Which sporty 400?

[timmartin]

Starting my DAS next weekend... Can't wait!!!!

When i pass i will need a bike!

I like sports style bikes but know 600 is not a good idea, so was thinking...
CBR400, GSXR400, ZXR400 (ZXR400 being favorite, looks sexy even with the vaccum cleaner hoses), VFR400 etc My budget is about £2k (early 90's model i guess). Its just for fun so practicality isnt a problem really.

anyone got experience and advice?


(alternatively i fancy a Suzuki SV650S but would have to stick down the £2k and finance the rest Mrs has financed a 182 so £2k of loan for a bike will be guilt free... 0% finance even better!)

[s8tur]

Hi, I choose a Honda 400/4 '77 as it is a classic and probably not kill myself on it. I do also have a 500 and a 750 as bike owners know you have to have more than one!!

[iguana]

Of the 400s= VFR400, budget would need to streach to go to RVF400, worth it tho.

You can pick up an SV650 for within yr budget tho.

[Vitesse39]

ZXR400, commuted on it so it did the buis there only thing I didn't like about it were poor dip lights at night but I just made up some adapter plates to use standard more powerful bulbs.

A great bike for a first buy - liked it so much I just upgraded to the ZXR750

try and get an L though as there's more after market stuff available for it, and as the H1 and H2 were imports there is the usual story with spares and insurance.

Let us know what you decide and how you go

[YamR1,V64motion]

out of all of them i would go for the VFR or RVF 400, but as long as your not completly mental i wouldnt see any problem with going straight to a 600, put in a little more cash and get an early R6 if thats what you really want to do, better that than get bored after a while and have to go through the hassle of selling your bike.

[Andymx5]

Will a 400 be that much cheaper to insure than a 6?

It might not be worth it... you can get a lovely G1 model ZX6R (circa 1998) for 2k (if not cheaper) and this is a fairly easy/comfortable first bike.

[Mad Dave]

Why bugger about? Just buy a 600. I happen to know of a Bandit 600 for sale for £1200

That said, I really fancy a Honda VFR400 NC30 - classic bike, beautiful to behold and apparently corners like an excited terrier Failing that, a ZXR400.

[Vitesse39]

I looked at ZX6Rs instead of the ZXR750, until I checked the insurance. The newer 6 is way more expensive than an older 750 nevermind a 400

1st yr 400 - £160 ish for me
2nd yr 750 - £220 ish for me
2nd yr newer 600 - £400 - 500 or something like that IIRC

[timmartin]

Lots of good experiences with the VFR, haven't got the budget for an RVF

I think insurance for a 600 would be a bit steep. (i want to go comprehensive btw). will have a look at a few.

First forum where i've heard people reccomending 6's as a first bike. I'm pretty sensible take a lot less risks than most of my mates in the car and take a LOT more interest in cars, bikes driving dynamics etc than them too... so maybe a 600... wonder if older CBR600F would be in my budget, i read something about it being one of the softer 600's.

Mrs might have something to say though

DAS starts this weekend... exciting!! Been putting it off for years

[timmartin]

CBR 600 F-X 1999, £1899

£95 per month with ebike PAYG - £100 excess, comprehensive, no security!!

ZXR400 1993 - £1500 - £2000 ish

£65 per month £0 excess, comprehensive, no security.

(1 year NCD after 8 months want to get that then shop about for insurance, plus can chop and change it about whenever i like seems good to me)

[iguana]

timmartin said:

£95 per month with ebike PAYG - £100 excess, comprehensive, no security!!

Blimey, best bit about being an old bugger= can get a yrs premium (TPFT) for that monthly cost, & only a whole £50 more for 900cc sports

[iguana]

timmartin said:

First forum where i've heard people reccomending 6's as a first bike.

Well thers 600s & there 600s! a Duke monster 600 with its huge 45bhp or what ever it is will not quite be in 120+bhp R6/CBrRRRRRRRRR territory!

