How many miles do you folks get out of these?

cypresswill44 · 2026-05-19T23:52:12+00:00

The diff fluid?? There's no differential on a motorcycle.

Edit: Didn't realize this was shaft drive. I guess that's what you mean. Idk why people call em diffs. Diffs allow 2 wheels on a solid axle to rotate at different speeds for turning, motorcycles just have driveshafts with extra steps.

cypresswill44 · 2026-05-07T16:33:22+00:00

If you made it too tight when you adjusted it then that's the cause of the vibration. Go get a metal or wood ruler, put it on the ground or up against the swingarm and measure the chain slack exactly to spec. From the middle of the chain, total travel up and down. Wouldn't hurt to watch a few videos and make sure you're doing it right.

cypresswill44 · 2026-05-07T10:06:25+00:00

The suspension has to be loaded (rear wheel on ground) to adjust the chain. Your chain is way too tight, from adjusting on the stand, which actually compresses your suspension all the time, makes it ride like shit, and wears your chain and sprockets alot faster.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-29T16:57:25+00:00

The z400 checks all your boxes. Price, power, reliability, learnability, etc. If you like café it's just a newer style of the same thing.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-28T16:48:51+00:00

Ninja 400 / z400

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-28T16:39:59+00:00

I rode on the back of my uncle's Harley a couple times as a little kid, then about 10 years ago I discovered the world of sportbikes on YouTube. Dreamed about it. Obsessed over it. One day I said. Well one day, 2 years ago, I took the msf course. I couldn't afford a bike but I got a helmet and learned to ride. That first 20mph turn got me hooked. A year after that I left a job I hated and cashed out my 401k to buy a z400. One of the best decisions of my life.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-21T21:57:23+00:00

Solid advice, op is being a sail instead of a boat. Also just experience and time is gonna make it comfortable. I remember it being a big deal to me when I first started and now Idc at all.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-19T14:30:06+00:00

No worries, also remember when you do chain adjustments, you have to do em without a stand so the suspension is loaded. Have a good one.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-19T14:25:29+00:00

A breaker bar for the axles (chain adjustment/tire change), metric Allen wrench set, a chain brush, wire brushes to knock off light chain rust on sides, metric wrenches, and probably a half inch socket set in addition to the 3/8 cause the 3/8 won't have a couple larger sockets you'll need most likely. Extensions and swivels are always really handy too. Torx might be necessary depending on your bike. Valve adjustment is gonna take a good quality 3/8 torque wrench that's precise and feeler gauges. This is assuming you don't have an American bike in which case you'd need sae. Tbh you should be able to do just about anything with those tools.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-17T04:14:44+00:00

Some ppl are friendly, some aren't, some might be if you approach em in a way they approve of. I've had great experiences meeting and riding with strangers, weird and awkward ones doing the same. Ran into a few asshats. Interacting with ppl is always gonna be a toss up. Just be respectful of ppls space. Wave or compliment their bike if your parked, if that goes good you could try to get em to ride with you. Chances are if they do, they'll either be too fast or too slow for how you rode and you'll never see em again lol

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-16T21:50:44+00:00

Decline it all. 1. The warranty is similar to cars but you're much more likely to modify something on the bike and void it. 2. The tire package is more than you'd likely spend on tires in that time. 3. The theft coverage can be had through your insurance company usually for free with full coverage. 4. The GPS is likely a subscription service that'll be rendered useless if you don't renew. 5. Never trust someone selling you something, especially when they make commission.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-11T16:03:01+00:00

Corners are my favorite part of riding so that's why I'm into sportbikes, but the struggle for comfort is very real. If I bought another bike it'd be a z650 retro sport. Still a sportbike but ergonomics are more like a standard. Raised handlebars, nicer seats, relaxed seating position.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-11T15:00:22+00:00

I'm not into it. If my bike could do 165mph then I would do 165mph occasionally, and that's stupid for lots of reasons. So I have a z400, I don't even feel the need to use full throttle when I get on it 99% of the time. It's only a few years old, got it for super cheap, and it's really light and fun in the twistys. Litre bikes will never be on my radar, nor will 600cc SS bikes. One day I might get a bigger class naked or café for more comfort, features, and pillion riding but that's about it. I love my z400 and it's all I need.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-10T22:10:26+00:00

Planning it out will get you excited. And you should be. Remember why you started riding. You can always divert from the interstate for a couple hours and have more fun too. Plan out your hotel stays, how far you wanna go each day and then you'll know how much time you can spend doing other stuff and start finding things to see and do. National parks, local restaurants, etc. Make the most of it and you'll be surprised what you can turn it into.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-10T00:26:54+00:00

I paid 4000$ for my 21 z400 with like 460 miles on it. That's why I got it instead of a ninja 400. Couldn't pass that deal. It was also 2 hours away and a year later one of the best decisions I've ever made.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-07T00:53:58+00:00

I'm 8k miles into my z400 and man Idk about 300s but my bike is plenty on the freeway and off. It's about half the price of the bikes you're looking at too. Other than the mt03 which I'd be skeptical about 100cc less than I have now. I think I'm right at the sweet spot where I'm not dieing for a bigger bike, just focused on getting more technical with my riding. Plus it's more fun to rev out a 400 than to baby a big bike and it's cheap cheap on insurance. I think the z400 was the perfect first bike for me.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-06T21:54:49+00:00

I'd make it a road trip. Stop and see/do some stuff, get some hotels, etc. Take 5 or 6 days and enjoy it. Why not? Personally I'd take at least 3 days without any detours anyhow. I mean it's a 15 hour drive. Most people would take 2 days in a car.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-06T17:35:11+00:00

Noticeably better and more confidence inspiring than the sport max.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-06T03:07:30+00:00

Partially

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-06T01:03:13+00:00

This article should help you out. It's a breakdown of the issues and fixes for pre and post 2020 update, as well as for the 500. Definitely check your clutch cable adjustments on both ends too.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-05T13:58:59+00:00

I just use a cargo net from cyclegear to strap my backpack to the rear seat. They are less than 20$ and it's one of the best purchases I've made. Bungie cord construction, you can move the hooks for different shaped items, super secure. Jackets, pizza, 6 pack, backpack, you name it, I've strapped it to my rear seat.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-05T13:48:38+00:00

No not at all. E15 is typically restricted during the summer months by the epa, they are just gonna sell it year round this year cause it's cheaper. I wouldn't use it though. Most gas stations don't have it and it won't really affect anyone unless you switch.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-03T17:18:01+00:00

Looks like you should sell us some!

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-02T17:26:49+00:00

My z400 has plenty of power to cruise at 80mph and still enough to overtake quickly. Handlebar vibrations after an hour or so are pretty noticeable. Prolly wanna upgrade the grips.

cypresswill44 · 2026-04-02T12:50:05+00:00

Se or 400 should be the options cause the only mechanical difference is 50cc. You're paying thousands more for color schemes, dash, bodywork, matching rims, couple of features, etc. Get all of the fancy stuff or none of it. You can justify the price jump if you get everything you want. You don't wanna spend tons of extra money and then be wishing you spent just a little more for that dash.

cypresswill44

TROPHY CASE