looking for a fast 400 was temptide to go for zxr400
now thinking about a nice V4 what should i look for in a vfr, rvf
do you think this is the way to go.
Any 400 is about the same performance wise. You cant go wrong with a VFR400 NC30, RVF400 NC35, CBR400 NC23 or 29. ZXR's are spose to be good aswell but I cant comment to much as I've never owned or rode one.
gav u know me, im welshers mate with the blade, we're both racin in north gloucster.
my bro has got the vfr, he loves it and i must say, ive ridden it and it does handle very well and for a 400 it is fairly torquey with respect, the zxr is slightly more track orientated and has a very hard rear end which is ideal for the track but can be slightly too hard on the road, dont really think you can go wrong with any of them, but honda does have the build quality without a doubt.
The ZXR does have a hard ride at the rear.. but having rode GSXR400, and VFR400 NC30 I find the ZXR the most comfortable, not as cramped up. I've had 145mph out of my ZXR (private road), thats been dyno-jetted, and have K&N stage 1 and Blueflame race can.
Being an inline 4 cyli as apposed to the V4. The ZXR is sooooo much easier engine to work on, if anything were to go wrong.
Things to look out for, any bikes around 15,000 and 30,000 miles. Head gaskets are commonly gone at these mileages, the ZXR400 can have a little rattle, dont be afraid as this is common, just the cam chain tensioner might need to be changed or adjusted. Check fork seals. Check the panels, they should be plastics, if there fibreglass, ask why? chances are its been down the road.
ZXR models from 1992/1993 will have a black frame, most of these are UK bikes within UK spec headlights, UK speedos and the full power CDI unit and are most desirable. Most later models are also UK spec. Try and get one of these rather than an import model (Kawasaki dealers wont like you bringing an import to them if anything should go wrong you cant fix)
If you go for a Honda VFR, spend the extra dough, dont buy a CHEAP one, if its too good to be true, it probably is, my bestmate rides an NC30 and currently aint running, wont even fire up, just backfires!!
What lee said really, another thing to look out with on a ZXR (if you go that way which I think you should having sampled a few 400's and prefering the ZXR) are dents in the frame where the clip ons have hit the frame. In a bad crash the clip ons can tend to come back and puncture the frame so thats a good indicator of damage!
Just remembered one more thing . Check the downpipes for holes!!! When I first got my ZXR my downpipes had a resemblence to a sieve, I had to rip them off and buy a new set. I brought my ZXR for £1000, no come backs from a dealer, relising I had alot of work to do, my little project. Spent about £800 and then got taken out by a car driver back in January!! . Cost me close to another £500 to get it back again to its former glory... just needs a re-spray now, but I still love it...
gav you can have my bike for ?1500.Just had that big service from G france(covered about a 1000 miles since),will have new chain and sprockets,got a front tyre that isn't put on yet and will fix the problem the small with my exhaust(small hole in downpipes).
Other than that the bike is sweet.
Webber and his bro saw it last week and can back me up.
Just some food for thought gavin are u sure u really want a 400.
Depending on what sort of riding you do you maybe better off with a 600. If you just want a sunday thrash around bikeor insurance is a big issue then a 400 is probably perfect but beware most have had a hard life and decent ones don't come cheap.
If you'd like to do a bit of sports touring or even commuting you will probably find the extra torque of a 600 makes it a lot more useable - sv's, hornets, bandits etc are all bloody good bikes which can be picked up for very little cash. Also consider GPZ500's very underated little bikes. Even an old CBR600 could be a sound buy.
I'd be tempeted to sell mine as she's immaculate and apparently you'd be hard pushed to find another 400 in as good nick and with so few miles on the clock, but only for lots of money...........
Huh!!!!!!!!!!!
Well i ve been drag bike, .. I beat VFR NC30, and other... GSXR 400 cc SIMPLY best than another.. Why.. well dont belibe me u can et me. i beat my friend an R 6.. whpohoo. yes i know . Yesh ZXR400 is good for fuel, VFR is just wimp. Do u know why GSXR 400 cc is just banned for production for TT? Bevause people die for GSXR 400.. it's true. oh well I blessed for he,. God help/
*.?P?X*¤&r";p="29383 wrote:Huh!!!!!!!!!!!
Well i ve been drag bike, .. I beat VFR NC30, and other... GSXR 400 cc SIMPLY best than another.. Why.. well dont belibe me u can et me. i beat my friend an R 6.. whpohoo. yes i know . Yesh ZXR400 is good for fuel, VFR is just wimp. Do u know why GSXR 400 cc is just banned for production for TT? Bevause people die for GSXR 400.. it's true. oh well I blessed for he,. God help/