RVF400 vs Super 4 spec ?

[hhnn]

Hi bros,

 

Just got my 2A today, cannot happier .

Looking around 2a bikes, only rvf400 or cb400 spec 1 fits my requirements. The things concern me about rvf400 is that it is an old bike so i dont know about the reliability, spare parts, and Maitainance. I would love to ride a sport bike experience though ( never ride b4). How about resale value after 1-2years? Does a 12 year old sport bike tend to cause issue?

For cb400, i believe it is easy to maintain and parts are widely available.

 

Do u guys have any opinion on which one should i buy? Your valuable comments are highly appreciated.

Edited February 22, 2013 by hhnn

[Heathx]

I have the same dilemma as you, even though my p-plate still has 6months to go! (advance planning mah )

 

From what i have gathered, generally, people who owned RVF before say it's a very good bike to ride. But there are many posts within this forum lamenting that as RVF is a very old bike, condition surely is quite jialat now, and spare parts are very hard to come by as the bike is out of production for a while already. One post even mentioned that if want certain part, is poh heng suey whether Japan got anyone scrapping a not. If you can find a good condition RVF, then go for it. But be prepared to fork out a lot on maint i guess.

 

As for S4, parts are readily available. And pretty sure that it is a very reliable bike. I heard from friend that he went up to Thailand and back on his R6 while accompanying his friend on S4. His R6 come back change this change that, the S4 change 4 bottles engine oil and good to go liao.

 

As for resale value, both are similarly valued i believe. RVF usually around 7-9k, and S4 around 6.5-12k depending on model). But if u're talking about rate of sale, I guess S4 will tend to be easier to sell. Any potential buyer will prolly have the same questions as you do currently, so u have to take into consideration that if u're selling RVF, the buyer may be thinking about the maintenance costs of RVF too. That may be a potential put off.

 

My own personal decision is that i will go for S4 first, then after 1yr, i'll just get a class 2 sportsbike. Although i love sportsbike, but i think i don't wanna have headache over maintenance anymore, since my current SP gave me very big headaches in the first 4 months.

[hhnn]

I have the same dilemma as you, even though my p-plate still has 6months to go! (advance planning mah )

 

From what i have gathered, generally, people who owned RVF before say it's a very good bike to ride. But there are many posts within this forum lamenting that as RVF is a very old bike, condition surely is quite jialat now, and spare parts are very hard to come by as the bike is out of production for a while already. One post even mentioned that if want certain part, is poh heng suey whether Japan got anyone scrapping a not. If you can find a good condition RVF, then go for it. But be prepared to fork out a lot on maint i guess.

 

As for S4, parts are readily available. And pretty sure that it is a very reliable bike. I heard from friend that he went up to Thailand and back on his R6 while accompanying his friend on S4. His R6 come back change this change that, the S4 change 4 bottles engine oil and good to go liao.

 

As for resale value, both are similarly valued i believe. RVF usually around 7-9k, and S4 around 6.5-12k depending on model). But if u're talking about rate of sale, I guess S4 will tend to be easier to sell. Any potential buyer will prolly have the same questions as you do currently, so u have to take into consideration that if u're selling RVF, the buyer may be thinking about the maintenance costs of RVF too. That may be a potential put off.

 

My own personal decision is that i will go for S4 first, then after 1yr, i'll just get a class 2 sportsbike. Although i love sportsbike, but i think i don't wanna have headache over maintenance anymore, since my current SP gave me very big headaches in the first 4 months.

 

Those are great consideration form you Heathx. I do worry about the maintainance of RVF400 and resale value later on. If the is a very good and affordable RVF400 then I could considerate. I did look at CBR250 but the price is on the high side and not many ppl selling it

Thanks a lot for your reply.

[Lexanez]

Have you considered the GSR 400?

[ki113r]

For me, I'm only considering Ducati Monster, Spec 3 & GSR400. But most probably I'll go for Spec 3

[Hydher]

get a cb400

 

cbr400 and rvf engines can get damaged beyond repair n still run.

You can ask reputable bike shops about it.

The bike shop wun help u get a new engine even if u paid

Edited February 22, 2013 by Hydher

[Heathx]

The reason why CBR250 is not being considered by me is that paying ~8-10k for a 250cc bike is not worth it. I'd rather continue riding my SP if so. Hehehe... But i think it's important for me to take the intermediate step of 400cc since i'm considering CBR1000rr when i get my class 2.

 

Another thing is also, CBR250 is quite a new bike, i think introduced in Singapore only in 2011. So harder to find 2nd hand.

 

Another sports bike that can consider is the new Kawasaki Ninja 300. But that is a very very new bike so no 2nd hand! hahaha... About 15k+ on the road i read.

 

GSR400 is a good bike. But resale value in Singapore is definitely lower than S4.

 

2a dun really have big variety of bikes. Sometimes i think 2b have even more choices. Ultimately, see how long you plan to ride 2a for. Then make your decision from there. If ride 1 yr only, then get something reliable and tahan for 1yr, save money on maint for the class 2.

