VFR 400 or ZXR 400 Advice please
Discussion
Hi there,
Can anybody help please, I am looking to start my DAS soon, and as such have begun looking into bikes I am considering purchasing, I have narrowed it down to two possible choices a VFR 400 or a ZXR 400, can anybody give me some advice on both these bikes pros and cons please? Maybe you hav eowner one or both at some time?
Can anybody help please, I am looking to start my DAS soon, and as such have begun looking into bikes I am considering purchasing, I have narrowed it down to two possible choices a VFR 400 or a ZXR 400, can anybody give me some advice on both these bikes pros and cons please? Maybe you hav eowner one or both at some time?
I owned a VFR400R NC30 about 11 years ago - loved it. I bought it after getting banned on a FireBlade and thought it would slow me down. It did - sort of. Still plenty quick enough to have serious fun and handled great. The VFR has a tall first gear so some clutch slip is required to pull away, but not anything that causes difficulty or problems. Well built and finished and IMHO still one of the prettiest bikes ever made. Mini-RC30 looks 
Most are grey imports but that's not an issue, make sure it's been derestricted from the Japan market 110mph max though - easily done. I can't see how you could be dissappointed with an NC30.
Never ridden a ZXR400 but tests tended to report it was more rev-hungry than the VFR. Great fun no doubt, and many love them, but most tests I read came down in favour of the VFR. The CBR400RR Gullarm however tended to eclipse them all in the tests. Apparently an even sweeter bike than the VFR. I always preferred the looks of the NC30, but if you like the CBR400RR it's well worth considering. Don't forget the RVF400 either - a mini-RC45 and also a superb bike from what I read.
Most are grey imports but that's not an issue, make sure it's been derestricted from the Japan market 110mph max though - easily done. I can't see how you could be dissappointed with an NC30.
Never ridden a ZXR400 but tests tended to report it was more rev-hungry than the VFR. Great fun no doubt, and many love them, but most tests I read came down in favour of the VFR. The CBR400RR Gullarm however tended to eclipse them all in the tests. Apparently an even sweeter bike than the VFR. I always preferred the looks of the NC30, but if you like the CBR400RR it's well worth considering. Don't forget the RVF400 either - a mini-RC45 and also a superb bike from what I read.
I've riden both and prefer the ZXR. It's much sharper and revvier. It has demon brakes and is one of the most chuckable bikes I've riden.
The VFR has bomb proof reliabilty and "feels" softer in all respects. This makes it a much more forgiving package, especially for a new rider.
If were you I'd get the VFR. If I bought a 400 though, it would be the ZXR without a second of hesitation.
The GSXR is an amazing beast too. The best looking of all of them. It just always felt like it was about to self destruct though and I found the ZXR better handling, but I know lots of people will disagree with me on that.
Best bet is to try and ride each before you buy if you get a chance.
The VFR has bomb proof reliabilty and "feels" softer in all respects. This makes it a much more forgiving package, especially for a new rider.
If were you I'd get the VFR. If I bought a 400 though, it would be the ZXR without a second of hesitation.
The GSXR is an amazing beast too. The best looking of all of them. It just always felt like it was about to self destruct though and I found the ZXR better handling, but I know lots of people will disagree with me on that.
Best bet is to try and ride each before you buy if you get a chance.
Hi There,
Thanks for all the advice, given me a lot to think about, anyway i saw the VFR and ZXR today, had to discount the VFR as it wouldnt even start and did not look in the greatest condition, its my first Bike so spending sub £1,500. I prefer the looks of the VFR both were perfect size as i am 5,7 height. The ZXR actually felt like a better/comfortable riding position. The dealer chappy was also giving mehis sales pitch suggesting to me the servicing costs on a ZXR are a lot less...is this true?
Both actually look quite similar but theres something about the VFR, i think considering my price range i might be priced out of the VFR's?
Thanks for all the advice, given me a lot to think about, anyway i saw the VFR and ZXR today, had to discount the VFR as it wouldnt even start and did not look in the greatest condition, its my first Bike so spending sub £1,500. I prefer the looks of the VFR both were perfect size as i am 5,7 height. The ZXR actually felt like a better/comfortable riding position. The dealer chappy was also giving mehis sales pitch suggesting to me the servicing costs on a ZXR are a lot less...is this true?
