Mood: Channel Swim is now a (bad) memory not a dream
£1900 for a NC29, you've got to be kidding, although it does look tidy, you'll get an NC30 for that or even an average NC35, (I've had both). Is a CBR400 an NC29 in any case, I thought it was the VFR400 series with the NC tag, no? The cbr was the 'baby blade' and was never worth the money the VFR series was/is. If you're thinking of a 600 money, then get a decent RVF400rr (NC35), for a novice you'll go just as quick if not quicker and it'll handle and feel better for the vertically challenged and will hold its value better as well. look at 400greybike.com or similar address can't recall it exactly, loads of info and for sale.
Actually £1900 is a good price for a NC29 Baby Blade there is one on the Autotrader website at the moment and thats at £2350. Also the a NC29 (CBR400RR) was the last bike to win a Lightweight TT in the hands of John McGuiness, Pete Thompson on his CBR400RRs also won both of last years NG 400 Championships so i can't see how they can be thought of as a lesser bike than any of the V4s. The NC30 (VFR400R) costs more to run and unless you rev the nuts off them they don't do much, also the 18" rear wheel is a pain, the NC35 (RVF400) is a blinding bike but again service costs are up on the CBR. But if we are talking easiest to touch the ground when sat on by short riders then the NC29 wins hands down and as this is the point of the post (safely getting ones feet down) then I would say it was an important factor.
Lots of the Honda 400s had NC designation check out the NC23 and NC24 ones a V4 and the other a IL4
If you want to stick to the Ducati Line (Dosen't everybody ?) you could het her some Helibars on the front. I am "small" (no not in that department) and the Heli bars took a lot of strain from the riding position.