I had a friend who had an RD-350. If I rode too close behind him I would eventually get covered with a fine spray of 2-stroke oil from the exhaust. One learned to keep one's distance. It's acceleration was phenomenal. I rode a Honda CB-350G in those days, wish I still had it. Haven't ridden a motorcycle in years. The 70's were quite the years. I finished off with a Kawasaki KZ-650. My friend finished with a BMW 650. I remember when riding his BMW I had trouble finding a comfortable place to put my feet. I suppose people adapted to them. The KZ was reasonably fast and very smooth with 4-cylinders. It think it was rated in the mid-60's for hp.
Hi I had one a F2 Late model I had the opposite feeling for me .. I hated it ! It was low mileage and mint condition, after 2 weeks took it back to dealer and traded it in on a Kawasaki Z400J now what a machine that was .. Fantastic memories of that one 👍
RD400 one of my all time favourites to ride ... outstanding bike....much better to ride than you'd ever think... First bike with cast wheels....but were a £40extra in UK .
Started riding a "78 xs 400 at 12 yrs old and let me tell you it was one tough bike, it would run 110 mph all day long , you couldn't kill it, that bike gave me a one with the machine muscle memory that I applied to later sport bikes. Miss the old girl, but smile about the adventures it gave me!
I owned a GT380 at 16 years old - that yes rather heavy bike always took care of me. And yes it worked well with a pillion. Her name was Michelle. And Debbie. And Liz. And Laurie.
When I was 14 my parents bought me a KH400 S3. It relieved them of having to ferry me around, and since I had been riding bikes for quite a while the power didn’t scare me. I don’t remember it guzzling gas, but I guess it did? I wound up putting expansion chambers on it, and it was then a lot like riding a motocross bike. With the way I rode it gas mileage wasn’t my primary concern. I got it to an indicated 108mph once after riding through a speed wobble just over 100mph. I then had to ride back through the speed wobble again as I slowed down. I never tried that again 😂 I had a choice between the RD400 and the KH400. I was a fan of Kawasaki’s so I went with the KH400. Great bike, never left me stranded anywhere during the 15,000 miles I rode it. I wish I had it back now.
@@Nooziterp1 It “almost” was legal when I was a kid in Arkansas in the 70’s. You could get a motorcycle license at 14, but the bike had to be 250cc or less. At 16 you could get whatever you wanted. I had been riding bikes since I was in the 4th grade and my parents were ok with me getting a 400. I just had to be careful not to get pulled over on it, and I didn’t. At the time there was a 500cc triple sitting in the showroom next to the 400s. That would have been a lot more fun but I knew my parents wouldn’t go for it.
@@riveneva1519 Wow, what a contrast to here in the UK. 16 year-olds are restricted to 50cc ( from 1979 with a top speed of 30mph). 17 and up before they had passed their test were restricted to 250cc, and in 1983 this came down to 125cc with a maximum power of 15bhp. And the test procedure is long and complicated. Look it up on the net. You won't believe what's involved.
Thanks for this trip down memory lane 👍 I owned the RD and the 400 Four both fabulous in they’re day but so very different. The RD with a bit of fettling was more than capable of embarrassing much bigger bikes whilst the Honda out handled everything and had a peach of an engine. I wish I still had both as prices here in the UK are now becoming silly for bikes of this era.
Yes. Its the same here both the RD400 and the CB400 F are the most sought after of all the bikes in this video. Both looked very nice just in different ways. The suzi 380 would be next
I had the CB400 Four F2 model. Loved that bike and when you hit the rev power band it really shifted. If they still made them now people would buy them. Great bike to learn how to ride.
Totally agree. So many modern bikes are just ugly ( Yamaha. Take note). I think that’s why the royal Enfield are so popular in the uk, they look like motorcycles.
I owned a rd400 in 1980. Wiesco pistons, boysen reeds, jetted cabs, expansion pipes, flat bars,rear sets, koni rear shocks, 1/4 faring, cafe style seat. I was a small rider and that bike was incredible. The power band was unbelievable. Great times, crazy times. ❤️
Owned a gt 550 Suzuki triple. It, and the 380 are two strokes that ride like 4strokes hense the logo, grandtourer. Brilliant smooth long distance bikes. I had mine for years and loved it
If i could travel in time I would have put my RD400 (red) in mothballs so I could look at it and ride it today. I loved it, and it did go over 100 mph because that's how fast I was going when it seized. Twice. 😞 Great Video. A girlfriend of mine had the blue CB400. Lovely bikes and great video. 🙂 🏍
There was a long steep hill near where I lived with little traffic. both my Honda 350's did 80 mph as did the 400F. My Honda 450 twin Cam did 90 mph and my Suzuki GT550 did 115 mph. All speeds indicated. What was interesting was that the 400F, the 450 and the 550 Suzuki were all 32 HP machines on the Cycle dyno. The best handling bike of the bunch was the 400F by far. the best performing bike was the GT550 both for it's speed and wide spread of power. Unusual for a 2-stroke it had power right from idle. Some years later I sold the GT550 to a friend and I got a GT750. Lt was more peaky than the 550; it came on the pipe at 3500 and felt fast. Now I had a bike with real power. My ex-550 left it for dead:(
I had the RD350B inthe mid 70s, then the RD350LC and a red CB400 four,the yams were quicker and better handling than anything in your list but then I got the 350 YPVS OMG nearly 120 mph and handled like a dream with twin discs and rear disc is was a weapon.I loved it and out of 15 bikes in my life i consider it my 2nd favorite motorcycle in 54 yrs of riding.
Learned how to ride a motorcycle on a RD250! Owned a RD350 and a RD400 Daytona, and multiple other bikes. The RD’s were by far my favorite. I put a RD250 counter sprocket on the 350, and would spot Honda CB750’s 10 lengths, and still chase them down. 13:06
Awesome video, a trip down memory lane! I had a GT380 and 4 RD400s, (one of which I rode into a lake to escape the snakes while tripping on acid - not something I would recommend but it was a hell of a rally!)
I just got my "first RD 400" in over 20 years. I've had quite a few, including an R5 350, Daytona Special, and a wrecked RZ 350, that lost its engine to the Daytona. Also installed the whole front wheel, fork and handlebar. Since that had the YPVS system, I had to re-wire the whole thing. This was STUPID fast! That R5, came into play, wen my first RD 400's crank went south. Pulled the crank out, replaced it with the R5 stuff, including the cylinders. The flywheels did not quite fill up the bottom end, like the 400 crank did. It was just a bit slower, but when I came on to the pipes, sucked all the oil out of the crankcase, and OBLITERATED, who ever's windshield was behind me. steve
I raced an '84 RZ350 in the RZ Cup. When on the pipe it was SO much fun. I have a video of me leaned over in a corner and as I exit the front wheel comes up. Just a gas! I added chambers with long stingers and the mufflers were at the end of the stingers. Open air box, jets and race reeds. What a freaking gas. My buddy told me NOT to sell it. He was right. About a week later I was kicking myself. In downtown Omaha, that high pitched exhaust note bounced off all those buildings. Watch the folks look around. Too much. Yes, I really miss that bike.
Kept the faith with Kawasaki triples. In the UK 250 phase the Kh250 was hilarious but I couldn’t keep up with RD250s or indeed GT250s. I had a KH400 in S3 spec later on and for a good few years. That was just great fun! For a laugh I’d fit a Piper 3 into 1 for a few weeks just for the madness and the sound, but it dropped top speed down to 85! I ended up with a purple H2C. Sold that last year. Now that was interesting, it would try to kill me when my guard was down. Didn’t like a good bit of throttle on a long bumpy bend and could get quite threatening. Yet 98% of the time it was just good fun. I think the best triple I rode was an original 350 S2 on a test ride. That thing was quite bonkers, I loved it.
Have to say S2 was so quick it did handle but the bugger didn't like stopping drum model . Capable of staying with a kettle to 70 ish . Bonkers powerband as you went past 6 . Would do 3 figures two up 👍 just don't talk about mpg 25 lol. On Dyno 47 bhp ❤
My first bike was a 1978 Suzuki GS 400XC with the front drum brake in red with the silver pin striping. Still my favorite motorcycle. I raced it successfully against RD350's. It handled like a dream.
That post sure brings back memories. I owned all the Kawasaki Triples and the Honda 400 SS. The Honda was the cream of the crop. Its handling out of the crate was superb. I only added Bar-end mirrors and enjoyed the hell out of even after I discovered The Suzuki GS-1000S Barry Sheene Replica and the 'E' model which I heavily modified. I later picked up the Katana's. By 1990 I had over 60 bikes in my collection including rotaries and turbo models and some Brit and Check bikes. All gone now in one big sale. These days I just ride a Kawasaki Concour's and a new Honda Super Cub and looking for an EV bicycle among the plethora of choices..
