ge5465805849441730690
13
Alex Penklis2 Jul 2014
REVIEW

First ride: 2014 Yamaha SR400

Whether you’re looking for your retro fix or first motorcycle, Yamaha’s updated SR400 can oblige -- a bike first seen locally in the 1970s

It is very rare these days that I go for a ride and don’t see someone getting around on a retro or cafe-styled motorcycle, especially if I am in the inner city suburbs. While not new to this type of motorcycle, Yamaha has taken note of this increase in demand and has released the SR400 for the Australian market.

The 2014 SR400 is a new model, however it can trace its heritage all the way back to the late ’70s when Yamaha first released the SR400 and the longer stroke SR500. The SR400 sold in Australia from 1978 until 2006, and the SR500 from 1978 until 2001.


I’m Generation Y, so that means when I want to contact someone I use Facebook, everything has to be on Instagram, and when I swing a leg over a motorcycle my right thumb looks for the starter button. So when I found out the SR400 was only equipped with a kick starter it brought back memories of the last experience I had with a similar road bike -- it didn’t go smoothly.

It was a 1948 Velocette MAC 350 (I know, an extreme example) that a group of friends were restoring. They said “have a ride of it, but you have to start it”. The next 30 minutes saw my right leg go up and down about 72 million times until finally it kicked over; at this stage my right leg was about to fall off and I felt like I had run a marathon. I clicked it into first gear, eased the clutch out and stalled… A barrage of laughs came my way while my right leg packed its bags and left me.

So when I started to kick over the SR400 I had a grin from ear to ear when it fired after less than five kicks. See, even though it’s a very old and basic way to start a motorcycle Yamaha has just added a touch of today’s technology to make it that little bit easier.

As per the original model, there is the same indicator on the right side of the cylinder head that shows when the piston is in the best position for starting, and a decompressor lever on the handlebar to help get the piston in the correct position.

But unlike the original model, the new SR400 now runs with a newly designed transistor ignition system that generates a better spark, and the donk is now equipped with fuel injection. Both of these additions really make it easy to start and, even on the bitterly cold winter mornings that Sydney has recently had, no unnecessary kicking was needed for it to fire.

The 399cc, air-cooled, SOHC, two-valve single-cylinder engine awakes into a very distinct single-cylinder pulse. I naturally assumed it wouldn’t have too much oomph with this sized engine, but when I twisted the throttle I was pleasantly satisfied.

It pulls cleanly from down low in the rev-range all the way to the moderately harsh rev-limiter just over 7000rpm. The fuel injection makes an on-off throttle smooth at all revs, which is welcomed as this bike will spend a lot of its life in the inner city traffic.

If you do venture out of the city to stretch the SR400’s legs, it has a noticeable powerband from 4000-7000rpm and if you want to have some spirited riding keeping the mill between those revs is a must. Even though it can navigate freeways if required, with a top speed just north of 115km/h and an engine that becomes very vibey in the higher rev range sticking to lower-speed locales is recommended.

With a 400cc engine, gear changes are of the regular occurrence and the bike’s five-speed gearbox doesn’t make it a burden. It is smooth, direct and notch-free, while the clutch lever pull is extremely light. Neutral is also very easy to find when needed.

The braking package is not much on paper but out in the real world it gets the job done. Up front you have 298mm disc pinched by a two-piston caliper, while the rear makes use of a sealed drum brake. Braking power is not astonishing, but is smooth and progressive. Both controls offer good feel and predictability, while anti-lock braking is not fitted.

Due to the absence of a starter motor and oil sump, as the oil is housed in the SR400’s frame, weight has been kept to a claimed 174kg wet. Most of this weight is low, making slow-speed maneuverability very manageable and ideal for lane filtering, which is now legal in NSW.

Up front there’s a non-adjustable telescopic fork with 150mm of travel, while the rear is suspended by a twin shock system with 125mm of travel. Coupled with the well-padded seat, the ride is plush and relaxing. Both units soak up the Aussie potholes well and also maintain their composure and stability in the faster corners. Ground clearance is also quite good, and the Metzeler tyres offer the retro look while utilising the stickiness of today’s rubber.

At 182cm I didn’t fell camped on the bike, but any taller you may be pushing the friendship. The dual analogue cluster, one speed and the other rpm, complements the retro look and is also very easy to read.

With a motorcycle this simple many owners will have the basic mechanical know-how to carry out a variety of maintenance jobs themselves, so to assist the SR400 is fitted with a balance-type centre stand. Both fenders are also steel to allow easy personal fabrication.

At $8999 (plus on-roads) you may cough at the price as it is on the high side, but you would be amazed what people are paying these days for these types of bikes. However, you have to take into account you are getting 24 months warranty and a motorcycle that has been a proven design for more than 35 years.

Yamaha has captured the image and heritage of the ’70s SR range and teleported it into the 2014 model superbly. And with the touch of 21st century technology, it’s that little bit better without losing its iconic soul.

2014 YAMAHA SR400 IN BIKE SHOWROOM

SPECS: YAMAHA SR400
ENGINE

Type: Liquid-cooled, two-valve, SOHC, single-cylinder
Capacity: 399cc
Bore x stroke: 87mm x 67.2mm
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection, 34mm Mikuni throttle body

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 23hp (17kW) at 6500rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 27Nm at 3000rpm
Economy: 3.8 litres/100km (measured)

TRANSMISSION
Type: Five-speed
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Tubular Steel
Front suspension: 35mm telescopic fork, non-adjustable, 150mm travel
Rear suspension: Twin shocks, non-adjustable, 125mm travel
Front brakes: Single 298mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear brake: Single drum
Wheels: Alloy rims, steel wire-spoke; front 1.85 x 18, rear 2.15 x 18
Tyres: Metzeler Perfect ME77; front 90/100-18, rear 110/90-18

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 174kg
Rake: 27.7 degrees
Trail: 111mm
Seat height: 785mm
Wheelbase: 1410mm
Fuel capacity: 12 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $8999
Colours: Matt grey
Bike supplied by: Yamaha Australia, www.yamaha-motor.com.au
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres

Share this article
Written byAlex Penklis
See all articles
Stay up to dateBecome a bikesales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe today
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Love every move.
Buy it. Sell it.Love it.
®
Download the bikesales app
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © carsales.com.au Pty Ltd 1999-2025
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.