[hhnn]

GSR400 is quite expensive for a brand new bike, I think it's more than 10k. That is a bit out of my reach

[Option]

Hi TS, I could understand how you feel about making those decisions, when i got my 2a i bought an RVF instead of any other bikes.

 

As a rvf rider for nearly 2 yrs, i would agree with the replies stating that its problematic, my rvf was no less than quite a bit of headache on the 1st year to me as i encounter a few breakdowns, old leaks, etc etc. i spent quite a bit to fix back everything to original condition.

 

I did not ride a s4 before however my experience on my rvf was super awesome when i fixed it up. In the processing of handling the problems i also learnt quite a bit of knowledge abt bikes also. Rvf is a very stable and powerful 2a sports class, also to consider about rvf is that its a breakthrough during those old times of biking technology. Imagine an upside down fork, v engine, single swing arm and most notable is that unique engine sound when u rev it. Honda did not really create such kind of bike anymore ever since rvf ceased production.

 

Neverthless, an old bike is always an old bike, there will be never end problems may it be small or big. Even when i ride it now the fear of breaking down anything still went through my mind. Currently im in the transition of trading in my rvf for my class 2, i be pushing into shop near end of feb =) original paintwork with certified micron exhaust, shop is along bukit merah. Do look out if u wanna get it, internally n externally i alnost changed everything lol. Japan imported stock =)

 

Regardless of what i think its ur decision that matters, like earlier replied if u can find a really good condition rvf u might wanna get it. Good luck !

[deathism]

Option: in the 2 years, how much have you spent replacing all those parts? a rough figure will do.

 

I'm also considering getting an RVF when i get my 2A cos not many bikes have v4 engines. Love the sound..

[Option]

Initially my rvf was quite fked. I think I spent total nearly 6k to build it to current condition, also a bit of luck helped me when a car knocked down my parked bike so i got fresh coat of stock paintwork for free

[Option]

Yes i was present, was very lucky cus i came back in time to witness the scene, caught the edriver red hande

[hhnn]

Thx Option for such details description. Those will be helpful for my consideration and those who are in my position currently.

 

Hi TS, I could understand how you feel about making those decisions, when i got my 2a i bought an RVF instead of any other bikes.

 

As a rvf rider for nearly 2 yrs, i would agree with the replies stating that its problematic, my rvf was no less than quite a bit of headache on the 1st year to me as i encounter a few breakdowns, old leaks, etc etc. i spent quite a bit to fix back everything to original condition.

 

I did not ride a s4 before however my experience on my rvf was super awesome when i fixed it up. In the processing of handling the problems i also learnt quite a bit of knowledge abt bikes also. Rvf is a very stable and powerful 2a sports class, also to consider about rvf is that its a breakthrough during those old times of biking technology. Imagine an upside down fork, v engine, single swing arm and most notable is that unique engine sound when u rev it. Honda did not really create such kind of bike anymore ever since rvf ceased production.

 

Neverthless, an old bike is always an old bike, there will be never end problems may it be small or big. Even when i ride it now the fear of breaking down anything still went through my mind. Currently im in the transition of trading in my rvf for my class 2, i be pushing into shop near end of feb =) original paintwork with certified micron exhaust, shop is along bukit merah. Do look out if u wanna get it, internally n externally i alnost changed everything lol. Japan imported stock =)

 

Regardless of what i think its ur decision that matters, like earlier replied if u can find a really good condition rvf u might wanna get it. Good luck !

[Heathx]

Initially my rvf was quite fked. I think I spent total nearly 6k to build it to current condition, also a bit of luck helped me when a car knocked down my parked bike so i got fresh coat of stock paintwork for free

 

whoa... 6k + initial 7-8k = 13-14k!

 

almost enough for brand new 2a bike!

 

But yeah, RVF is an experience. That's why it's so hard to make the decision i guess.

 

I have spent 1.3k on my SP so far, and that maintenance thing is putting me off a little in my consideration of 2a bike. Haiz...

[Jehuty]

Simple la, you plan on getting a 400cc, do you ride anywhere beyond Singapore? If not, DRZ good enough. Singapore road don't need 150km/h above.

[Heathx]

me, i made up my mine liao... i'm getting S4 when the time comes... but will always gian RVF, cos i am a motogp fan and a sports bike fan... It's just a pity that 2a class has very few 400cc sports bikes. Newer models all 250cc only...

 

While bro Jehuty is practical, but sometimes, the experience is what we all seek! Everyone knows 2a more than enough for SG roads, but want to at least experience different bikes different cc. Maybe when we all mature in biking liao, will take a laid back approach and just ride Super4 for commuting, or DRZ for those prefer motocross look. Biking is a journey lah! different people different roads!

 

No offence to anyone!

[hhnn]

I made up my mind too. and Bought a very nice super 4

Thank you everyone for their precious comments!

You guys are awesome