Bike for beginner? FZ400?

[ThePass]

What's up, this is my first post here and I'll outright admit I'm a complete beginner to motorcycles. I've ridden dirt quite a bit but never street and have been reading up a lot here and on other sites to get acquainted with the different models and such, what to expect as a beginner, what the right way to ease into the sport is, what the wrong things to do are, etc. etc.

So, going to be taking the MSF course soon and then it's time to get a bike. I really want an F4i - I'm 21 but I'm not crazy about having a super rocket ship (my roommate wants an R6 for his first bike doh!) and the F4i seems like a really cool, plenty fast, decently inexpensive 600, but I KNOW I shouldn't start out on that.

So, I was looking at the Ninja ex500 which of course everyone suggests as a first bike, and call me a squid but yes I do want a bike that looks good even though it's my first - I want something I can be proud of even if its a bit older, not something that looks silly, and the ex500 is ooook I guess in the looks dept. But then I stumbled upon the Yamaha FZR400 and I fell in love - it looks amazing, I love the lightweight 400cc idea with really nice handling, and it seems like it could be a decent bike to start out on and then down the road if I get another bike I could convert the FZR400 to a more race-only bike since everyone says its a dream on the track if you're good. Does this sound like an ok idea or is that not so great of a starter bike?

Years ago my dad transitioned from dirt to street with a new 91' VFR 750, and the guys he talked to before he bought the bike said it was better to start on a bike with a wide torque band that you didn't have to be spot-on on your shifts like a 600 with... what's the deal with that? It seems most people recommend smaller displacement (which emans less torque and HP) not more....?

Thanks for any input
-Ryan

[Keiji]

If you ruin that vintage bike, I will be extremely angry.

That is all.

[ThePass]

Are FZR400's too rare to realistically think about getting one?
-Ryan

[Jonny Thrice]

Look for a GSXR-400 ;)

[Keiji]

They were sold for three years in the US. Finding one that hasn't been raced or abused by some new rider gets harder and harder every year.
It'll probably be easier for you to find one since you live in CA. But if you do buy one, please do this one thing.

Don't mess it up.

[ZQ8Dude]

Originally Posted by Jonny Thrice

Look for a GSXR-400 ;)

how rare are those?

[mssdrider]

the FZR 400s and GSX-R 400 are not THAT hard to find. I've also seen CBR 400s for sale...and they are AWESOME bikes.

[ZQ8Dude]

Originally Posted by mssdrider

the FZR 400s and GSX-R 400 are not THAT hard to find. I've also seen CBR 400s for sale...and they are AWESOME bikes.

I may have to chase down a GSXR 400 then. That thing looks bad ass. What years were they made?


suzuki needs to bring it back. Wouldnt you love to own a brand new GSX-r with modern styling.

[mssdrider]

I believe GSX-R 400s were made from 84-95 but i like the way the later models look better. The problem is that they are not legal in the US...unless you have some connections...or register it under a kit bike... i dunno its starting to be really difficult. I know there was one for sale on Bay Area Riders Forums for $4k. I don't remember if it was street legal or not.

[coronadozx]

here's one for you bro: in redlands, or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FZR-4...QQcmdZViewItem

[ZQ8Dude]

Originally Posted by mssdrider

I believe GSX-R 400s were made from 84-95 but i like the way the later models look better. The problem is that they are not legal in the US...unless you have some connections...or register it under a kit bike... i dunno its starting to be really difficult. I know there was one for sale on Bay Area Riders Forums for $4k. I don't remember if it was street legal or not.

damn, that sucks. Id love to pick one up, but not if its that much a hassle to get it street legal.

[ThePass]

The GSX-R 400 is sweet as hell also.. I've looked for the FZR400 online - it's rare and the ones that are for sale go for more $ because they are essentially coveted pieces of history... And the GSX-R 400 isn't US legal unless you go through a lot of hassle (not I - I'm looking for a turnkey starter bike in the 400cc range)
so... looked up the cbr400 which is my favorite of the three (Honda fan here) but is that just as hard to get ahold of as the FZR400?
This is frustrating. I want an inexpensive 400ish cc starter bike that looks good and that, if I get to be pretty good years down the road, is light and 'quick' enough that I could show up bigger bikes in the twisties and be proud when I told them it's only a 400 ;)

-Ryan

[mssdrider]

i believe any and all 400s are illegal here in the US...but there are ways to register it. My boyfriend has a NC30, a NSR 250 and a NSR 300 that are...um... on the grey scale of the law, but they are registered. I have seen a CBR 400 for sale that is registered, very very rare though. I would love to pick one up myself. (another honda fan here too!)

[Fargin_Bastige]

GSXR-400s were never imported into the U.S.. Getting one is hard, getting parts for it is far harder.

The FZR400 is a great bike, its what I started on. The issue is finding one in good shape. They usually have been raced.

[ThePass]

Looks like I'll be buying... heck I don't know. The GS500 looks like its trying too hard to be a GSXR but with skinny as hell tires, the EX500 reminds me of a 250cc dirt bike...

Okay, what would you guys recommend that is attainable and affordable in the states that is A.) lightweight B.) a decent bike to start on and C.) reasonably good looking?
Really want something that with the right rider could outperform a bigger bike in the twisties if so inclined.. I've been racing cars for years and have always used the lighter car + small motor = faster through anything other than a dead straight than much 'faster' cars...

-Ryan