Don't go by what other people say are amazing bikes... ride as many as you can and make up your own mind.

A lot of people look at the 400's through rose tinted glasses, and even worse some people havn't ever ridden anythign else.

But for that kind of money you can buy something newer, you can pike up and old CBR600F 1998'ish for aroud 1400 quid.

Having ridden both the NC24 and CBR600F i'd much rather have the CBR any day.. it's bullet proof and so easy to ride, really forgiving, plus it'll seem like a rocketship compared to the 24..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-HONDA-CBR-60 ... 415a9610fd

^^ As above.

400's can be a lot of fun, but can also be an endless money pit... and spending 2000 on a bike doesn't increase its value by 2000 either >.<

Time has moved on a lot and that CBR600 has loads of tyre choices available, much better suspension too.

If you even considering looking at something else dont' just limit yourself to 400's unless your driving license restricts you (in which case you'd be living in Japan!)

Ask around, ride as many different bikes as possible then choose something you like!

Personally i'd take that CBR i posted above any day over an NC24 that'd cost the same, if not more to put into that condition... it's also 50x better to ride!

A well looked after NC30 would sway me away from it but for general riding and usability that cbr would be my choice

400's are good, and good to own as a hobby if you enjoy tinkering with them but many people use them as a starting bike as there cheap and pokey for a 400, some peopel never move on, which is a shame as its' like only trying one packet of crisps.. other come back and collect them!

Whatever the case.. a bad one is always goign to cost a fortune to repair and get sorted and may take a lot of time... so it all depends on what your after.

Owning a few is good as it lets you tinker with one while ride the other :D (as a lot of rider on here have more than 1 bike)

some people even have ducattis ( no names menioned)

I'm considering an NS400R for my next bike

I been looking at a ZXR400 that i seen cheap but the engine needs a rebuild.

Im not really after a new bike as such yet, as you say if you love tinkering then the 400 is great and thats exactly what i love doing. Im learning so much more from fiddling with this bike than i did from working on cars for 3 years.

If i do get my baby into prestine condition i will then consider another bike once I get a job as then can use that bike for commuting and the 24 for those special trips out and for weekend fun.

I was looking at a zxr too, finding one that hadn't been well and truly shagged at my budget was proving impossible, they lunch head gaskets at 20k.

I found a 1990 NC30 with original plastics. same owner for the last 5 years who seemed to cherish it although it's still a bit tatty probably paid over the odds at £1550 and am no doubt going to end up spending a shed load more getting it sorted, but I've been down the new bike route and wanted something that I can ride and play around with in the garage in the winter "improving".

In answer to your is it worth it question, probably, but I would shy away from ones that had the wrong plastics, graphics etc. Its a VFR so it should do what it says on the tin IMO.

oldgreyandslow wrote:I was looking at a zxr too, finding one that hadn't been well and truly shagged at my budget was proving impossible, they lunch head gaskets at 20k.

I found a 1990 NC30 with original plastics. same owner for the last 5 years who seemed to cherish it although it's still a bit tatty probably paid over the odds at £1550 and am no doubt going to end up spending a shed load more getting it sorted, but I've been down the new bike route and wanted something that I can ride and play around with in the garage in the winter "improving".

In answer to your is it worth it question, probably, but I would shy away from ones that had the wrong plastics, graphics etc. Its a VFR so it should do what it says on the tin IMO.

I sold my ZXR400 L1 about a month ago just before I moved to Japan, it fetched 920.00 and that was great.. all origianl plastics, 13000km on the clock and i'd replaced camchain / headgasket etc.

Was dynod at 62 with the standard carbs on it.. with the FCR's and related gear it was putting out 72

There still plenty about if you look hard enough

Neo, sell it to a chap called craig per chance from liverpool

Yep yep. Craig brought it :-)