vegavairbob Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 The 2015 SR400 is virtually the same bike as the SR500 which was sold in the U.S from 1978-1981. The SR500 was discontinued in 1999 but the SR400 has been sold (only in Japan) since 1978. t didn't take very long after stumbling upon the news of the bke's upcoming availability in the U.S. for me to decide to buy one, and after one look I felt it was well worth its $5990 price tag. Vintage SR500s have increased in value $1000 above their original MSRP, unlike most multi-cylinder bikes of the era worth half as much. I picked up my new bike June 25th 2014 from the same salesman that sold me a new 1979 SR500. We were in our twenties then..Scott is 60 now and I turn 55 next month. I started it a few times on the first kick (one time in two kicks). It feels just like my old SR500...with a smoother engine and an easier clutch. It idles smoothly, and there's no choke or hot start button to fiddle with thanks to the EFI. Power feels close to the 500. After all, it is the same engine with a different crankshaft It feels less thumpy at slower speeds and the lower torque is evident, but it accelerates as well as the 500, and is more eager to rev through the gears. Brought it up to about 60. Kept altering the speed, following the break-in procedure. The ride comfort and handling is awesome, like I remember. The bike is well balanced and responsive, and the seat is noticeably more comfortable The quality is top-notch and the bike looks even pricier than it is. The engine finish is high and the paint and chrome are flawless. The exclusive U.S. Liquid Graphite metallic paint job with Yamaha black side covers is decidedly striking in person. The aluminum spoke wheels are nicely finished giving the bike a classy, vintage look lacking on the original, while Yamaha chose function over form regarding tires and brakes. In lieu of retro treads (Metzler Perfect Me77) on the '14 European model, sticky Bridgestone Battlax BT-45s are fitted to the '15 U.S. model, as is a modern drilled front disc brake rotor. The bike is produced in small numbers. According to Yamaha's Japanese web-site, 1,300 units per year are being produced for Yamaha's Japan home market, while its been announced that 500 units will be imported to the U.S this year. Yamaha must be very proud of this model, building it as long as they have, because although the bike has remained virtually the same in design for 36 years, much refinement is evident and it looks and feels like t's built, not to a price, but with a lot of care and pride. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Airhead Posted August 26, 2014 Moderator Share Posted August 26, 2014 Nice little report and this really deserved a picture or two eh? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewElvisFan Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Oh yes - we do like pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegavairbob Posted August 26, 2014 Author Share Posted August 26, 2014 Nice little report and this really deserved a picture or two I added them. They are appearing in a blue attachment bar below article. Are they visible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Airhead Posted August 26, 2014 Moderator Share Posted August 26, 2014 yeah they are visible, looks great..my kind of bike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegavairbob Posted August 26, 2014 Author Share Posted August 26, 2014 Airhead- Thanks. It looks even better in person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obriens65 Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 It's all bright and shiny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegavairbob Posted August 27, 2014 Author Share Posted August 27, 2014 It's all bright and shiny Yea, it'a a new 36 year-old time machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dt502001 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 I hope Yamaha does a build off like they did with the Bolt, I could build that into some cool stuff,,, as it sits meh? Consideing they were only about 1500 new back in the 80's the price sure has gone up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegavairbob Posted August 27, 2014 Author Share Posted August 27, 2014 I hope Yamaha does a build off like they did with the Bolt, I could build that into some cool stuff,,, as it sits meh? Consideing they were only about 1500 new back in the 80's the price sure has gone up Yamaha has been building and selling the SR400 in Japan for 36 years the way you see it. They won't change it or offer a cruiser variant but Yamaha pitches the bike is an easy customizing platform. As far as the price, I paid about $2000 for a new '79 SR500 back in the day. So what hasn't at least tripled in price in three decades. Most new entry-level sport bikes have gone up even more, now in the $7000 - $8000 range. At $5990 the 2015 SR400 is a well made, limited production motorcycle that is worth the money. Suzuki does offer cheaper Thumpers, including the $4399 TU250X and the $5699 Boulevard S40, but you get what you pay for. The SR is a much nicer machine. It's also a better investment as discussed in my review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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