... This was about 1991 and what I really wanted was a Honda VFR400R (NC30) but they were too expensive and only affordable in my dreams.
I had my GS500 for a couple of years, then circumstances left me "bikeless" and still dreaming of that elusive NC30! Time moves on and chatting with a friend ... Read review
Advantages: Good handling and looks Disadvantages: Not enough sunny days
...I really wanted was a Honda VFR400R (NC30) but they were too expensive and only affordable in my dreams.
I had my GS500 for a couple of years, then circumstances left me "bikeless" and still dreaming of that elusive NC30! Time moves on and chatting with a friend about 2 years ago the discussion turned to bikes. When I mentioned the NC30, his eyes lit up and he told me he knew someone who had one and that it might be for ... ...round weather, but being a Honda I don’t think that would be a problem. Most of the miles I have put on it have been on dry days and it always leaves me with a big grin when I have been out for a ride. The engine loves to be revved, and spins freely to the redline at 14,500rpm. The clutch and 6 speed gearbox encourages the use of the full rev band as gears seem to slot in even sweeter as the red line approaches, or is that just my excuse!
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Motor bikes never appealed to me when I was younger. I was always far more interested in cars and after a few pathetic attempts to ride a bike in my teens I decided that was it. The time went past and I never really thought any more about it until I was in my early 30's when I moved jobs, and became friendly with a co-workers who was a confirmed biker. His enthusiasm for biking was infectious and soon I was starting to recognise different types of bikes and itching to get my leg over! So I did my CBT and pottered around on a Yamaha YB100 for a few months till I passed my test and then I bought a Suzuki GS500 to get some experience. This was about 1991 and what I really wanted was a Honda VFR400R (NC30) but they were too expensive and only affordable in my dreams.
I had my GS500 for a couple of years, then circumstances left me "bikeless" and still dreaming of that elusive NC30! Time moves on and chatting with a friend about 2 years ago the discussion turned to bikes. When I mentioned the NC30, his eyes lit up and he told me he knew someone who had one and that it might be for sale. Ok, I am not going to bore you any more with how I got it, sufficient to say that in May last year I became the proud owner of a 1991 VFR400R (NC30).
The VFR400R (NC30) was officially available in the UK for about 3 years between 1991 and 1994, and at that time it cost nearly £6000 so it was an expensive bike compared to some of the larger machines available at the time. The cost of the bike was always going to restrict sales, but there were enough sold to make tracking one down not too difficult, and in my opinion, well worth the effort.
The bike looks absolutely gorgeous, especially when viewed from the right hand side to get the full affect of the single sided swing arm. The proportions of the bike just seem right, and then there's the engine. Fire it up and listen to the engine burbling, then twist the throttle and listen to that V4 singing, music to my ears. The power output is 63bhp @ 12, 750 rpm and the engine produces 26 lb-ft of torque @ 9,700rpm. The dry weight of the bike is approximately 170 kgs and the wheels are 17" front and 18" rear, wearing 120/60VR-17 and 150/60VR-18 rubber respectively.
I bought the bike for pleasure and don’t have to worry about how it would stand up to day to day commuting or all year round weather, but being a Honda I don’t think that would be a problem. Most of the miles I have put on it have been on dry days and it always leaves me with a big grin when I have been out for a ride. The engine loves to be revved, and spins freely to the redline at 14,500rpm. The clutch and 6 speed gearbox encourages the use of the full rev band as gears seem to slot in even sweeter as the red line approaches, or is that just my excuse!
I have found the handling and brakes (twins discs at the front, single disc at the rear) to be excellent and they make the bike a joy to ride, the only limitation on how fast I can ride is my ability, and the speed limits of course! The engineering and reliability of the bike are faultless, well it's a Honda isn't it, and the design of the bike still looks fresh even after 13 years. I sometimes find myself thinking of excuses to go into the garage just to have a look at it, or is that just me being sad! Official UK bikes were only available in red, white and blue, but there are a lot of grey imports in the UK from Japan with other colour schemes such as silver and black, and red and black.
As with most sports bikes, it isn't built for comfort and any long journeys would need to include regular rest stops to relieve any numbness, and probably before the need to refill the 17 litre fuel tank.
