On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500

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On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500

21st photos

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

1/21
Editor Uli Holzwarth was not entirely unprepared, but still with force, when he saw the SR 400 at a Yamaha dealer in the spring. Less than a month and a half later, Rudolf von Podewils is no different. The native of Upper Palatinate walks around the SR 400 again and again, looks here and pats there before he pushes his SR 500 out of the garage and places it next to it.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

2/21
To see the differences between the two bikes, you have to look carefully.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

3/21
Modern times: The SR 400 is easy on its electronic fuel injection with secondary air system…

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

4/21
… and lambda probe.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

5/21
The fork of the SR 500 had mounts for a second brake calliper because it came from the XS 650. But the new fork of the 400 also has these recordings…

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

6/21
Without hustle and bustle, the SR unfolds all its charm, bustling around loosely and lively even through narrow hairpin bends and always finds the right line with its narrow tires.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

7/21
The two bikes have little power, but all the more charm.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

8/21
Even if it rocks and stirs, it never gets uncomfortable or even dangerous on the Yamaha. It just makes no secret of the fact that in spite of the injection and the now powerful double-piston disc brake at the front it technically represents the state of the late 1970s.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

9/21
With the SR 500 (left) and SR 400, fun is not neglected on winding roads.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

10/21
The air-cooled single cylinder four-stroke engine of the Yamaha SR 400.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

11/21
Simple but easy to read: the instruments on the SR 500 are exemplary.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

12/21
The tried and tested remained: The dials of the SR 400 appear a little more playful.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

13/21
nice that the original single is back in this country too. And not as a more or less successful retro bike, but as an original.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

14/21
Despite some modifications – nothing works today without a catalytic converter and injection – the SR has basically remained the same.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

15/21
In today’s traffic situation, the Yamaha SR 400 is reaching its limits faster than expected.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

16/21
What one becomes particularly aware of when again a jostling transporter shows up in the rearview mirror in full format, but at the same time one notices how the little two-valve stew is only slowly gaining speed over 100 km / h.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

17/21
The tank has a total of 12 liters on the SR 400.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

18/21
From above, the SR 400 and 500 are extremely similar.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

19/21
Operation on the handlebars of the Yamaha SR 400.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

20/21
Here, too, the SR 500 looks almost identical.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Bilski

21/21
The SR 400 shines with very good workmanship, even weld seams and paint application on the frame are convincing. So arm yourself before the visit
From your Yamaha dealer – you too may succumb to the charm of the bike.

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500

Little performance, lots of charm

Content of

After a break of fifteen years, there is an SR in the shop windows of German Yamaha dealers. On the first exit with the "new" Yamaha SR 400 is accompanied by a fan who has been loyal to his SR 500 for 34 years.

I was not completely unprepared, but still hit me with force when I did the Yamaha SR 400 saw at the dealer. Right at the entrance it was there, this small and delicate machine that looked like a relic from another world between all the modern bikes. Its chrome flashing presence, however, developed a magical attraction that almost forced me to my knees to examine each of the many beautiful details up close.

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On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500

On the move with the Yamaha SR 400 and SR 500
Little performance, lots of charm

Pushes SR 500 out of the garage and puts it next to it.

A smile as a sign of silent joy flits across his face – it’s nice that the original single is back in this country too. And not as a more or less successful retro bike, but as an original. Despite a few modifications – nothing works today without a catalytic converter and injection – the Yamaha SR 400 has basically remained the same. With which not only Rudolf von Podewils associate so many memories. The 55-year-old has been loyal to his half-liter SR since 1980, when he bought it right after graduating from high school.

Yamaha SR 400 sounds much more shy

And now we’re both dying to put the Yamaha SR 400 to the test on a trip together. So turn on the ignition, pull the decompression lever on both and use the kick starter to push the piston into the ideal start position, which is shown as a silver mark in the viewing window of the right camshaft cover. Here as there, a determined step is usually enough and the two single-cylinders start pounding, with the 400 series always giving even inexperienced kickers a sense of achievement thanks to injection and smaller displacement.

