Yamaha SR400 Review | SR400 Honest Review
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- čas přidán 7. 03. 2018
- What's up everyone? Just a brief requested video today with a short yamaha SR400 review, this is just a quick SR400 honest review so sit tight and it will only take a few minutes!
The SR400 is a cool little modern retro motorcycle designed to go after the current trend of people getting back into classic motorcycles, but wanting better technology like fuel injection and disc brakes, so manufacturers have been making these modern classic motorcycles again.
This thing features a 400cc four stroke single cylinder engine, fuel injection, kick-start ONLY, disc brake on the front, drum brake on the rear. Not a great highway bike, but awesome in town and on back roads!
This video was requested, so keep your comments and questions coming, and I will keep answering them on my ask a motorcycle guy series! - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Good review but I would have mentioned that it’s built in Japan at the same factory that has been
Putting them out since the 70’s. That, the lack of cheap plastic, and the Yamaha name, all add up to very high build quality--and that’s your high sticker price!!
i wish it wasn't. i live in the philippines and we have BMW and harley but the same problem. only 1 dealer in 400 mile radius. and if that dealer is not your best friend then........
naw hes right. i love yamaha but 6 grand?
@@saltybadger356 funny your comment hit me hard. Usually I’m impervious.
Seems I didn’t listen to my brain and instead followed emotion and bought a Harley Low Rider. Cost me 3K more than the SR400.
And what a POS. 10/10 for looks, 5/10 for performance and 0/10 for reliability. I ended up putting another 8K into it over 3 years.
I had sold my SR400 to the neighbour kid and he still has it and has put NOTHING into it, save for regular maintenance. 🤦♂️
That 6k was well worth it. Or I should say would have been well worth it.
Thank you the review man! Found a good one here in town, very well may pull the trigger and buy it. Gorgeous bike. Your info is super helpful. Thank you for doing what you do.
Nothing like having a bike review and never showing the bike lol
Yeah just his fkin head .
Defo wont watch this fkin asshole again .
Joseph Aleman
You do realize the photo of the bike is in the upper right corner for the whole video, right?
Yeah, we didn’t get to see anyone ride it, didn’t get to hear it, didn’t see a human of known proportions on it..... but we saw it....
And yeah, I won’t watch this guy again either....
Kick start only is definitely cool points for me. Electric start only is so common its ridiculous. At least have a kick backup on the smaller bikes.
I just bought one. I have big powerful bikes but the SR400 brings me back to my youth. It was between the SR400 and the Royal Enfield Continental GT. I like the feel of the SR400 better.
had the enfield. broke down within a week. japan workmanship is better than indian i presume
@@acquisitium They've improved tremendously with their 650 line.
@@jamesmcgrath1952 maybe your right. it was the breakdown and how the dealership handled it over here(they did not). the advantage of a japanese bike is that there is always another dealer close by.
@@acquisitium That is so true.
@@jamesmcgrath1952 350s are awesome also. Great little power plant... So smooth.
*Quad* 🎉
I’m on my second SR 400 why I made the mistake of selling my first Love!! I will never have another!!!
I love it. It's mostly literal classic but with a pinch of modern. Like 98% classic.
100% 98%
Yeah, it is nice and everything but in my opinion it's about one Grand too expensive.
Martin Matouch
Look for an older new model for sale at nearby dealers... you’ll find it.
I think some of the quirky stuff you're seeing that don't make sense (drum brake in the back, kick start only) are not necessarily design choices made now. This bike is essentially the same SR400 Yamaha has been making since 1978. At some point, they stopped selling them in the US. But just recently, they reintroduced them without changes.
You are correct sir
Excellent review about sr400 ride safe sir
Alex. GREAT VID! 👍
Thanks so much for the review Alex! I'm so close to pulling the trigger on a new bike...i cooled off on the boulevards and Vulcans and will be test riding the tu250x, sr400, and maybe a bonneville soon. Man the sr400 is cool.
All three great choices just different sizes, I have a TU250X at the shop right now as well if you need a quick rundown on that one.
Alex Simmons if that's the case, is it possible for you guys to finance out of state buyers and factor shipping into the total otd price? If so, I will contact the shop directly. Thanks!!
