SR 400 retro

[moparman70]

http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/products/modelhome/691/0/home.aspx

I took a stroll through a dealer yesterday -- found the above -- retro of the SR500 from 78...... could a vintage FJ be in the future.   ( excluding the xjr)

sc2

[big r]

looks like it could be a fun bike. Like the scrambler mods. Big R

[Firehawk068]

I love it!
Kick-start, and fuel injection! 

[Arnie]

Yeah, I guess it looks interesting, but why does it weigh so much?  Is it 100% lead from top to bottom?
Isn't that 384 lbs about the same as an R6 ?  IMO it should be at least 50lbs lighter.

[moparman70]

 I guess its because it made of all that real steel type metal they used to use back in the day --- when the last time you got a chrome fender on a Japanese bike ( pre- CB1100)...

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[FJ1100mjk]

when the last time you got a chrome fender on a Japanese bike ( pre- CB1100)...

1980 Kawasaki KZ550 A1

Many years ago.

[moparman70]

I meant to say on a new bike for the chrome fender -- was referencing the new retro CB1100 Honda came out with a few years ago.  Which on a side note may have started the retro trend.  

Its interesting to see this SR400 in person -- it looks really small and the tires even smaller -- 100/90-18 fronts 110/90-18 rear.   Even our RetroFJ had 120/80's fronts --- bigger than its rear.

What goes around comes around as I bet the R1-Hybusass of today make light of our tires -- 150/80 hmmmmm that's small

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[charleygofast]

when the last time you got a chrome fender on a Japanese bike ( pre- CB1100)...

1980 Kawasaki KZ550 A1

Many years ago.

My 81 XS650 and up to 84 theyre heavy pigs too but mostly steel.Those SR, Xt, andTTs were all great bikes...bullet-proof! SRXs were pretty cool too!

[rktmanfj]

Those SR, Xt, andTTs were all great bikes...bullet-proof! SRXs were pretty cool too!

Indeed...

My '78 XT:

[charleygofast]

Those SR, Xt, andTTs were all great bikes...bullet-proof! SRXs were pretty cool too!

Now if theyd bring that back! Nice... N A Lib very nice!

Indeed...

My '78 XT:

[Mike 86 in San Dimas]

Motorcyclist has an article about a FJ-09. Liquid cooled 900 CC triple, spot tourer.

[Mike 86 in San Dimas]

Same issue rates the SR and other retro bikes. Kick starter?!

[moparman70]

kick starter ---- ahhh that is what makes it the coolest retro out there ....

[mikedastonfj1100]

kick starter ---- ahhh that is what makes it the coolest retro out there ....

yea... me tooo... now if only the fj1100 could be a kickstart:-)

[ribbert]

kick starter ---- ahhh that is what makes it the coolest retro out there ....

yea... me tooo... now if only the fj1100 could be a kickstart:-)

My God! Either your memory is failing you or you never owned many, if any of them.
There is nothing cool about kick starting bikes, particularly big singles and anything that's temperamental.
People used to literally break their legs kick starting bikes.


Starter motors, electronic ignition and fairings are the best things to happen to bikes in the last 100 years (and hydraulic brakes)
I'm sure some of the scars on my shins are from kick starters.
It makes as much sense as crank handles on cars (with which people used to break thumbs)

I was probably on my 20th bike before I got my first electric start, oh what joy.

Nooooo, leave them back in the dark ages where they belong and limit retro to styling.

Noel