Racing a Ninja 400

Wanted to pose a question for the guys racing 400's.

I'm trying to find a cheaper way to continue club racing on a newer bike and it seems like the ninja 400 is a viable option for that. The problem is I'm 6' 200 pounds, looking for some feedback on that.

Any bigger guys that club race a 400? Opinions on how that would be?

I'm not trying to win every race I enter, I'd just like to have fun and be somewhat competitive without breaking the bank. Currently racing a sv650 but I'm just sick of dealing with the problems associated with having a 15 year old bike.

 

'Elvis' up at Loudon, AKA Rick Doucette is racing an R3 IIRC, and he's a not small gentleman.

 

Only 200lbs?!?!! LIGHTWEIGHT!!!!

 

what kind of problems are you having with the SV?

 

Fix the problems on the SV and keep racing it. I assume it’s a 2nd gen?

 

Clapped out SV?
What's the problem?

 

Do it!
Since you're frustrated with your older SV race bike now you might want to start with a fresh, unmolested street bike, so you don't inherit someone else's issues.

 

Hoping to learn from big guys riding low hp/lightweight bikes…

 

I'm 6'2" 210lbs and 2nd season racing a 400. You'll have to work a little harder to get around the kids but otherwise it's been a blast. The 400 is super reliable and easy on parts, tires, and even fuel. I've got enough trophies I can't complain about my weight penalty too much.

regular race mods like clip-ons and rear sets will be adjusted to your size anyway, so I say:

 

Ive never ridden either but folks seem to think SVs handle well. The ninja 250s 300s 400s are not praised for their handling.

 

I am 6'2", 185lbs and got within 3.5 seconds of a MA junior cup polesitter's record at our local track. The weight will slow you down, obviously, but the height is what killed me. I wasn't so much as pushing on the bars as perched directly over them. But they are great bikes, easy to work on, and they crash so well and cheaply. Go for it!

 

I'll race anything. The 400 does just fine.


Me and Bubbles:

 

Thanks for all the input guys

 

You could always upgrade to a 3rd gen SV.

 

I’ve considered getting another second gen to at least have two shitboxes to bounce between when one has problems haha

 

Here’s proof I’ll build and ride anything


Do it!!

 

The gardener called. He would like the wheels for his wheelbarrows back.

 

It gets worse. It was an alcohol powered “Briggs” based go kart motor that made 18hp on the dyno. To quote Forrest Gump. “I am not a smart man”.
It threw me down like a rag doll after looping it over

 

So YOU are the mini bikes bitch..