Alex Simmons I went this past weekend and sat on the tu and the sr. I have an OTD quote from the dealer with Yamaha financing for $6,900 (2018). I know I should be getting it for closer to $6300 OTD and could be getting a sv650 for the price but I'M IN LOVE with the look. Should be picking it up this weekend.
check out enfield
Here in the Uk the speed limit is 70mph. I've heard the top speed on these is 91mph so it's more than fast enough. Fuel efficiency is 66mpg too, just what I need for commuting.
Down hill with a strong tail wind
Being a single cylinder, do the handlebars vibrate badly above a certain speed ??? I had a Buell blast that vibrated real bad at cruising speed. And my old honda rebel 250 vibrates badly also, above 45mph.
Thank you for the review. I'm considering buying one. I weigh a hundred and fifty pounds so I think a 400 would be fine. I'm not looking to win any races anyways LOL I did not know it was Kickstart only thank you for the info.
If i DIDNT want a kick start, what do you think the best alternative to this bike would be? I am a new rider and not looking for a really heavy bike
"400cc is too small for extended highway riding" is a common sentiment, but back in the day I rode all over the county on my Honda CB400T, and my current bike is a 1975 CB400F which I won't hesitate to take on a thousand mile trip. The CB200 I first had was a bit anemic for the Interstates (not that it stopped me), but I've never felt a lack of power from my 400cc bikes. (That's with two and four cylinders, and I've not ridden any of these modern, small, single cylinder 4-stroke bikes.)
In California everybody drives 80+ miles per hour on the highways and interstates.
@@Triangulove i never had a problem keeping up on a 250 ninja when i had one. Its as fast as an older civic probably. I wouldnt ride it the same as a liter but no reason why you csn do freeway speeds from city to city. If youre doing 80+ on the freeway, its almost always a straight anyways
I rode my Honda Rebel 250 11,000 miles the first year I owned it and I did long trips all of the time, including HOURS on the interstates with zero problems whatsoever, besides some numbing in my fingers. Smaller bikes are very capable.
Many thanks from this side of the pond !
I had an SR500 in 1979(?). It was dry sump with the oil bag in the frame. Kick start and way cool. Back then I was 6'2" 240lbs. ripped so it was kind of small for me but I managed. Blasting through the twisties like Mulholland and some other roads outside LA was great fun. When I went long distance I took my R100RT BMW. But still I love kick start only "thumpers." 6 grand does seem a bit steep. I am 70 years old and keep thinking about getting a "scooter." I haven't had one since selling my dual saddle cafe racer Sportster back in 1988. Too bad the SR400 is priced out of my Social Security budget.
I got an option to buy used one around town. However, it has clip ons. Any other styles you think would suit it?
Thanks for the helpful review. When you say that it's not good for long highway rides can you be more specific? Like no more than 1 or 2 hours? Or not to go beyond a certain mileage? My wife and I live in LA and can't get anywhere without a good chunk of time on the highway.
What I should have said was it wasn’t comfortable for longer rides haha, it can be done! It tends to vibrate a decent amount over about 60mph so longer highway stretches can make your hands numb, and it is light so on highways you tend to get blown around some by larger vehicles. If you can handle those things then longer rides are fine!
Absolutely beautiful style, as it is actually a retro bike. Most new riders will prefer injection as they don't do their own complex service.
If a rider starts with kick start it'll seem normal. I don't miss kick start myself, but I'd prefer to have both on under 500 bikes., JIC.
Yeah I like to have both on smaller bikes personally!
I've never ridden the bike but this is a good review. I started thinking about this bike again since Genuine has a cool retro out now. I'm not sure I think the SR 400 is made in Japan but I could be wrong. I do think Yamaha has to work on the colors a bit and they would sell more.
Thanks! What's Your opinion of the
ROYAL ENFIELD 350 HUNTER?
THANKS!
Cool bike. I have a Ninja 400 but I’m thinking of selling it because I want more of a standard seating position. You mentioned it’s not good on the highway. My Ninja 400 can do highway 75mph all day. Can this SR400 cruise at 75? Thanks.
Correct me if I am wrong but I think this bike has been in continuous production for other markets since the original came out. If so that would explain the rear drum. But when it comes down to it I don't see a rear drum as a problem. If it has the juice to lock the rear wheel anyway then a stronger brake does not really do anything for you.
