RVF400 1st & 2nd ride / review.

Discussion in '3rd & 4th Generation 1990-1997' started by Diving Pete, Jul 24, 2016.

  1. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Well it has been almost exactly 20 years since I first saw this model bike in the flesh & was able to sit on it in 1996.
    I wasn't doing much riding then except on a 'hack' GPX250r (for getting to work on only), & I just loved the Single sided swingarm, the USD forks & the ram air intake's. :love-struck:
    This bike had all the goodies - but with it came an equally impressive price tag..

    Fast forward to this weekend & my new 'toy' from my wife finally got insured & taxed. The weather gods smiled at me :glee:

    So,
    1st test ride on Sat morning - a fairly short journey just to get used to it.
    Initial thoughts were I'd forgotten how tiny this bike is & the exhaust has a race can fitted - damm its loud :glee: - guess at least I will hear the engine...
    I let the engine idle for a minute & then set off. I pull away smoothly but note that the clutch needs adjustment - cable is too loose. Get to the end of the road & press down on the rear brake - nothing - lol....

    Still its a sports bike & rear brakes are for girls to press when riding pillion so they can signal to the driver - :biggrin:

    Carry on with ride, engine is like a turbine up to 7000rpm, - throttle is instant, suspension (standard settings) is firm, but not crashy...
    Then note that the front brake is a little 'grabby' - pull lever back & it seems like a delay before activation... Lever also comes back a fair way.. :grey:

    I head home after 5 mins as I really need to sort the brakes !"!"!"!"! :mad-new:

    At home I inspect the bike a lot closer - bleed the front & rear brakes, adjust the clutch cable, & then also notice the left fork leg has a fine glistening of oil - arghh...

    Ok its really fine & no obvious sign of leakage, so onto today....

    2nd ride (with SkiMad4x4 on his VFR)

    WE set off to get some fuel - I was on fumes & so after filling up & the bike is nice & warm we head for some twisty A-roads. Damm this bike has lovely handling, neutral, light, flickable, instant, the engine pulls like a steam train all the way - didn't go over 12,000rpm.
    The bikes engine is excellent, the fuelling feels spot on & its really easy to ride.

    I knew I'd have fun on this....lol

    So have a few things to fix (it is 18 years old after all) but overall what a bike..

    The clutch lever just needs a little more tweaking (for me), the rear brake is still crap - lol & the front brake isn't as mushy but still needs work..
    A pair of fork seals, new pads all round & a front master cylinder repair kit should do it, although I may also strip the calipers too as its an easy job.

    Looking forward to my next ride once I've repaired these items...
     
  2. Riding a 2000

    Riding a 2000 Member

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    Love the idea of the 400!

    Never brought to these shores by Honda, the few here are grey market. We did get the CB-1, but that is an inline 4.

    For small bore 4 cylinder bikes, I still lust after a tiny one, which is again rarely seen here: The CBR250RR!
    I found one at a used bike shop on a recent visit to Melbourne, will post a photo or two if I can get them off of my phone.

    Man, the melody which must be the exhaust note on your bike.... Love to hear that!
     
  3. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    It has a scorpion race can fitted so I'll see what I can do - :eagerness:
     
  4. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    And pictures toooooo


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  5. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Ok I'll sort out pics....lol
     
  6. Riding a 2000

    Riding a 2000 Member

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    VZM.IMG_20160513_110024.jpg

    The 250 RR in Australia

    Dig the tach!
     

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  7. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    I was telling my friend about 1 of these today - it brought a whole new meaning to the word screamer...fun bike
     
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