Moto Yamaha FZR 400 RR

At the beginning of the season in 2003 I became the owner of the model FZR 400 RR 1990, destined for the Japanese market. Definitely wanted sportbike - needed a bike to take the soul at the weekend. I bought what was at that time. I got the bike after a full bulkhead, so, despite his age, was in good condition. It only remained to paint it, put the plastic, and the finish of detail. Previous owner replaced the clutch, spark plugs, front wheel bearings, brake pads, bearings, steering column, rear tires, driven star, the lower cross arm, straight-through muffler set-reinforced brake hoses (front and rear), held ultrasonic cleaning carburetors. The benefits of such innovations are obvious: price, weight, and as it turned out - security.


Embryo
Planting a purely sporting with a pronounced tilt forward. When dynamic drive (and no other way to get) a big load on his hands does not allow long-range force. When riding with a passenger load on the hand doubles as the second number is practically hanging off the back first, and when braking is trying to put you in the tank. Sitting purely conventional, keep silence about the passenger at all (what it is, in principle). In order to see anything in the mirrors, we have to shift the body away. Broad-shouldered on my bike is very tight. However, this is the only problem is my bike, because the mirror he installed. Because they cut off the fairing (mirror) rose slightly narrower than the standard. What is wanted, and got it - it's sports equipment. Seat height is small, is more suitable for people of low and medium height (the bike was initially calculated only on the Japanese market). The furthest trip - it is 40 km from  highway. Comfortable average speed of 120-140 km / h, and then begins to blow and felt a slight vibration. When compared to the villages YZF R6, then planting it seemed to me tourist in comparison with my FZR. In a word - racing machine, suitable for the city and its small width makes it possible to squeeze where other bikes stop.
Indications analog speedometer and tachometer are easy to read, warning lights (neutral, oil pressure, rotation, beam) from the eye slightly closes the brake fluid reservoir. The only thing missing - a reserve fuel light bulbs, or at least switch to the reserve. Ride mileage: 200 km - for refueling. Once full tank - 230 km. By the way, FZR 600, FZR 1000 established a similar instrument panel, but with a greater scale of the speedometer.

Dynamics
 On the odometer 39,000 miles. There was one problem - the timing chain rattle (with automatic tensioner). Poured oil Liqui Moly Racing Synth 4T 10W50 (this was before the Q8 SBK Racing 15W50) Liqui Moly additive added to the molybdenum. The noise disappeared by itself. I do not know what help: oil or additive, but the result pleased, would otherwise have to disassemble the motor (the chain is between the cylinders). A little annoying in the urban bustle of a very short grip (included at the end of the lever) and the reluctance to go to the lower part of the motorcycle. But this is not a problem of this bike, and cubing features and class motorcycle. The motor, as well as I do not like to ride with a passenger: to maintain decent momentum, it has a good twist. This sin of all motorcycles, about six blocks. In the first five gears easily tachometer needle goes into the red zone up to 16 000 rev. / Min. Further, the second transfer, at position 200 km / h the engine is limited to 12 500 rev. / Min., And a feeling that someone behind you holds. Limiter is activated, which is set in the speedometer in the form of a plate, it then sends a signal brain, and they in turn motor. That's the whole secret. If you remove the plate and put the tuning switch can increase the maximum speed of 10-15 km / h In town the engine is usually steeper at most 10 000 rev. / Min. (Maximum torque is achieved at 9500 rev. / Min.), Although the red sector starts with 14,000. Sound of the engine at such speeds, thanks to forward flow, do not be confused with any other. Less than 100 km / h to go dull, tired more than 160. If you do not notice the dynamic driving no load. Departures for one season, has changed all of the filter. Going to the 95th gasoline. I tried to pour 98th, but the difference did not feel neither I nor the bike. Fuel consumption has not changed. Average consumption in the city 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers. If you really crank the gas - consumption increases up to 8 liters. Outside the city at a constant rate - 5 liters per 100 kilometers. Small tank - 15 liters. By transmission complaints. All transfers are included explicitly in any engine temperature, without any extraneous sounds. Is that the first transmission of a cold engine is included with some loud jerk. Neutral is caught without a problem, as on the move, and on the spot. We had a few days to drive without traction (rope broke.) In a certain range of engine speeds (5-8 K) the transfer switch is easy, just after the discharge gas. A little more difficult to drop it and get a move on, had a little push apart the bike. The cooling system operates at five plus. Temperature indicator needle when moving around the city in the most difficult circumstances is not more than half of the scale. And to turn the fan on, you must stand still for a long time to twist the throttle.

