2014 Yamaha SR400 comes to U.S.

[cWj]

Interesting it will be to see the reception to this....

No electric start, just a kickstarter?

Interesting, indeed.

http://rideapart.com/2014/03/yamaha-sr400-new-old-model/

[Watcher]

It's cool, but I wonder how much of a market there is for it?


Personally, I'd be more interested in the Honda CB1100.

Retro style but a completely modern bike.  Not a modern iteration of a retro bike.

[The Buddha]

Looks good, needs belt drive though.
Cool.
Buddha.

[BockinBboy]

Interesting.  It's like its a reply to Suzuki's TU250X - Really wish they would release the TU450X in the U.S., I'd have one yesterday.  The no electric start on this SR400 is peculiar - and they list it like a selling point, so this 'decompression lever' must really help kick it over.

- Bboy

[The Buddha]

The manual decompression lever usually is sufficient for bikes to about 500cc depending on things. If you dont have your valves adjusted right it may be wholly inadequate though, it opens the exhaust valve just a hair. I also can imagine a situation where some fool holds it pressed and burns a valve. Cos I've seen plenty of fools crank the bike with the started for 30 40 + seconds ... dude ... open up your carb and clean it. Or set it right or something. Its supposed to start in a 5 second burst.

Cool.
Buddha.

[cWj]

CB1100 is a completely different segment though. This is more starter. The CB this does have a problem with, is the CB500. More forward momentum, more convenience, more features, more options, less money.

Though I'm doubting you'll see any actually make it out of the door for more than $4999.

The market? The urban market.

(read: young, hipster noons who really want a Bonnie, but justify their creed via kick start*)

* for the record, I dig the kick... the whole just seems about a grand too expensive.

It's cool, but I wonder how much of a market there is for it?


Personally, I'd be more interested in the Honda CB1100.

Retro style but a completely modern bike.  Not a modern iteration of a retro bike.

[Watcher]

CB1100 is a completely different segment though. This is more starter. The CB this does have a problem with, is the CB500. More forward momentum, more convenience, more features, more options, less money.

But the current CB500 is a completely modern bike, I wouldn't really compare it to the SR400.

But what I meant by bringing up the CB1100 is that the CB1100 is a completely modern bike with classic style, it's like the modern Dodge Challenger, retro look but 100% modern.  The SR400 seems like they just followed some 70s blueprints and starting making an old bike all over again with some minor changes like fuel injection.


I will say, though, $6000 seems a little steep for a 400cc thumper with no electric start.  The TU250 is nearly $2000 less, and although you get a smaller engine you do get an electric start.
The Honda CB500, though not really comparable in style, is $200 cheaper but has a larger engine with 2 cylinders instead of one, electric start, a 6-speed trans, a rear disc brake, and a digital dash board.  WAY more bang for the buck.

[The Buddha]

That crap is 6g ... they're just hoping they can "gheydius" it and hope we dont notice.

Cool.
Buddha.

[Badot]

Perhaps it's a bike for the 'hipster' crowd?

My main concern with it is the relatively high price on a seemingly low tech bike... but perhaps there are a few niceties that aren't mentioned.

Of course it's small enough I'm unlikely to ever own one anyways.