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Yamaha Thumper is Back.

Archimedes said:
...Love it for what it is, nostalgia, but please don't begin to try to argue it on a performance basis...
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Well times have certainly changed that's for sure but it is easily hotrodded, with a cam, high compression piston, head port, pipe, carb, shocks and tires. Makes for a spirited street ride. I've seen one run down some hot Ducatis in their day. But I get it, singles are not for everyone. It is the pure essence of motorcycling though.

Kornholio said:
Oh god this video...
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Where did they find that Gidget? (Girl Midget). (Hey don't blame me, I didn't invent the word).
 
OaklandF4i said:
I think its a cool little bike... and would rock it for a city bike. At nearly $6k, I think Yamaha missed the price point by $1-1.5k. Then again, W650 and GB500's both go for well over that used. The other retro Jap bikes.
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Yep
 
russ69 said:
Well times have certainly changed that's for sure but it is easily hotrodded, with a cam, high compression piston, head port, pipe, carb, shocks and tires. Makes for a spirited street ride. I've seen one run down some hot Ducatis in their day. But I get it, singles are not for everyone. It is the pure essence of motorcycling though.
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I love singles, but this would not be the starting point for a performance bike. As you pointed out, you would need to replace/upgrade pretty much every component. That's a good way to turn a $6K bike into a $10-15K bike that gets smoked by a stock $8-9K bike. It's akin to buying a DRZ because it is way cheaper than a KTM, then putting $5K worth of parts on it. Fairly pointless.

Buyers of this bike are going to be more interested in the looks than the performance. For those buyers, this could be a very good machine. It just isn't my cup of tea.
 
Lunch Box said:
I love singles, but this would not be the starting point for a performance bike...
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It's a blank canvas but you are right, you would spend a lot of money to equal the performance of a 690 Duke. Sounds like a challenge to me. I like challenges. :ride
 
OMG I have a new marketing angle for my used GS500 that's for sale…"Possibly the best value in an air-cooled retro naked twin you can get today…with 38 horsepower and a duoposto setup, you can take your date to dinner on Valencia St. and leave the bike on the corner of 17th and Mission for the folks at Werkstatt after dessert."
 
Tharkûn said:
FINALLY!!! Something for the anti-abs crowd! Keeping it old school like it should be, your new commuter is here :laughing
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It has automatic ignition advance and fuel injection. When are manufacturers going to realize that we don't want our motorcycle riding experience sullied by rider aids?
 
russ69 said:
It's a blank canvas but you are right, you would spend a lot of money to equal the performance of a 690 Duke. Sounds like a challenge to me. I like challenges. :ride
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whenever i hear blank canvas i think money pit-i own a thruxton so i know,but a cafed SR400 on a diet and some go fast parts would be a blast.hitchcocks in england are getting 50 hp out of the royal enfield 500 cc single, i think that would be possible with the yamaha.i agree the msrp is way to high.
 
Burning1 said:
It has automatic ignition advance and fuel injection. When are manufacturers going to realize that we don't want our motorcycle riding experience sullied by rider aids?
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Wait you mean I can't control my own jetting? I'm out
 
ratlab said:
whenever i hear blank canvas i think money pit-i own a thruxton so i know,but a cafed SR400 on a diet and some go fast parts would be a blast.hitchcocks in england are getting 50 hp out of the royal enfield 500 cc single, i think that would be possible with the yamaha.i agree the msrp is way to high.
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It's not about the motor for me. It's about the suspension, brakes, and frame/geometry. I don't mind a wimpy motor. I refuse, however, to live with shitty suspension and brakes. This is a bargain basement priced bike, and the suspension and brakes are easy places for them to save money.

Someone who would be buying it for the looks will get exactly what he/she wants. I, however, would never be happy with it, regardless of how many go-fast parts I installed. The good thing is that I know that about myself. :laughing
 
Lunch Box said:
It's not about the motor for me. It's about the suspension, brakes, and frame/geometry...
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If it's like my SR500 and it is, the shocks are crap, it will need fork springs but the brakes are good/very good and the chassis is fine. One of the sweetest handling bikes made (until you grind the header pipe anyway).
 
A point of fact: In 1939 Stanley Woods won the Junior TT with a 350cc Velocette a bike with about the same power as the new SR400 (and much better brakes). And with the same bike he placed 4th in the Senior TT! An average lap of almost 88mph. What's that have to do with the Yamaha SR400? Nothing. But if a mid twenty horse power bike was good enough for Stanley Woods, it's good enough for me. If you think about it, 88mph average on narrow country roads would still be quite a thrill.
 
japan has a huge aftermarket for this bike-you can make one in any style-the 6000.00 kills it in the states.an FZ-07 is like 900.00 more.if they stick around for a while and some used ones come up,it would be an awesome project.
 

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ratlab said:
japan has a huge aftermarket for this bike-you can make one in any style-the 6000.00 kills it in the states.an FZ-07 is like 900.00 more.if they stick around for a while and some used ones come up,it would be an awesome project.
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Yes, exactly what I was thinking. I regret not making the effort to import one of these Suzuki 350's back when they were being made.

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There was a group of ~8 riders going across the bay bridge this morning. 3/4 of them were on bikes that looked similar to this...they looked so cool, in their tank tops with vests, jeans and "military" boots. Poser bike for sure. And making it a kickstart-only to "draw smiles from old-school motorcycle fans and appeal to more modern motorcycle enthusiasts who value the allure of riding a motorcycle that stands out in the crowd"?? :laughing no thanks Yamaha!
 
effing effing up my ability to sell my effing sr effing 500....
 
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