Kick start is a real plus but I wouldn't object if they also included electric start. I think I would prefer a carb to FI if it is an electronic FI. Part of the appeal of the bike is simplicity and ability to start with a dead battery. Of course the other big appeal is that it looks like a motorcycle rather than a transformer and has seating designed for humans. :D Chuckle.
Nice overview. Thanks.
Production 1978/2021
The earliest couple of models 78/79 had cast wheels for tubed tyres and disc brakes front and rear
80/81(?) models had casts wheels for tubeless tyres with front disc and rear drum brakes
After that they went to spoked wheels with front disc and rear drum and later went to spoked wheels with drum brakes front and rear and then back to spoked wheels with front disc and rear drum again
...and maybe some can start with a flat battery because they used a few different types generators through the different models but the early ones like my 1978 E are very had to start with a flat battery
I have an SR400 (in Thailand) and I have to say, I agree with everything you said about this bike. I'm an old guy, had '60s era Triumphs and a buddy had a BSA 441 Victor (on which the whole Yamaha SR thing is based). This is a really cool bike. Not just retro looking (like most of the other retro bikes) but retro feeling. The down low thump; the too-much-vibration-at-speed. In those days, electric starters didn't really exist. The fuel injection makes life easier all around for sure. Great little bike.
Where in Thailand are you? I am in Chiang Rai and would quite like to buy one of the last ones.
@@user-sw2lv3zp6o Hi. I'm John. You? I live in Jomtien (next to Pattaya). When you say "last ones"--I think they're still making them, but not sure. They've discontinued the line and re-introduced it a couple times since I've been here. Is there a Yamaha "big bike" dealer in Chiang Mai (I assume not in Chiang Rai)? You've piqued my curiosity. I might stop by a dealer here and see what's up with the bike. The new RE Meteor 350 looks interesting (and less expensive) as does the Classic 350.
@@freddobbs2011 Hi, John. I read the other day that the 400 is being discontinued. I remember the other year that the 400 was being sold in a small Yamaha shop in Chiang Rai. No big Yamaha shop here. Chiang Mai is the nearest, and I never saw one for sale there when I lived in Chiang Mai. There might have been the occasional one in small bike dealers. It's logical they are sold in the small Yamaha shops. I'm going to have a look when I go into Chiang Rai later. It is rather expensive though at 275,000 baht.
Nick
@@user-sw2lv3zp6o Hi Nick. Royal Enfield may not have a presence up there, but if they do, definitely check out the new 350 singles. Same old school character but much less money. Good luck whichever way you go.
@@LOSMTJohn REs are sold in Chiang Rai, at the Triumph dealer. The old Classic 500 is a good bike and I don't doubt the new 350 is, too, but I would rather have a Japanese bike and one built in Japan, not here. It would be a second bike, though, so 275,000 is a bit steep, maybe.
I’ve ridden mine on the highway a lot. It’s happy at 70 but I’ve gotten it to go over 90 for a minute here and there. It feels like it’s gonna fall apart but it works fine on busy highways in NJ. Just got a Thruxton but I still enjoy the SR. It’s actually more comfortable on long rides because of the way you sit. Great little first bike. Easy to kick over too.
Agreed whole heartedly haha, it's a really nice sweet spot of a motorcycle that's just big enough, but not too big. Ride safe David!
I have one and I love it.
That's awesome! I firmly believe that every rider is different just like every bike is! The best bike in the world is the one that YOU like to ride, and the way that you like to ride it!
Yes they are over priced, they were on the market in the 70's here Australia. The electric fuel injection was brought in to achieve emissions standards.
I think a wise idea for Yamaha would be to take this engine and configuration and incorporate it into a TW400 as well. Now that would be awesome!
kickstart only seems a bit troubling if you stall it and need to restart fast in traffic or something. rare, but it could happen
dont stall it then. why would you? practice is everything on a bike
Hi this was cool I liked this
Thanks for watching Swamp thing!
Should have kept the Manx Norton type twin leading shoe front brake. That’s the cool one that’s sort after. Good review
Thanks Harvey, and thanks for adding!
Wondering how this compares to the 250 Honda Nighthawk or Rebel? I’m sort of in the market for a nice performance street bike that’s under 400 pounds. I’ve got a 1994 250 Nighthawk. Can’t beat its quality, and reliability. However it’s slow, and buzzy when going over 55 MPH. Just wondering what else is available that would be a better performer, or is my criteria too lofty?
