So Yamaha brings a SR400 to Vegas and asks the dealers what they think. I think most comments were pretty positive. I think they see an opportunity to tap into the café racer crowd between the Moto Guzzi V7 & the Suzuki TU250. From what I understand as of right now it is kickstart only (I think that might be the kiss of death) I think they are toying with $6K MSRP, I guess that splits the difference between the V7 & the TU, but with the FZ-09 & Bolt only being $8K, I think their competition comes from within....even if the other machines are different genres. I have an SR500 & I like it for what it is. I have ridden a TU a bit and find it fun, but way underpowered for my fat butt (still the experience is not far removed from the SR) I have been thinking about a V7 and in the end will probably go that direction, but the SR400 is interesting.
Not for $6k. It is 1980's tech and not the best of it either. If they threw tubeless tires on it, a centerstand, and disc brakes it would sell for $5k. Maybe. The new Honda line-up at <$6K although not "retro" murders this thing in every way. Hell, the TU250 is probably as useful on the street and is less $$ with EFI. I see a market for the bike but not at $6k. I mean honestly now, haven't they paid off the R&D/tooling costs on that dinosaur by now? -Jake
I think I would spend the money for one if it actually showed up in the states. In fact, I know I would get one as soon as they showed up at the dealers. I would not sell the TU I have, and would rather get a used sr400 (or 500) for a lower price, but the way things are going, I would jump on a new one. And I would much rather have a kick start and not the weight of all the electric start stuff on a bike.
$6K is a lot for a $4k bike, but then the TU250 costs over $4K. A 400 would have some freeway capability. And I like the kickstarter, and am ok with the wire wheels as long as it has a centerstand. The pictures show both. It is the coolest looking bike around, and even though the technology is old (which I actually like) it is a good solid bike (the Honda Rebel also has old technology, and it is almost impossible to kill one) I would likely pay $6k for it, but probably not $8500, which is likely what it would cost here OTD.
Out of those four, the TU250 is the only one that even resembles the SR, it's engine is to small, and it lacks a kickstarter and a centerstand, 2 items that are worth money to me. Since putting a kickstarter on my XT225, I rarely ever use the electric starter. There is just something "right" about kickstarting your bike. I do wish the SR400 were a 500, just because it is a classic displacement for a big single. Brings back memories of the Norton Manx and BSA Gold star. Of course there is the Royal Enfield, to bad it has to be junk.
It will never sell without ABS, traction control, throttle by wire, electric start, tubeless tires, 160 HP, electronic suspension, cupholders, electrically adjustable windscreen, locking hardbags, ADV sticker, hippo hands, buttplug warmer, a poster of Steve Mcqueen etc etc etc.... This is a sarcastic post if you haven't figured it out yet.
It may have been meant as sarcasm, but it is probably true, given the sad state of the motorcycle world today.
There are a couple of sr400's on display at the Laguna moto gp, one is stock and the other has some Cafe parts on it.
+100. If they bring it to the U.S. exactly as it was shown in the other thread, with a lickstarter, centerstand, and no modern crap on it, I will pay $6000 for it. I will stand in line to pay $6,000 for it. I missed the SR500, The GB500, and the W650. I figure if they do bring the SR400 to the U.S. it will be a lousy seller, and probably a one year model. But I will have one. I would have a TU if it were a 400/500, with a kickstarter and a centerstand. I might have even bought it as is, with nothing but a centerstand added. Newfangled modern junk. Give me a REAL motorcycle.
The sr400 is a Yamaha, the S40 is a Suzuki. They could make a TU350 with a dr350 motor in it, or a TU650 with a dr650 motor in it, or a TU650 with the savaage motor in it, but they don't. Yamaha has the XT250 motor, the XT225 motor, and the TW200 motor, and that is about it for air cooled thumpers unless you go way back. I suspect the TU 250 would be better then the SR400 in every respect other then ergonomics. Since its not balanced, the sr400 motor may be a bit like my old Triumph Daytona, which made more power, but you could not or did not want to use it because it would vibrate the bike apart if you did. The TU runs cool, has a plated bore, bearings on the cam, and is balanced, so you can abuse the motor all you like and its happy. Get out on the interstate and run 85 mph all day long, and the bike loves it, and you do not feel its going to blow up or sieze, or use any oil. From what I hear, the SR400/500 motors do not feel that way, and might not hold up so well to full throttle all day runs at top speed in high heat. The rider might not enjoy the vibration much either. Still, I would get one, just for the size of the bike, and the style/simplicity of it. Gear it up a bit and be happy at lower speeds and enjoy the nimble handling and the thumper torque and vibes. I also think it might be fun with dual sport tires on dirt roads, the TU sucks in the dirt, maybe the SR would be better.
My SR500 has bearings on the camshaft, I see no reason why the 400 wouldn't. You're right on the bore and no counter balancer though. 500's and I assume 400's still get raced today, they're very reliable engines to my knowledge, and take very well to mods