Thinking about getting a ZXR400.

[JMcP92]

Hey everyone.

I have been thinking about getting a ZXR400 for a while. I want a bike not be used on the road, but for the track. I havn't riden supersport in quite some time and a 400 would be more than sufficient rather than a 600 to get into it. I have looked at the option and the ZXR seems to be far superior in general.

I am thinking about starting with a road bike and converting it myself, maybe a little expensive but the whole process is enjoyable.

I am looking for general owners advice. What years are best within reasonable price. What has the most accessability, where are part more avalible, you get the idea, basically any info you feel might be helpful to me.

One general concern I have is the age. Some of the bikes are getting on for (or already are) 20 years old. Are the ygenerally relaible bikes? I know a 20 year old bike can be in better condition than a 1 year old bike, in general it is just the way the owner treats it, but generally slightly worried about the age, but I don't think much has come along in the 400 market since the end of the ZXR.

I don't yet have a budget as I go to college, live at home and my budget is what I save up from working when I do save and avoid burning it

Anyway, as mentioned, any information would be appreciated, and I am always open to suggestions and such.

Cheers
John

[Chadatious]

Well the H model or L model are both good, i have a H1 whats a 1989 model which you say about age but it looks new out the showroom, only problem ive had it the clutch go whats natural wear and tear for the mileage it had. but put ya mind to it and you could do this to a bike you could buy. and i paid £800 with ngine trouble which cost me £15 to fix, and it run as sweet as. and parts are not to bad for olde bikes.

[RedexRobB]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Cant offer much advice from a racers point of view but we do have a couple here who do more than just track days.

L1 to L9 it doesnt really make much difference what you get, all the parts are the same, and all readily available too from kwak. Plus the addition of a couple of ZXR400 breakers that are about means you can get parts.

With regards to the H model, i think they are genarally raced (and crash better) but i know some new parts have been phased out, but there are plenty of spares due to the above forementioned.

Engine wise, they swap between models with a few exceptions of swapping timing rotors and CDI's etc, but in any case you will probably want to refresh it yourself anyway and having it like new, so maybe age wont matter so much?

[JMcP92]

I have also thought about building it myself from scarach, getting a hold of part and just making the bike. It sounds like fun but to be honest, I doubt my mechanic skills would be up to the job of fully building a full bike, that is why I thinking buying one may be a better option. If I could I would probably go for £800-£1200. I currently ride MX so I would need to also get a good £800 for decent quality leather and road lid (Can never undercut prices of safty gear to burn it on the bike). I also can never resist doing a bit of bike bling. I would have re-spray and powdercoating and such but thats just me.

I would also intend to probably buy in winter. Sound odd, because you can't ride, but generally bike prices drop in winter (for that reason) which will get me more bang for my buck. Always a good thing

I'm snooping around Bike Trader right now lol

[JMcP92]

I have stumbled across a minor issue (Understatement much). I shall explain.

Basically, I don't have a road licence, I have riden on the road a number of times on borrowed bikes, but not exactly legally. I do enjoy riding and this is why I want to race. Why don't I have my own licence? Well, I have some minor vision issues which basically boils down to the DVLA telling me what I can and can't see (Nice to see they are fair, apparently they know what I can see better than I do).

Anyway, this leads me onto track racing. As I previously mentioned I ride MX. I have a racing licence for MX and Enduro riding, not an issue. Here my problem. I was talking to the SACU (Scottish Auto Cycle Union) today about racing licences and they deem I need perfect vision for road racing because (once again) they think they know what I can and can't seem *Much swearing in general*. I am disappointed really, they say the reason is because "You are going so fast in road racing you wouldn't be able to see" Oh, but I beg to differ, after 18 years I think I am aware what I can and cannot see at speed. I have done 140mph through backroads of Scotland and can see whats going on without an issue....

Anyway, that is my issue, and I don't really just want to give in to what the peice of paper says, it has annoyed me for years. Anyone got any bright ideas? Lol

[jake]

cant you just wear some glasses dude? loads of racers do.
the acu wants the opticians to complete the licence form on everyones licence. When you first get it, then every 3 years... cant really escape it mate.

[JMcP92]

My dad is considdered to be the best optician in the UK, glasses don't fix everything common misconception.

I am guessing there is only the one option, just appeal against the decision with some folk who know that I would be fine riding giving me some back-up and hope for the best. I love track racing lol.