Yamaha brings yesterday to today with SR400

Along with Honda's mid-size CB fours and the Kawasaki W650, old SR400s & 500s have been a favourite with café racer and street scrambler builders in recent years, which goes some way to explaining why Yamaha are introducing the new version to Australia - to appeal to new builders of retro-style custom bikes. The new SR400 may find favour with first time riders looking for a modern, reliable, LAMS-legal machine with retro-style looks, too.

The semi-double cradle steel frame is in the style of the original, with an oil-in-frame design, 27-degree caster angle and 111mm trail. The dry sump means ground clearance is higher (130mm), with a slimmer profile, too. There's a centre stand, telescopic front forks with 150mm travel and twin rear shocks with 125mm travel.

The SR400 powerplant is a torquey, air-cooled 399cc 4-stroke SOHC single, which in keeping with the old-school specification, is only offered with a kickstarter - there's no push-button start. However, starting is made somewhat easier by the transistorised ignition, electronic fuel injection and an indicator window in the offside of the cylinder head that shows the optimum piston and exhaust valve position, as well as a decompression lever on the near side.

Performance figures aren't listed, but expect horsepower in the high 20bhp range and a top speed around 110 - 120kph. A 3-way catalyser in the chromed exhaust means the engine meets current emissions regulations, too. Transmission is a 5-speed constant-mesh with chain drive, while the fuel tank is in the classic teardrop shape, but is larger than the original, holding 12 litres.

Other old-style touches include the analog gauges, chromed front and rear guards, with chrome also on the headlight rim, pillion grab bar and mirrors. Wheels are large 18-inch spoked units front and rear, with a 298 mm disc front brake and drum rear. Seat height is 785 mm and wet weight is 174kg

Now available from Yamaha dealers, the SR400 retails for $8,999 (+ORCs) and comes with a 24-month unlimited kms parts & labour warranty. Matt Grey tank and tinware is the only colour option. See your Yamaha dealer for further details.