There are many other 400cc Bikes on the market other than the NC30. On this page, other than the Kawasaki and the Yamaha, none of the bikes have been officially imported. However, there are some great bikes here. I have provided links to owner reviews for the individual models; you can access these by clicking the appropriate picture. Owner reviews are often more useful than road tests, as they tell you what it is actually like to live with a bike day-in day-out. Please remember that all of the bikes featured on this page are sports bikes. If you're in the market for a 400, but you don't want a full-on sports machine, try looking up the following:

Ducati 400SS, Honda Bros 400, Honda VFR400K, Kawasaki GPZ400, Suzuki GSF400 Bandit, Yamaha SRX400

The format in which the 2006/2007 RiDER POWER survey results have been presented makes it difficult to pull out anything meaningful specifically about the 400's. Surprisingly, there are no separate classes, all bikes surveyed are rolled in together. Sadly, many of the 400's don't even get a mention. This will be a huge surprise and disappointment to many people, myself included.

For this reason, the UK RiDER POWER 2004 Position's are still shown. The bikes shown featured in the Budget/Commuter Class of the survey. The NC30 ranked a phenomenal 2nd in 2004. The position is based on ratings for Build Quality, Engine, Handling, Rider Comfort, Pillion Comfort, Brakes, Gearbox, Equipment, Dealer Backup, Reliability, Running Costs, Wind Protection and Ease of Maintenance. N/A indicates that the bike did not receive a ranking. In 2005 the NC30 and NC35 received a joint seventh ranking in the Supersports Class. This put them ahead of not only the CBR400, but also Kawasaki's ZX6R, Honda's CBR600, Yamaha's R6 and, most impressively, Ducati's 748 and 749.

Honda CBR400 Aero

The First CBR400 came out in 1985. Styling is similar to the ‘87 CBR600. Liquid cooled 45bhp engine.

RiDER POWER 2004 Position: N/A






CBR400RR-J/K Tri-Arm

In 1988 the TriArm was released. Also known as the NC23. Same engine as the Aero but tuned up to 58bhp. Major styling make over too.

RiDER POWER 2004 Position: 15th




CBR400RR-L Gull Arm

Released in 1990 it received minor updates in ‘91. Also known as the NC29, it has a 57bhp liquid-cooled engine. Many sport the exclusive FireBlade logo.

RiDER POWER 2004 Position: 15th

Honda VFR400R NC21 (shown) & NC24

59bhp V4. Gearbox is silky smooth and rider comfort is good. Exhaust collector boxes are known to rot. Parts can be very difficult to come by. Although visually similar to the NC21, the NC24 sports a smart single sided swingarm, making chain adjustment a simple task. The high-level exhaust means wheel removal is easy too. Brakes are weak and like the NC21, obtaining parts can be tricky.

RiDER POWER 2004 Position: N/A & N/A

Honda RVF400

The most exclusive 400, and you pay for it! Not just a restyled NC30, NC35's have USD forks, smaller carbs', different frame geometry and more. Seventeen inch rear wheel improves tyre choice over the NC30, it's easier to ride too. Great if you can afford it, decent examples still fetch over £4000.

RiDER POWER 2004 Position: 25th
RiDER POWER 2005 Position: 7th (Joint with NC30, Supersports class)



Suzuki GSX-R400RR

Extra revvy engine lacks low-down power, midrange is reportedly weak too. However, the top end is awesome.  Good suspension and super-slick gearbox, however the riding position is very race orientated.

RiDER POWER 2004 Position: N/A

Kawasaki ZXR400

Blisteringly fast. Strong engine, brakes and front forks. Let down badly by rock hard rear shock absorber.  Rider comfort isn't great either.  This bike was officially imported and production only ceased in 2003. Despite this many owners report major dealer backup issues.

RiDER POWER 2004 Position: 31st

Yamaha FZR400RR

Started off as a grey import but then in 1992, Yamaha started officially importing them.  The clutch is too weak and gives up fairly regularly. Despite this the engine is strong and some models have an EXUP valve to boost mid-range power. This does mean that those with aftermarket exhaust systems will have lost the valve though. Brakes are rated highly, rider comfort isn't.

RiDER POWER 2004 Position: 39th