twinpop wrote:I`ve been offered a absolutely pristine RVF400 it`s been maintained this way from the day it was imported.
...How do this to bikes compare to each other in performance and availability of parts etc.

I've raced both, and they're different answers to the same question: How to have fun on a little bike!?

The RVF is very flexible, very stable and very easy to live with.

The NSR is relatively peaky - 3000 rpm power band compared to 7000 rpm from the V4. However, since it weighs only 135kg and can make 65hp if properly set up, it is also a lot more fun to keep on the boil. Bear in mind that tuning the RVF up from it's standard 53hp costs quite a lot, whereas the NSR is pretty easy to de-restrict.

The NSR is relatively unstable, which translates into lighting corner changes - if you want them. You can set it up to steer slowly by adjusting the suspension setup. Since it is some 30kg lighter than the RVF you'll find braking somewhat sharper too.

It is pretty easy to live with, providing you use quality oil and stay on top of your maintenance - especially jetting. Muck around with it too much, and if you don't know what you're doing, you'll just seize it.

A lot of us found that out the expensive way, but if you read this site and learn from our mistakes, you won't have to!

Parts availability is still very good for the essential bits, though fairings are getting very rare. With such a good following, the NSR is not going to vanish through lack of pistons, bearings etc, as we'll just club together and get new parts made.

The 400's do have their place, and if you want something you can hop on in any weather to go chasing big bikes on it'll do the job. But if you want a bike that will make you grin every time you ride it, get attention wherever you park it, and embarrass the big bikes on a twisty road / racetrack, then an NSR is the way to go.
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