Well with having almost twice the motor this is definitely going to reach a higher speed before getting too buzzy for you, definitely a 250 nighthawk is a great bike but only up to around that 60mph mark...if you need to go faster definitely stick with a 400cc and up sized bike!
Live in a hilly area sooo 400cc tells me more grunt in the basement; as opposed to a 250cc singl-cylinder.
Basically want a littl in-city commuter A-to-B'er that'll be fun and fuel effecient.
That's the perfect application for this bike
I can only find pre 2003 carburettor jdm versions right now in the UK.
I have one and I love it! Unfortunately, as from 2017 they are no longer sold here in Europe because they no longer meet the latest emission and security standards. Fantastic bike, but they didn't sell too many here for the exact reasons that you gave in your clip. In fact, I've never seen another one on the road except mine. So when I ride with my buddy who owns a Harley Davidson, it's almost always my bike that gets all the attention and the nice comments. Kick start is not a problem at all, you get used to it within a day. Tons of aftermarket parts to give it an individual touch. Awesome little machine!
So yamaha doesn`t new bikes in EU anymore? Can you register these bikes in EU?
mikkel hansen the sr400 along with other models from different brands can no longer be sold in the EU (except as second hand of course). All new bikes that are sold within the EU must comply to the EU-4 emission regulation AND have ABS. The SR400 doesn't. For the same reason, legends like the Kawasaki W800 or the Vespa PX also had to go.
Ok thanks, but what about existing owners, can they register their bike on a yearly basis? I hope you know what i mean, In my country we must insure ( or register) our bikes, cars, trucks etc on a yearly basis. If it doesn`t comply with certain standards you can`t register it. Or does the ban just refer to new bikes sold by manufacturer?
mikkel hansen yes you can, once it's bought it can be ridden if course. It's just the dealers who can no longer sell them. Those emission regulations only apply to new vehicles.
thanks man
Thanks. I agree that price is little higher, should be 5k max. Classic kickstart is cool but not very convenient.
Looks like every picture I have of my Dad when he was riding.
Haha yeah that was Yamaha's idea I think
iam loving it great bike
I wish Yamaha continued making classic twins like the XS650. They made them for many years. My dad had a 1973 XS2. Loved it. Vibrated like hell, but a fun peppy ride.
Mark Meadows oh yeah. I wish I still have my xs400 Maxim. Awesome bike
I've had three Yamaha XS650 Specials. The vibration is a huge part of the fun. I now ride a 2006 carbureted Harley Sportster 1200.
always loved it, after I leaved that bike. don't really sure it considered 'retro'. retro means it's trying some 'bygone' style to comback but SR400 is no retro but literally a LIVING DINOSAUR. pure classic, like honda cub.
all the 'retro' boom all there, I respect that but why do I need a retro bike, when real classic bikes are still around? what a classy bike.
and it was the most practical bike I ever drove, except mopeds. I don't need to drive offroad, don't need/want to go fast. and this was perfect. kinda hefty for beginner but used ones are usually good condition since owners are very loyal to this bikes. don't know bout that in other region.
if some model of motorcycle has lasted over than two decades(this one I remember more than three decades? even my uncle had this one when he was young)it's still doing it's job) in Japan, you sure can trust that. I'm not talking about japanese have great taste in motorcycle or anything but whole japan is literally just fucking shitty climate for motorcycle really. so except die-hard motcorcycle lovers people just go away to cars when they have enough money.
but some models survives. all the snow and ragged roads from northern japan to literall steam cooker summer in southern parts. it means something.
it was my second bike and I'm not good with fixing or maintaining thing back then(at least I got better now but still, I prefer professional's work) and this sturdy SR400 just do not die.
it's a perfect bike for someone who like motorcycle but not really enjoying tinkering with it. but has a huge potential with modifying and stuff.
1:21 could you please elaborate? A lot of home mechanics are of the opinion FI bikes are harder to fix. Which may be partly true IYTAI
I imagine someday you'll laugh at the way you say peace at the end of your videos, I'm already laughing, thank you for the entertainment!
I am sure you mean Yamaha shot a lot too high on the price. MSRP should have been about $5,000US w/ a street price of about $4,600US. All they did was dust off some old drawings, changed to fuel injection and put it our there. As soon as I can find a used one for around $3,500 it is mine.
