Yamaha 400 or Kawasaki 440?

Question

The deal with the 750 fell through so I checked the web and found a local bike salvage yard to see what they had. I found two good possibilities, neither of which need much work to get running again.

80ish Yamaha 400. It was running when it was brought in for a trade but it looks like it will need a new headgasket. No windshield, tires are good, odo reads 2900 something miles. Seat needs upholstered and a new rear tailight mount but otherwise its in pretty good shape. They're asking $400 for this.

80ish Kawasaki 440 LTD. Ran recently until the starter went out (A rebuilt one is about $150 on ebay). Has windshield, sissy bar, side leather bags, good tires. Has 19,xxx miles. They want $450 for this.

Anyone suggestions as to which one I should lean towards? Both have clear titles (not salvage) and I could probably have either one of them running within a couple days.

Answer 1

An 80ish Yammie 400 with 2,900 miles? hmmm...Either it was ridden by a little old lady, or something is wrong there.

I'd go for the Kawie 440. I've ridden it before and its very straight forward and reliable. Mileage on it is not bad at all and parts are abundant and cheap.

Whichever one you do get though, make sure you have the bike checked out by someone who knows how to check used bikes. Either a buddy or a mechanic friend.

Good luck and stay safe!

Answer 2

I have a 1981 kawi 440 ltd that i absolutely love. i bought it for $75 not running and have since reworked the entire thing, and i use it as a commuter when the weather permits. the starter took a s$%# on the bike, and i took it out, cleaned up the contacts, and put it back and it's been fine.

i looked at a xs-400 yamaha, and owned an xs-750 yamaha (both 1979) befor the kawi. i was most comfortable with the 440, it is designed very well and starts up every time.

the carb is a little tricky, but it gives it character i think. i've re-jetted it twice so far, and have gotten more power out since. the original jets are small for emission purposes, so thats something to look into

definately the 440

Answer 3

I suggest buying a NEW 250 dual-sport. There are tons of used bikes filling up junkyards. The reason? The cost of new replacement parts is so high that even simple repairs cost more than the replacement value of the bike. You can spend $50 for a single gasket. Carb rebuild kits are as high as $150. You cannot buy a float bowl gasket by itself; you must buy a kit with o-rings, needles etc. The problem is that it costs the manufacturers a fortune to carry parts inventories for these older obscure bikes. You are better off paying $150 a month for a new bike loan than spending the same amount trying to keep an old bike running.

Answer 4

If it's an RD400, it's a completely different machine than the Kawasaki. The RDs were light weight, great handling kickass little pocket rockets that beat the 750s at Daytona for years.. The Kawasaki LTD was a laid back civilized street bike.

Answer 5

Both of these bikes are slugs they dont go very fast.
they were built as commutor bikes only and i think you would tire of them very soon if you want a good kawasaki commutor i suggest the er500 much smoother and much quicker even the 250 is quicker than the old 400 and 440s

Answer 6

Buyer beware. You don't know what condition the engine is in. Either could've been run without oil and need serious engine repair. Piston, rings, cylinder bore, valve job, head/camshaft replacement, trani, clutch, broken parts in carb, major electrical problems - where as parts are no longer available. How do you know they ran before they were junked?

Answer 7

the Kaw is stronger overall. The Yamaha has oddly shaped and uncomfortable handlebars. Go with the Kaw

Answer 8

yamaha chromed out 1100