Chassis
Rama DELTABOX first generation marked the beginning of a whole family yamaha aluminum frames, which serve as the basis for sportbikes this brand to this day (to confirm DELTABOX V for a Yamaha YZF R1 2004). At the time of release of the bike a little, and even what 400 cc could boast of such a masterpiece.
Brakes. As for the front, then just two fingers to instantly stop the bike with any speed. Under certain skills the bike is easy on the front wheel (diameter brake discs - like the R6). However, to realize the full potential of the front brake, it's time to change the front tire, a couple of times already had to catch the bike under braking. Two disc brakes with braided hoses do their job well. Rarely use the rear brake (mostly when I travel with a passenger). It does not have enough information content, it is difficult to capture the moment when the wheel is locked. And the sense of it is small, because when heavy braking the center of gravity shifts forward and the rear wheel is practically hanging in the air.
    The rear shock absorber has a high stiffness, which is quite acceptable for the city, but for the ring, I think it's a little. There are adjustable in spring preload. The front fork deserves respect: 43 mm tubes, plus a powerful lower cross member (made in Kiev), the laws of physics do not allow it to twist under braking. As a rule, classic 400 cc those years there is a problem. The plug can also adjust the preload on the springs.

Bus
Tires Dunlop D 207 Sportmax in the front and rear in all weather conditions was satisfied. Due to the wheels 17 tire selection is very large. There is one small caveat: if you keep a tire pressure as specified in the instructions (2.0kRa front and rear 2.5 kPa), then, when braking, the wheels are blocked too early. Usually I go with 1.8 kPa and 2.3 kPa, front rear, while the bike a little lacking in dynamics, but the inhibition becomes more predictable.
Do I need a steering damper on 400 cc? As for me, so you can ride without it. Although, if you want, and you can deliver, plus it will not be exact, because there are times when the steering wheel pulls out of hand. Generally this happens during an intense overclocking at running at roughness. But the important thing is not to interfere in this process and stabilize the bike itself.
Of course, if you put a number YZF R1 2004, the ''Fieser'' (FZR) a few'' fades'', but we must not forget that the bike for 14 years. To refresh it a bit, some changes were made in his image. Installed over the rear wheel fender, which also serves as a shock absorber protecting from dirt and grease from the chain catcher, flying on foot and motorcycle. The front wing in the style of R1, turn signals from Luis, steering loads, picked up the label. Headlights-lens of today look decent. Although the power of light (especially the headlights) is somewhat inferior to modern lights.

Service and Parts
With regard to service the bike. First, the bike was delivered for a long time in Europe with minor changes, and enjoyed great demand in the UK, where it is usually used for its intended purpose - to participate in national competitions for highway-ring races. So any spare parts can be ordered from an authorized dealer YAMAHA. All the parts fit on the European model, the only difference is in the spotlight: Japan and the UK it with two lamps, for all other markets with one. Change consumables (filters, oil, etc.) try in the winter, so that during the season only to fill in petrol and smeared chain (500-1000 km). For repairs motorcycle there are no difficulties at all yamaha understandable and accessible. Strongly yet got to the spark plugs. I had to remove the tank, air filter and then got to the candles. Although the full amenities can be removed and the radiator. The mother was not the battery. The original is expensive. So after much searching had bought a regular 12-volt, 7-(instead of the original 8) amp battery for power tools for 65. I use it almost 6 months, until problems arise.
In general, although modern 600 cc weight very close to 400 cc, and power is more than double the latter, none of the bike does not give you an easy to manage, and most importantly a sense of absolute control over it (which is very important for their safety, especially novice), as this little rocket. Nearly a year and a half, I have never doubted the correctness of the choice I made. If this bike was issued today, he probably would have called the R4.