Possible new small motorbike...

Post by **jrsjr** » Sat Jul 20, 2013 7:21 pm

At Laguna Seca, Yamaha are showing off an SR400 with a sign in front of it that says the following:

Possible Future Model...
SR400
-399cc Air Cooled Single
-87.0 x 67.2mm Bore/Stroke
-Electronic Fuel Injection
-3.2 Gallons fuel capacity
-384 lbs
-True 'Retro' Styling
-Kick Start

I transcribed this from a text from my man on the ground at Laguna. Thanks, Steve! Sorry about the lack of photos.

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Sat Jul 20, 2013 9:34 pm

Like! Except for the $6,000 price.

http://rideapart.com/2013/01/yamaha-sr400/

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Sat Jul 20, 2013 9:51 pm

Very nice!

I think that the retro market is starting to grow a bit as I'm seeing more and more 70's-era Hondas and Yammys locally. Still small though, when compared to the other two ends of the spectrum, crotch rockets and Harleys, which seem to comprise the bulk of the two-wheeled scene around here.

That 6 grand is a bit steep though when you start adding on delivery, prep, and taxes. Here in NJ, that'd probably come out closer to 7 OTD.

Post by **jrsjr** » Sat Jul 20, 2013 9:53 pm

Now I have a picture from Laguna. The bike they're showing has had the café racer treatment. Here it is...

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 11:40 am

EFI -and- a kick starter! Did they happen to say whether the bike would kick over if the battery were dead, or whether it's just for the vibe?

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 12:12 pm

This isn't much of a risk for Yamaha since it's already produced in Japan and all they have to do is (re)introduce it here. Of course, It's not really that simple, what with the testing and such that will have to be done, but still not too bad.

I used to want an SR500 real bad but didn't have the money at the time. They were pretty well known for being hard kickers but that should be less of a problem now.

My dad had a Suzuki 400 that was also kick-only and it had a manual compression release. It was a beast without it and no pushover (pun?) even with it when cold.

I would be even more interested if Suzuki would un-cruiserize their S40. A 400 is plenty big, really, but that's a pretty mild 650.

Still, yer average thumper is reliable as a stone and as simple to work on as a motorcycle is going to get. Tires might be fairly inexpensive as well.

I note that for the 6k price, a Royal Enfield is not out of reach either but would still lean toward the Japanese as more reliable. But the authenticity and style are unquestionable, with fairly cheap parts and accessories. That last is particularly important since things like windscreens and saddlebags are available for the RE.

I hope Yamaha goes forward with this. Thumbs up.

Post by **jrsjr** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 4:08 pm

PeteH wrote:EFI -and- a kick starter! Did they happen to say whether the bike would kick over if the battery were dead, or whether it's just for the vibe?

That's a really good question.

I'm sorry I don't have an answer.

As for whether Yamaha is really serious about bring the SR here, I never seem to be able to find anything in the CARB database that ericalm has referenced in the past. However, that strikes me as the best place to start a search to see if Yamaha is serious about bringing their EFI retro thumper to our shores...

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 4:45 pm

Southerner wrote:....

I would be even more interested if Suzuki would un-cruiserize their S40. A 400 is plenty big, really, but that's a pretty mild 650.
....

That's my dream, too. I love the S40 but prefer a standard compared to a cruiser. I've lurked on a really good Savage/S40 forum and, outside of the cam chain adjuster, the bike is really stable. There's a guy on that forum who has designed his own aftermarket fix for the cam chain adjuster and sells them. The S40 bobbers are pretty cool, too.

gar1013 · Post by **gar1013** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 5:56 pm

Southerner wrote: I would be even more interested if Suzuki would un-cruiserize their S40.

Don't wait for Suzuki to do it... some guys have already gotten the hard part done for you.

http://www.rycamotors.com/bikes/

Pick what style bike you want, supply an S40, and do your own wrenching... or pay extra for someone else to do it.... or buy a completed one from them directly.

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:29 am

Yes, I've been keeping up with Ryca and have been amazed with their success. I really didn't think they'd last.

I was interested in the scrambler but now they have a standard as well.

I could do with a bigger fuel tank than the reman'd unit they use. Biggest hump is that unless you already got a good used S40 for cheap, the cost of the bike plus kit is probably a good bit higher than the original manufacturer would charge. Still.......

