Six Months On A Single: Living With Yamaha's Srx400
Six months on a Single: Living with Yamaha's SRX400
LETTER FROM Japan
Now that the SRX600 Yamaha is available in America, many people there have become aware of the resurgence of large-displacement street Singles. The 600 is available in Japan, too, but without a doubt, the smaller SRX400 Single, which is virtually identical to the 600 except for engine size, has proven to be one of this country's most popular motorcycles in recent years. The pre-release demand for the bike was so great that many dealers were forced to make waiting lists for it. The SRX400 is built for those who appreciate motorcycles with the same classic lines and mechanical
simplicity of the SRX600. And with its light weight and strong performance, the 400 has begun to build a fanatical following in Japan.
During a six-month test of the machine, we found out why the 400 has become so popular. Even though the SRX is a relatively large bike for the Japanese market, its weight of around 350 pounds is a big plus for the averaged-sized rider here. For another thing, the engine has been
designed with an automatic compression release, so most riders are pleasantly surprised when they first kickstart the machine because it doesn’t feel like a big Single. It is this easy-to-start quality that has attracted smaller riders to the 400.
In addition to being easy to start, the SRX’s slow-speed handling gives confidence to beginners and female riders who may not be accustomed to the relatively large size of a 400cc motorcycle, especially if they are moving up from a smaller bike. More advanced riders will delight in the backroad handling capabilities of the SRX. In addition, downhill mountain roads become a treat with this bike because of its engine-braking characteristics, which are inherent in large, four-stroke Singles.>
Another benefit of the SRX400 for many newer riders is that they don’t have to worry about the engine having too much power. Neither will they have to keep the engine spinning in the upper reaches of its rpm range to get the best performance out of the motorcycle; the engine feels most comfortable when kept between 3000 and 5000 rpm. The bike revs very slowly until it reaches 5000 rpm, where it picks up speed, rushing toward the 7000 rpm redline.
The bike would, however, run much more strongly with a lessrestrictive exhaust. The restrictions are the result of stringent noise regulations, and governmental enforcement of those regulations will also make it difficult for aftermarket manufacturers to design a better exhaust pipe.
But, for the most part, the SRX400 is a pleasant machine as it is delivered. It is a comfortable, versatile motorcycle that makes good, predictable power for the crowded Japanese streets. Its single-cylinder engine has little of the technological complexity of the inline Fours, giving it a non-threatening demeanor
if something should go wrong. Because of this, the SRX has been praised by both the Singles fanatics and the multi-cylinder lovers. The wide acceptance of the bike makes one wonder just what role the SRX and other large Singles will have in the future of Japanese motorcycling. —Koichi Hirose
