400th Post = 400cc Sportbike Super Post!!

I’m very happy to announce that this is our 400th post on RSBFS! To celebrate the event, each of the contributors on the site went searching for 400cc sportbikes for sale anywhere in the world and below are our picks. As you’ll see, there’s a little something for everyone in there!

After only 18 months, I’m really proud of what we’ve started here and can’t wait to make the site even better in 2010. Many many thanks to the thousands of readers visiting our website each week! We’re looking forward to another great year here at RSBFS and can’t wait to see what the spring season will bring out for sale!

Happy Holidays and Cheers to a Fantastic 2010!

– The RSBFS Team

First up, the picks from Alex:

Located in Hollywood, Florida is–what looks to be a 1984–Suzuki GSX-R400R.  This bike looks to be in decent condition but alas, doesn’t have a title.  The asking price is $2,400.  See this bike on Craigslist here.

Second up is a 1989 FZR400 located in Honolulu, Hawaii.  The seller states that this bike is in great condition and the photos show this to be probably true.  The asking price is $2,295.  See this bike on Craigslist here.

Next up, a 1976 Yamaha RD400.  This bike is located in Tucson, Arizona with an asking price of only $2,000.  Judging by the photos, this seems like a good price.  See it on Craigslist here.

Doug’s Picks:

1989 or 1990 H series Kawasaki ZXR400 located in Johannesburg, South Africa and listed for $3,500.00 USD. This awesome little machine has 10,400 miles and is decked out in classic Kawasaki racing colors. It’s no secret that I like 400’s and even though it only boast 62hp and tops out at 137 this is my dream 400 to own. I’ve only seen or heard of a few of these in the states and they were all race bikes. Plain and simple, if Kawasaki would bring it – I would buy it! Hello…. Anyone from Kawasaki out there? Hello, Hello.

Check out this RVF 400 NC35 located in Johannesburg, South Africa for a mere $4,000.00. As some of you die hard 400 fans may already know; the RVF is the smaller sibling to the mighty RC45 which is not to be confused with the VFR 400 NC30, sibling the RC30. The RVF 400 were only produced for three years which were 1994, 95 and 1996. The seller doesn’t state the year of this one, but do you really care? Just a few tid bits about the differences between the RVF and VFR’s that follow. The RVF’s had upside down forks and 17″ rear wheels which meant a better rubber selection was available also, take notice of the dual exhausts on this one. 9 out of 10 times you’ll see a single exhaust that exits on the left side of the bike. The unusual left side exit was done so the rear wheel could be removed easier. RVF or VFR I wouldn’t kick either one out of the garage for dripping a little oil on the floor 🙂

Here we have a pair of VFR 400’s also located in Johannesburg, South Africa. VFR #1 is looking very fine in traditional HRC colors. VFR #2 looks a little more modern, but is essentially the same bike. Both machines are listed for $4,000 USD, give or take a few to the South American Rand currency. Accoding to Wiki, Honda produced the VFR 400 from 1986 to 1992, but VFR #2 is listed as a 2005 model year?? Maybe some of our informed readers could clarify this for us.

Selections from Steve:

This one looks like fun. A 1990 Honda CB-1 offered on Craigslist in Ohio for $2,200.

I have no firsthand experience with these machines so here is what Wikipedia says:

The Honda CB-1 is a small and light naked sportsbike with a straight four 399ccm engine that delivers 57 horsepower. (The Honda model code is NC27.) In contrast to all other models of the Honda CB series, the name is written with a hyphen. In some countries it was sold as Honda CB400F as an attempt to connect the model with the original CB400F of 1975, with which it has nothing else in common.

The bike was first introduced in 1989 and built until the end of 1992. Originally developed for the Japanese market, the CB-1 was also officially sold in the USA and Canada. In many other countries it was sold as a grey import.

The CB-1 engine is identical to the early NC23 models of the CBR400RR, thus many of the early CB-1 engines have the engine code NC23E. It has a six speed gearbox, gear driven dual Camshafts, and a chain drive with a 15/41 ratio.

