What was your first bike?

I think what Joseph has already learned is that one bike is never enough

I love how the second he gets access to a couple of new bikes, he racks up 3500 miles on them in two weeks! Damn near twice as many miles as I do in a year these days! Well played!

Give Joseph a permanent job! He’s got a great personality and his enthusiasm and how articulate he is is perfect for bike vids.

Look at the size of that ZXR400 compared to those modern bikes... What a battleship!

The ZXR400 is a fantastic choice of bike. And it won’t depreciate when you want to move up again.

Now THAT is a proper test of new bikes. My guess is that Joseph is going to be a biker for many years to come. Excellent piece of motorcycle journalism.

He definitely bought the right A2 bike. Way way cooler than the other two.

Warms my heart to see young riders this keen for riding. Takes me back.

What a cool young guy...need more of him in the world.

The ZXR400 still looks gorgeous.. I have a ZXR750H2 which of all my bikes is my favourite. Just the looks alone make them worth owning. Prices for the ZXR’s, big and small are climbing.. especially if all original and good condition. My first big bike after passing my test in ‘89 was a Honda VF400F.. I’m old so maybe most don’t know what it is.. but It was epic after riding a Honda NS125F 2T. Good days. 😊

Great video. Love the new rider perspective and love that he was ultimately most happy with the bike that emotionally stirred him the most. The reason most of us get into motorcycling in the first place, the way they make you feel. The little Kawi is still a beauty after all these years.

I had a Honda RVF400. It was an amazing bike. Sounded incredible and had tons of power for a beginner!

I used to have that exact ZXR as my first ever motorcycle back in the early 2000s. Great machine and fun memories of tearing around London upsetting the neighbours on it.

I was one of those who made a mistake of going from R3 to R6 after 6 months of riding. Sure it was fun going straight fast but I couldn't even control the bike at that point. I ended up selling the R6 and got a street triple and it's been the best experience ever for the past 2 years.

There is just something about an inline 4. the scream and decel pops just sounds so awesome. Good choice young man!

The old ZXR 400 will always be the king in my books, they dont make them like that anymore, nowadays you get fuel injection and a bunch of computers controlling everything not to mention the emission restrictions. Sure they need lots of maintenance but its alot of fun and teaches you more about how to fix and maintain things.

That ZXR takes it already in looks alone! I had an NC30 as my first love, and truly nothing came better after it.

Zxr400 was my first bike many years ago and if I could I would have another now, awesome bike

My second bike was a ZXR400 back in the mid 90s, great to see a youngster enjoying one

I’m a ZX4rr guy through and through, but that Honda really is just a bangin’ bike in so many ways. It has everything you need and more. Just have to be honest with yourself about how much you really want a truly razor sharp sports bike, because that’s the one thing it really just isn’t. If you’re like most people, the bike is damn near perfectly balanced overall. Reliability, fuel economy, insurance, maintenance, comfort, balance, torque for real life on the streets, and insanely good looking. It’s also damn cheap for a bike many people would never feel the need to sell, while somehow still being an excellent first bike(just know yourself and be careful, of course). I on the other hand really do have to have all those damn revs and the up/down quick-shifter.

I actually started riding 3 years ago on this exact zxr 400 in the same colors. I miss it so much. It's such a special and good looking bike. Excited for the zx 4 r

This is why I'm really excited for the new ZX4-RR. All the excitement of the old ZXR400 but with all the modern components and reliability.

My 2nd bike was a ZXR400, and I absolutely loved it. Wish I still had it

I had a ZXR400SP, the one with the flat sided cards,etc which I raced....and it fucked off !!! What a brilliant bike !! It screamed and moved and handled and I loved it !!!!

Great video. After 37 yrs riding, loads of bikes and miles behind me, all too often I view biking with a degree of cynicism. I'm envious of the enthusiasm shown here by Joseph, his impressive level of insight and knowledge and the early days of what clearly is going to be a great biking journey for him. Takes me back to my first big bike, a used and tired 1977 GS550 and a few weeks after buying it riding to Germany with no waterproofs, map or breakdown cover (about all you could get back then!!). Ah, the sweet naivety long since lost to shiny tech, reliable bikes and decent kit.