Maintenance wise it can be a little bit trickier than an in-line 4 cylinder bike, the compact configuration of the V4 engine doesn’t leave a lot of room to work in but that’s a minor niggle. My bike has had 2 previous owners during it's life so far, and had 11, 000 miles on it when I bought it, with lots of history to accompany it. I have even become friendly with the previous owner and he has made it clear that he wants first option to buy it if I ever think about changing bikes! Hope he's not holding his breath because I have no thoughts about selling. I am enjoying the experience of owning and riding it, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a mid-range sports bike, it certainly keeps me grinning! I thought I would include a couple of pictures of my bike taken on a sunny day just so you can see it at its best, and now I am wishing it was dry today so I could take it out now and finish writing this review later!
I think that insurance is pretty reasonable for the value and performance of the bike (Can I use insurance and reasonable in the same sentence lol!) and road tax is currently £30 so that doesn’t cause too much pain annually.
I have enjoyed the time I have spent with my VFR400R and am glad I took the opportunity to return to biking, and to own I bike I had wanted for a long time. I hope you have enjoyed reading this review and I look forward to your comments.
Advantages: Top handling, good top speed and entry level sports bike Disadvantages: Small for taller heaveir riders
...to date. It was a Honda VFR400 NC30
this is the model with a singe sided rear swing arm (the part that the rear wheel is attached to). It was a 1991 bike with around 30.000km on it. Km due to it being a grey import, that is to say this bike was not imported by the manufacturer. I belive that these bike did have a limited official import run for a couple of years.
The reason I say it was such a step up is because it was the first bike I had over ... ...license restrictions over their. The Honda was in my opinion the best prospect with the best looks. With maybe the exception of the up rated RVF400 NC35. Also it was only about 170kgs. The bike arrived a couple of days later after I had paid about £2.500 for a average condition example with tri-color paint(red blue and white).
When the bike arrived I was less than impressed with the preparation it had been given. The clutch plates and brakes hardly ...
andrewmc83 20.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Honda VFR400- NC30
Advantages: Its a honda, and still looks great after 16 years Disadvantages: Grey import, high price & running costs
...imported into the Uk by Honda for a short while, most mainstream dealers can be a bit awkward when it comes to spares time. Crash cost is huge! body work is super expensive new and really hard to find good second hand. but for all these points I`d still buy one tomorrow (although the wife might have something to say about it)
Buy the lowest mileage, cleanest, and most standard you can find and you`ll get great plenty of thrills from this so called ...
tobuyornottobuy 09.02.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Honda VFR400- NC30
Advantages: reliability, handling, pearl of an engine, easy to wheely for a 400!;-) Disadvantages: none apart from minor discomfort and likes the unleaded!
What a little belter of a bike-I own my one along with a fireblade with the last 3 years and when it comes for a sunday blast the nc30's keys are taken most of the time. Great looks, reliability and really sure footed handling all come as standard.With a jet kit and end can fitted, mines making a genuine 63bhp and is nice and torquey for a 400. Dunlop gpr70's seem to suit the bike best in my opinion, keeping the steering nice and neutral. Comfort ... ...riding position,wristache sets in after 30+ miles,especially if riding through towns. Nc30s are fond of their petrol too, easily as heavy as the blade, but then as this bike is so easy to ride with the throttle to the stop all the time due to its racebike like handling, its a small complaint!the only problem I am after having with mine is a stator coil needing replacing and a set of fork seals, but as my bike has nearly 40k miles on it, its a testiment ...
timobrien1980 10.03.2008 (09.03.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Honda VFR400- NC30
Advantages: GREAT LOOKING, AND HANDLING BIKE IDEAL FOR NEW RIDERS Disadvantages: SLIGHTLY COMPACT, SERVICING CAN BE EXPENSIVE
A geart looking bike, i owned one for 2 years and commuted from Lincoln to Portsmouth twice a week on it. As im quite short it didnt cause me to many problems.
These bikes handle great on all roads, if you keep to the twisty roads you will have a great time, never felt like it was going to give way and always give you a hint if you pushing too far.
Servicing can be expensive due to its V4 configuartion, the spark plugs cost around £15 each due ... ...a year to keep it running sweet. The rear tyre is 18 inch diamater with can limit tyre options, i surgest Dunlop GPR70`s they ofer great grip at a decent price.
Insurance is reasonable dependat on age, i had mine from the age of 17 and never cost me any more than £400 a year to insure TPFT ...
daniel_keenan_2004 12.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Honda VFR400- NC30