Both actually look quite similar but theres something about the VFR, i think considering my price range i might be priced out of the VFR's?
i'd go for the NC30....that bike is an absolute peach
, they are pretty bomb proof and the gear driven V4 engine sounds superb
if you go for a ZXR400 be very aware that alot of the ones on the market may be ex race bikes as they are the most popular ss400 racer
bear that in mind and use your loaf when looking and you should be fine
found this site might be helpfull
http://www.v4power.ukonlinehosting.com/html/home.h...
, they are pretty bomb proof and the gear driven V4 engine sounds superb
if you go for a ZXR400 be very aware that alot of the ones on the market may be ex race bikes as they are the most popular ss400 racer
bear that in mind and use your loaf when looking and you should be fine
found this site might be helpfull
http://www.v4power.ukonlinehosting.com/html/home.h...
Edited by y2blade on Friday 20th June 19:15
i had an nc30, in castrol honda colours and it was one of the best bikes i have ever ridden, i have ridden the zxr 400 as well and found that there was far too much weight over the front and it gave me arm pump after a few miles.
the point your local dealer made about servicing costs is slightly true however if you look after it properly it wont need servicing as often as the other options so it all evens out in the end.
alternatively you could try the cbr400 gullarm or fzr 400 rr.
anyway good luck with your choice, and enjoy!!
the point your local dealer made about servicing costs is slightly true however if you look after it properly it wont need servicing as often as the other options so it all evens out in the end.
alternatively you could try the cbr400 gullarm or fzr 400 rr.
anyway good luck with your choice, and enjoy!!
I had a ZXR400 for just over a year, and did 25,000 miles. No that's not a typo!! It was great fun, brakes were great, suspension waqs okay, but a little on the hard side, and the engine was a screamer (nothing til 10,000 rpm, then all hell let loose)
However, i moved on to a ZX6-R, and at the time my girlfriend had an NC35 - I actually prefered riding that to my ZX6. It was so chuckable it was laughable, and it makes such a great sound to (kind of like a sewing machine on steroids) Build quality was fantastic too, way better than the ZXR. The single sided swingarm looks kinda cool too
However, i moved on to a ZX6-R, and at the time my girlfriend had an NC35 - I actually prefered riding that to my ZX6. It was so chuckable it was laughable, and it makes such a great sound to (kind of like a sewing machine on steroids) Build quality was fantastic too, way better than the ZXR. The single sided swingarm looks kinda cool too
Sports 400’s are old bikes now …20+ years in some cases. ZXR’s of the era suffered chronic corrosion problems after one winter, I haven’t seen what I would call a decent 400 for years.
I know people rave about the handling but as in most cases these comments will be from a relative newbie (at the time) or someone looking back at their first bike with rose tinted glass’s .
The suspension suffers as the bike ages and a newbie isnt going to feel/notice that…...he/she certainly isn’t going to have the knowledge or inclination and maybe the £££ either to strip down and rebuild bearings/suspension as the chassis will be more than likely shot/neglected as one new rider after another takes ownership of the bike.
The flip side of the coin is of course the guys who race 400’s but we wouldn’t recommend an ex race bike to a newbie either.
So, an old , knackered 400 or a more modern 600 with modern tyres, braking, handling , looks , cheaper running costs, much more re sellable and much more long term appeal(if you’ve come from a fast car, a 400 wont feel “fast” for very long)
I still can’t see any advantage of a 400 over a 600 unless it’s for nostalgia or racing and the price is right. As much as it may not look as flash, for the money your better off with a more modern bike like a Bandit ,GPZ500 on EN500 with much less mileage on it and years younger….and despite not looking as racy just as fast..
I know people rave about the handling but as in most cases these comments will be from a relative newbie (at the time) or someone looking back at their first bike with rose tinted glass’s .
The suspension suffers as the bike ages and a newbie isnt going to feel/notice that…...he/she certainly isn’t going to have the knowledge or inclination and maybe the £££ either to strip down and rebuild bearings/suspension as the chassis will be more than likely shot/neglected as one new rider after another takes ownership of the bike.
The flip side of the coin is of course the guys who race 400’s but we wouldn’t recommend an ex race bike to a newbie either.
So, an old , knackered 400 or a more modern 600 with modern tyres, braking, handling , looks , cheaper running costs, much more re sellable and much more long term appeal(if you’ve come from a fast car, a 400 wont feel “fast” for very long)
I still can’t see any advantage of a 400 over a 600 unless it’s for nostalgia or racing and the price is right. As much as it may not look as flash, for the money your better off with a more modern bike like a Bandit ,GPZ500 on EN500 with much less mileage on it and years younger….and despite not looking as racy just as fast..
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