10 Best 400cc Motorcycles of All Time

As the world of motorcycles continues to evolve, it’s important to remember the classics that got us to where we are today. MSW takes a look at the best 400cc motorcycles of all time, and we wonder if these can be always remembered by motorcyclists. From the Honda CBR400RR to the Suzuki GSX-R400, these bikes made a big impact on the motorcycle world and helped shape the future of the industry. We hope that motorcyclists will always remember these bikes and the impact they had on the sport.

In Japan, bikes like Honda’s ‘mini-RC30’ VFR400R and Yamaha’s FZR400RR were so popular that a domestic, factory-supported national racing championship soon followed. This in turn led to even more exotic, homologation-special ‘SP’ versions.

Honda’s 1994 NSR250R SP “MC28” is still considered one of the best production bikes to come out due to its 90º stroker twin and its exquisite chassis, which includes a Pro-Arm rear, “Smart Card” keyless ignition, and replica Luca Cadalora styling.

Check our listed best 400cc motorcycles, and find out if anyone of them was or is your ideal bike.

Honda CBR400RRThe CBR400RR is a bike that, despite its size, has all the features and design of a sportsbike. This CBR400RR was well taken care of and, from what I can tell from seeing other CBRs, this is a common condition for this model. The CBR400RR ages gracefully.

The CBR’s engine is very strong for a 400. It has a lot of torque and it can drive from low in the rev range. The ZXR and GSX-R don’t have as much torque, and they aren’t as frantic to ride. The CBR has a wider spread of power that makes it easier to ride. You don’t have to tap dance on the gear lever to overtake, and you don’t have to fry the clutch to pull away. It feels like someone took the power characteristics of a 600cc bike and shrunk them.

1988-1998 Suzuki GSX-R400Suzuki’s ‘baby Gixxer’ was available in a variety of models over its lifespan. However, none of these models were officially imported into the UK. The remaining models were the least popular of the Japanese 400 offerings in the UK. Additionally, they were never successfully raced over here. One possible explanations for this is the dominance of Suzuki’s two-stroke RGV model.

Although early models of don’t seem like they would have held up well, they’re actually now gaining classic status. Later versions of have inverted forks and more. Prices for these items are also on the rise.

1992-1996 Yamaha FZR400RROut of all the motorcycles, Yamaha’s transverse four was one of the most popular models from 1986. In fact, the original FZR1000 Genesis was available in Japan a year before it became available in other countries. The later models from 1990 were even better though.

The 400RR was a small, light, and focused bike that was very similar to the FZR1000. It was one of the best handling bikes at the time and the SP version was even better. It won the 1992 Supersport 400 TT. Although it was not as durable as the Honda NC30, it is very rare to find a good one today.

1991-2003 Kawasaki ZXR400Japanese supersport 400 was officially imported into the UK until 2003. Some pros of this bike include its availability and affordability. However, some cons include its diminished exclusivity and reduced ‘exotic’ appeal. Higher spec ‘SP’ versions are rare, although a few did come in as ‘greys’, as did some pre-1991 H1 and H2 versions.

The Kawasaki ZXR400 is a small, light, and powerful motorcycle that is known for being able to handle well. It is not a large motorcycle, and it does not have a lot of bells and whistles, but it can show you a good time on the open road.

1994-2000 Honda RVF400The successor to the NC30 was clearly modeled after the RVF750R/RC45, and while it is undeniably a beautiful bike, it was too late and too expensive to match the NC30’s popularity. With updated styling, inverted forks, and more practical wheel sizes (the NC had an 18-inch rear), the successor is the most modern of all the grey 400s – but still the priciest today.

The Honda RVF400 was a highly coveted race replica motorcycle in the mid-1990s. Unfortunately, Honda never officially brought the NC35 model (its factory code name) into the UK, much to the chagrin of bike fans. Many have found their way here as grey imports, however. The NC35 replaced the VFR400R (NC30), which Honda did import officially. It is a V4 400cc miniature version of the powerful RVF750R (RC45). It looks almost identical to its big brother, except for the small fox-eye headlights in place of the RC45’s “moon eyes.” It sounds great and is beautiful to behold.