Honda 400-4, its what I got my open licence on. I owned a Suzuki GT380..., but you had to ride a 400 or bigger to get your open licence, so I borrowed my mates..., it was like riding a mini bike and I aced the test. 🥰..., 50 years later and I am looking at a cruiser now-a-days..., however if I ever found an old Suzuki GT380 in at least half decent condition I think I would have to buy it and re-build it to it's former glory. 🥰..., great times. 😍
I had a KH400, and an S3. My KH was standard but the S3 was tuned. It had insane acceleration making it hard to keep the front wheel on the ground. It would indicate 125 flat out (I am sure that speedo was not accurate) the only car that ever out accelerated me to 60 was a Lotus 7. I rode a friend's RD400 and (I hate to admit) it is true that they were much more stable and better handling than the Quacks. I never rode a midweight Honda 4 cylinder bike, but I did have a CB 750 fb, which was effortlessly quick, but was a bit of a handful. The bikes now are light years ahead of 70s and early 80s equipment. It would be unfair to compare. Thanks for the "nostalgia"!
Your welcome. The triple Kwakas may not have been the best bikes but as far as fun goes they were the best. I like them even with their flaws. Thanks for watching
@@motorcyclecafe Kwak not quack lol. I knew as I wrote it, it was wrong. My favourite bike of that era, and still is, just from its looks and sound. Z650. If I ever see one for sale, I will buy it.
I had a Kaw z400 back in the 80s. I paid $200 for it and it was in great shape, very low miles. I loved that bike. So nimble and comfortable. So reliable... My bikes had been getting bigger for years but not more enjoyable. I'm now thinking in my 60s going back to the early days. Maybe smaller is better.
Growing up here in the United states I've had the opportunity also to ride many of these bikes because growing up they were inexpensive and viewed as too small. Usually I look for a difference in UK opinion but you were spot on in that evaluation. Tremendous choice for video and keep the 70s 80s evaluations coming. Edit ; here in the states the chicks only noticed the small 2 stoke screamers
@@motorcyclecafe ohhh time out your video was about 400s and the chicks you claimed loved those small hondas...that's What I was referring too and frankly in the US nobody has cared about 70s or 80s Cb hondas, they got smoked Religiously. The Comment was about what " Chicks" liked not about an Old dude from down under unless you've changed something
Good one. I'm in recent possession of a 1976 super sport in a heavily corroded state, which I'm slowly restoring - I really appreciated the parts of this video on that bike, but the rest was fascinating too. Thanks mate.
My brother had a 400F. Pls take a close look at the chamshaft! My brother and 2 friends started a tour of 10000 km's throughout Europe. And the bike started to sound funny when they hadn't even left Germany. They decided to not give up and maybe take it home on a train. It survived the tour! Malfunction: one of the cams was used down to the shaft itself. So this valve did not open anymore. So you wanna look out for this kind of damage. Plus: look for wear of the camshaft over lenght: the camshaft is just rotating in the alloy of the head. No bearings! So, if you find wear, you'll have machine the head to fit in some bearings. It can be done. Is just quite a task.
I had the Honda 400-4 in Blue. I had an odd response when put into 6th on a motorway, All sound vanished. I had it rigged as a touring bike with a fairing, panniers and a top box. I still miss that bike unlike most others.
I had a blue 400f and I loved it. Fast and flickable, I loved to hunt 750's on the local B roads. Handling was OK, till you addd a pillion and then it got a little "Interesting". When BIKE magazine tested it they called it "The poor boys superbike". I think that sums it up perfectly.
I've owned 2 x 350/4 Hondas ..got my Ls with one in 76 ..had a 500/4 ..great bike ..about 10 750/4s ...never got into 2 strokes ...loved my z900s / 1000s .1100s ..heaps of those ..3x SX 1100 RHs ..GS 750 ..GS 1000 S ..3 x XS 650s ..and a GSXR 1100 ..GSX 1100 ..few Katanas 750 and 1100 few different trail bikes ..loved them all
My first street bike was a 1977 GS 400 Suzuki. I was 17 when I got it, I tried to ride the wheels off it for a few years and then traded it to a relative. I would love to have another one.
I remember a tour up to Denmark. I was passenger on a Z1000. A classmate of mine had the smallest bike in the group: the GS400. Not only a very beautiful bike. In magazines it was praised for the best brakes, best quality of paint... the list goes on. And his one ran 150 km/h (almost 94 mph)! Now, in Germany, these bikes where limited to 27hp. He had picked a good one! Over the years, I've heard of 27hp bikes going from 120 up to 165 km/h. (So I'm happy with my RD125LC, going 140, without optimizing the transmission ratio, so far.)
Had the Kawasaki Z400 parallel twin 4 stroke. Lovely bike and, as you say, very smooth. Except I recall it had a distinct power band - expected for the 2 stroke Kawas but I found it a bit of a surprise on the "relatively sedate" 4-stroke. I dropped it coming off a roundabout - they'd re-surfaced and left a tiny lip between pours of the tarmac. It was only at low speed and I didn't hit anything, the bike just kinda slid out from under. Somehow it never felt the same after that though or maybe it was simply the tyres or I'd lost confidence in it.
In 1979 I made my first camping trip from Denmark through Germany, Schweiz and France to Monaco and back on my GT550 with my girlfriend as passenger. It handled very well in the mountain passes. The seat was so confy that my girlfriend fell asleep on the way a couple of times. We had to adjust the carburetors once on the way.
Well I owned only one of those bikes,the GT 380 in 1974. so I can't make comparisons but after my Suzuki T250 is was a dream ,Incredibly smooth engine and great performance and very comfortable seat so I think I made the right choice.Thanks for the video it was very objective.
Awesome awesome video of really amazing machines. I own a 1973 Kawasaki S2 350 and that bad boy I don't know why but every Yamaha rd350 and rd400 I raced that extra cylinder somehow just always pull through and make me zip past them but they were all amazing bikes even the 4-stroke versions very cool for the day! Thanks for the video and the great memories
Nice coverage of a class of machines that were so important to establish solid riding performance with low cost and ease of care. I worked for a Suzuki/Kawasaki dealership just north of NYC and had lots of experience with these machines. For myself in the here-and-now, I'd like to have a KZ400 of my own, especially that later year model. They were built solid and just all around good manners. I liked the GS Suzuki also but it wasn't as comfortable as the Kawasaki. The GT380 was a gentleman's motorcycle, very refined feeling as were the other GT two strokes. The Kawasaki triples were decent products but performed with a harshness the others didn't show.
I had a 1978 XS400 Special and I drove it at 121 mph on one occasion. It was also as stable as could be and smooth at any speed. I cannot imagine why the one you had was plagued with vibration. If you meant feeling the engine vibration in the handlebars and footpegs, the one I had did not have any more vibration than any other 3-cycle twin of mid displacement. It was one of the greatest bikes ever made because it had reasonable acceleration, was exceedingly reliable, looked good, made excellent fuel mileage, was very nimble, and comfortable to ride.
Nice summary there and thanks for uploading. The RD was always the daddy in my eyes back in the day and I still vividly remember my first ride on one, what an experience that was! Although the RD400 is probably my favourite all time motorcycle (reflected by me currently owning four of them), I also have a S3 and 400 Four, so perhaps I need to sample a GT380 as well? As others have said in the comments, each of these machines has its own character and will be enjoyable for different reasons and my own experiences from the three models that I personally own probably crystalise into the RD being the most enjoyable all round due to its excellent performance and character , the S3 being the most aurally exciting and (to my eyes at least), most stylish with its lines and the asymmetric upswept exhausts, whilst the CB is a lovely mix of the first two bikes and also is hard to fault being a Honda. Classic bike ownership is so much more enjoyable than owning something modern in many ways and I love the sense of community they evoke, plus the way they will typically cause strangers to strike up a conversation with you when they see you parked up during a ride out.
Interesting reminsicent vid. I had a similar experience in that rode and or owned many of those or similar (albeit the more popular of the era 350 class) too. The 400s were latter half of the decade. In no particular order Yamaha RD350A, RD350B, RD400C, Honda CB350K2, CB350Four, CB360T, CB400Four, Kawasaki KZ400 & Z400, KH350 & Ducati 450 Desmo. No road Suzukis in that 1970s lineup other than a test ride of the GT380, and ownership of a TS185. I late came to own a sucession of Suzukis two of which I still own and less occasionally with advancing years, still ride. (1985 RG500Gamma and 1998 RGV250T).
Some really pretty bikes there but I'm gonna throw in my hat for them 6v 1976 Jawa 350. The comfort, weight, handling, and suspension were the best of any small bike I've ever ridden. And that includes modern bikes. Pity about the engine, electrics and brakes though!
Fascinating... A lovely trip down memory lane. In London, these were all used to a lesser or greater extent by the courier industry. I rode some, perhaps most of these, but not all. Some of these are clunkers; others are jewels. The RD400 is a real monarch on this company. In the UK, sales were hurt by the 250cc learner laws. Once you had your test, why spend money on something that looks like its 250 cousin? Well... Because it's an extraordinary machine. All of these are all the nicer for being free of fairings. Thanks for the nostalgia trip. 😊
...my second bike was a cb400 but I remember it being of canary yellow paint..didn't handle that well but great on the freeway...and the 4 into 1 exhaust was a work of art... third bike the yamaha 400 handled very well on public roads and canyon carving, always loved the way yamahas handled on the turns, didn't realize it was heavier than the cb...think I liked the quicker power delivery of the yamaha, the cb took it's time to rev up those four cylinders....