Craig Houdeshell same. I can get nice used bikes with $6,000 and that’s not including tax and registration which can be 6,400 total for a new sr400. I want one as a 2nd go to bike along with my yamaha raider. As soon as I can find a used one in the market, I’ll get it, buy I won’t buy a new one for that price. My raider was $5,000 used with 2,500 miles 👀
that's what i'm doing in uk, used 3000 miles or so for 2K LESS THAN NEW
can you compare this to a Mash 400? Is Yamaha better quality in chrome and finishing? (honestly?)
Yes SR's rule
It's very disappointing that they don't produce these is Canada. Have been looking for one to build a cafe racer.
Alex -- good to see you! I agree with you that it's a tad overpriced. And I haven't kick-started a bike since I was in high school...and you don't EVEN want to know when that was! But it looks like what I'm looking for as a second bike...if only I could find a comparable Kawi...
Kawi has been on the move this year doing cool stuff man! Keep a lookout!
Victor Hawkins that new 900 though! 😍
Re w33
It is made in Japan, not China. And it is made out of steel, not plastic. Hence the price. It's worth it, if you like what it is. A reliable old school bike. People still ride 40 year old SR's.
My 500e is now 43 years old and I'm riding it everyday
EFI was rrequired for emissions. The rear disc causes lock up. The price was required. They were expemsive to build.
Can it be done a kick start triumph street twin or a Yamaha xsr700
I have not seen a kick start on those bikes
俺もキックスタートかっこいと思うよ
I think same that kick starter is cool
U think this would be a good commuter for like a 45-50 minute drive?
If your commute is in town or on back roads and you are not a huge person then yes, the seating position is nice and neutral and you'll get great fuel economy. If you intend to ride on larger highways it won't be as good, it gets a little buzzy at higher speeds due to being a single cylinder...I'd say if you tend to ride under 65mph its a great commuter
are spare parts fit with the older version?
I've heard 90%
they should bring back the xt500
YYYeeesssss!
i own a1978 sr 500 why did yamaha reduce displacement to 400cc?
They have always produced a 400 for the Asian market from 1978 until the current 2021 "Final Edition"
500's were produced alongside the 400's from 1978 until 2000
I agree with you, but I'm still getting one. When you fall in love with a bike 🤔
Where is your store located at?
Completely agree with you man. Great assessment.
Thanks Heinz!
Kick-start is cool. The General has spoken.
I have one but we hardly get SR400 Yamaha spare in Africa, Uganda...why????
I have a 1978 SR500. I get most of what I need on the internet like eBay or from the local "wemoto" here in Australia.
Lookup wemoto.com they're in a number of different counties and can usually supply most of what I need.
This motorcycle goes back to the early 70's, and has been in continuous production since then, however Yamaha took it out of the U.S. market in the early 80's. Not sure of the specific years, too lazy to look it up, but it's been sold in Europe for more years because of the road taxes etc. This motorcycle was also made as a 500cc, but taxes killed it even in Japan. The kick starter has been the only way it has ever been produced, but the fuel injection is really a nice touch. Yamaha made a model with mag-wheels, disc front and rear, in the early days, but the cost and demand basically killed that option, but you can buy them in the aftermarket... It's really good at being a town runabout, and fair weather ride. It's king of the "Hipsters" bike, but fills a very narrow gap in the motorcycle community. Look it up in Europe, and Asia and the custom models cover almost any flavor you can imagine. Very very easy to work on, and build to your liking. Kind of a big "Grom" with more personality, now I can hear the haters.
In the late 70s they had this bike in a single 500cc. I'm not sure why they didn't continue with the 500. That bike would hold 80mph. I love the kickstart only feature and the look.
I’ve ridden the SR 500 and love the way rode in town and on short trips. However the kick starting started out cool then just became a PITA. In my humble opinion I think that is it’s downfall. Remember Triump? , one of the reasons it failed was lack of electric start. Hell most people don’t want a dirt bike if doesn’t have electric start. The SR didn’t sell when it was a 500 why would it sell now??
That engine kinda looks like the same engine on my srx600
Kickstarting does get old quick, especially when the bike doesn't wanna start...
