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VFR 400 experts or boffins

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 3:55 pm
by aerohardy
right. found a bike on that well known auction site, its a vfr 400, but the trouble is, apparantly the bike is a nc21 naked version. Any chance someone can give me some details on it?
I have never seen one before, looks ok, if a little rough. but with tax & test on it, it will do for my work bike.

what are the main things to look out for? same things as nc2, it does look similar..... as i might go and view it at some point.
Thanks in advance
A

Re: VFR 400 experts or boffins

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 5:12 pm
by marcus57
get some pics or even a link to the advert up mate.

Re: VFR 400 experts or boffins

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 5:13 pm
by CMSMJ1
How much is it? Don't pay more than £500 for one.... ;)

They are cool little bikes but old and if the exhaust is fooked you'll have to spend decent cash to sort it.

Think of it as a naked NC24 without the single sided swingarm...

Re: VFR 400 experts or boffins

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 5:51 pm
by aerohardy
havn't got a link. its listed as 1990 vfr 400 in the title but at 495, i thought it was a cheap enough, funny you say about downpipes, as he says they are good & solid. paintwork is supposed to be ruff but then again i only want it for a work bike. its taxed & mot to june next year, so ruff paint wouldn't worry me too much. Might see if i can go and have a look cos you at 500 for a bike on the road i spose you cant go wrong, so many pep are asking 600+ for 400's with no mot projects.
Thanks for the heads up
A

Re: VFR 400 experts or boffins

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 6:13 pm
by Neosophist
Erm... i'd offer him £400.00 in lieu of scruffy bodywork.

They can be had dirt cheap if you shop around.

It's not a 1990.

They stopped making them in 1987.

If it's a naked 21 it could be either.

VFR400Z or VFR400K

The K model is a training school bike and would have been used as a learner bike.. I like these as they have raised handlebars and a really comfy riding position.

The VFR400Z has a belly pan instead of side fairings.

You can mount the NC24 bodywork / swinging arm onto it if you want...

The 21 / 24 don't fetch as much becuase of the old style / size tyres, suspension parts and lack of aftermarket accessories.

Still can have plenty fun with them.



Late model VFR400K with single sided swingarm... not bad for 18 / 16" crossply's

Re: VFR 400 experts or boffins

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 6:39 pm
by aerohardy
hmmm it says that its a g reg so is 1990
should i be worried :roll:
dont know about offering as little as 400 when its up for 500, might go in with a 450, not after trying to rip anyone off and never been one to take the piss :grin:
well, just sent him a message to see if i can go and have a look at least then i can offer accordingly.
this one says it has 17" wheels, looks like its been played around with.
Cheers guys,
A

Re: VFR 400 experts or boffins

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 7:39 pm
by duncan
I have a VFR400K with single-sided swing arm which is very similar to the one in the video.Mine is a 93 model on an L reg;Honda made these to donate to the training schools alongside the NC30'S and NC35's that they were actually selling and when they were finally discontinued the training schools had to make do with a special version of the Super-Four.When they had finished with them Honda did not allow the training schools to sell them in Japan so they were all exported.Apparently the rider in the video is a training school instructor.I like them because they have the same performance and handling of the faired versions but have a lot more comfortable riding position (important when you are 6 foot with size 12 shoes and the wrong side of 50) and also because they are the only VFR400 to have a centre stand.I was not overkeen on the high handlebars but I managed to get them replaced with the lower and flatter ones off the Honda CBX 550

Re: VFR 400 experts or boffins

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:19 pm
by Neosophist
I love the handlebars on the K... my favourite part about them :D

I wouldn't be worreid as long as it is HPI clear, probably been registered wrong.. if you go for a look at it give me the frame number and i'll tell you when it was made.

Re: VFR 400 experts or boffins

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 9:15 pm
by CRM
duncan wrote:I have a VFR400K with single-sided swing arm which is very similar to the one in the video.Mine is a 93 model on an L reg;Honda made these to donate to the training schools alongside the NC30'S and NC35's that they were actually selling and when they were finally discontinued the training schools had to make do with a special version of the Super-Four.When they had finished with them Honda did not allow the training schools to sell them in Japan so they were all exported.Apparently the rider in the video is a training school instructor.I like them because they have the same performance and handling of the faired versions but have a lot more comfortable riding position (important when you are 6 foot with size 12 shoes and the wrong side of 50) and also because they are the only VFR400 to have a centre stand.I was not overkeen on the high handlebars but I managed to get them replaced with the lower and flatter ones off the Honda CBX 550
excellent post and very informative. i think the unfaired bike is actually a nice looking bike

Re: VFR 400 experts or boffins

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 9:40 pm
by aerohardy
Thanks for your input guys,
will let you know how it goes