Looking to buy a NC30/35, what should I expect to pay?

[jim157]

I've been searching on the net for the past few months for NC30/35's for sale and noticed that some bikes seem to go for ridiculous amounts on ebay. Ideally I was looking for a tidy NC30 in the original R/W/B or Seed colour scheme or a NC35. I'm guessing that tidy, original examples of those NC30's would be worth between £1250-1750, with the NC35's going for around £2000+.

Am I in the right ball park? And also is the NC35 worth the extra premium over the 30?


Cheers!

[Drunkn Munky]

Your not far off With the pricing. Bikes can be found cheaper but your right the prices varys a lot, steer clear ofthe chancers on eBay wanting £4.5k for a mint rvf, chances are it was a heap of junk tarted up with a xhiense bodykits. Your best bet would be from the classifieds on here or if your interested on the hassle I know o a very nice type 8 coloured nc30 for sale in France that's still uk registered.

NC30 vs 35, your probably find the masses will say the 30 is a better bike and I'd have to agree but you won't see me selling my 35 anytime soon.

[CRM]

Hi Jim, a few of us on here and bought and sold 400's for over 12 years now. upto 5 years ago good NC30's were easy to find and not too mullered for reasonable money.
ebay is the place to find 80% junk. but dont give up hope, there are a few gems and nice quality bikes that come up from time to time.
the 89 RWB does command a premium of around 300 quid or more, even for a like for like tatty example. most seem to want this scheme as its the closest thing many will have to a RC30.
As for RVF's well its split down the middle, most RVF only owners will swear by RVF, most NC30 only owners will say NC30, but not that many have had both or numbers of both.

Most are swayed by the pretty looks of the RVF and being a bit more modern and the USD forks seems to sway the newcomer over that way. However some feel the NC30 was pretty close to perfection and love its classic style and looks.
reality is, the NC24 was and is a fine bike but not quite upto date for most. the NC30 has the build quality that is way above the RVF. i think the RVF is better suited to road riding and engine tuning over the NC with a slightly different gearbox and a tad more grunt at the expense of a smidge of top end, however i love the 30 delivery and feel of a 30 over the later 35. forks on the 35 are not actually that great on the 35 but can be improved as can most.

I guess it boils down to preference but the question you ask if the 35 is worth the premium - i would say no, not at all. i like both and i actually prefer the classic 30. (and it matches my RC30 )

sellers are still often kidding themselves the RVF is ultra rare - its not that rare, and are still trying to sell them for 5+ year old prices, but they are still always for sale and not often selling.
30's always sell well esp good ones. 35's sell if they are priced right.

As for the future, any original 30 or 35 will be very sought after in years to come, less so for customised i suspect, however thats irrelevant if you plan on using it which i hope you do. they are still great to ride and offer most poeple more fun than a superbike with double the power for road riding.

Best tip anyone can give is buy the very best you can find, which is not the always best you can afford.

[jim157]

Cheers chaps, your answers have been very helpful.

I should explain that I'm looking to get back into bikes after a ten year hiatus and a 400 would seem to fit the bill. I owned several 2 strokes in the 90's but as wonderful as they are when they are running well I dont know if I could handle the stress and hassle of owning one these days. Although I've always hankered after a NSR250 MC18 R5K in Seed colours, it would be great to have one sitting in my garage next to a matching NC30!

Anyway back on topic, I've never ridden an NC35 but a couple of mates owned NC30's in the 90's so I got to have a few goes on them. From memory they were very easy to ride and quite forgiving compared to the bigger bikes of that era.

Are there any other 400's I should consider? CBR's, ZXR's and GSXR's always struck me as being a bit boy racerish and I imagine original examples are even harder to find? I've always fancied a 3tj FZR400RRSP, from what I remember they seemed quite 'trick' and well built, dare I say it almost Hondaesque?

[Drunkn Munky]

Although I've always hankered after a NSR250 MC18 R5K in Seed colours, it would be great to have one sitting in my garage next to a matching NC30!

Would this fit the bill jim?


It just so happens im regretably considering selling it

[jim157]

^^^
That's very nice indeed, why are you thinking of selling it? And what's the going rate for a decent MC18 these days?

[ibby4585]

NC30 all the way!!

Kris

[micpec]

Your NC30 is lovely!! Keep it nice and clean, Kris!

Not sure how many of these NC30 and NC35's are left out there in the UK. Overhere there are only 64 x official registered RVF's (by far most of them are NC35's and a couple of RC45's) and 397 x official registered VFR400R's (NC21, NC24 and NC30's all together) Not sure how many are here that are not registered yet and/or for track use only. So it makes them rare and special overhere. (official fact figures year 2009 by the Dutch "DVLA" association). So prices are much higher and as collectables in genuine condition much more worth.

[hardnutdvd]

I hate these type of threads, it just reminds me how i paid such a ridiculous price for mine...
you have certainly played it smart by joining the forum BEFORE buying..

dont get me wrong, i love my 30 to bits and it never stops making me grin, but i realise now i was robbed....

[jim157]

^^^
How much did you pay? I don't think I'd buy from a dealer, there's a few vfr's/rvf's around my way for sale but they are taking the piss with their prices.

Ibby, that's a very fine example. I'm still not 100% sold on black wheels with the Seed colour scheme though.