Kawasaki ZX-4R

[A_morti]

The Hondas were something else though. The manufacturing complexity and the sound of gear driven cams is something else.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Which goes back to what I was saying...Japanese manufacturers only bothered putting that investment into 400s because that's what they could sell in the home market. Power rangers couldn't/didn't buy litre bikes, IYSWIM.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

The Hondas were something else though. The manufacturing complexity and the sound of gear driven cams is something else.

I test rode an NC30 and bought a GSXR400L, the GSXR was a better bike

[Mr. Dazzle]

I test rode an NC30 and bought a GSXR400L, the GSXR wasn't a Honda

Fixed it

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I test rode an NC30 and bought a GSXR400L, the GSXR wasn't a Honda

Fixed it

I take it you've ridden both bikes?

[Mr. Dazzle]

Its just a joke, calm yourself.

[A_morti]

The Hondas were something else though. The manufacturing complexity and the sound of gear driven cams is something else.

I test rode an NC30 and bought a GSXR400L, the GSXR was a better bike

Not really about which bike was more appealing to you 10+ years down the line, but the tech. That gsxr may have been nice, but it didn't have a V engine and cam gears.

[MyLittleStudPony]

I always thought the Hondas and two stroke Yamahas were the best of the JDM bikes of that era. The others less so.

IIRC the FRZ400RR was a lower spec, the FZR400RRSP was the fancy one. But still, IMO, not up there with the two stroke Yamahas and Hondas.

[KungFooBob]

I tested a UK council spec 4DX FZR400RR back to back against the NC30, with the expectation of buying the NC30.

I bought the FZR, it was faster, lighter, better handling and to everyone's surprise even sounded better.

I flippin' loved that bike.

[A_morti]

As we of a certain age all know and understand, the only way to know if a bike is any good or not, is to let a group of journalists complete a Group Test.

What bikes are in the group with this one?

Aprilia RS and cbr650 have way more cubes. Rc390 has way fewer cylinders. Not easy?

[Rockburner]

As we of a certain age all know and understand, the only way to know if a bike is any good or not, is to let a group of journalists complete a Group Test.

What bikes are in the group with this one?

Aprilia RS and cbr650 have way more cubes. Rc390 has way fewer cylinders. Not easy?

It would be interesting to see a back-to-back test with a ZXR400L, see how much progress has actually been made in 20 years.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I always thought the Hondas and two stroke Yamahas were the best of the JDM bikes of that era. The others less so.

IIRC the FRZ400RR was a lower spec, the FZR400RRSP was the fancy one. But still, IMO, not up there with the two stroke Yamahas and Hondas.

The SP was the fancy one for both GSXR and FZR, I don't think the NC30 I rode had adjustable damping, just preload, but it's a long time ago, my GSXR400 had fully adjustable forks and preload and damping on the rear, FZR had preload on the rear and nothing else, but I replaced the shock on mine with an R6 shock (which was very good)

The NC handled superbly, possibly the best handling bike I've ever ridden, but the engine was very dull, but I feel like that about all the Honda V4s I've ridden, unexciting power delivery, the GSXR handled very nearly as well and the engine was loads more fun, I found the FZR a bit disappointing, it handled very well, but lacked a bit of feel (like every beam framed Yamaha I've ridden) and the engine was somewhere between the GSXR and the NC30.

I won't talk about the ZXR400L I test rode, I'll only upset the people who love them.

[Rockburner]

I won't talk about the ZXR400L I test rode, I'll only upset the people who love them.

I've tried a few of the 400s, my mum had a CBR400RR which she loved (and would have now), the one GSXR I tried had a pothole in the steering-head-bearing so when I was asked to take it for an MOT I turned around (eventually) after only 100 yards, not sure I tried the later FZR400, but tried an earlier one and it was a ropey old thing.

I know my ZXR400 was a pretty good one, but everyone likes different things from their bikes.

