Yamaha is still building the SR400 single cylinder motorcycle after 30 years in production. The 500cc version sold in Europe and North America was my first Japanese motorcycle after several "exotic" Italian machines and I bought it in 1979 principally for a trip across North and Central Africa, a trip that foundered when I reached Yaounde, Cameroon, where I got hospitalized with hepatitis, but the Yamaha rolled on and on without effort. Lightweight, comfortable and a total nostalgia trip it was the bike that taught me how to kick start a big four stroke single.The Italian magazine Motociclismo says the SR400 for the home market, reduced in cubic capacity to fit into Japanese tax and licensing laws, remains firmly in production and has a solid future as it is now equipped with fuel injection. I would love a test ride to see if my pink tinted nostalgia were real or phony. Perhaps I am better off not knowing and just playing the happy memories in my head. Perhaps not.
4 comments:
Question on the this bike. Would it be a good starter bike for someone that has not rode one since childhood (then small 150-250cc machines in fields and country roads). Looking on various areas, these are affordable bikes
Mr Conchscooter:
I have loved these bikes since they came out. There were several engine choices for these singles, 400, 500 and 600 cc. I belive the SRX series are the latest ones. They have a cult following. My friend use to have a XT500 which was basically the same engine, lots of low end torque. It took a while to learn the start sequence. There was a compression release lever on the left handlebar and a sight glass on the right side of the engine to line up the WHITE marker at TDC, blah blah.
There was a SRX400 for sale up here recently and I was really tempted . . .
How about you get one for us "visitors" to use when we visit.
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
The Yamaha SR500 hasn't been sold in the US for years and off road derivatives are specialized motorbikes. For a beginner go to your Suzuki shp and ask to see the TU250 which is getting rave reviews from owners and magazines. First spend a weekend getting your Florida motorcycle endorsement.
And now in June 2014 it goes on sale in the US for $6000. Mmh...
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