I think the ordinary handling in those days was just as much to do with the tires at the time, although the skinny front forks didn't help either. The Honda was a lot better than the Kwaka as far as handling goes that's for sure! Cheers thanks for watching!
@@motorcyclecafe I have a number of 70's motorcycles and modern tires, upgraded shocks and the availability of specific fork oils can dramatically improve the handling and ability to stop. The Japanese tires of the day were very hard and provided very poor grip on the greasy wet roads of the UK, where I grew up. My Honda 500 would spin the rear tire under quite gentle acceleration in the rain. A set of Avon Road Runners was a huge improvement even back then, but today's tires are another big step forward and while they don't transform any of my bikes into track day racers, for normal riding the mods mentioned can make the bikes very usable on todays roads.
@@motorcyclecafe I put over 300 miles on mine no problem. I learned how to shift on it properly. It's changed my outlook on life. Goes to 65 quickly. I haven't even messed with 6th gear yet.
I have had the three 2 stroke bikes here, but the kawasaki was an S3, it was as quick as the RD but didn't feel as robust. The GT was more civilised. All three were fantastic bikes.👍
I have an '81 XS400 ... It is reliable, easy to work on, very well built, and quick enough to have fun. It's a good commuter bike. But, you're right about the vibrations at top end, its also got a more vibey idle than any of the other 400s of the day. They even commented on this in reviews of the day.
GT380. My first rd bike in ‘79. I was 18. Went from the 380 to a new Suzuki GS1100E in Aug of 83 with a Honda CB750 Custom in between. I was only 21. Good times. Really good times.
Great review. Hard to disagree with any of your comments. It is subjective but to my eyes the GT380 is the best looking bike of the group. Great three cylinder noise as well. Those pipes on the Honda 400 do look stunning though. If I had to pick one bike it would be the RD400. Good at nearly everything
Took an RD400 for a test ride. Took of from the lights and crapped myself, immediately returned to the shop they said try this honda 1976 cb400T (called the Hawk or super dream depending what country) it can keep up with the RD and much smoother. An excellent bike did 19000 kilometres in 6 months
My first bike was a Honda CB400T. Loved it but it had a bad habit of burning out the stator every 6 to 8 months. Apart from that it was a great first ride.
First video I’ve seen on your channel, very informative and entertaining. I just picked up a 78 gs400 with a 78 Harley roadster fxs front end (twin disc brake) gorgeous bike!
A well done video of bikes from my youth. I owned an RD, and had the chance to ride several of these bikes. The GT380 was a dog compared to the RD, the GS400 was a good first effort, and surprisingly good. The S3A/KH400 was fast, but not as good as the RD. The XS400 was a bone shaker, I laughed hard hearing you say the same thing!😅 The Honda 400F is a neat bike. Those headers are cool! Back in the day, Kaz Yoshima at Ontario Moto Tech, was the 400F hot rod guy. 400F's prepared by OMT were little monsters, yet still reliable, easily ridden bikes that would challenge RD's. Thanks for the video.
I don't remember the GT380 handling that well but that may have been due to my limited teenage skills. It's a testement to the CB400 that a version is still in production for some markets. Another great round up, cheers.
My recall is that all the GT Suzukis handled better than the Kawasaki counterparts. Their perceived bulk was misleading and they did weigh more but had none of the twitchiness of the Kawasakis.
@@whalesong999 I'm sure you're right, the GT did feel more substantial. I should have been a bit clearer, I was basing my comment on the 200 - 350 Brit bikes I was able to ride (afford) at the time, newer Jap bikes were mostly out of range for us poor apprentices.
the kz400 was a smooth ride and a great Cruser bike the power was level and dependable. The bike responded well when you cracked the whip and handled like a dream
Im surprised you didn’t include the Super Dream model !. I owned a 1980 Honda 250NA for 2 years from new and passing my test until one day I rode a 1979 400n the difference was mine blowing I can’t explain the difference enough, the difference being maybe a black-white telly to a colour telly. I’ve always loved my Japanese twins, the Suzuki 425 was another twin I coveted.
I was going to include that bike but decided to leave it out due to its late appearance in the 70s and video length. Plus I have never ridden one myself.
Nicely done. The 1970 Kawasaki A7 was quicker and faster than it's successors S2, S2A, S3, KH 400 and also the Yamaha RD 350. A little later on I owned a 1985 RZ350 which was significantly faster and quicker than anything else from Japan going back to 1969.
The A7s were ferocious little buggers, serviced many in my time as a tech at a dealership. I always admired how they managed to get all those castings to enclose the carburetors and disk valves with such good fit. Very complicated.
Ferocious is a good way to describe the A7! 😂 Started on the RD350, graduated to the RZ350, which I still own and ride. The RD was the fun, bad girl. The RZ is more civilized, but still a fun, bad girl at heart. Two strokes, nothing like them.😊
1st bike was a X7 250 and then got a Yam XZ550. Tried a CB400 and a Kawasaki 440 and GS450 but , you know ,Kenny Robert's rode a Yamaha so that was it. 40 years later I bought another X7: 2 strokes have the sound and smell of my youth. Not the best , but I love it to bits.
Interesting to read about the vibes on the XS. I’ve done a full resto on a 1979 XS400F to the point where it’s virtually new and it does vibrate a lot. The mirrors may as well not be there.
Once you have tried a two strokes sling shot power delivery, four strokes just can't cut it. Had Suzuki GT 185/ 250/380/550/and 750 plus a T500 twin. Also had an RD 350 with absolute mental acceleration (couldn't keep the front wheel on the ground) Happy days
Yep I have to agree with the majority of your assessment as I owned similar bikes thru the seventies and absolutely agree with your thoughts on the Honda 400 four as I had both a red and blue example here in Melbourne but what a grouse little bike they were! Geez I loved them! I also had the 250, 350 and 500 Mach 3 triples but that’s another story, I still have a 400 Honda of sorts in my older age, a GB 400 TT mark 2, single that I’ve owned well over twenty years a model that was never sold here in Australia but was privately imported from New Zealand that were lucky enough to get a handful new, it’s just as enjoyable to ride as the 400 four and was Hondas factory “cafe racer” back in the day, still in pristine confition
Great video. Had a 250 triple back in the day and I wouldn’t be disappointed with any of the strokers here , today . They fetch a premium in the auction sites . Still , a man can dream eh ? 😢😂
I was 21 back in 1977 and living in the UK I had passed my bike test on a Honda CB250K4 and was now permitted to buy a bigger bike. The RD400 was the machine to get if you had the money and could put up with the abuse from my Commando riding brother about 'bee in a bottle' 2 strokes. I lusted after the Honda 400f that was getting rave reviews in the press. My mate bought one and although it was a sweet little sewing machine I realised that ultra smooth little 4cyl bikes were not my idea of a motorcycle. I tried a Z400 and was really unimpressed with its unenthusiastic motor. I ended up buying a low mileage GS400 and once we had put thicker oil in the forks and a louder exhaust I absolutely loved that bike. In fact my mate with the 400f agreed it was the better all-rounder. I put about 50k miles on that bike but never had to do any significant work on the engine. A very pretty bike to but they never got loved like the Honda or Yamaha and are a very rare bike now. I think there is a certain time in everyone's life when one particular bike matches your mood and needs and that bike was the GS400 for me. I suspect if I rode one today I would find it sluggish and not particularly comfortable. Best leave your heroes as photos on the wall. 😊
I had an RD400, did a lot of miles, but it didn't like commuting. Changed it for an XS400 in 1979, kept that until late 2003. The bad vibration just steadily got worse as the miles increased, eventually longer journeys would have hands and feet going numb. Still fond memories though.
@@motorcyclecafe Not as hard as I expected, but there's a longer story to the bike. It started life as a 1979 XS, like the one in the vid, but in 1984 I put the engine and gearbox into a later 250 frame, to gain the longer swing arm (better stability in long bends) and the larger fuel tank. Yamaha did not bring in the 400 in the later model except as the custom. With all the bits, I used the early left fork and wheel, to get twin front discs, swapping lots of the leftovers for master cylinder, splitter and caliper from a late 500. A unique bike. At the time I was an instructor with a local RAC/ACU scheme (before training became compulsory). Guy who bought it recognised it, as he'd been one of the students years ago. Medium bike, full fairing, panniers, and still negotiated the tight turns of the training course with all fitted. The RD400 could stop at lights and remain upright for several seconds before a foot needed planting on the floor. A great trick, stop at the lights, keep both feet on the footrests, move away when the lights changed. Would stun a few car drivers. Was very easy to ride in snow too due to the great balance. The XS would prefer to lie down.