A better version of this bike is the 2007- Honda CB400SS (they are nearly identical motorcycles), except the Honey has an electric start button, ALONG with a Kickstarter for when you feel like it. Unfortunately, Honda did not bring the 400ss to the US 😭 but I've ridden them in Asia and they're awesome.
Yeah see I wish these manufacturers would bring bikes like the 400SS to the U.S. even in small numbers, I know the demand here for them isn't huge...but they would sell a certain number
@@AlexSimmons11c Agreed
First of all, it will take you anywhere, including the freeway. I put over 50,000 mostly freeway miles on a Suzuki GS450L, on several cross country trips. You do not need a huge bike to ride long distance. People have done it on 50cc scooters and mopeds. Hell they have done it on bicycles. I used to have an original 1978 Yamaha SR500 and loved it. It had cast wheels, tubeless tires, and a carburetor. It was kick start only. I didn't consider the SR400 because of the EFI and wire wheels with tube type tires. A flat with tube type tires means a tow truck. No motorcycle except maybe a big heavy touring bike like a Goldwing or Harley Electra Glide needs a rear disc. You can easily lock up the rear wheel on a bike with a drum rear brake with just light pressure on the pedal. I think most drum rear brakes are too powerful.
The spoked wheel models have had drum rear brakes since they were released in 1978. The ugly (to my eye) cast wheel models of th early 80s had a rear disk brake . When the cast wheels were discontinued , they probably couldn't justify the expence of designing a disk braked spoked wheel . They had the drum wheel on the shelf , and it worked fine in this usage .
They are not copying a clasic bike look . They are an actual clasic bike .
Yamaha came out with these things a couple years ago ? Sorry but they came out in 1977 I believe. Has hardly changed since then.
1978, but the motors and even the gear ratios are basically the same as the earlier released XT and TT500s.
The 400s have a shorter stroke than the 500s and were built continually from 1978 until recently for the Japanese and Asian markets and were a 400cc to meet some Japanese licensing or registration requirement.
The 500s were built from 1978 until 1999 or 2000.
They made 400s from 1978 until 2017 or 18 and 500s from 1978 until about 2000
You can cruise all day on an SR500 I regularly ride my 1978 500e the 600ks or more down the coast to Sydney and back and I can't see why you couldn't do the same on an SR400.
correct!
it is NOT a retro bike
it has been perfect as is for the last 44 years, with only minor changes
Its a THUMPER, like a dirt bike for asphalt
@@kenwittlief255
I only found out recently that they have continued production and are still for sale as the 2021 "Final Edition"
And my regular rides down to Sydney are more than 660 kilometres 👍
@@kenwittlief255
...and yes "perfect"
@@hodaka1000 I recently stayed in a hotel with a broken clothes dryer. I could wash my clothes and hang them overnight by the window curtain rod and they would be dry the next morning - cotton pants shirts and underwear.
May not work if you are staying in a cabin in the damp woods....
@@kenwittlief255
Three pairs of good socks two pairs of gloves and rubber overboots
Just keep putting on more socks three pairs will beat just about any cold
If it's raining or cold lay your gloves on the engine when you stop even wet gloves are better when warm
The rubber overboots are made from rudder like a tyre tube and stretch over your boots dry boots are a major advantage
I think you're right....$5000 even seems a little high. $4750....and they'll fly out the door!
Came out a couple of years ago? They came out in 1978!
This is called short and sweet..
I’d like it better if it had a carburetor. Just to make it more resistant to an EMP or an x class solar flare. Yea I know I’m crazy..
This almost makes me wish that I kept my 78' SR500 stock.
I have
I think the kickstart only would kill the sales....If I knew my bmw R9T had no fuel gauge I would have probably not bought it also.
'came out a couple of years ago'? Like, in 1970s. Yeah, a 'couple of years'.
Do a ls2 helmet review
Hahaha it's coming
Wow. That’s a tough one haha.
Agreed
Yamaha should’ve given the option of a electric start along with the kickstart. That’s what genuine G 400 motorcycle did- It’s competition
Agree
Kick start :D
It's at least 1k over priced for a basic bike of this size. I was expecting it to be under 5k
You don't understand what this bike is at all do you? "Yamaha brought out this bike a couple of years ago." NO! They produced this bike since 1978 and made about two changes: They put a disk brake on the front and added fuel injection. The rest has been produced since before you were alive. It was available as a 500 CC bike in Europe and America in the 1980s, but was for license and tax reasons always a 400cc bike in Japan where it has been a solid seller ever since.
