Just placed an order for a stablemate to my SCR950 - a 2017 Yamaha SR400 single, freshly crated up for delivery from the CA warehouse. These little singles are a bit of a sleeper in the US market but having owned the almost identical SR500 thirty years ago I appreciate the fine points of this classic: light, nimble, reliable, economical, low seat height and easy to maintain. Just the thing to zip down to the local store while I save the big artillery for highway touring. The SR400 is very similar to the Suzuki TU250X I sold to get the SCR. Not long after I had seller's remorse after realizing these smaller bikes fit a delightful niche. The SR400 was available as limited edition in the classic 60th Anniversary Yamaha livery for 2016 but looks like I have to settle for the plain black 2017. Let's hope the SCR doesn't get jealous :wink2:
Yamaha SR400
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The SR400 is a lovely little classic for those who appreciate simplicity and the reliability of a proven design. As I mentioned above, the SR400 is also lighter and more nimble for scooting around town compared to its heavier stablemate the SCR950. A picture is attached as per Eddie’s request
My purchase was mostly driven by nostalgia, trying to recreate fond memories of my SR500 in the 80’s, but kick starting soon became a liability with knees weakened by old age. Alas, I traded the SR for a Honda Pioneer 500 side x side more suited for we elderly folks. If the SR400 had electric start it would definitely have been a keeper.
My purchase was mostly driven by nostalgia, trying to recreate fond memories of my SR500 in the 80’s, but kick starting soon became a liability with knees weakened by old age. Alas, I traded the SR for a Honda Pioneer 500 side x side more suited for we elderly folks. If the SR400 had electric start it would definitely have been a keeper.
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It's about time that people are jumping on that segment because right now i'm noticing more of a need for something not so entry-level to the point its good for short term ownership but instead something that can last a least a few years.
I think it will be good enough to last us till electric cruisers come around because already they have proven to be the next best thing. The Harley Davidson Livewire was a great example of this. If Yamaha has plans to go that direction then they better make sure to beat Harley to the race.
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As a relatively new SCR950 owner, I also have a yearning for an SR400 whilst it's still possible to get one in Thailand. The trouble is that I already have a KTM 390 Duke Mk2 which is faultless. And the price of the SR400 is ridiculous. A year ago they were 265,000 baht / 6,162 GBP. Now, due to limited availability because Japan has stopped making them, they are a staggering 315,000 baht / 7,325. And that's at a hopeful 43 baht / 1 GBP. And would I like it as much as I'd hope to? My yearning is based on six years' ownership of an XT500 and three trips to Portugal and one to Greece on it during the '80s. A superb bike, apart from when I ran it short of oil in a hot Spain in 1986. Cheap top-end rebuild, though. I could even put up with the kickstarter, but I suspect I won't be able to make myself sell my 2018 390.
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