KTM 390 AdventureKTM 390 Adventure has been a long time coming. After the addictively rorty, naughty 390 Duke was launched way back in 2013, imaginations started running wild. What if the Austrian dirt experts could take that same lightweight, approachable and addictively engaging recipe, but mix in several scoops of unmatched off-road expertise?

The 390 is a good beginner bike for people who want to try rally riding but are not experienced. It has suspension that is adjustable and longer than the Duke, which will help with obstacles. The front wheel is also taller, which will help it go over things. The new tyre sizes are 100/90 x 19 in the front and 130/80 x 17 in the back.

Bimota DB2 400 JuniorPowered by a Ducati 900SS motor from the early 1990s, the Bimota DB2 has sporty, all-enclosing bodywork that gives it a racy look. However, because of that Ducati lump, it isn’t the quickest bike. Nevertheless, it does have a beautifully engineered chassis, with great Brembo brakes and top quality Öhlins suspension to make up ground on the corners. The sound from the twin under-seat exhausts is another good reason to check out a DB2 if you’re ever lucky enough to see one. Collectors with…

The 400SS gives you the Ducati style with a 400cc motor. But how about Bimota style? The firm played its usual mix-and-match game, and since it already had the DB2 developed to suit Ducati’s 900cc V-twin engine, it made sense to bolt the baby 400cc Ducati motor into the same chassis and create a Japan-friendly model. Around 101 of the bikes were made, a small number but one that actually represents something of a success in Bimota terms… However, if you’re in the market for a Bimota now you’ll have more fun with the full-fat 900cc DB2.

Ducati 400SSThe 400SS, created mainly for the Japanese market with its capacity-restricting licence laws, was a mini version of the 750SS. Its problems started because it was too similar to the 750SS. According to DVLA statistics, there’s only ONE left on UK roads so it’s time to ask the question: forgotten classic or unlamented relic?

The 1991-1998 Ducati 400 SS was a two-cylinder, four-stroke motorcycle that struggled to produce 42 brake horsepower (bhp). This was significantly less power than its Japanese four-cylinder competitors. As a result, the 400 SS never caught on with buyers and was discontinued after only seven years on the market. The Ducati 400SS was an interesting oddball when it was first released and it’s even more interesting now. It’s hard to justify why someone would buy the 600SS over the 400SS, especially since the 400SS is limited to 47bhp. Today, the 400SS might be seen as a stepping-stone bike for those who want to get an A2 licence.
While Suzuki may have been one of the first manufacturers to release a modern superbike with the 1985 GSX-R750, it’s important to remember that this bike was really just an upgraded version of the GSX-R400 that came out in 1984. The original slab-side design is pretty cool, but it was upgraded to a beam frame in 1986 (long before the GSX-R750 would get one) and then revamped again in 1988 to get an even beefier frame as well as new looks.Back in 1989, Suzuki added a single-seat SP version to the GSX-R400R range. A year later, they returned to a two-seat design with the GSX-R400R SP. However, in 1990, they made a strange decision to go back to a single-seat design with a GSX-R750-style cradle frame. This frame style was unpopular with riders and remained unchanged until the model was discontinued in 1995.
The third Bimota on our list is the best one by far, and that’s mostly because it uses Yamaha’s FZR400 motor instead of the strangled Ducati 400 engine. The motor makes 65bhp, which is healthy, and despite the extra power, the frame is able to handle it thanks to the overkill design. The bodywork is also some of Bimota’s best, with 1980s proportions and twin round headlights.With over 300 made, the Bimota BB3 was a big success in terms of production. This means that finding one might not be as difficult as with some of the firm’s other, less mass-produced creations. Prices today for a BB3 in good condition with low mileage aren’t even that high – a 2285-mile one went for just £4901 on eBay last month. To put that into perspective, try finding an NC30 with comparable mileage for that price.motorcycling commentary complemented by regular reader offers, competitions and giveaways! We are totally committed to providing our readers with engaging motorcycle content and relevant offers. This is why we have achieved category leading growth in site traffic driven by regular original content coupled with an ongoing program of site development and optimisation. Motorbike Writer also fully leverages social channels to drive an industry leading proportion of site traffic, which demonstrates significant social traction and provides significant additional reach. If you have motorcycle insights or guest posts that want to share, please feel free to email us: congxinheuk@gmail.com
Bimota YB7
Suzuki GSX-R400R SP