I just took the SR for a ride to scuff in new tires. Isn’t it amazing how a new pair of tires feel? I’d been happy with the previously mounted Bridgestone BT45s so planned to put the same back on. I learned the BT45 had been discontinued and replaced by the BT46. Same tread same feel…. While riding I got to thinking it might be a good time to write a long term review on the SR400.
A little history on the Yamaha SR400 linage. This bike first came to the U.S.A. in 1978 as the XT500. The XT was what we then called an enduro, but now is commonly called a trail bike or dual sport. By any name it had a strong engine, good frame, and good brakes for a bike of that era. In fact it was good enough to have won the Paris to Dakar race. Twice I believe. You might want to verify my facts on that…
The bike was well liked and Yamaha decided it would be nice to make a street only version. This bike became known as the SR500. The SR500 was popular for some time and sold in markets world wide. The bike did go through a few upgrade phases (drum and disc rear brake, I believe cast wheels as well as the more common spoked, someone out there may be able to correct me on these) but remained essentially unchanged through its time in the states.
As often happened in the 80’s American riders felt they needed bigger, faster, more competent motorcycles. Eclipsed in performance by many motorcycle manufactures, domestic and foreign, the SR eventually faded form the U.S. market. It did not go away though. Production continued and the bike continued to be sold in many world markets. At some time Yamaha made a decision to reduce displacement to 400 cc’s so it could have a broader market in country’s with tiered licensing.
Possibly a few years ahead of the “right” time Yamaha brought it back to the U.S. as the SR400. The year was 2015, the bike was still nearly unchanged and simple. It did get fuel injection, spoke wheels, a drum rear brake, and emission control.
We saw the introduction ads and decided we’d like to have one for ourselves. We purchased a very early 2015. In fact we took possession mid year 2014. I am sure it was one of the first 500 SR400s to make it to our shores. I’ll look that up some day.
What is the bike like to live with? It has been in our stable for the past 11 years and we have never given any thought to getting rid of it. Just the same what is it like? Compared to any of the new crop of performance 300s the SR fails in almost all categories. New 300s have far better brakes, handling, and top speed. The new breed can easily top out above 100 mph. The SR was never intended to compete with performance bikes, it is designed for a very different purpose. I am not sure I can adequately describe the purpose of the bike, but if you have ever wanted a British or Italian four stroke single cylinder motorcycle you know the purpose of this machine. It is a feeling. With this bike you get most of the feel of an old single cylinder motorcycle, but you also get complete reliability.
My bike starts on the first or second kick nearly every time, maybe one more kick when the temperature drops below 35. The engine is smoothish. Then again, I have ridden and owned bikes from “back in the day” that could put your hands to tingling and could vibrate your feet off the pegs. There is none of that. Still I say smoothish, because if you compare it to the engine in the Suzuki TU250 it seems a bit vibey. The TU has one of the smoothest single cylinder engines I have ever ridden.
Performance is certainly adequate, it has enough power to cruise at 70 mph, but it is far happier at lower speeds. The brakes are more than adequate for the speeds it is capable of achieving. The handling is also more than adequate. Comfort? For me at 5’8” and 165 lbs it is very good. In fact good enough that I have mapped out a ride from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to Key West, Florida. All back roads. I call it the blue water to blue water route. We would like to ride the trip on the SR and the TU. Both are very comfortable over long stints in the saddle.
The bike weighs in at 384 lbs. The way I ride, the mileage varies between upper 50s to 72 mph. If I feel like riding it hard (for the SR) I can get it down to the upper 50s. Though I am no light weight it can get up into the low 70s. It uses absolutely no oil between changes.
The workmanship on this bike is very good. Welds are very good, the frame is beautiful, and the paint is superb. Compared to our TU250, the bike is built a bit better. The TU though, is smoother and very good. I will write a long term review on it someday. Our TU is a 2009 and we have no plans to ever sell it.
The SR400 is not the only bike in our stable but I would not feel at all bad if it was the only bike I could ride for the rest of my life. Wow, that is something. If you know the feeling this bike gives you, you can appreciate that. If you do not understand the purpose and beauty of the bike, you can never understand how good it really is.
Inserted are a couple photos from todays ride. Hope you enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment