.

VR46 · 20 Jan 2007 at 23:02

More info here: http://www.v-four.freeserve.co.uk/vfr400.htm

Great Bike, you have a good budget and should be able to find a minter.

I think the 400cc class was ultra popular in Japan and then they were imported to the UK but didn't take off massively due to the big price.

As far as the 400cc's being phased out, the most popular choice for people now is the 600 class.

Manufacturing of the 400's has stopped and a new 600 like an R6 etc is actually lighter than an NC30.

Development goes on though! check out the NC35 Casey Stoner Replica: http://tyga-performance.com/site/index.php?cPath=73_451&osCsid=dcab58aa391c849f6cf5b781d30cb149

I have an NC30 and love it!

Here's mine:

Kreeeee · 20 Jan 2007 at 23:35

VR46 said:

Looks awesome, I'm very jealous!

It's a shame more 400's aren't produced as the power to weight ratios would be rather nice now.

atpbx · 21 Jan 2007 at 00:22

I dont know about the new bike licenses or how you go about getting them.
Are you restriced on direct Access?
Because if you are not, there is a whole heap of motors out there that are more viable than a VFR400 at the price you have.

Now, its not the same type of bike, but last june i got a 1997 VTR1000 for 2.4k with 12k on the clock, mint nick and although not as nimble as a VFR400, its just so much faster.
0-60 in under 4 seconds and an indicated 160 on mine.
Theres lots of 600's 750's and 1000's out there for that money too.

Shoei · 21 Jan 2007 at 08:51

I went from a pretty modified VTR1000, custom penske shock in the back, Revolution fork tune. Motor was putting out a dyno verified 108bhp to a VFR400R and what a difference.
The turn in on the NC30 is awesome, made my storm seem very slow even though the suspension was tweaked. Granted its down by over 50 bhp on the VTR, but still been able to show up the likes of Clio 182 sports from the lights, just keep the revs above 10k rpm and your laughing.
That bit suprised me about the 400, the engine is very tractable, not as good as the VTR, but then i used to able to go to work on the Firestorm and leave it in 4th gear for the whole journey.
Both bikes are good at what they do, NC30 for blasting round back lanes and upsetting bigger bikes with awesome corner speed, VTR good for being "typical honda" and so easy to ride, but with compromised suspension parts

Push the VTR hard and the suspension shows it's short comings, plus you can empty the tank on the VTR in under 90 miles!!

As a first bike, the NC30 is a brilliant idea, teach you a lot about riding and cornering.

Oh, and VTR speedo's are terrible at over-reading they can be over 15% out at the top end, which is good, since you wont be going as fast as it looks. Fit a sigma BC800 to cure this.

helpimcrap · 21 Jan 2007 at 14:33

i think a 400 is ideal for the road.... stops you doing silly speeds like you would on a 600 or a 1000.

they look the part.

Kreeeee · 21 Jan 2007 at 14:54

atpbx said:
I dont know about the new bike licenses or how you go about getting them.
Are you restriced on direct Access?
Because if you are not, there is a whole heap of motors out there that are more viable than a VFR400 at the price you have.

Now, its not the same type of bike, but last june i got a 1997 VTR1000 for 2.4k with 12k on the clock, mint nick and although not as nimble as a VFR400, its just so much faster.
0-60 in under 4 seconds and an indicated 160 on mine.
Theres lots of 600's 750's and 1000's out there for that money too.

I will be doing a direct access course around late December/early January weather permitting. I will only be restricted by insane insurance prices on larger bikes.

I do quite fancy a ZX6 though, the noise is awesome.

helpimcrap · 21 Jan 2007 at 15:41

get a cbr6 or something... something you dont mind dropping, just a cheap ******* if need be for a year

you WILL drop it in your first year... even if its something stupid like pulling off with a disclock on.

SGCWill · 21 Jan 2007 at 16:44

i had a choice between a cbr400 and a vfr400 and a 250 hornet - im glad i went with the hornet, it screams like hell, pretty much bulletproof engine and the insurance was extremely cheap, it out runs most other 400's till about 100, and then the hornet runs out of steam.

Saves your license goin for the smaller bikes!

VR46 · 21 Jan 2007 at 17:29

Talking of small bikes, the prototype cagiva mito 500 looks sweet....

Not too sure about it's engine though..

Kreeeee · 21 Jan 2007 at 18:25

SGCWill said:
i had a choice between a cbr400 and a vfr400 and a 250 hornet - im glad i went with the hornet, it screams like hell, pretty much bulletproof engine and the insurance was extremely cheap, it out runs most other 400's till about 100, and then the hornet runs out of steam.

Saves your license goin for the smaller bikes!

I plan on having the bike for a few years though. I have been warned many times by experiences bikers that I will get fed up of a small bike very quickly. I also plan on doing a few motorway journeys a year so anything below a 400 is out really.

Edit: The CBR6 is the same price as a Kwakka ZX6.

jp7152 · 21 Jan 2007 at 20:04

I'd say do it.

You can pick up a nice example for about £1500.

I doubt you'll get bored too quickly speedwise. Mine felt just about right to me. Quite forgiving bikes to ride too.

Just don't spend too much on one.

Ollie's Gadgets · 21 Jan 2007 at 20:11

Have you run any quotes on insurance? I am in a similiar position to you, turn 21 in December, and want to get a motorbike. Havn't looked into it that much yet, still some time to go, trying to sort out my MR2 at the moment.

MR2 and motorbike by 21 is the aim