The ZXR is an evergreen! I bought the ZX-7RR P1 in 1996 & it is still my favourite Spots bike ❤

Brilliant review. Older bikes will teach newer riders so much more than sterile, modern bikes. It'll teach you about the mechanical side as much as the riding. Enjoy your ZXR400.

I'm almost 66. My first bike was in 1973, when still at school, a 1953 BSA A7 500cc twin that had pulled a sidecar for 20 years beforehand. It had a bare metal seat and downpipes with no silencers. I used to use it through a right of way that ran through the local golf course and to Forestry Commission land beyond. My pal Paul, who died very recently and suddenly had a Triumph 500 with no exhausts whatsoever. We were 16 at the time and neither of us wanted a Garelli or Yam FS1E moped. Passed my test on a Suzuki GT250M two stroke at 17 and immediately part exed it for a year old Trident T150V, the previous owner being a purchaser of new ones, year on year. I've had a naked SV thou for almost 18 years, come this July.

Awesome to hear a young guys feelings about bikes and biking!

Joseph is a cool lad with a cool ZXR. Great video and top conversation.

Good lad ! Kawasaki is a no brainer ! Real, properly built bike, not like the today's small bikes where you can feel the cheapness of built quality. The new 4 cylinder is an exciting fresh air for younger riders though. Definitely more attractive than R7, maybe the only rival is the 660 Aprilia. In that test you could have included the Yamaha RD just as a reference.

The kawasaki zxr400 is definitely the right choice.

Passed Cat A in 2018. Had a brand new Z650 in 2018 (very similar to the MT-07 in every way). Got the arm pump and the wind buffeting and feeling tired on it alot, went to part ex it the year after. A 2013 CBR500R was sitting there on the top floor by itself, thought that looks nice. Sat on it and fell in love with it. Could have had any capacity cc bike in the shop in full power, but chose this instead. Haven't regretted it one bit, I hear other men saying "I wouldn't be seen dead on that" at previous biker meets and I'm thinking you have probably never ridden your superbike further than Matlock (40miles away). Where I've been hundreds of miles in a day on this bike. Plus I find it has a more comfortable seat, peg position and wider bars than the newer 2016 onwards CBR500R's.. 🤷

Really like Joseph and 100% agreed with everything. When Neeves was walking towards him at 18:40 when Josephs chain wasn't lubed had me. It's how every judgemental bike mechanic treats me when i hand in my workhorse mt-07 with a bad chain and bold tires.

Love the old school kawasaki.

You bought the best one. That zx4 is beautiful. Anyone who rides knows how important it is that when you park up for a coffee that people stop to check out your bike. They'll certainly do that with the zx4

ZXR400 is an amazing bike

I still ride my 95 GSXR 750,,,it still scares me,,,and is a wrestling match sometimes. Love it

Great video and great to see young lads still lapping up biking

Michael's comment "if the Fireblade was as comfortable as the CBR500R..." is bang on the money; certainly I would have one in my garage.

Thanks for making this video. It might seem niche but us A2 lot do exist! The more videos like this, the more the young generation will come through. Although, as someone with an A2 restricted inline 4 I must disagree that a non restricted bike is the better A2 option. The linear top end power and scream is unmatched, the restrictor means it just doesn't power wheelie or break rear traction.

I currently own a FZR400 1988 yamaha in custom 80's TT racing colours, its a beautiful bike and so smooth to ride, the only thing is finding parts for it is very hard being almost 40 years old

Impressive levels of enthusiasm....oh to be young again and inspires me to do some miles....

Great video guy's. I'm now 61 on a gsxs1000 but back in the day i would dream of a zxr 400 never got one but many years later had a f3 zx6r it was fantastic. Can't wait to see what's next. Terry from Sutton coldfield

Great video. Fair play to Joseph, his knowledge, enthusiasm and understanding of biking is way beyond his years and experience. Good to see. And great choice of first big bike, I’ve got an NC30 which is ridiculous and awesome all at the same time.

