Downsizing to a 400. Anybody done it?

[arsey30]

You are downsizing for good reasons, but it is true that the nature of the NC is to go quickly, and it is the rider not the bike that dictates the pace. If you cant go carefully on the blade, you wont on the NC

I bought an NC a few years ago as I was finding my RC to quick, but found I selected the type of roads best suited to the NC and still rode it too hard. I have since bought another NC to have another go, and am now riding a little more restrained.

You will miss the pull of a big engine, the best bet for a more steady ride is an upright bike with good midrange, but it all comes down to personal choice and riding style.

Good luck,

Dave.

[matty_boy]

I had a zx6r then got a RS250 then the NC30.

The zx6r was pony but it was a "G" model, i loved the RS250 and wished i had never sold it but it just cost to much to run.
Then i got the NC30 and i love it to bits, i dont think i will ever sell it.......... but then again if i got a good offer i would sell and buy a crappy one and start all over again.

But i do find myself keep looking for bigger bikes, i.e Ducatis/blades but that is because i have always wanted to own one.

I am 5ft 6" and on the track i just find the 400s fit me and my ridding skills better, not to much power that if a grab a hand full i have to worry that much.

[Giffin101]

I'm actually in a similar position, 2yr old son, little time for riding, two houses etc and had a brief foray into bigger bikes like a SP1, CBR600RR etc and now I'm back on another RVF.
I do miss the power in all honesty but also really love the little RVF, its so easy to ride it flatters your ability, looks great and is a joy to work on.
The only issue it comes down to is your testicle size, are you riding to enjoy the ride or are you riding so you can park up on a Sunday and look cool next to your superbike? If its the former then buy an NC and have fun.

[monkeywithaplan]

never been any higher than 400 either, though after being on a mates 750, i dont see that i would.

you get real enjoyment from raking the little fakers round twisties, etc, but you can never take the bigger bikes out on the roads and use them to their potential, leaving a good healthy safety margin.

kinda peeves me off too. i have a real love for the GSXR750, but in knowing i cant ride it how it can be ridden on the road for fear of loosing license or more, feel a bit deprived if i ever got one. and fecked if i be taking it down a track, lol

[j0hnny_e]

I'm actually in a similar position, 2yr old son, little time for riding, two houses etc and had a brief foray into bigger bikes like a SP1, CBR600RR etc and now I'm back on another RVF.
I do miss the power in all honesty but also really love the little RVF, its so easy to ride it flatters your ability, looks great and is a joy to work on.
The only issue it comes down to is your testicle size, are you riding to enjoy the ride or are you riding so you can park up on a Sunday and look cool next to your superbike? If its the former then buy an NC and have fun.

I'm 100% riding to enjoy the ride. I was a late starter 3 years ago @ 34 years old - and had always promised myself I'd learn to do what it was I wanted to do but couldn't afford until now.

I'm finding with the Blade that I'm afraid to ride it 'properly' sometimes - never had that on my 600 Hornet, and it wasnt slow by any means. It boils down to the fact that I dont trust the road surfaces. On the throttle, the Blade twitches and I can feel it breaking the rear. Maybe I need some track time, to explore that line, and get a feel for what is safe and not safe - but at the end of the day, I dont trust the bike on my local roads (Co. Armagh, NI). The Blade is nothing short of amazing to ride - but its not for me. Its a chore to commute to Belfast on - not because of the riding position, but because of the volume of bloomin lorries and cars on the road to work.

My minds made up. If this bike is clean, I'm taking it. Very much appreciate the comments, and hopefully I'll have some pics next week!

Johnny

[Dynamohum]

got a 99 blade and a nc30 this being my second nc last one i had was nicked a 94 mint import with 3k on clock which i downsized from a cbr1000 fl to at the time no regrets at doing it .great little bikes for todays overcrowded roads good balance handling etc been in the company of mates r1 blades and it can stay with them just if you don't mind caning them.

[craigs23]

I'm finding with the Blade that I'm afraid to ride it 'properly' sometimes - never had that on my 600 Hornet, and it wasnt slow by any means. It boils down to the fact that I dont trust the road surfaces. On the throttle, the Blade twitches and I can feel it breaking the rear. Maybe I need some track time, to explore that line, and get a feel for what is safe and not safe - but at the end of the day, I dont trust the bike on my local roads (Co. Armagh, NI). The Blade is nothing short of amazing to ride - but its not for me. Its a chore to commute to Belfast on - not because of the riding position, but because of the volume of bloomin lorries and cars on the road to work.

For those reasons, I can't see how a 400 would fare much better. Sure, it's got less power, so you can use more throttle more often (and it shouldn't get out of shape as much) but it seems like you're speaking about riding to a particular environment/conditions, that everyone should do. Even on a 400, there's a time/place where it's wise to back off.

I've been up and down the capacity spectrum, and have found that there isn't a single bike available that appeases everything that I get out of biking; so I've got a couple of bikes now. And despite its redundancy on gatso-infested, poorly surfaced S.E. England, I do miss my Blade.

Maybe the Hornet was a little better as it's a detuned, slightly soft road-orientated bike. Can't knock them for commuting/practical abilities either (despite the fact that I was fussy enough to sell one). Any reason why not to consider a roadster - hmmm.....Street Triple?

Or maybe a Supermoto for those bumpy backroads?

[Psychosomatic88]

Yep,

I, after passing my test owned, or rode pretty much every 400 rep out there. I then got bored, bought 2 J model ZX6rs, then a few months later a 2002 RSV Mille all in the period of a year. 2 month ago I bought an RGV 250p for sh1ts and giggles. Loved it being almost 80kg lighter than the RSV, and its flickability. Now the RSV is gotta go, and I just bought an RVF 400 (NC35) to fill the gap :D

The money im saving (was 19 when I fist owned the RSV, now am 20) from owning the RVF in insurance alone is enough to do it for me. The RVF is ample for where I live, and I doubt ill be looking back.

[Sligeach]

Yep,

a few months later a 2002 RSV Mille all in the period of a year
(was 19 when I fist owned the RSV, now am 20) f.

thats a lot of power at that age, a litre bike in my teenage years would have meant certain doom!! but yes, the throttle does work both ways(some times)

[Psychosomatic88]

Yep,

a few months later a 2002 RSV Mille all in the period of a year
(was 19 when I fist owned the RSV, now am 20) f.

thats a lot of power at that age, a litre bike in my teenage years would have meant certain doom!! but yes, the throttle does work both ways(some times)

Throttle does work both ways, and frustrates me when people either decline to buy/ride etc based on this, or look look up to people for this (owning big bikes that is). A little self control is all it takes :D

And also it would still spell certain doom for even experienced riders. It was just over 130 RWBHP, PCIII usb, renthal race gearing, free flow exhaust, derestricted etc etc, It naturally wheelies effortlessly from 2.5k in 1st gear. The only thing I really] like with my RSV over the 400, is the electronics. I like all the gizmos, lap timers, shift light, top speed, avg speed etc that they have. I guess im just too poncy but we cant win them all. Im happy to be seen on the RVF anyway.