When bikes were bikes😂 the gt380 in gold and cb400f in blue in top spot,very closely followed by rd400 in yellow and black. Excellent trip down memory lane cheers made my day 👍
thanks, i had a gs400 identical to the red one in your video, i loved that bike more than the gsx750 and gs1000 i had later, so now i own a royal enfield gt650 which is very similar
My dad had the GS400 Suzuki for a while and I probably put 200 miles on it. Very nice and pretty smooth but I thought it was boring because I was used to bigger bikes at the time. Regardless of it boring me, it would have made a great commuting bike and no doubt reliable. And moderately good looking too, not ugly but not a chick magnet either. My dad also had two RD350s in the span of a few years, not at the same time. Very nice but cruising on the open road they were hard to keep going at an even speed. You constantly had to readjust the throttle to stay at the speed you wanted to go, likely due to the reed valves.
Like you, I started (legally) riding on the road in the late 70s (1977) and so those were all bikes that were around at that time. Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane! The only point that I disagree with is the 'Best Looking' category - for me that has to go to the KH400; the feminine curves of the fuel tank/seat/exhaust still do it for me. But I think if you had to just pick a 'best 400' out of that group, it would have to be the RD400 - every teenage hooligan's dream!!!
Your opinion on the best looking bike is of course up to each persons point of view. They all looked pretty good to me. I do agree with your comment on the RD it was a very good motorcycle!
In 1979 I bought my first bike, a 1976 Honda CB400F. It took me everywhere, including twice on 5000km tours around Canada's maritime provinces. Long story short:in the intervening years many bikes have come and gone, but the little CB never left and is living a quiet retirement in my garage. Was it a chick magnet ? all I can say is that I once gave a work colleague her first motorcycle ride on it and this year we'll be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. Here in Canada, the Kawasaki KZ400 was everywhere, we even received three different versions of it: a bare-bones drum braked and kick-start only base model, the standard version as featured in your video, and a tourer/commuter with a handlebar mounted touring fairing and hard saddlebags complete with crash bars.
Straight to comments: I had 2 GS400's and 3 GS425's including one GS425X experimental race engine- those were great bikes. I drag raced a Porsche and a Ford Galaxie 500 in the same day and beat them both!
Me and a buddy of mine once bought a RD400 from our savings. The engine apparantly had seized and when we opened it, we found it was one of the aluminium fills in the cranks openings which had come loose and so blocked the con rod.
In 1989 I bought an XS400 (red) and a 400/4 (blue) for a total of £100. The 400/4 had a severe handling problem, so I sold it very soon for £100. I knew it was a poor specimen when I bought it for 50 quid. The friend I bought them from needed the space as he was getting married. The following year he was my best man when I got married and I became his elder son's godfather (I'm an atheist!) the next year. We were out riding on our Beta Alps together yesterday and at a pub last night by the way. I say this to illustrate that we didn't fall out over a poor bike, and I knew about that anyway. The XS400 I remember as a very chunky and rapid motorcycle (I had a 750 Four at the time) and don't recall bad vibes, though it had blue foam grips fitted. The Bike magazine test page said it could do the ss quarter quicker than an RD400, which I assumed was a typo. I cant understand why the self cancelling indicators which were on my 1976 RD200 and 1978 XS400 didn't become universal, or even mandatory, on all motorcycles. I'm in the Isle of Man and have a Guzzi V7 and MT-09 as well as my Beta Alp. The 750/4 went last month.
RD400 was such an awesome Ride. Easiest to wheelie bike I’ve ever owned! The brakes were crap in the rain though, don’t ask me how I know…😀So much FUN!!
For a kid working at minimum wage in the 1970's these bikes were affordable so you could own it. The RD400 was $400 more than the RD350 because of the pollution controls on it. Sign of things to come. Today's motorcycles are a collection of government regulations on 2 wheels.😢
I currently own the '76 RD400 in my profile pic but, I started riding when I was 15 on a '73 RD250 that was bone stock and them moved up to a '75 RD350 that was modified but, I still feel it was a quicker bike than my 400. I used to blow away all the CB750-4's stop light to stop light on that bike until the VFR-750 Interceptor came out. When I was in High School I really wanted a Honda 400-4 but, didn't have that kind of cash which is why I started on a used RD250. Later on my room mate had the 350LC and that bike was smooth as well as quick and quiet.
@@motorcyclecafe During the summer my friends and I used to race around on Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills all night until the sun came up and we modified the line from Apocalypse now. We'd say say "I love the smell of 2-stroke in the morning. It smells like victory."
A couple of bikes that were extremely common in the UK, during the 1970's, were the Jawa 350-634, CB400N Super Dream & CZ 350-472 Sport. Stats as follows: Jawa 350-634 Weight = 361 pounds Engine = 28 HP @ 5,250 RPM, 38 pounds/foot torque @ 3,800 RPM Top speed = 86 MPH Honda CB400N Super Dream Weight = 420 pounds Engine = 38 HP @ 9,000 RPM Top speed = 108 MPH CZ 350-472 Sport Weight = 291 pounds Engine = 28 HP @ 5,250 RPM, 38 pounds/foot torque @ 3,800 RPM Top speed = 92 MPH I've ridden all three, at one time or another. The CZ corners like its on rails.
Electric start was probably deemed unnecessary on the Two-Strokes , since they have low Static Compression . Once running and the Crankcase gets involved , that changes quite a lot .
I had the RD400E white with red speed blocks and color-coded alloys, in the UK the big discounters sold the 400 at the same price as the 250, which was a bargain.
Owned the Honda in the late 70s. Drove from Illinois to Maine and back. Still miss that bike (and quite a bit of my hair)!!
A great bike. Reliable, comfortable, fun to drive.
The RD 400 was my absolute favourite . Well proportioned best styled.
it was a great bike for sure!
I had an 400 e and a dx
The e had an Ian Dyson full fairing bit ugly but made about 10mph on top end
I had a friend who had an RD-350. If I rode too close behind him I would eventually get covered with a fine spray of 2-stroke oil from the exhaust. One learned to keep one's distance. It's acceleration was phenomenal. I rode a Honda CB-350G in those days, wish I still had it. Haven't ridden a motorcycle in years. The 70's were quite the years. I finished off with a Kawasaki KZ-650. My friend finished with a BMW 650. I remember when riding his BMW I had trouble finding a comfortable place to put my feet. I suppose people adapted to them. The KZ was reasonably fast and very smooth with 4-cylinders. It think it was rated in the mid-60's for hp.
Absolutely agree totally! 👍
None of these bikes could keep pace with it in the roadrace match.
I had a Honda CB400 Four, and man, that bike was built like a watch. It handled like a cat and was quick.
Hi I had one a F2 Late model I had the opposite feeling for me .. I hated it ! It was low mileage and mint condition, after 2 weeks took it back to dealer and traded it in on a Kawasaki Z400J now what a machine that was .. Fantastic memories of that one 👍
I had one too, for many years, lovely machine. Cam chain tensioner was the only flaw
Never heard of a 400. I had a 72 450 scrambler Honda. It would tear a 350 up.
Didn't know u said 4 cylinder. Don't remember those.
I Had 1 in 1977 Very Reliable & pretty quick had to keep adjusting Cam Chain awesome video thank you
400/4 was just sheer class to ride..
RD400 one of my all time favourites to ride ... outstanding bike....much better to ride than you'd ever think...
First bike with cast wheels....but were a £40extra in UK .
Real Riders prefer Spokes !!
I had several Yamaha XS400 when I first got into motorcycles. They will always have a special place in my heart.
Started riding a "78 xs 400 at 12 yrs old and let me tell you it was one tough bike, it would run 110 mph all day long , you couldn't kill it, that bike gave me a one with the machine muscle memory that I applied to later sport bikes. Miss the old girl, but smile about the adventures it gave me!
Had a 76 XS400. Spoke wheels with double leading shoe front brake. Turned it into a Cafe Racer. Very fun bike to have!! I really miss ole Peanut.
@@Keith-rk4td One of mine had the same cable operated front drum setup you're talking about.
It stopped better than most would imagine.
I owned a GT380 at 16 years old - that yes rather heavy bike always took care of me. And yes it worked well with a pillion. Her name was Michelle. And Debbie. And Liz. And Laurie.
When I was 14 my parents bought me a KH400 S3. It relieved them of having to ferry me around, and since I had been riding bikes for quite a while the power didn’t scare me.
I don’t remember it guzzling gas, but I guess it did? I wound up putting expansion chambers on it, and it was then a lot like riding a motocross bike. With the way I rode it gas mileage wasn’t my primary concern.
I got it to an indicated 108mph once after riding through a speed wobble just over 100mph. I then had to ride back through the speed wobble again as I slowed down. I never tried that again 😂
I had a choice between the RD400 and the KH400. I was a fan of Kawasaki’s so I went with the KH400. Great bike, never left me stranded anywhere during the 15,000 miles I rode it. I wish I had it back now.
in the day fuel consumption wasn't such a bid deal as nowdays
Riding a 400 at 14? Is that legal where you are?
@@Nooziterp1 It “almost” was legal when I was a kid in Arkansas in the 70’s. You could get a motorcycle license at 14, but the bike had to be 250cc or less. At 16 you could get whatever you wanted.