“Couple years ago?” More like 45 years ago.
No doubt there's some Japanese tax thing with the SR being 400 c.c., but hey--make it the 500 again (which I did own way back when).
Man something like a 500 twin in this form factor would be killer...
Good reliable bike
Can anybody compare this to Royal Enfield who has rode both?
Sr 400 super bike
If there are new Jaguar E-types for sale now people will be queueing up.
For bikes we are lucky there is the triumph, kawa w800,sr400 all retros we can still buy
With genuine metal parts its understandable to be more expensive
however the population who likes retros are not big, riders just like fast bikes
Try selling a used one and you will know!
Yea, 6k is pricey for an around town bike. I love the look, but a 500cc for 6k would be more like it
At malaysia the price is 25k for secondhand 😅
@Bunnyshooter 223 ...from 1978-1980 and a little thereafter before being discontinued.
Hopefully before scrapping the bike Yamaha won't raise the price & keep it for sale as is, eventually inflation will catch up & $6,000 will be a low price for a bike like this. A compromise would be make it a 650 or 700cc, so we could justify spending that much on a bike we could ride on a freeway road trip.
A few years ago? SR400 was first released for sale in 1978. It has ALWAYS been kickstart only. The only real change they made on the SR400/500 is switching to fuel injection. You just a "review" knowing very little about the model. I bought my SR500 in 1979. It is still running. I also have the SR400. I tend to avoid riding interstate highways but have done some 1000+ mile trips on both the 400 and the 500. I like the 500 better because it has slightly more power. Rest assured that tying my waterproof "river bag" on the luggage rack. It gives me a back rest and the flat seat allows stretching out my legs on longer rides. Doing 150 miles nonstop on a motorcycle is torture unless is is built for touring. I think that your review is bogus. You really don't have much experience with the Yamaha "Thumpers." Oh yeah and both the SR400 and SR500 are excellent "canyon racers." Perhaps you should take an SR400 for ride east and ride the Dragon's Tail with it. You may change your opinion. PS you also might learn about the history of models you review.
Thanks for your honest feedback David. I actually do review the history of models that I review, and as someone who rides and builds classics regularly I am very familiar with the history of the SR series going all the way back. I was referring to the modenr iteration as it has been available in the U.S., which is why I mentioned it has only been back a few years in it's fuel-injected form, as the original carb model was not available here for a very long time!
Upon watching the entire video I think you would find that I am VERY positive about the SR series and I have made several other videos praising it as a modern retro option, as well as the fact that I personally love the kickstart etc., but I have a responsibility to the newer riders who watch my channel to give honest opinions, and for a lot of beginners the kickstart would be intimidating. It is an amazing backroad motorcycle, and I have in fact ridden one extensively in the entire area between Gatlinburg and the Dragon (since I live in TN myself).
Thanks so much again for taking the time to write a comment, and for the feedback!
Not wrong Dave
0:10 Yamaha came out with these things in 1978 (in 500c first) and it has been one of the longest continuously produced bikes ever. I had a '93 model from '01 - '03. Brilliant torqey little bikes but no harmonic balancer so cruising is tiresome. Best basis for custom street trackers, scramblers, cafe racers ever made. Easy to make 500cc and get 50HP out of.
Apparently they made 400's from 1978 for the Japanese market and continued 400 production until 2017/18. There are hundreds of thousands of them in Asia.
They made 500's from 1978 until 2000.
You can get a knock off sr400 there called g400c
In asia I think around 3500 USD
Dave Leonard No sir, it's 330k pesos in the Philippines which is 6K USD
Take a shot every time he says classic
I loved this bike but Yamaha killed it and for a good reason . At $6,000 it was way to expensive at $4,500 it would have sold . For $6,000 you can get a bigger displacement bike the price point was crazy, to bad a lovely old school bike
I agree that price point was too high new, I recommend picking one up used at reasonable cost but definitely too pricey new for the size etc
23 BHP and a top speed of around 70! plus the price!! at 28 BHP plus lecy start think I'll stick to me Mash 400 Scrambler ta.
Ill buy it for $7,500. Buy 1 take 1