& a Bandit 6 for example is pretty much bang on perfornace of a sporty 400, well my bandit vs my RVF400 were anyway all the way from 0 to 130

>> Edited by iguana on Wednesday 1st February 22:01

[iguana]

Mad Dave said:

That said, I really fancy a Honda VFR400 NC30 - classic bike, beautiful to behold and apparently corners like an excited terrier

Yeh I dunno about NC30s, never ridden one, my RVf was an utterly amasing handler, better IMHO than a duke 748 on the same roads, but they have USD forks, big brakes, etc etc & the NC0 doesnt, my VFR- NC24 wasnt even close to that handling wise- it was a bit worn & standard tho, but so was the RVF, power was the same tho. Think NC30s are closer to the spec of my Nc24VFR than the RVF so they may handle 'well' but an RVf can be truely epic.

Trouble is look at what diference diferent fork springs & fresh oil & a new shock makes to mine vs yr Bandits, or bennyboys giant killer SV650 racer vs a stock SV650 road bike, so im sure an NC30 could be made to outhandle a stock RVF, so my coments can only apply to stock bikes really.

Rvf a waaaaaay better looker iMHO than the NC30 tho

>> Edited by iguana on Wednesday 1st February 22:48

[timmartin]

iguana said:

timmartin said: £95 per month with ebike PAYG - £100 excess, comprehensive, no security!! Blimey, best bit about being an old bugger= can get a yrs premium (TPFT) for that monthly cost, & only a whole £50 more for 900cc sports

It would be cheaper to shop about and get a normal annual policy - but 1 year NCD after 8 months is pretty tempting. Also i will only go comprehensive on the assumption that if i cripple myself i'll have help with medical bills.

But yes as with everything theres no replacement for experience.

Chatting to the mrs... has been on the back of a 600 a lot and has forbidden me - more reason to get one?

[desmo]

Try a CBR400RR, NC23. it is fantastic, I got one for track days and occasional road use, while working abroad and regret selling it. Excellent handling and quick enough to get some real experience without scaring the crap out of yourself.

[Mad Dave]

iguana said:

Mad Dave said: That said, I really fancy a Honda VFR400 NC30 - classic bike, beautiful to behold and apparently corners like an excited terrier Trouble is look at what diference diferent fork springs & fresh oil & a new shock makes to mine vs yr Bandits, or bennyboys giant killer SV650 racer vs a stock SV650 road bike, so im sure an NC30 could be made to outhandle a stock RVF, so my coments can only apply to stock bikes really. Rvf a waaaaaay better looker iMHO than the NC30 tho >> Edited by iguana on Wednesday 1st February 22:48

You're right about the differences between bikes - I remember riding yours back to back with mine and the handling was just something else! I rode my old Bandit the other month and had a hoot on it, pegs scraping on the bends and it just feels like it's going to throw you off constantly. Was huge fun! lol

We really should meet up again in the summer (and hopefully I won't break down this time!) and swap bikes, would be interested to hear your comments on my ZX.

[moto_traxport]

Would agree with all the favourable comments on the NC30 and NC35. They are utterley beautiful bikes to ride and because of the power delivery it would take longer to get bored of than the in-line 4's - ZXR400's in particular I found a bit stressful when not in the mood.

Early SV650's will be within budget - the condition of a five year old SV might very well be to comparable to a 12 year Honda.....

[s8tur]

My insurance for 4 bikes, fully comp inc UK and european recovery is £118.90/annum Carole Nash. Good arguement for older bikes;-)

[Tvi]

Hello,

Something to consider if you're thinking of a 400... Your height.

I got an NC30 which I absolutely love to bits, but when someone else gets on it, they look silly cos it's too small.

I also had a CBR600 which I couldn't get comfy on (I'm only 5'1 and 3/4"!)

Insurance was easier and cheaper on the 600 because it's not an import and more companies will insure it. When I ring around for quotes on the VFR, quite a few companies say they won't insure it - oh, and they tell you once you've spent 5 minutes giving them your life history!!!

I'm only little so me on my 400 keeps up with the big boys, it's just my confidence that slows me down!

Good luck whatever you choose.

And don't buy anything from Bats in biggin hill! They are way, way over priced!

Loretta x

[emailiscrap]

Have you thought about a GPZ500S? That was my first bike and it was great. Decent amount of power, but not too much to cause problems. Cheap to run and insure. Decent size for me and I'm lardy.