I had been riding bikes since I was in the 4th grade and my parents were ok with me getting a 400. I just had to be careful not to get pulled over on it, and I didn’t.
At the time there was a 500cc triple sitting in the showroom next to the 400s. That would have been a lot more fun but I knew my parents wouldn’t go for it.
@@riveneva1519 Wow, what a contrast to here in the UK. 16 year-olds are restricted to 50cc ( from 1979 with a top speed of 30mph). 17 and up before they had passed their test were restricted to 250cc, and in 1983 this came down to 125cc with a maximum power of 15bhp. And the test procedure is long and complicated. Look it up on the net. You won't believe what's involved.
yup..allspeed stingers on a s3 ,k=n,s jetted...beautiful bikes... sold it to a mate and we both wish we still owned it .
Thanks for this trip down memory lane 👍 I owned the RD and the 400 Four both fabulous in they’re day but so very different. The RD with a bit of fettling was more than capable of embarrassing much bigger bikes whilst the Honda out handled everything and had a peach of an engine. I wish I still had both as prices here in the UK are now becoming silly for bikes of this era.
Yes. Its the same here both the RD400 and the CB400 F are the most sought after of all the bikes in this video. Both looked very nice just in different ways. The suzi 380 would be next
I had the CB400 Four F2 model. Loved that bike and when you hit the rev power band it really shifted. If they still made them now people would buy them. Great bike to learn how to ride.
ditto that
Totally agree. So many modern bikes are just ugly ( Yamaha. Take note). I think that’s why the royal Enfield are so popular in the uk, they look like motorcycles.
The Kawasaki triples have the best sound ever especially the earlier models , no question!!!!
Yes, I've covered these in other videos on the channel.
Oh yeah. That Kawasaki 2 stroke triple scream was like nothing else.
I owned a rd400 in 1980. Wiesco pistons, boysen reeds, jetted cabs, expansion pipes, flat bars,rear sets, koni rear shocks, 1/4 faring, cafe style seat. I was a small rider and that bike was incredible. The power band was unbelievable. Great times, crazy times. ❤️
Oh yeah, that’s a good list of mods.
well done for surviving if you were on TT100's or Avon roadrunners.......
@@SteeeveO Pirelli Phantoms …. Take offs from a friends track bike.
@@joewilliams918 good call. Although it's the law that you can only fit those to Laverdas or Ducati's!
Enjoyable roundup thank you ! Brought back happy memories of my RD400e
Owned a gt 550 Suzuki triple. It, and the 380 are two strokes that ride like 4strokes hense the logo, grandtourer. Brilliant smooth long distance bikes. I had mine for years and loved it
me too
If i could travel in time I would have put my RD400 (red) in mothballs so I could look at it and ride it today. I loved it, and it did go over 100 mph because that's how fast I was going when it seized. Twice. 😞 Great Video. A girlfriend of mine had the blue CB400. Lovely bikes and great video. 🙂 🏍
I'm glad you enjoyed the video buddy, you dont need a really big bike to enjoy it ay?
There was a long steep hill near where I lived with little traffic. both my Honda 350's did 80 mph as did the 400F. My Honda 450 twin Cam did 90 mph and my Suzuki GT550 did 115 mph. All speeds indicated. What was interesting was that the 400F, the 450 and the 550 Suzuki were all 32 HP machines on the Cycle dyno. The best handling bike of the bunch was the 400F by far. the best performing bike was the GT550 both for it's speed and wide spread of power. Unusual for a 2-stroke it had power right from idle. Some years later I sold the GT550 to a friend and I got a GT750. Lt was more peaky than the 550; it came on the pipe at 3500 and felt fast. Now I had a bike with real power.
My ex-550 left it for dead:(
yes those suzuki triples did indeed pull very strong from low revs.
When you climb a hill the weight is important, the GT550 is heavy, and requires power and torque.
I had the RD350B inthe mid 70s, then the RD350LC and a red CB400 four,the yams were quicker and better handling than anything in your list but then I got the 350 YPVS OMG nearly 120 mph and handled like a dream with twin discs and rear disc is was a weapon.I loved it and out of 15 bikes in my life i consider it my 2nd favorite motorcycle in 54 yrs of riding.
Learned how to ride a motorcycle on a RD250! Owned a RD350 and a RD400 Daytona, and multiple other bikes. The RD’s were by far my favorite. I put a RD250 counter sprocket on the 350, and would spot Honda CB750’s 10 lengths, and still chase them down. 13:06
Awesome video, a trip down memory lane! I had a GT380 and 4 RD400s, (one of which I rode into a lake to escape the snakes while tripping on acid - not something I would recommend but it was a hell of a rally!)
I knew better than to ride while on acid.
I just got my "first RD 400" in over 20 years.
I've had quite a few, including an R5 350,
Daytona Special, and a wrecked RZ 350,
that lost its engine to the Daytona. Also
installed the whole front wheel, fork and
handlebar. Since that had the YPVS system,
I had to re-wire the whole thing. This was
STUPID fast!
That R5, came into play, wen my first RD
400's crank went south. Pulled the crank
out, replaced it with the R5 stuff, including
the cylinders. The flywheels did not quite
fill up the bottom end, like the 400 crank
did. It was just a bit slower, but when I
came on to the pipes, sucked all the oil
out of the crankcase, and OBLITERATED,
who ever's windshield was behind me.
steve
I raced an '84 RZ350 in the RZ Cup.
When on the pipe it was SO much fun.
I have a video of me leaned over in a corner and as I exit the front wheel comes up. Just a gas! I added chambers with long stingers and the mufflers were at the end of the stingers. Open air box, jets and race reeds. What a freaking gas.
My buddy told me NOT to sell it. He was right. About a week later I was kicking myself. In downtown Omaha, that high pitched exhaust note bounced off all those buildings. Watch the folks look around. Too much. Yes, I really miss that bike.
Kept the faith with Kawasaki triples. In the UK 250 phase the Kh250 was hilarious but I couldn’t keep up with RD250s or indeed GT250s. I had a KH400 in S3 spec later on and for a good few years. That was just great fun! For a laugh I’d fit a Piper 3 into 1 for a few weeks just for the madness and the sound, but it dropped top speed down to 85! I ended up with a purple H2C. Sold that last year. Now that was interesting, it would try to kill me when my guard was down. Didn’t like a good bit of throttle on a long bumpy bend and could get quite threatening. Yet 98% of the time it was just good fun. I think the best triple I rode was an original 350 S2 on a test ride. That thing was quite bonkers, I loved it.
Have to say S2 was so quick it did handle but the bugger didn't like stopping drum model .
Capable of staying with a kettle to 70 ish .
Bonkers powerband as you went past 6 .
Would do 3 figures two up 👍 just don't talk about mpg 25 lol. On Dyno 47 bhp ❤
My first bike was a 1978 Suzuki GS 400XC with the front drum brake in red with the silver pin striping. Still my favorite motorcycle. I raced it successfully against RD350's. It handled like a dream.
That post sure brings back memories. I owned all the Kawasaki Triples and the Honda 400 SS. The Honda was the cream of the crop. Its handling out of the crate was superb. I only added Bar-end mirrors and enjoyed the hell out of even after I discovered The Suzuki GS-1000S Barry Sheene Replica and the 'E' model which I heavily modified. I later picked up the Katana's. By 1990 I had over 60 bikes in my collection including rotaries and turbo models and some Brit and Check bikes. All gone now in one big sale. These days I just ride a Kawasaki Concour's and a new Honda Super Cub and looking for an EV bicycle among the plethora of choices..
I passed my test in 1977, so I really enjoyed that video, thanks MC.
you're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Honda 400-4, its what I got my open licence on. I owned a Suzuki GT380..., but you had to ride a 400 or bigger to get your open licence, so I borrowed my mates..., it was like riding a mini bike and I aced the test. 🥰..., 50 years later and I am looking at a cruiser now-a-days..., however if I ever found an old Suzuki GT380 in at least half decent condition I think I would have to buy it and re-build it to it's former glory. 🥰..., great times. 😍
Yes the 400 F was a pretty small bike.
I had a KH400, and an S3. My KH was standard but the S3 was tuned. It had insane acceleration making it hard to keep the front wheel on the ground. It would indicate 125 flat out (I am sure that speedo was not accurate) the only car that ever out accelerated me to 60 was a Lotus 7. I rode a friend's RD400 and (I hate to admit) it is true that they were much more stable and better handling than the Quacks. I never rode a midweight Honda 4 cylinder bike, but I did have a CB 750 fb, which was effortlessly quick, but was a bit of a handful. The bikes now are light years ahead of 70s and early 80s equipment. It would be unfair to compare. Thanks for the "nostalgia"!
Your welcome. The triple Kwakas may not have been the best bikes but as far as fun goes they were the best. I like them even with their flaws. Thanks for watching
@@motorcyclecafe Kwak not quack lol. I knew as I wrote it, it was wrong.
My favourite bike of that era, and still is, just from its looks and sound. Z650. If I ever see one for sale, I will buy it.
