As much as I like sports bikes, there is just something very special about the looks of classic motorcycles from the 60’s and 70’s that draws me to them. Classic/retro looking motorcycles have become quite popular in North America over the years, and there are quite a few retro-looking modern motorcycles available today. You can now add the Yamaha SR400 to that list.
The SR400 has previously been sold in Japan only, with the SR500 making an appearance in North America from 1978 to 1999. The 2015 Yamaha SR400 is a pretty simple motorcycle, but it does come with some modern technologies like electronic fuel injection and a single 268 mm disc brake at the front, with a drum at the rear.
What’s not modern on the SR400 is the ignition system, instead of push-button electric ignition; the bike uses a kick starter, with a compression release valve for easy start-ups. I’m sure Yamaha could’ve put an electric starter on the SR400, but having a kick starter gives the bike a more authentic feel and it’s also very cool to kick start a bike.
The SR400 has a very simple, clean design that looks like it rolled off the assembly line in the year 1970. The bike weighs 384 pounds wet and is powered by a 399cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine, with a 5-speed transmission. The bike is pretty low to the ground, making it a good choice for beginners, with a seat height of 31”. The bike comes with a 3.2 gallon fuel tank, combine that with its 96 mpg (depending on the rider’s weight), the bike can cruise around for hours without the need for refilling.
The 2015 Yamaha SR400 is reasonably priced at $5,990 US. Via: Yamaha
2015 Yamaha SR400 Photo Gallery
