The ZXR400 Rider - who are they?

Bilbo · Post by **Bilbo** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:17 am

I've had my ZXR400 for 4 years now, it's my first big bike after passing my test and I am well pleased with it, handling, looks, performance etc.

I use it everyday, whatever the weather (apart from snow) and its a great way to start and finish my working day.

However, I have been thinking and looking at changing to a bigger bike for the last 12 months, either a ZXR750, ZX7R or a ZZR600.

The thing is I've never ridden anything other than my ZXR400, apart from one test ride on a YZF600 which impressed me as I didn't have to work the throttle for overtaking etc.
So I'm not sure if I am going to make a mistake. I've been close to making a deal a few times, but never gone back for the test ride as usually the ride home gives me a lump in my throat and my ZXR is always faultless and after 4 years of ownership I know the bike well.

I suppose I am only after something bigger as all my mates have 600's and they p*ss me off when they whizz past on the straights, cornering however I just reel them in.

So, here's the question, how long have you all owned your ZXR's for?
How old are you? (I'm 35 in August)
Is it your first big bike, or have you gone to the 400 from something bigger - if so why?
Are the bikes I'm looking at good or bad for everyday commuting and the sunny sunday backroads?

I'm worried that I may part-ex and then regret it a few weeks later, am I mad or should I try something bigger?

Post by **Xphyral** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:31 am

You'll definatly miss it, but sometimes the need for something larger is greater than the love. I'd say if you can afford it keep it and buy a second bigger bike.

Btw, i'm just down the A64 from you in scarborough.

Post by **masterofinsanity** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:42 am

the zxr750 is faster but you wont throw it around like the zxr400, the zzr600 is great for touring, very smooth but you wont get the kick like the zxr400 the zx7r? seems like the best bet but you need to ask robB or Gem.I'm 35 went from an NSR125 to the zxr400 simply because the zxr was up for grabs at the right time, left the zxr400 for a zxr750 and everyone knows i regretted it, dumped the zxr750 for the gsxr1100 and love it to bits.If funds would allow i would buy another zxr400 tommorrow.

RedexRobB · Post by **RedexRobB** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:30 am

Xphy has got it spot on, if you can afford to buy another bike and keep the ZXR400 then do so. That way if you really regret getting a bigger bike and want the ZXR400 back, its there.

Ive got a ZX7R as well as the ZXR400, i love it, only reason i got bigger was because of the motorway miles im doing at the moment to and fro home and uni and, as you mentioned, cos my mates were all getting larger bikes, so it worked out both socially and practically. I also just wanted to go faster

But what you buy is upto you, personally out of the ZXR750, ZX7R and ZZR id go for the 7R, its better looking than the other two, but thats a personal preference and you may think otherwise. Its newer as far as im aware and they never made any changes to the bike which usually says a hell of alot! I reckon it tours just as well as the ZZR if not better as i know people who have been for 1500 mile journeys round europe for the weekend on a 7R, no complaints. Really, a good test ride is gonna help you decide, we can go on all day what bike we would all go for etc etc but without riding them you will never know what suits you.

Post by **Xphyral** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:15 pm

Bikes are all down to what you personally like in a machine and you'll only find that out from test riding them, we can say allsorts about various bikes but it's biased opinion at the end of the day, theres generally such little difference between sportsbikes of a similiar age that personal preference is a larger deciding factor.

For me i couldnt go to a 600 from the 400 as my whole reason for wanting something larger was a bit more bottom end torque and 6's are just as revvy as 4's

i was riding an 893 blade that i threw down the road before i bought the zxr400, and i'd rather have the 400 as a track bike than use it for road riding but only because i'm travelling further atm and it's just not a good bike for that.

Caz · Post by **Caz** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:31 pm

I bought my gixxer after having the ZXR for 3.5 years. I kept the ZXR with the intention of turning it into a 'ring tool, but its still in the same state it was in 3 years a go. I havent wanted to find the money to do her up simply because the gixxer is a better bike; but technology moves on a hell of a way in 14 years (1990 ZXR vs. 2004 gixxer)

If you can afford it, hang onto the ZXR at least until you have decided whether or not you are going to ride both bikes!

