These have been showing up for sale regularly of late, which is surprising, considering how rare they are! I’d imagine quite a few of these came down through Canada, where they always seem to get the good stuff…
Produced from 1988 through about 2000, the CBR400RR was a JDM “Japanese Domestic Market” product, never officially brought to the US and only available as a “grey” import. With four small cylinders and cams driven by a precise gears, instead of a belt or chain, twin discs up front and racy ergos, these do a very convincing approximation of the bigger 600 and 900cc machines.
These were originally limited to 59hp due to licensing requirements in their home market, but these are very high-spec engines and can be tuned to produce more power. The phrase “learner bike” is usually applied to clapped-out 250 Ninjas and GS500E’s. But that simply reflects the level of “learning” required to pass the lax testing here in the USA. In countries where the standards are much more stringent, there’s somewhat less of a stigma attached, and the quality of machine rises significantly when you’re strictly limited as to what you’re allowed to ride at first, regardless of age or what you believe your skill-level to be…
From the original eBay listing: 1990 Honda CBR400RR for Sale
1990 Honda CBR400RR, 12,400 miles. New chain, sprockets, brake pads, and Michelin pilot tires. All fluids flushed and replaced. All coolant hoses replaced. Carburetor’s rebuilt and fuel lines replaced. Comes with new, replacement bodywork , still in the box. Titled, tagged and inspected. Can be ridden anywhere to its new home
As a bike designed for new riders, the suspension is fairly basic, but I’d imagine adjustable units from a CBR600 would fit with minimal modifications and a rear shock with more sophistication shouldn’t be too hard to source. Keep in mind that, while these are definitely real sportbikes, they are physically small, and a bit cramped for full-sized riders. I’ve got no experience with the CBR400, but I’ve spent some time around the CB1 that uses the same powertrain and can verify that you might feel a bit like the proverbial “monkey humping a football” on one of these if you’re over 5’9″…
Bidding is active and headed north of $4,300 with several days left on the auction. There are a few scrapes and scratches, and the pipe appears to be a generic item, but this looks to be in otherwise very nicely-maintained condition, with relatively low miles for such a practical, reliable bike.
Plastics might be hard to come by, although this one comes with a spare set, just in case! This should otherwise be easy to maintain and very fun to ride.
-tad
They was not sold in canada cbr400rr’s where pretty much JDM only with some making it into places like euro/uk/aus but they are legal to import to the states they are on the approved list.
Wow, this one just sold at $7,465.65!
Congratulations to buyer and seller!
dc
That went for alot more than I expected considering the condition was not flawless. I contacted the seller and he seemed like a good guy. Lots of spares with the bike as well. Although the replacement bodywork was the Chinese replicas and not Honda OEM. Congrats to both would love to have one of these someday.
So are you saying we can import any CBR400RR from Japan and get them registered in California?