The stable idle protteln of the “small” SR sounds rather shy compared to the robust, shaking 500s. An impression that prevails even at higher speeds, which the Yamaha SR 400 can take off the crankshaft more loosely than its larger-capacity sister. However, you also have to turn the 400 if it is to keep up with its 34 hp ancestor, because it pushes forward noticeably more strongly, especially in the medium speed range. With measured 25 HP at 6600 rpm and 29 Newton meters at 3300 tours, the 174 kilogram injection variant not only exercises restraint acoustically, but also in terms of performance.

Almost 6000 euros

Sometimes the Yamaha SR 400 reaches its limits faster in today’s traffic than you might think. What one becomes particularly aware of when again a jostling transporter shows up in the rearview mirror, full of format, but at the same time one notices how the little two-valve stew is only slowly gaining speed over 100 km / h. At least now you will find yourself wondering whether Yamaha did not focus too much on the price-performance ratio of the SR 400 on the rather steep price of almost 6000 euros.


Bilski

With the SR 500 (left) and SR 400, fun is not neglected on winding roads.

Thoughts that vanish by themselves after a few kilometers over narrow, winding country lanes. Here, without hustle and bustle, the Yamaha SR 400 unfolds all its charm, bustling around easily and lively even through tight hairpin bends and always finding the right line with its narrow tires. With its smaller 18-inch front wheel and narrow handlebars, the “new one” is a tad more maneuverable than Rudolf’s 500, which also forces its pilot to take a decidedly upright posture behind the wide deer antlers. Sitting on the 400 is more compact and relaxed, the comfortable bench even invites you to take longer trips.

So even with my 1.88 meters I can stand it for a while on the Yamaha SR 400, especially since it never gets boring despite the moderate pace. This is ensured by the comfort-oriented spring elements, which swallow a lot, but also bring a lot of movement into the action on wavy sections due to a lack of sufficient damping. Simply touching when the little single demonstrates on bumpy roads how authentically a “new” classic can drive these days, which mobilized the masses as early as 1978.

Very good workmanship

So that we don’t get ourselves wrong here: Even if it rocks and stirs, it never becomes uncomfortable or even dangerous on the Yamaha SR 400. It just makes no secret of the fact that in spite of the injection and the now powerful double-piston disc brake at the front, it technically represents the state of the late 1970s. Which Rudolf immediately confirms when comparing the two variants. If that bothers you, you can – as in the past – invest in progressive fork springs and accessory shock absorbers.

The Yamaha SR 400 compensates for this with very good workmanship, even welding seams and paint application on the frame are convincing. So be prepared before you visit your Yamaha dealer – otherwise you could fare like Rudolf and me.

Technical data Yamaha SR 400


Bilski

The tried and tested remained: the dials of the Yamaha SR 400 appear a bit more playful.

engine
Air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, one overhead camshaft, two rocker arm operated valves, bore x stroke 87 x 67.2 mm, compression 8.5: 1, displacement 399 cm³, power 17.1 kW (23 HP) at 6500 / min, max. Torque 27 Nm at 3000 rpm.

Power transmission
Multi-disc oil bath clutch, five-speed gearbox, chain drive.

landing gear
Single-loop frame made of tubular steel, hydraulically damped telescopic fork, Ø 35 mm, spring travel 150 mm, two-arm swing arm made of tubular steel with two spring struts, spring travel 125 mm, wire-spoke wheels with aluminum rims, tires 90 / 100-18 front, 110 / 90-18 rear, disc brake with Double-piston brake caliper at the front, Ø 298 mm, drum brake at the rear, Ø 150 mm.

mass and weight
Wheelbase 1410 mm, weight 174 kg (fully fueled), seat height 780 mm, tank capacity 12.0 liters.

Acceleration 0-100 km / h: 11.0 sec
Draft 60-100 km / h: 11.3 sec
Top speed: 128 km / h
Price: 5975 euros (including additional costs)
Info: www.yamaha-motor.eu/de

Classified ads on used Yamaha SR400 and SR500


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The used prices of the SR model series are very stable.

Yamaha’s SR models are true classics and the re-issue of the SR 400 was a bold move by Yamaha. Unfortunately, the construction time was short, which is why used Yamaha SR400s became rarities. Both SR400 and SR500 are very stable in value, which is why the used prices remain high. Here is an overview of used Yamaha SR400 and SR500: used Yamaha SR400 and Yamaha SR500.

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