What's the point of getting a bigger cc bike?

I was planning to get a Honda CB400 super 4 when I get my mid tier license. Its a commuter bike with a somewhat sporty engine. 399cc & 190km/h max speed. The fun starts when the Vtec kicks in at abt 6500rpm.

Now I was planning a to get a Honda CBR600rr or CBR1000rr sportsbike when I upgrade my license to open category in future. Thats the dream. But very sadly I learnt they are not pillion friendly. The tourers/sports tourers eg Goldwing or VFR1200 are just too big relative to my physical size & beyond my budget. The VFR800x doesn't look attractive enough. So that leaves me with the NC700 a twin 700cc engine which has similar power output & topspeed with the super 4. In any case i've seen videos of a sprint race betn the super 4 & the NC700 & the super 4 wins hands down. I'm not so concerned about top speed ( which street on the planet allows you that privilage other than the track?) but acceleration is important to me. Moreover twins sound horrible!

So in my case it just doesn't make any sense to get the NC700 - paying more $$ for the bike & more expensive insurance when its performance is the same as a 400cc bike.

So I think i would just go for the open category license but stick to the super 4. What do you think?

Get whatever bike you want. Move up when you want. Just because your license moves up don't mean you have to get a bigger bike. When you say twins sounds horrible, do you mean inline twins? Because those aren't that great. But V-twins have a nice rumble to them typically and I like them. Kind of like V8s in cars. Sport bikes with inline 4s have a nice sounds too. I have a Honda GL500, has a sideways V-twin, and is a standard/touring bike. Rides great, handles good, only goes about 100mph. I also have a Yamaha YZF600R Thundercar, rides and handles excellent, and goes about 155mph. Which I frequently hit on the highways, it's my life. Ever thought about that? Why not have 2 bikes that are different, just pick whichever you feel like riding that day. That's what I do. I thought about getting a larger sport bike, but 155mph is plenty and it still gets like 44mpg and goes 180+ miles per tank. So can't really complain or see the need to upgrade.

400's are perfectly capable enough for everyday use on the road. They have decent performance for what they are. A lot of people only upgrade because they get to used to the power, and eventually get bored or fancy a change. If you feel that you can live with a 400, then why not? Cheaper costs aswell compared to a higher CC motorcycle.

The nc700 is basically a cut down Honda car engine, it is intended to produce amazing mpg figures.

There are plenty of alternatives that will carry a pillion in comfort and still give decent speed and handling.

The big cruisers are best for long distance touring. Years ago my brother used to have a Honda CX 500 and Goldwing riders said it was more comfortable.

Andy C

Bigger engines do better under load. You by yourself would be hard pressed to see the difference between a Say CBR 600 or a cbr1000 (examples) but if you add luggage and or a pilon you will see a vast difference.
Which is why you rarely see a skinny guy on a Hyabusa

Bikers meet all over the place at favourite sites; why not go to such a place and speak with them and gain their thoughts on what line to follow, at the same time glance over the bikes and talk about the pro's and con's of different types AND more importantly the best tyres for road grip and control.

The bigger/heavier bike is much more comfortable to ride. You don't get a lot of the bouncing around that you get with a light weight bike.

Most bigger engine bikes give you a lot more togue and better accleaeration, . OK, Harleys don't but they're an exception.
if you want a sport tourer then there not much to choose between them. Ok, the ZZR1100 can touch 180mph but not tothe a passenger and gear.
I personally wouldn't use a 400/4 for my holidays…