I had a Kaw z400 back in the 80s. I paid $200 for it and it was in great shape, very low miles. I loved that bike. So nimble and comfortable. So reliable... My bikes had been getting bigger for years but not more enjoyable. I'm now thinking in my 60s going back to the early days. Maybe smaller is better.
Your right, the more expensive a bike is seems to take a bit of the fun away. You tend to worry about it more.
I had the rd400 in the late 70s in the best colour, white with red trim decal, great bike
Growing up here in the United states I've had the opportunity also to ride many of these bikes because growing up they were inexpensive and viewed as too small. Usually I look for a difference in UK opinion but you were spot on in that evaluation. Tremendous choice for video and keep the 70s 80s evaluations coming.
Edit ; here in the states the chicks only noticed the small 2 stoke screamers
Oh well maybe the girls had better taste in Australia 😆I like all bikes no matter their size!
@@motorcyclecafe ohhh time out your video was about 400s and the chicks you claimed loved those small hondas...that's What I was referring too and frankly in the US nobody has cared about 70s or 80s Cb hondas, they got smoked Religiously. The Comment was about what " Chicks" liked not about an Old dude from down under unless you've changed something
Great upload. Thank you. Please keep them coming.
Great! Thanks for the nice feedback. I will try my hardest!
Good one. I'm in recent possession of a 1976 super sport in a heavily corroded state, which I'm slowly restoring - I really appreciated the parts of this video on that bike, but the rest was fascinating too. Thanks mate.
You're welcome I glad you enjoyed the video!
My brother had a 400F. Pls take a close look at the chamshaft! My brother and 2 friends started a tour of 10000 km's throughout Europe. And the bike started to sound funny when they hadn't even left Germany. They decided to not give up and maybe take it home on a train. It survived the tour!
Malfunction: one of the cams was used down to the shaft itself. So this valve did not open anymore. So you wanna look out for this kind of damage. Plus: look for wear of the camshaft over lenght: the camshaft is just rotating in the alloy of the head.
No bearings! So, if you find wear, you'll have machine the head to fit in some bearings.
It can be done. Is just quite a task.
Owned nearly all on your review and loved most of them ..but one you did not list sticks in my mind and what a machine it was ... Kawasaki Z400J 👍🇬🇧
I never rode one and i think that bike came out later?
I had the Honda 400-4 in Blue. I had an odd response when put into 6th on a motorway, All sound vanished. I had it rigged as a touring bike with a fairing, panniers and a top box. I still miss that bike unlike most others.
I had a blue 400f and I loved it. Fast and flickable, I loved to hunt 750's on the local B roads. Handling was OK, till you addd a pillion and then it got a little "Interesting". When BIKE magazine tested it they called it "The poor boys superbike". I think that sums it up perfectly.
I've owned 2 x 350/4 Hondas ..got my Ls with one in 76 ..had a 500/4 ..great bike ..about 10 750/4s ...never got into 2 strokes ...loved my z900s / 1000s .1100s ..heaps of those ..3x SX 1100 RHs ..GS 750 ..GS 1000 S ..3 x XS 650s ..and a GSXR 1100 ..GSX 1100 ..few Katanas 750 and 1100 few different trail bikes ..loved them all
My first street bike was a 1977 GS 400 Suzuki. I was 17 when I got it, I tried to ride the wheels off it for a few years and then traded it to a relative. I would love to have another one.
that green KH400 is just beautiful !
The best colour for a Kawasaki I think.
I remember a tour up to Denmark. I was passenger on a Z1000. A classmate of mine had the smallest bike in the group: the GS400.
Not only a very beautiful bike. In magazines it was praised for the best brakes, best quality of paint... the list goes on. And his one ran 150 km/h (almost 94 mph)! Now, in Germany, these bikes where limited to 27hp. He had picked a good one!
Over the years, I've heard of 27hp bikes going from 120 up to 165 km/h.
(So I'm happy with my RD125LC, going 140, without optimizing the transmission ratio, so far.)
Thank you RD 350 RYVPS USED TO MAKE ME SMILE & still does in my memory’s of that bike 😊 power band smiles 🎉😊
That bike was insane! What a machine, never rode one but I can imagine what it would have been like!
Had the Kawasaki Z400 parallel twin 4 stroke. Lovely bike and, as you say, very smooth. Except I recall it had a distinct power band - expected for the 2 stroke Kawas but I found it a bit of a surprise on the "relatively sedate" 4-stroke. I dropped it coming off a roundabout - they'd re-surfaced and left a tiny lip between pours of the tarmac. It was only at low speed and I didn't hit anything, the bike just kinda slid out from under. Somehow it never felt the same after that though or maybe it was simply the tyres or I'd lost confidence in it.
In 1979 I made my first camping trip from Denmark through Germany, Schweiz and France to Monaco and back on my GT550 with my girlfriend as passenger. It handled very well in the mountain passes. The seat was so confy that my girlfriend fell asleep on the way a couple of times. We had to adjust the carburetors once on the way.
Well I owned only one of those bikes,the GT 380 in 1974. so I can't make comparisons but after my Suzuki T250 is was a dream ,Incredibly smooth engine and great performance and very comfortable seat so I think I made the right choice.Thanks for the video it was very objective.
The 380's were pretty good bikes buddy. Thank you for taking the time to give the nice feedback!
Awesome awesome video of really amazing machines. I own a 1973 Kawasaki S2 350 and that bad boy I don't know why but every Yamaha rd350 and rd400 I raced that extra cylinder somehow just always pull through and make me zip past them but they were all amazing bikes even the 4-stroke versions very cool for the day! Thanks for the video and the great memories
Those Kwaka 350's were fast mate I'm not surprised it was quicker, and thank you for the really great feedback.
Nice coverage of a class of machines that were so important to establish solid riding performance with low cost and ease of care. I worked for a Suzuki/Kawasaki dealership just north of NYC and had lots of experience with these machines. For myself in the here-and-now, I'd like to have a KZ400 of my own, especially that later year model. They were built solid and just all around good manners. I liked the GS Suzuki also but it wasn't as comfortable as the Kawasaki. The GT380 was a gentleman's motorcycle, very refined feeling as were the other GT two strokes. The Kawasaki triples were decent products but performed with a harshness the others didn't show.
I totally agree with every thing you said buddy. Spot on
I had a 1978 XS400 Special and I drove it at 121 mph on one occasion. It was also as stable as could be and smooth at any speed. I cannot imagine why the one you had was plagued with vibration. If you meant feeling the engine vibration in the handlebars and footpegs, the one I had did not have any more vibration than any other 3-cycle twin of mid displacement. It was one of the greatest bikes ever made because it had reasonable acceleration, was exceedingly reliable, looked good, made excellent fuel mileage, was very nimble, and comfortable to ride.
I put an RD400E engine into an RD350B Frame. It just bolted straight in. It was a wheelie monster and was great on gravel roads.
Nice summary there and thanks for uploading. The RD was always the daddy in my eyes back in the day and I still vividly remember my first ride on one, what an experience that was! Although the RD400 is probably my favourite all time motorcycle (reflected by me currently owning four of them), I also have a S3 and 400 Four, so perhaps I need to sample a GT380 as well? As others have said in the comments, each of these machines has its own character and will be enjoyable for different reasons and my own experiences from the three models that I personally own probably crystalise into the RD being the most enjoyable all round due to its excellent performance and character , the S3 being the most aurally exciting and (to my eyes at least), most stylish with its lines and the asymmetric upswept exhausts, whilst the CB is a lovely mix of the first two bikes and also is hard to fault being a Honda. Classic bike ownership is so much more enjoyable than owning something modern in many ways and I love the sense of community they evoke, plus the way they will typically cause strangers to strike up a conversation with you when they see you parked up during a ride out.
Interesting reminsicent vid. I had a similar experience in that rode and or owned many of those or similar (albeit the more popular of the era 350 class) too. The 400s were latter half of the decade. In no particular order Yamaha RD350A, RD350B, RD400C, Honda CB350K2, CB350Four, CB360T, CB400Four, Kawasaki KZ400 & Z400, KH350 & Ducati 450 Desmo. No road Suzukis in that 1970s lineup other than a test ride of the GT380, and ownership of a TS185. I late came to own a sucession of Suzukis two of which I still own and less occasionally with advancing years, still ride. (1985 RG500Gamma and 1998 RGV250T).
Some really pretty bikes there but I'm gonna throw in my hat for them 6v 1976 Jawa 350. The comfort, weight, handling, and suspension were the best of any small bike I've ever ridden. And that includes modern bikes.
Pity about the engine, electrics and brakes though!
Fascinating... A lovely trip down memory lane.
In London, these were all used to a lesser or greater extent by the courier industry.
I rode some, perhaps most of these, but not all.
Some of these are clunkers; others are jewels.
The RD400 is a real monarch on this company. In the UK, sales were hurt by the 250cc learner laws. Once you had your test, why spend money on something that looks like its 250 cousin?
Well... Because it's an extraordinary machine.
All of these are all the nicer for being free of fairings.
Thanks for the nostalgia trip. 😊
@@BanjoLuke1 glad you liked it buddy.