Seller says:

1990 Honda CB-1, 400cc 4cyl. perfect starter bike…somewhat collectible..only imported for two years 89-90. light and nimble, 13,500 redline..six speed gearbox. 9985 miles!! reluctant sale.

Looks really clean, I would be reluctant to sell as well.

-SG

Bikes that Phil Picked:

There are a lot of VFR400s and RVF400s around my neck of the woods (Hong Kong), but most of them have been repainted and/or well used, but guess what I found just this week – a mint, low mileage CBR400RR (NC29) on the local classifieds:

Hagon suspension, Yoshimura exhaust, very good condition classic 400!  First owner, has been kept indoor all the time!

Seller is asking HK$28,000 which is roughly US$3500.  Price is a bit high compared to other locally available 400s, but ones in this condition are hard to come by.  And check out that asymetrical gull arm.  Absolute moto tech sweetness. Hmm…anyone want to buy my ZXR750R so I can pick this minter up?

When it comes to 400cc sport bikes, I’m more of a Suzuki man, so I’ll concentrate on the GSX-R400s and here’s my list of pickings (to find out more about anyone of these Suzuki 400 mini rockets, surf on over to Jarmo’s excellent website on all Suzuki motorcycles ever built – www.suzukicycles.org)

1989 GSX-R400R SP for sale in Johannesburg, South Africa

This looks to be a genuine SP (Sports Production) model with the single seat unit and the remote rear shock reservoir (attached to right side of the rear sub frame on the right).  Details are scare, but seller claims that full service has been done very recently (‘yesterday!’).

I had a same model year GSX-R400 (non SP version) and always wanted the racier SP version.  Not crazy about the Rizla colours, but it’s not too bad either.  For the asking price of R17,500 (approx. US$2300), I could definitely live with that (or get a new paint job)!

Here’s a newer 1994 GSX-R400 available in Ireland:

Mint bike just got full service and new tyres, very clean bike. I have papers saying its restricted to a 250 but i have the restricter taken out so cheap insurance. Lots of receipts for work done and only 2 owners.

The bike looks clean with very few previous owners, and it’s in my favourite white and blue Suzuki colours!  2000 Euros isn’t a lot of money but getting the bike back to the states might be!

And finally here’s a really nice 1991 Suzuki GSX-R400SP for sale in Johannesburg South Africa (again):

Awesome GSXR 400SP for sale. One of a kind SP colours. Stunner!

Bike in excellent running condition, brand new Bridgestone Battleaxe rear tyre.

New Grips, tank pad and rear brakes. had MAJOR service (done on 9th Dec)- everything was done on the bike, new speedo cable, new fork seals and forks completely redone, De-restricter removed.

Bike is a brilliant upgrade bike, as goes like a bomb.

Bike has scratch on left rear tail ,needs a new mirror and needs a new screen (screen is great but the tint is wearing off.)

Bike is original with original pipes.

And my picks (Dan):

Did you know Thailand has a Craigslist? Here’s an RVF400 for sale in Bangkok for 90,000THB (aka only $2700! as of 12.16.09):

This 1994 RVF400 has about 30 000 km on it,Dunlop GP70 tires ,Clean unbroken fairings with clean paint aside from a small chip .It has invoice but no green book .Cleanest one you will find in Bangkok

And here’s another RVF400 for sale in the UK for 2800GBP ($3900)

1998 RVF400 on VisorDown

Bike in excellent running condition, brand new Bridgestone Battleaxe rear tyre. New Grips, tank pad and rear brakes. had MAJOR service (done on 9th Dec)- everything was done on the bike, new speedo cable, new fork seals and forks completely redone, De-restricter removed.

Bike is a brilliant upgrade bike, as goes like a bomb.

Bike has scratch on left rear tail ,needs a new mirror and needs a new screen (screen is great but the tint is wearing off.)

Bike is original with original pipes.