they be avoided like the plague or are they a good way to get a minter ? I dont really know what i am looking at on a bike so i'll have to get someone along to do all the checking.

Cheers lads

Steve

[catso]

lockstock2sb said:

There seems to be a fair amount of imports floating around with 10-20k miles on them - whats the view on imported bikes ? Should they be avoided like the plague or are they a good way to get a minter ? I dont really know what i am looking at on a bike so i'll have to get someone along to do all the checking. Cheers lads Steve

I thought that they were all imports?

[lockstock2sb]

Errrr

maybe they are then... but i keep seeing bikes for sale and listed as an import - i just thought it was the same as cars - you get UK built hondas and Jap spec ones...?

[catso]

Well all Honda bikes are made in Japan (I think) except maybe some of the Goldwings might be US built? so technically they're all imports anyway.

But I thought that the 400 was never officially sold in the UK by Honda and so were all imported from Japan (might be wrong though) also, I believe that Jap import bikes usually have a speed limiter set at some low figure (70 or 80mph?) but there are plug-in kits that bypass that.

However I'm not an authority on this so someone else may be able to clarify.......



Oh and don't worry they're all right-hand-drive as they drive on the left in Japan......

>> Edited by catso on Friday 13th January 17:06

[rsvmilly]

I think they are limited to 110mph - easily remedied, apparently. Well regarded, good handling bikes.

How tall are you? They are quite small bikes.

>> Edited by rsvmilly on Friday 13th January 18:15

[hugoagogo]

catso said:

Well all Honda bikes are made in Japan (I think) except maybe some of the Goldwings might be US built? so technically they're all imports anyway. But I thought that the 400 was never officially sold in the UK by Honda and so were all imported from Japan (might be wrong though) also, I believe that Jap import bikes usually have a speed limiter set at some low figure (70 or 80mph?) but there are plug-in kits that bypass that. However I'm not an authority on this so someone else may be able to clarify....... Oh and don't worry they're all right-hand-drive as they drive on the left in Japan......

vfr400s (nc30) were sold officially too, and they were ludicrously expensive, but they are great little bikes. will pull about 130 (derestricted) they have mph speedos, imports have stickers on kph ones if it's a fresh import check it has new tyres (rears are 18" iirc but a bit of choice available) and shock and fork seals can be buggered too. if it's been in the uk a while, check for crash damage. lots have been resprayed and it's not always a sign of a crash

ps: 'right-hand-drive' does make a difference you know, the headlight dips the other way

>> Edited by hugoagogo on Friday 13th January 20:59

[lockstock2sb]

cheers for the advice chaps - the more i look at it, the more i love it I just need to make sure i pick up a minter. I think it will be a nice entrance to the biking world

Whats the availability like for spares and service items on these older bikes ? I think i would get a J plate if possible....

I'm 5ft 9 so not tall by any means so this bike will suit me well i think

[DennisTheMenace]

Be warned because they are a PITA to work on many are neglected on the servicing side , and engine problems are expensive to fix .

[rsvmilly]

DennisTheMenace said:

Be warned because they are a PITA to work on many are neglected on the servicing side , and engine problems are expensive to fix .

As is the case with the larger brother, the VFR800s - especially the Vtec ones.

The CBR400R(R?) Mini Blades are also worth a look. Instead of the V-four they have a straight four, IIRC.

[DennisTheMenace]

You could get a kawasaki KR1S and become very good at engine rebuilds i would do what rsv says and look for a babyblade , much easier to work on should things go pete tong , or go a size up and get a cbr600 , bit of a gurls bike though as ballistic bannana had one

[lockstock2sb]

I like the CBR400 also


would this be a more reliable bike ? Thats an important factor for me really

>> Edited by lockstock2sb on Friday 13th January 22:46

[F.M]

I like the wee NC30`s. They are supertrick and handle great if the suspension is still fresh. There are excellent `import` only ( 250,400cc ) dealers who can get you any part you like mail order. I think they are gear driven cams etc and have a good build quality but `fat` european fingers sruggle with home servicing, Valve clearences being a rather big job. With a race can they sound the billy bollox but for me you would be better test riding a used 600 first to compare the speed deficit for yourself.

It`s bigger brother is a peach...

[DennisTheMenace]

lockstock2sb said:

I like the CBR400 also would this be a more reliable bike ? Thats an important factor for me really >> Edited by lockstock2sb on Friday 13th January 22:46

[hugoagogo]

lockstock2sb said:

I like the CBR400 also would this be a more reliable bike ? Thats an important factor for me really

don't think they are any more reliable, but they are more of a revver than the v4 nc30, which feels a bit torquier

[likesbikes]

Didn't Kawasaki sell the ZXR400 over here officially a few years back? Never ridden one but led to believe they're a lot of fun?







Dodgy looking paint jobs on some of them though

[_Dave_]

ZXR400 is the fastest of the three, but pretty rare in good nick, the nc30 is a mini rc30, they sound amazing with a race system on, and are as quick round corners than anything if the suspension is in top condition, a lot have been abused as mentioned above, a classic, find a good one, keep up the maintenance and you'll sell it for what you paid for if not more.

CBR400's don't even come close, V4 v's IL4, no contest IMO.

Lots of good modern 600's for the same money though, which are significantly quicker in a straight line, I'd love a nc30 but they are too small (physically) for me

[Grib]

My first big bike was a NC30. I did everything on it, commuted to work, trackdays, up and down the motorway from Devon to Donington and Brands to watch the racing, over to France for Le Mans and Assen for WSBK...she never missed a beat They are bulletproof, but very hard to service yourself due to that V4 engine being crammed in there so tight. I rode a CBR400 as well and much preferred the engine in the NC. You won't go far wrong with one....mine had done over 50K miles when I sold her on and she was still running sweet as a nut I miss it quite a lot and would buy a tidy UK spec one like a shot if I had somewhere to keep it and the spare cash.

Try this place for good advice, there are owners of about every 400 ever made on there: www.400greybike.co.uk/Forum/default.asp