Joseph belongs in front of the camera. Great reviewer! Very entertaining episode

Great video and good effort giving them a proper ride across the country

You two make a great team! Genuinely Fun, Engaging and makes we want to do a road trip. Keep up the good work. 🏍

I had a ZXR400 back in the 90's. I traded in a ZXR750 to get it and I absolutely loved it

Smart lad! He won't lose any money on the ZXR, very, very collectable now! Better built than the others, and easier to service, minimal electronics - less to go wrong. Viable for a Classic Insurance too, if that's the path he wants to go down.

Those ZXR400 are fantastic 2nd or 1st bikes. I brought mine many years ago before I had even passed my test. 2nd Bike ZXR750M1 IN FRENCH colours Red White and Green 😍😍😍😍

That zxr400 is amazing. I’d never be able to get rid of it though

The ZXR looks freakin legendary. The CBR looks really good. The MT.. well I'm sure it has other qualities

As someone that's used to Harley's (2011 street bob bought new) my 2020 z900 is my first actual "fast bike "

I only watched the intro before thinking "Yes, Joseph bought the right bike". Just look at it! BTW, my first bike was a CB450S - still have it 8 years later

Those ZXRs were such great fun.

My first big bike was a TDM900, ended up with a Kawasaki Versys 650 after it though and love the versys. Even though stock exhaust blew up. Still best bike ive ever had.

Really cool you went for such a unique bike, make it your own and will potentially be cheaper to repair/maintain. Enjoy it, stay safe, and hope to see you out on the roads!

I'd go for the Honda, looks good...Andre.

Great video.. I love these types of revues. Personal experience rather than just a spec list.

Oooof. I definitely didn’t follow this path. Started on a DR-Z400SM, and 2,000 miles later I traded it in for a 2020 Katana. Freeeeedoooooom!!!! 🇺🇸

Would you buy the new Zx4rr?

Very enjoyable video! I'm not in the market for any of these bikes, but it was fun enjoying the enthusiast of this young driver and the different options a new rider has in this segment.

Great video - loved it. Great to see a new rider so knowledgable and in love with bikes. He bought with his heart and not his head :) i'm sure he will have many, many bikes. What a guy - rode to John O Groats one weekend and Lands End the other !!!!

I like Joseph. Did he buy the right bike? Yes and twice on Sundays. That ZXR makes the other two look like boring, bland, generic commuters - which to a great extent is what they are. The "CBR" shouldn't even be wearing the badge because its a CB500 in a frock and worse than that it makes less power than the original 90's CB500 which its been dragged on from. The MT looks like every other naked and you would lose it in a car park among other bikes but then it also has to be restricted so it rides like a diesel and I agree with Michael - buy a bike that doesn't need restricting if you can because a heavily restricted engine is really no fun at all. Of course thats more difficult when the options are so limited because on the regs at the moment even that 90's CB500 would need restricting - heck even an old CX500 would. Maybe its time for the rules to get a wake up and get a power level where modern, reasonable bikes can still fit in. Lets be honest a Blandit 650 is hardly a missile or hard to ride and the same goes for all the bikes you would imagine should be a decent big bike - SV650, NC750, F900 and all the rest. Indeed the thought of having to restrict a ZXR400 is madness to me since it (and all the 400's and 250 2t's) was already developed as a Japanese license-friendly bike in the first place. Joseph gets it. Bikes don't have to be comfy or great commuters. There are plenty of those. Bikes like the ZXR are bikes you buy with the heart because they stir passion you simply can't find on the cookie cutter, designed by committee stuff that every maker seems compelled to throw out now. The ZXR brings excitement, exhileration, wow factor, in your face looks, a really great sound, real pedigree and that feel of a genuinely developed bike rather than some stickers or a fairing on whatever happens to be knocking about. If I opened my garage to find the MT or "CBR" I would be ok with that - they aren't offensive or anything - but thats the entire point. Do you want to be unoffensive or do you want to open the garage and go "WOW!" every single time? For enjoyment of ownership that ZXR takes the mick out of the other two and its hands down the best bike by a country mile - not because it can commute or go down a motorway but because once you have owned that you will never want to be without a bike.

Very interesting video. Keep checking in with Joseph, he’s a champ. Maybe a first track day with Neevesy

I'm at the other end of my biking 'career', yet this was fascinating & enjoyable. Thanks!

Brilliant video - enjoyed that. ❤

A motorcycle has to be an emotional experience! I foresee the bikes from the 2000’s gaining in popularity due to the lack of refinement.