[MyLittleStudPony]

I always thought the Hondas and two stroke Yamahas were the best of the JDM bikes of that era. The others less so.

IIRC the FRZ400RR was a lower spec, the FZR400RRSP was the fancy one. But still, IMO, not up there with the two stroke Yamahas and Hondas.

The SP was the fancy one for both GSXR and FZR, I don't think the NC30 I rode had adjustable damping, just preload, but it's a long time ago, my GSXR400 had fully adjustable forks and preload and damping on the rear, FZR had preload on the rear and nothing else, but I replaced the shock on mine with an R6 shock (which was very good)

The NC handled superbly, possibly the best handling bike I've ever ridden, but the engine was very dull, but I feel like that about all the Honda V4s I've ridden, unexciting power delivery, the GSXR handled very nearly as well and the engine was loads more fun, I found the FZR a bit disappointing, it handled very well, but lacked a bit of feel (like every beam framed Yamaha I've ridden) and the engine was somewhere between the GSXR and the NC30.

I won't talk about the ZXR400L I test rode, I'll only upset the people who love them.

I thought the NC30 was an amazing handling bike too. I even rode one once with worn head bearings and it still managed to handle ok.

[A_morti]

It would be interesting to see a back-to-back test with a ZXR400L, see how much progress has actually been made in 20 years.

It would, but even if we assume the OG is in impeccable order, it would either have to be a bike on its original 20+ year old shock and tyres, or a bike which is not fully representative of period technology.

[Yorick]

It would be interesting to see a back-to-back test with a ZXR400L, see how much progress has actually been made in 20 years.

It would, but even if we assume the OG is in impeccable order, it would either have to be a bike on its original 20+ year old shock and tyres, or a bike which is not fully representative of period technology.

The new model will be 50 Kgs heavier. Them's the new rules

[A_morti]

The new model will be 50 Kgs heavier. Them's the new rules

The new one is specified at 188kg fully fuelled (15 litres) while the old one is often specified at either 159kg dry or 177kg "wet".

I don't think there's as much in it as all that, because back in the day "wet" would certainly not have included a full tank. Indeed if you look for it, you'll find the old one quoted with a 186kg kerb weight.
https://fastestlaps.com/models/kawasaki-zxr-400
http://motoprofi.com/motospecspictures/ ... -1992.html
https://www.motorradtest.de/bike-techni ... r-400.html

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I won't talk about the ZXR400L I test rode, I'll only upset the people who love them.

I've tried a few of the 400s, my mum had a CBR400RR which she loved (and would have now), the one GSXR I tried had a pothole in the steering-head-bearing so when I was asked to take it for an MOT I turned around (eventually) after only 100 yards, not sure I tried the later FZR400, but tried an earlier one and it was a ropey old thing.

I know my ZXR400 was a pretty good one, but everyone likes different things from their bikes.

The ZXR I rode was in average condition for a 10 year old 400, it was fast, an indicated 140, but took forever to get there, the engine had no discernable power band, you just kept revving it until reached the red line and then changed up (the FZR I had was similar but better) , the bike really didn't fit me, but it was the handling that let it down, I was expecting an amazing front end with loads of feel, what I got was a stiff frame, possibly too stiff, poor rear suspension and a very average front end, though to be fair to it, I had just ridden an NC30 and a GSXR400, both of which were amazing handling bikes, the GSXR was choose your line and it would stick to it like glue, the NC was able to change line mid corner like no other bike I've ridden, you could fuck things up on corner entry and still come out quick.

[mangocrazy]

I vividly remember PB describing the ZXR400's rear suspension feel as like 'being gang-raped by a herd of baboons...'

[KungFooBob]

I read every single group test back in the day, it went...

1. NC30
2. CBR4
3. Joint FZR/ZXR4
4. GSXR

I remember one review describe the GSXR as like riding through treacle.

I even remember one 400cc Group test in 'Bike' that included an RVF400 and a 400 Drag Star!