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Honda VFR 400R

Make Model	Honda VFR 400R
Year	1986
Engine	Four stroke 90°V-four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Capacity	399 cc / 15.7 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	55 x 42 mm
Valve Clearance	Intake - 0.15 mm / Exhaust 0.24
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Compression Ratio	11.3:1
Lubrication	Wet sump
Engine Oil	SAE 10W-40
Oil Capacity	2.4 Litres
Induction	4x 34mm Keihin CV carburetors
Ignition	Digitalized full transistor ignition
Spark Plug	NGK ER9EH
Starting	Electric
Max Power	59 hp / 43.1 kW @ 12800 rpm
Max Torque	39 Nm / 4.0 kgf-m / 28.8 lb-ft @ 10000 rpm
Rev Redline	13000 rpm
Clutch	Wet, cable operated
Transmission	6 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Twin-spar aluminum
Front Suspension	41mm inverted forks: preload and rebound damping
Fork Oil Per Rod	390 ml / SAE 7,5W
Rear Suspension	Rising-rate monoshock: pre-load and rebound damping
Front Brakes	2x 269mm 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	100/90 R16
Rear Tyre	140/60 R18
Rake	24°
Trail	96 mm / 3.7 in
Dimensions	Height 1075 mm / 42.3 in Length 1985 mm / 78.1 in
Wheelbase	1345 mm / 53.0 in
Seat Height	870 mm / 30.7 in
Dry Weight	170 kg / 374.7 lbs
Fuel Capacity	18 Litres / 4.0 gal
Consumption Average	42 mpg
Standing ¼ Mile	12.6 sec / 175 km/h / 109 mph
Top Speed	219 km/h / 136 mph

You don't have to ride the NC30 to know that it is right. Everything about it just looks right. The scaled-down version of the RC30 is perfect in it proportions and in its detail. The reduction in size makes it neater still.

The engine gives the impression of that of a larger machine. Peak torque is at 12,000rpm, but it doesn't drop off, giving a long, flexible spread of peak power. It will hold any top gear cruise speed up to 100mph, will pull wide open in top from 2,000rpm and runs without a hiccup to 15,000rpm.

Asked whether the quality of engineering is worth £6,000, the answer would be yes. The build quality is nearly as good as the RC30.

The VFR400 was featured in Bike magazine's secondhand buyer's guide, in the October 2001 issue. These are some of the things they said:

It doesn't matter who you are or what sort of bike you ride you can't fail to be impressed by the NC30. It is quite simply the best sportsbike under 600cc, with the possible exception of the Aprilia RS250. Beautifully engineered, beautifully built and beautifully finished, it exudes such quality that you wonder how they built it at the price.

Reliable? Absolutely, assuming that it's been properly maintained. The charging system is a bit suspect, but that's it. Check the trueness of the wheels - they distort easily.
[Note: Regulator/rectifiers can fail, just like the bigger VFRs, that's all].

Competition: There isn't any, really. The NC35 is even more gorgeous (and expensive), an utter work of art. The CBR400 is a contender. It's another wonderful miniature road burner with superlative handling and a tough engine, but it just doesn't have the quality feel that you get with the NC30.

Source simonevans.co.uk