I'm 25, and the 400 was my first bike and it was definitely the correct buy for me! I bought my gixxer as a 24th b'd pressie to myself I love my gixxer and wouldnt go back to the ZXR as my main bike..... but would I get rid of the kwak? Hell no...... I will get around to turning it into a ring tool..... and then im looking forward to annoying bigger bikes with it

/Caz

Caz

Post by **deviant** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:44 pm

I took a fairly traditional/sedate route into biking...

Rode around on a CG125 for 9 months or so before passing my test (I was 20 at the time)

Bought a 33bhp GS400 and rode that around till the restriction came off my licence.

Bought the ZXR and have been riding that since. I'm now 25.

So yeah, the ZXR is the biggest/fastest bike I've owned thus far.

Future plans? I probably wouldn't buy a 600 cos they are getting more and more like 400's anyway (albeit with twice the power). Quite fancy an older 750 (zx7 or vfr) when I can justify it, so I've got something a bit more roomy and torquey for long distance stuff.

Maybe when my fiancee isn't restricted to 33bhp any more we can sell the rusty old nail that is her GPz and buy me a nice 750?

Bilbo · Post by **Bilbo** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:11 pm

http://www.zxrworld.co.uk/coppermine/al ... l_ZXR4.JPG

Many thanks for the replies (so far), yeah you are all making sense, ideally the ZX7R would be next bike, they just look awesome.

I mentioned the ZZR600 as there is one near me for sale, well looked after with loads of new bits, went to take a look this morning.

Thing is, when the ZXR and the ZZR are parked side by side, the ZXR wins hands down, it just looks the biz-ness!

Will take the ZZR for a test ride before I draw anymore conclusions though.

Post by **gingernm** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:04 pm

Hi,

Like yourself I'm almost 35.

I started biking way back in my youth on fields, then at 19 passed my test and bought a VR400 (NC30). I had this for 4 years, sold it for the deposit on my first house (when house's were cheap)

After some time and moving house which required a commute into the city I bought a GS500. Thrashed it to bits over 6 months and 25,000 miles.

After that bought a GXR600. Super machine. 600's are great. Crashed twice, so decided it was time to return to the great world of 400's. Roll on the Kwak, even better than I had imagined.

Now, wouldn't have any other bike, can't say more than that, other than don't sell yours, you will only regret that cornering buzz.

Rob.

dan76 · Post by **dan76** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:54 pm

hi, i started bout 10 years ago with a susuki rg125 and blew it up after 3 months, eventually got an engine for it then flogged it. then bought an old kwak z250 and rode it for years (slowly)until i was asked for my license one day which i didnt have. talked my way out of that and sold it, got a ZZR250 the day i passed my test and blew it up 2 months later, fixed it over the winter and made a fast 250 out of it. then i bought my zxr and i love it , i'm sticking with it for now but i'm trying to buy an ex police pan european for the trips across to bsb weekends. all my mates are well impressed and suprised with the zxr but i'd say the same, if you can afford to keep it, dont sell it.

Post by **cargo** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:36 am

Reading this thread has me thinking..............I bought my first bike in 1978 I was 17.

I am now 46 I have
3 ZXR400 race bikes + one spare engine
1 GSXR600K2 race bike + one spare engine
1 CBR600FT race bike + one spare engine
1 Truimph Trident Sprint running but needs work
1 GT750 Kawasaki non runner
1 CB250RS non runner
1 CB450 nonrunner

Question is am I the oldest ZXR400 owner.
Oh and I'm not rich or anything like just hate selling them

Post by **masterofinsanity** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:51 am

you're not the oldest i think Kiwi is but we ain't heard from him in ages??

dan76 · Post by **dan76** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:23 pm

i dont think it matters what age anybody is who rides a zxr400 as long as you enjoy doin it. i'm 38 and every time i sit on mine i feel a lot younger, especially on corners

roll on the dry weather

Post by **Bozzie** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 2:21 pm

as i say all teh time, had to get rid of zxr, reliability factor

. did i want to see it go hell no, but i couldnt afford to keep it
18 and would need insurance on it, theres a extra 500 a year gone.

dan76 · Post by **dan76** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:06 pm

i see what you mean about reliability, fuel pump giving me trouble at the minute. mine is an '89 h model, it cost me Â£600 and its spotless and me bein 38 insurance is only Â£84. cheap fun for me. there doesnt seem to be too many of them over here, it turns heads and gets a lot of attention especially when i go to the races.