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NC35 - Winter Project

Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 7:29 pm
by JFCR
Hi all,

I started riding with a ZXR400 L5 and really enjoyed it, even if I did feel a bit cramped at times.

I started to feel I was outgrowing the bike and moved up to a Ducati 749 which is the sexiest bike i'm ever likely to own. Thing is, I don't need that much power on the streets and I now need to commute during the winter...that wasn't planned so the 749 is probably going this week for £2,800.

Now, I decided that I don't need a bike with that power...so I'm getting a £1,000-£1,300 commuter, a Divvy, Bandit or SV...whatever comes up first.

I was thinking maybe getting an R6 or 600 SRAD but again it's the same problem as the Duke...I don't need that temptation on the road.

I think for the £1,500 I want to spend I could get an okay 400 that I can use on sunny days and occasionally on the track.

I'm 6'0" and haven't ridden a Honda 400 before...I won't be doing long trips and really it's just for playing on and like I said track days...

Also, I might eventually enter it into the sub-64 class at the EDIasia formula 400 class...surely at 6'0" I wouldn't be the tallest rider there?

Anyway, I digress.

Would you consider either of the two bikes below? I strongly suspect that the RVF has been thrashed over a track but you guys know better than me.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Rvf400- ... 35cb7cf59a

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-Honda-VF ... 4accbe094a

Re: Moving away from the green team.

Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 7:35 pm
by jetblack
I think at 6 foot you'll find the vfr too cramped. The rvf isn't much better. I'm 5' 9" and i find the vfr cramped and can't do more than a couple of hours on it really.

Think the concensus is that the Kwak is the roomiest of the 400's...

Re: Moving away from the green team.

Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 10:30 pm
by Drunkn Munky
FZR's are roomy compared to NC's too

Re: Moving away from the green team.

Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 11:56 pm
by williamshatnerspants
Agreed you'll struggle to fit on a VFR/RVF.

I'm 5' 9", 66kg and 43yrs old..... and did an 8hr ride last month with no aches,pains, so maybe I'm shaped more like Gollum than the rest of you?

How about a supermotard?

Re: Moving away from the green team.

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 12:29 am
by JFCR
I wouldn't be on it for more than an hour or two,..but I see your point.

It has the same seat height as my 749, is it the length that will get me?

It's a shame...love the bikes and don't really want to accept the practicality... ;)

Re: Moving away from the green team.

Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 7:16 pm
by ireson75
I'm 6ft and find my VFR fine to be honest and have done plenty of miles.

Re: Moving away from the green team.

Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 9:25 pm
by williamshatnerspants
JFCR, is there someone near you on the forum who could let you have a ride of their NC30? I'm sure that would give you the answer you need. If you were in NZ you could come and take mine for a spin. Matt

Re: Moving away from the green team.

Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 11:40 pm
by JFCR
I'm from Chelmsford in Essex but haven't been part of the forum for too long, so don't think i'll be inundated with offers to take bikes out.

Bear in mind that i've owned a ZXR400 and managed 200 round trips on it.

To be honest, the 400 is more a weekend/track bike for me, the plan is to get rid of the Ducati and use the proceeds to pick up an NC30 and an SV650/Bandit/Divvy for the commute.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... 1040964051

Re: Moving away from the green team.

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:31 am
by Neosophist
JFCR wrote:I'm from Chelmsford in Essex but haven't been part of the forum for too long, so don't think i'll be inundated with offers to take bikes out.

Bear in mind that i've owned a ZXR400 and managed 200 round trips on it.

To be honest, the 400 is more a weekend/track bike for me, the plan is to get rid of the Ducati and use the proceeds to pick up an NC30 and an SV650/Bandit/Divvy for the commute.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... 1040964051
ive owned all of those, i had the zxr at the same time as the vfrs so could switch between them.. the zxr400 definalty felt the largest and most roomiest.. it was an L model though, the H feels more compact.

this is from an expesnive shop but if you shop around you can pick up one fo 500 quid or so

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-VFR400- ... 41724e307c

high rise bars as stock and 60hp v4. not got the brakes and suspension of an nc30/zxr but easy and comfortbale sit up and ride position.

something to consider.

Re: Moving away from the green team.

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 9:34 pm
by philfingers
Why not take the 749 with you to a dealer that has an NC and test ride one? Should be easy enough