ZXR400 vs. RVF & VFR

[g-force performance]

Has anyone on this list ridden a ZXR400 and a VFR400RR and/or RVF400R. I am looking for as many opinions as possible on the difference in the chassis.

1. How many people think the ZXR is better, or the VFR, or the RVF?
2. Why?
3. What was the steering like? Stable? Twitchy? Hard? Easy?
4. What was the ground clearance like?
5. What about the size? Was the ZXR chassis bigger, wider, taller, longer?

The reason for all of this is, I have a new project I am working on. I can put the engine in just about any chassis. My preference is the VFR/RVF because we love the handling of these bikes, and....we have a million of them (ok, only about 20). However...I am now working for Kawasaki. So, it sounds like the powers-that-be seem to have "hinted" that it would be less conflict-of-interest if I were wroking on a Kawasaki product. (ugh! Politics)

Cheers,

[Neosophist]

I've ridden an early ZXR400, 89 bike I think, the one with the twin lights like the NC30 has. My brother used to own a later spec (96) model.

I love the ZXR's Crackin 400, ground clearance is better than the VFR, suspension is very good as are the breaks.

Only thing that seems to let them down badly is engine problems, camchains, tensioners and headgaskets are known weakpoints.

If your building a custom i'd deffo give one a try!

Oh there also a doddle to work on the engine compared to the VFR's too lol!

Alas, I don't think the kawasaki build quality is as good as Hondas.

[williamshatnerspants]

Hi, this sounds interesting.

I had a few rides on ZXR400s and 750s when they came out and remember the suspension being very firm, the chassis quite long (stretch to the bars). Testicles banging into the tank on bumpy roads was a common complaint. However, I'd recommend using a Kawasaki chassis as your American roads are smooth, and it means there will be one more VFR/RVF chassis available for use for the rest of us!

Will keep an eye out for your build project in the Kawasaki section.

Matt

[james66]

Hi mike

as you know I race the vfr

it was the last round of our season last weekend + engine went pop sat morning, I was stuck so someone lent me their zxr400, first thing I noticed was that it felt like I was a long way from the bars, to the point of almost an uncomfortable stretch, it was like crouching down + then reaching as far as i could

with regards to the chassis, crap, all the zxr's flex, can feel them weave, it was just this bike either, every single zxr rider I spoke ti has tge same issues regardless of setup, they just learn to live with it, stock brakes are not as good as honda

They are bigger so better if your taller or larger
a big downside is that they dont crash very well, frames are soft + commonly bend, vfr/rvf frames etc are very crash resistant

I will not be converted to go over to a zxr although by the end of the weekend I started to get a good feel for the bike to the point I was happy with it but not enough to pull me away from the honda

hope this helps
james

after first race on it my legs were aching + I did not like it, although I dont doubt a little bit of this could be helped if I made adjustments to seat height, bars + rearsets however it did feel like I was sat in the bike unlike the vfr where i feel like im over the bars which I prefer, felt like a didnt have as much front end control as I was too far away

[james66]

By the way it was an L model zxr

[Neosophist]

Hi, this sounds interesting.

I had a few rides on ZXR400s and 750s when they came out and remember the suspension being very firm, the chassis quite long (stretch to the bars). Testicles banging into the tank on bumpy roads was a common complaint. However, I'd recommend using a Kawasaki chassis as your American roads are smooth, and it means there will be one more VFR/RVF chassis available for use for the rest of us!

Will keep an eye out for your build project in the Kawasaki section.

Matt

This post is 4 years old.

[williamshatnerspants]

This post is 4 years old.

Thanks, I'm a slow learner!

[g-force performance]

LOL! The post may be 4 years old, but the topic of discussion is still going strong. It's been a bit hard to place why, but we're still getting our asses handed back to us by the ZXR. So, just over the last week, my team and I have been discussing how to get info about the ZXR engine to see where/why they make great power.

It's not about the age of the topic, but the value of the information - and its relevance.

Cheers,

Mike Norman

[skinnydog0_0]

I have a race RVF, and just finished rebuilding a road ZXR 400. The zxr (as has already been said) seems to flex and wallow, not something i was very keen on. My ZXR is a missile, it only has free flow filter and micron pipe but it's bloody quick. The downside is the engine parts like rocker arms and cams are not built to last, i had a doner engine and 4 of the rocker arms had lost their hard facing and one had worn completly damaging the cam lobe. I have made one good engine out of the 2 i had so you will need a good supply of spares if you are going to be tuning it alot.
If your going to be pulling the engine apart on a regular basis then you can check for wear and replace as necessary. The zxr is noticeably lighter and as a race bike i think it would make a very good wepon (as the results seem to prove both with you and here in the UK).

[kostritzer]

I have to imagine the ZXR is lighter than your typical RVF/VFR. That always seems to be the case with a V4 vs. an inline 4. Why don't you just call up Dr. John and ask for his wet weight and dyno charts Mike?