My first motorcycle was a pre-owned 1977 XS400. Perfect first bike for my abilities.
...my second bike was a cb400 but I remember it being of canary yellow paint..didn't handle that well but great on the freeway...and the 4 into 1 exhaust was a work of art... third bike the yamaha 400 handled very well on public roads and canyon carving, always loved the way yamahas handled on the turns, didn't realize it was heavier than the cb...think I liked the quicker power delivery of the yamaha, the cb took it's time to rev up those four cylinders....
I think the ordinary handling in those days was just as much to do with the tires at the time, although the skinny front forks didn't help either. The Honda was a lot better than the Kwaka as far as handling goes that's for sure! Cheers thanks for watching!
@@motorcyclecafe I have a number of 70's motorcycles and modern tires, upgraded shocks and the availability of specific fork oils can dramatically improve the handling and ability to stop. The Japanese tires of the day were very hard and provided very poor grip on the greasy wet roads of the UK, where I grew up. My Honda 500 would spin the rear tire under quite gentle acceleration in the rain. A set of Avon Road Runners was a huge improvement even back then, but today's tires are another big step forward and while they don't transform any of my bikes into track day racers, for normal riding the mods mentioned can make the bikes very usable on todays roads.
Great video. I ride a Huskvarna 401. 373 cc 44 horses. Great to hear about the same size bikes and there characteristics. Great video.
Thanks, those Huskys look pretty radical, I bet they are great fun to ride!
@@motorcyclecafe I put over 300 miles on mine no problem. I learned how to shift on it properly. It's changed my outlook on life. Goes to 65 quickly. I haven't even messed with 6th gear yet.
One of my favorite Motorcycles I owned was a xs400. Spoke dual leading shoe brake. With a little tune magic it would do the Ton.
This is truly a magnificent video. Interesting from start to finish. Thanks for posting.
and thank you for taking the time to give me some very nice feedback!
I have had the three 2 stroke bikes here, but the kawasaki was an S3, it was as quick as the RD but didn't feel as robust. The GT was more civilised. All three were fantastic bikes.👍
@@jonkite9156 yes. The kwakas were prob not as good quality wise but still good none the less.
I had a Suzuki ts400. Fantastic 2 stroke that would go anywhere.
I have an '81 XS400 ... It is reliable, easy to work on, very well built, and quick enough to have fun. It's a good commuter bike. But, you're right about the vibrations at top end, its also got a more vibey idle than any of the other 400s of the day. They even commented on this in reviews of the day.
@@shanedebarra4986 still a good bike buddy.
The 2 strokes were the best.
The Z400 4stroke was indestructable.
GT380. My first rd bike in ‘79. I was 18. Went from the 380 to a new Suzuki GS1100E in Aug of 83 with a Honda CB750 Custom in between. I was only 21. Good times. Really good times.
Great review. Hard to disagree with any of your comments. It is subjective but to my eyes the GT380 is the best looking bike of the group. Great three cylinder noise as well. Those pipes on the Honda 400 do look stunning though. If I had to pick one bike it would be the RD400. Good at nearly everything
The 380 is a very nice looking bike it is hard to pick just one.
Took an RD400 for a test ride. Took of from the lights and crapped myself, immediately returned to the shop they said try this honda 1976 cb400T (called the Hawk or super dream depending what country) it can keep up with the RD and much smoother. An excellent bike did 19000 kilometres in 6 months
My first bike was a Honda CB400T. Loved it but it had a bad habit of burning out the stator every 6 to 8 months.
Apart from that it was a great first ride.
I did think about including that bike but decided against it as I have only even ridden the 250
First video I’ve seen on your channel, very informative and entertaining. I just picked up a 78 gs400 with a 78 Harley roadster fxs front end (twin disc brake) gorgeous bike!
Glad you enjoyed it buddy.
A well done video of bikes from my youth. I owned an RD, and had the chance to ride several of these bikes. The GT380 was a dog compared to the RD, the GS400 was a good first effort, and surprisingly good. The S3A/KH400 was fast, but not as good as the RD. The XS400 was a bone shaker, I laughed hard hearing you say the same thing!😅
The Honda 400F is a neat bike. Those headers are cool! Back in the day, Kaz Yoshima at Ontario Moto Tech, was the 400F hot rod guy. 400F's prepared by OMT were little monsters, yet still reliable, easily ridden bikes that would challenge RD's.
Thanks for the video.
Glad you enjoyed it mate. Gotta agree about the honda 4 headers, super attractive. Thanks for watching.
I don't remember the GT380 handling that well but that may have been due to my limited teenage skills. It's a testement to the CB400 that a version is still in production for some markets. Another great round up, cheers.
My recall is that all the GT Suzukis handled better than the Kawasaki counterparts. Their perceived bulk was misleading and they did weigh more but had none of the twitchiness of the Kawasakis.
@@whalesong999 I'm sure you're right, the GT did feel more substantial. I should have been a bit clearer, I was basing my comment on the 200 - 350 Brit bikes I was able to ride (afford) at the time, newer Jap bikes were mostly out of range for us poor apprentices.
I think many of the handling issues at the time were a lot to do with the tires of the era. The GT380 handled just as good as the others from memory.
the kz400 was a smooth ride and a great Cruser bike the power was level and dependable. The bike responded well when you cracked the whip and handled like a dream
@@wb2dx717 not to mention, a very nice looking machine!
Im surprised you didn’t include the Super Dream model !. I owned a 1980 Honda 250NA for 2 years from new and passing my test until one day I rode a 1979 400n the difference was mine blowing I can’t explain the difference enough, the difference being maybe a black-white telly to a colour telly. I’ve always loved my Japanese twins, the Suzuki 425 was another twin I coveted.
I was going to include that bike but decided to leave it out due to its late appearance in the 70s and video length. Plus I have never ridden one myself.
honda 1976 cb400T could keep up with the 400Rd without the lift in the front
Nicely done. The 1970 Kawasaki A7 was quicker and faster than it's successors S2, S2A, S3, KH 400 and also the Yamaha RD 350. A little later on I owned a 1985 RZ350 which was significantly faster and quicker than anything else from Japan going back to 1969.
The A7s were ferocious little buggers, serviced many in my time as a tech at a dealership. I always admired how they managed to get all those castings to enclose the carburetors and disk valves with such good fit. Very complicated.
Ferocious is a good way to describe the A7! 😂
Started on the RD350, graduated to the RZ350, which I still own and ride. The RD was the fun, bad girl. The RZ is more civilized, but still a fun, bad girl at heart. Two strokes, nothing like them.😊
I owned RD 400..Loved it ..Couldnt fault it ..I also had a Kawa Avenger and a Samurai ..In their day were fast for a 250/350cc..
I had a very odd ball bike in this class, a Morini three and a half. Brilliant bike, but rusted for fun! 😂
I'm saving that bike for another video
I wanted one of those, just great to have a mid sized Vtwin.
Love your editing and calming voice. Great work 👍
Thank you I appreciate you saying that.
1st bike was a X7 250 and then got a Yam XZ550.
Tried a CB400 and a Kawasaki 440 and GS450 but , you know ,Kenny Robert's rode a Yamaha so that was it.
40 years later I bought another X7: 2 strokes have the sound and smell of my youth.
Not the best , but I love it to bits.
Interesting to read about the vibes on the XS. I’ve done a full resto on a 1979 XS400F to the point where it’s virtually new and it does vibrate a lot. The mirrors may as well not be there.
Oh well, its still a good bike overall.
Once you have tried a two strokes sling shot power delivery, four strokes just can't cut it. Had Suzuki GT 185/ 250/380/550/and 750 plus a T500 twin. Also had an RD 350 with absolute mental acceleration (couldn't keep the front wheel on the ground) Happy days
My 1976 Red RD 400 loved that bike and then my RZ 350 and it had canceling turn signals!
Yep I have to agree with the majority of your assessment as I owned similar bikes thru the seventies and absolutely agree with your thoughts on the Honda 400 four as I had both a red and blue example here in Melbourne but what a grouse little bike they were! Geez I loved them! I also had the 250, 350 and 500 Mach 3 triples but that’s another story, I still have a 400 Honda of sorts in my older age, a GB 400 TT mark 2, single that I’ve owned well over twenty years a model that was never sold here in Australia but was privately imported from New Zealand that were lucky enough to get a handful new, it’s just as enjoyable to ride as the 400 four and was Hondas factory “cafe racer” back in the day, still in pristine confition
@@jamesgovett3225 400f one of the best looking and sweetest bikes ever!
Great video. Had a 250 triple back in the day and I wouldn’t be disappointed with any of the strokers here , today . They fetch a premium in the auction sites . Still , a man can dream eh ? 😢😂
I have a EN500A4 with longer rear shocks. It is a lot of fun but certainly a chid of the 1980s.