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:53 am

The S40 just took a small price jump to $5,699 but it is still a heck of a bargain. I love mine. The cruiser style is not for everyone I'm sure, but it is also not hard to like. Never underestimate the thumpers. This new Yamaha really sounds interesting! (it is great that we are seeing all this action in the 400-700cc range lately)

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:28 am

I have 2 SR500's and I love them, fun bikes that can be made fast if you want

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 10:59 pm

Dooglas wrote:The S40 just took a small price jump to $5,699 but it is still a heck of a bargain. I love mine. The cruiser style is not for everyone I'm sure, but it is also not hard to like. Never underestimate the thumpers. This new Yamaha really sounds interesting! (it is great that we are seeing all this action in the 400-700cc range lately)

Suzuki is the smallest of the Big Four and so can't be expected to do what Honda can but since smaller, less expensive bikes is where the market is going, the Savage is due for a change and it doesn't have to be an expensive one.

I don't dislike its current look but, having sat on one, I can say that even sitting still for just a few minutes, I was uncomfortable, and I'm 5'9" with a 30" inseam and can usually get comfortable on anything.

wheelbender6 · Post by **wheelbender6** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 11:50 pm

The Suzy S40 offers a lot of fun for the money, but I wish they would make a larger fuel tank available. I like many of the Ryca kits but they do not offer a larger tank either. Is a 4 gallon tank too much to ask for on a 650cc bike?

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 2:11 am

It must be. The only thumpers I know of with tanks that large are adventure bikes. There's an aftermarket tank that big for the dualsport version but it's pretty ugly.

I doubt the SR 400 tank is much over 3, if that.

Post by **jrsjr** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 2:34 am

The carbureted version of the SR400 that Yamaha sold in Australia (and elsewhere) had a 3.17 gallon tank. Don't know what the capacity of the FI version's tank is, but it looks exactly like the old one, so I bet it's about the same.

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 2:39 am

I'm gonna guess it's slightly less since they usually put the fuel pump inside the tank. Which offsets the advantage of improved fuel mileage.

Rusty J · Post by **Rusty J** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 8:38 am

It's not the '86 SRX, but still pretty nifty.

However, it's still a simplified and scaled-down Universal Japanese Motorcycle, and that appeals to me. I'd seriously consider one.

But the SRX was one of the bikes I really, really wanted when I finally got my drivers' license. That, or the Honda Helix (if I was thinking in practical terms).

Ended up with a 12-year-old Vespa, which worked out pretty well as a daily driver for a few years.

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 11:04 am

Yet another unappreciated, but good bike. A retro thumper will have appeal here but a modern one only attracted people who appreciated more than the look.

Post by **ericalm** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 4:09 am

Maybe they'll sell this one in California! Nice!

Post by **ericalm** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 4:16 am

Hmm…
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/mc ... 23888.html

Hmm!
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/3803780019.html

CapnK · Post by **CapnK** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 4:42 am

ericalm wrote:Hmm!
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/3803780019.html

Oh yeah...

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 11:57 am

The first is, by all appearances, a good, honest, bike. Can't expect an old bike to look like brand new and this one's appearance is pretty good. If actual inspection bears it out, this is a good buy.

The second must have been in a time capsule. The price reflects that but again, if as advertised, not bad. If depends on the buyer to decide what it's worth. Anyone who gets it better have a strong right leg and learn "the touch".

Post by **jrsjr** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:37 pm

Southerner wrote:Anyone who gets it better have a strong right leg and learn "the touch".

In modern parlence, "ISO TDC," am I right?

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 12:35 am

Yep.

It's actually kinda fun to crank your bike, turn it off, then let a curious friend give it a try. Because it's not so much about brute strength as finesse.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 12:54 am

My last kicker was a 4-cyl, so at least one cylinder was always close to TDC

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 1:08 am

Yeah, but the other three......

Keys · Post by **Keys** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 5:03 pm

I bought the first SR500 sold in Denver in 1978 and then later owned the Suzuki GN400 as well as a BSA441 Victor. Also many smaller singles. Love thumpers!

Post by **jrsjr** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 11:39 am

The bottom of this Motorcycle Daily article mentions the SR400 and has a nice photo. If nothing else, it does appear that the motorcycle manufacturers are thinking about bringing some retro bikes to the USA. The problem is, they've been down this road before and gotten burned. My opinion is that we're about to get a couple retro bikes. Then we'll see what happens...

JAEGER · Post by **JAEGER** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 3:50 pm

We had a 'Zuk Savage (a.k.a. S40) for a while and it was a hoot. Wouldn't want to take it on the highways around here (did once or twice, was terrifying) but it was a helluva lot of fun -- especially once I ripped the airbox out, rejetted, and put a drilled-out Sportster exhaust on it.

If they bring the SR400 back I'd be all over that. My biggest problem with the Savage was the ground clearance. The engine was fun but the pegs touched down too quickly. Something small, light, and torquey like the SR400 (which can be tricked out and modded, as evidenced by the numerous examples you can find online) would be awesome... if they brought the #$%#$@ thing to America.

--Jaeger