Loved this video. The right spirit.

Great lad Joseph! Glad to see there are young riders like him! And I share the opinion that the right bike is the one the stirs your emotions the most. Having an old ZXR750L myself that is the bike I’ll never sell!

Good lad! Fantastic to see such an enthusiast. And with neevesy as your yoda, what a start to your career. Fantastic.

ZXR's are beautiful I'd take it any day over any of the modern comparisons.

I would recommend Joseph does the test of the new Kawasaki 400 when it arrives and do a comparison to his old one. Great video though Joseph.

Great video!

Great video love this format keep them coming 😊

I just bought mine first big bike about a month ago, bought the Suzuki GSX-S750. Have years of downhill biking experience and 3 seasons a on a 4 stroke 250cc dirt bike. I was on fence if I should get something like the MT-07, SV650 but I didn't want to grow out of the bike too quickly. I have just put over 2000km on the 750 and must say it was the right choice and I am glad I haven't bought the less powerful bike as I am pretty sure I would be bored on it by the end of the season...

What a great video!

Wow that zxr 400 is beautiful. Put together better than todays bike.

Great to seen another young sports 400 rider. I bought myself an nc30 when I was 20, 3 years later and I've got no plans of getting any other bike.

Awesome video. I really enjoyed that. I especially enjoyed when you called him out on the state of the chain on the Honda! 😂. Best!

Cracking review, and what a cracking first bike, it's a thing of beauty, fully agree, for practical, everyday, no fuss it would be the Honda but the Kawasaki just looks so amazing you could forgive it's quirks and old school faults, bet it has a real sense of occasion riding it.

Nice video, congrats on the beautiful ZXR!

Awesome, detailed, relevant insight!

Cracking video. Thank u. I am about to buy a 400. And then do my direct access and this video helped tremendously 🎉

Top lad. Brilliant - his youthful folly but passion makes this video- we need more lads like him coming into biking

ill have to get a ZXR400 to sit next to my fzr400, i am also 22 years old on my A2 licence, and picking up a 90s 400cc was a no brainer, so much fun to ride and you cant beat the looks and sounds! ( its great to see the old 400cc still being in videos to this day)

I was in this exact situation. Didn't like how exhausting and low end focussed the mt07 was that I passed my test on. Test rode the honda and absolutely loved it. Comfortable and power is perfect for being able to properly ring out some gears on the road. Handling is super agile. Only complaint is I can't hear the engine above 40mph. Around town it sounds great though. ZX-4RR looks right up my street. Big fan of the sound. If honda make one that's as pretty as the cbr500r I'd probably swap in a few years. Great video :)

awesome vid.

I miss my zxr 400, I had one 20 years ago. Purple and black

I'm so grateful that I live in America and got to learn on a 90s Yamaha Vmax when I was 20. Those were the days. Went "down" to a CBR600 and now I'm where I enjoy it, the GSXR750. I understand the concept of the A class and safety systems, but it almost feels wrong in this country having somebody tell you "no" to hopping onto something 200% too powerful 😅

Great video

future MCN employee right there. well done lad

As a first big bike you want to keep learning. Being uncomfortable is part of it 😂 Zxr400 all the way 👊🏻 Though I have a cbr400rr & vfr400 in the shed 💁‍♂️

I would pick ZXR400. Every time.

I loved this video and Joseph was bang on about all three bikes and I think you need one of each. A classic screamer from the 80s or 90s for a bit of fun and attention a sports tourer for long rides and holidays and a fun naked for back road blasts. I'm in my 50s now and own an 80s TZR250 a Ninja 1000sx and new Hornet all very different bikes that I use for different things. If I was Joseph as much as I would love the 90s 400 for an only bike it would be the Honda everytime. My first bike after passing my test in 1990 was a TZR250 2ma which I loved but it was only 3months old so pretty reliable then and everyone had 250s and 400s then. Things have moved on though.

Go for CBR650R.. you can limit it to A2, but when you ready it has 94hp.. so it feels like a proper motorcycle.

I was 19 on a zxr400 restricted back in 2000 loved it absolutely loved it

Really looking forward to the ZX-4R!