I was 21 back in 1977 and living in the UK I had passed my bike test on a Honda CB250K4 and was now permitted to buy a bigger bike. The RD400 was the machine to get if you had the money and could put up with the abuse from my Commando riding brother about 'bee in a bottle' 2 strokes. I lusted after the Honda 400f that was getting rave reviews in the press. My mate bought one and although it was a sweet little sewing machine I realised that ultra smooth little 4cyl bikes were not my idea of a motorcycle. I tried a Z400 and was really unimpressed with its unenthusiastic motor. I ended up buying a low mileage GS400 and once we had put thicker oil in the forks and a louder exhaust I absolutely loved that bike. In fact my mate with the 400f agreed it was the better all-rounder. I put about 50k miles on that bike but never had to do any significant work on the engine. A very pretty bike to but they never got loved like the Honda or Yamaha and are a very rare bike now.
I think there is a certain time in everyone's life when one particular bike matches your mood and needs and that bike was the GS400 for me. I suspect if I rode one today I would find it sluggish and not particularly comfortable. Best leave your heroes as photos on the wall. 😊
I had an RD400, did a lot of miles, but it didn't like commuting. Changed it for an XS400 in 1979, kept that until late 2003. The bad vibration just steadily got worse as the miles increased, eventually longer journeys would have hands and feet going numb. Still fond memories though.
Thats a long time to keep a bike. Must have been a hard day when it finally went?
@@motorcyclecafe Not as hard as I expected, but there's a longer story to the bike. It started life as a 1979 XS, like the one in the vid, but in 1984 I put the engine and gearbox into a later 250 frame, to gain the longer swing arm (better stability in long bends) and the larger fuel tank. Yamaha did not bring in the 400 in the later model except as the custom. With all the bits, I used the early left fork and wheel, to get twin front discs, swapping lots of the leftovers for master cylinder, splitter and caliper from a late 500. A unique bike. At the time I was an instructor with a local RAC/ACU scheme (before training became compulsory). Guy who bought it recognised it, as he'd been one of the students years ago. Medium bike, full fairing, panniers, and still negotiated the tight turns of the training course with all fitted.
The RD400 could stop at lights and remain upright for several seconds before a foot needed planting on the floor. A great trick, stop at the lights, keep both feet on the footrests, move away when the lights changed. Would stun a few car drivers. Was very easy to ride in snow too due to the great balance. The XS would prefer to lie down.
When bikes were bikes😂 the gt380 in gold and cb400f in blue in top spot,very closely followed by rd400 in yellow and black. Excellent trip down memory lane cheers made my day 👍
Feedback like yours make putting up with the trouble makers worthwhile. Thank You!
thanks, i had a gs400 identical to the red one in your video, i loved that bike more than the gsx750 and gs1000 i had later, so now i own a royal enfield gt650 which is very similar
Your welcome. I have been tempted by the Royal Enfields myself.
Lovely recap, thank you 😊
@@Grahamvfr and thank you for leaving such nice feedback.
My dad had the GS400 Suzuki for a while and I probably put 200 miles on it. Very nice and pretty smooth but I thought it was boring because I was used to bigger bikes at the time. Regardless of it boring me, it would have made a great commuting bike and no doubt reliable. And moderately good looking too, not ugly but not a chick magnet either. My dad also had two RD350s in the span of a few years, not at the same time. Very nice but cruising on the open road they were hard to keep going at an even speed. You constantly had to readjust the throttle to stay at the speed you wanted to go, likely due to the reed valves.
Like you, I started (legally) riding on the road in the late 70s (1977) and so those were all bikes that were around at that time. Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane! The only point that I disagree with is the 'Best Looking' category - for me that has to go to the KH400; the feminine curves of the fuel tank/seat/exhaust still do it for me. But I think if you had to just pick a 'best 400' out of that group, it would have to be the RD400 - every teenage hooligan's dream!!!
Your opinion on the best looking bike is of course up to each persons point of view. They all looked pretty good to me. I do agree with your comment on the RD it was a very good motorcycle!
In 1979 I bought my first bike, a 1976 Honda CB400F. It took me everywhere, including twice on 5000km tours around Canada's maritime provinces. Long story short:in the intervening years many bikes have come and gone, but the little CB never left and is living a quiet retirement in my garage. Was it a chick magnet ? all I can say is that I once gave a work colleague her first motorcycle ride on it and this year we'll be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. Here in Canada, the Kawasaki KZ400 was everywhere, we even received three different versions of it: a bare-bones drum braked and kick-start only base model, the standard version as featured in your video, and a tourer/commuter with a handlebar mounted touring fairing and hard saddlebags complete with crash bars.
As far as I am aware in Australia we only ever had the std version but I have seen ones with the fairing but not the bags.
Straight to comments:
I had 2 GS400's and 3 GS425's including one GS425X experimental race engine- those were great bikes. I drag raced a Porsche and a Ford Galaxie 500 in the same day and beat them both!
Any idea what sorta 1/4 miles you got outta them buddy?
Me and a buddy of mine once bought a RD400 from our savings. The engine apparantly had seized and when we opened it, we found it was one of the aluminium fills in the cranks openings which had come loose and so blocked the con rod.
So did u get it going ok?
@@motorcyclecafe Yes, we put it back in and sealed it well.
In 1989 I bought an XS400 (red) and a 400/4 (blue) for a total of £100. The 400/4 had a severe handling problem, so I sold it very soon for £100. I knew it was a poor specimen when I bought it for 50 quid.
The friend I bought them from needed the space as he was getting married. The following year he was my best man when I got married and I became his elder son's godfather (I'm an atheist!) the next year. We were out riding on our Beta Alps together yesterday and at a pub last night by the way. I say this to illustrate that we didn't fall out over a poor bike, and I knew about that anyway.
The XS400 I remember as a very chunky and rapid motorcycle (I had a 750 Four at the time) and don't recall bad vibes, though it had blue foam grips fitted. The Bike magazine test page said it could do the ss quarter quicker than an RD400, which I assumed was a typo.
I cant understand why the self cancelling indicators which were on my 1976 RD200 and 1978 XS400 didn't become universal, or even mandatory, on all motorcycles.
I'm in the Isle of Man and have a Guzzi V7 and MT-09 as well as my Beta Alp. The 750/4 went last month.
RD400 was such an awesome
Ride. Easiest to wheelie bike I’ve ever owned! The brakes were crap in the rain though, don’t ask me how I know…😀So much FUN!!
yes they were buddy. although the Rd350 was easier to wheelie, they moved the engine further forward in the 400 to make it wheelie less, cheers!
Who could possibly be happy listening to that 2 Stroke Drone. Or Ring a ding ding, and the Smoke.
Got to agree mate, best looker 400F. I had a Suzy 380 couldn't really chuck it about but she was comfy and stylish. 🇬🇧
For a kid working at minimum wage in the 1970's these bikes were affordable so you could own it. The RD400 was $400 more than the RD350 because of the pollution controls on it. Sign of things to come. Today's motorcycles are a collection of government regulations on 2 wheels.😢
Fantastic video. Very informative. Well done.
awesome, thank you for taking the time to give me great feedback!
I currently own the '76 RD400 in my profile pic but, I started riding when I was 15 on a '73 RD250 that was bone stock and them moved up to a '75 RD350 that was modified but, I still feel it was a quicker bike than my 400. I used to blow away all the CB750-4's stop light to stop light on that bike until the VFR-750 Interceptor came out. When I was in High School I really wanted a Honda 400-4 but, didn't have that kind of cash which is why I started on a used RD250. Later on my room mate had the 350LC and that bike was smooth as well as quick and quiet.
@@RedBud315 everything you mentioned sounds pretty much spot on from my memories! Cheers
@@motorcyclecafe During the summer my friends and I used to race around on Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills all night until the sun came up and we modified the line from Apocalypse now. We'd say say "I love the smell of 2-stroke in the morning. It smells like victory."
Totally enjoyed 👌all nice bikes in there own way at the time. Thanks for the memories 👍
Excellent!!! Glad you enjoyed it buddy.
good rundown. enjoyed the narration.
Thank you mate!!!
A couple of bikes that were extremely common in the UK, during the 1970's, were the Jawa 350-634, CB400N Super Dream & CZ 350-472 Sport. Stats as follows:
Jawa 350-634
Weight = 361 pounds
Engine = 28 HP @ 5,250 RPM, 38 pounds/foot torque @ 3,800 RPM
Top speed = 86 MPH
Honda CB400N Super Dream
Weight = 420 pounds
Engine = 38 HP @ 9,000 RPM
Top speed = 108 MPH
CZ 350-472 Sport
Weight = 291 pounds
Engine = 28 HP @ 5,250 RPM, 38 pounds/foot torque @ 3,800 RPM
Top speed = 92 MPH
I've ridden all three, at one time or another. The CZ corners like its on rails.
I love the old Jawas and CZ's they might not have been powerhouses but they were solid machines!
Electric start was probably deemed unnecessary on the Two-Strokes , since they have low Static Compression . Once running and the Crankcase gets involved , that changes quite a lot .
Rd400 was a ripper, but 400/4 was a lovely smooth bike to own, enjoyed mine, £850 if i remember correctly.
I had the RD400E white with red speed blocks and color-coded alloys, in the UK the big discounters sold the 400 at the same price as the 250, which was a bargain.