XT400 parts, opinions, Motu?

[kiwibrian]

I'm considering an early 90's XT400 to get myself back on the road on 2 powered wheels. There doesn't seem to be a lot of them about, what are they like for finding parts if anything goes wrong. I take the weight is about the same as the XT600 of the same era, there is not a whole lot of me at the moment, though I have the arms to hang on to the upright stance. What sort of power do they put out? Not looking at a speed machine if it can get up to 110k/hr that'll do me! Any search I do seems to come up with Motu .

Thanks, Brian

[monchopper]

I'm considering an early 90's XT400 to get myself back on the road on 2 powered wheels. There doesn't seem to be a lot of them about, what are they like for finding parts if anything goes wrong. I take the weight is about the same as the XT600 of the same era, there is not a whole lot of me at the moment, though I have the arms to hang on to the upright stance. What sort of power do they put out? Not looking at a speed machine if it can get up to 110k/hr that'll do me! Any search I do seems to come up with Motu .

Thanks, Brian

Have you got one in mind? I'm guessing, but one with Reg and WOF is probably hard to find. The XT350 and TT350 were good bikes but again finding one in OK condition with WOF and MOT might prove difficult.
Do you have a tight budget? You're probably better off getting a newer 250 or looking at XR400 or DRZ400. Parts easy to find for both but both are super reliable. They aren't animals power wise but have plenty if that makes sense. Both will eat a XT400 for breakfast
(I'll be selling my XR400 in a months time )

[kiwibrian]

Budget pretty tight, though I'd rather wait and save for something useful. I'm 1.8m 62kg (lost 20% over last couple of years) and have a dodgy left leg. So main criteria are light, good on road and the odd trail, prefer electric start. Reg is the main thing, I can generally do anything needed for a WOF. Prefer something that can handle a reasonable trip, so a good sized tank with reasonable fuel economy are factors. I'd like to go for a mid sized 350-500cc machine.

Bit scary talking to someone today, XT600 has a range of about 220km to reserve. I've got a 2.5tonne Nissan Safari that can get from Chch to Nelson and back on a 70l fill, and still have about 100km of running around town! That would have them both sucking fuel at about the same rate!

Thanks for your input. I've not been on a motorbike for many years, and tend to be very cautious on and motor vehicle, but put me on a bicycle and the roads mine !

[LBD]

I'm considering an early 90's XT400 to get myself back on the road on 2 powered wheels. I take the weight is about the same as the XT600 of the same era,

Had a couple of XT's both good, and seen lots...none had 2 powered wheels...

I reckon a XT400 will be a good size to get back on and for round town, and rural. would not be my choice to travel longer distances on.

[Motu]

If you did search you will have seen my post last night in the maintenance forum.The XT400 sucked for passing manouvers,and struggled in headwinds and big hills.Too heavy really for off road,but it could do it if you weren't too fussy about the results - I'd say it would go everywhere an XT600 could go,and they wouldn't go much faster off road as they are hampered by the excess weight too.Gravel and tight twisties I had more fun on the 400 than 600 - you can ride it 100% and aim for outright corner speed,rather than wallow in and thump hard out.

The 400 is exactly the same bike as the 600,even the carbs are the same size.The airbox and tailpipe are restricted - but don't take them out.Crank,balance shaft,piston,sleeve and cyl head are all that's different.If they are having trouble getting any other parts for an XT400E,just tell them it's a 600 of the same year and they will fit no worries.

[davereid]

From an ancient and much abused memory...They came into NZ in the early '80s as Jap domestic market imports, as the 550 which was available in NZ was not available in JAP due to licencing laws.

They sold new for $2995.

Of course in NZ they seemed heavy and underpowered compared to the 550, but they were very attractive at the price.

I did 10s of thousands of km on my one, see http://www.eslnz.com/motorcycles.html

As a commuter, (its major use) it was almost perfect. High, so I had good visibility, and torquey from the sigle, it was quite quick off the line, as well as economical.

Trail bikes of the time, even those intended for a lot of time on the tar had abysmal electrics.

The XT400 had a full size and very effective halogen headlight, good indicators and a proper tail light.

Brakes were well above the usual performance level for a trail bike.

I did a "brass monkey" run on mine. I found a sore arse and twitchy fingers from the singles vibration the only problems.

I also got to French Pass during the storms of '84(?) which blocked the road for days, with the XT proving itself a heavy but useable off road monster.

Top speed - 140, the limiting factor being your neck.

A wonderful old bike !

[monchopper]

Budget pretty tight, though I'd rather wait and save for something useful. I'm 1.8m 62kg (lost 20% over last couple of years) and have a dodgy left leg. So main criteria are light, good on road and the odd trail, prefer electric start. Reg is the main thing, I can generally do anything needed for a WOF. Prefer something that can handle a reasonable trip, so a good sized tank with reasonable fuel economy are factors. I'd like to go for a mid sized 350-500cc machine.

Bit scary talking to someone today, XT600 has a range of about 220km to reserve. I've got a 2.5tonne Nissan Safari that can get from Chch to Nelson and back on a 70l fill, and still have about 100km of running around town! That would have them both sucking fuel at about the same rate!

Thanks for your input. I've not been on a motorbike for many years, and tend to be very cautious on and motor vehicle, but put me on a bicycle and the roads mine !

You need to have a good think about whats most important to you as I don't think the bike you describe exists (Light, small engine, good on road, economical, e-start, cheap). Adventure bikes are all about trade offs.
You need to qualify 'good on the road'. Does that mean commute to work or ride to Nelson?

[Motu]

From an ancient and much abused memory...They came into NZ in the early '80s as Jap domestic market imports, as the 550 which was available in NZ was not available in JAP due to licencing laws.

He's talking about the '90's XT400E Artesia,a small capacity XT600E,Jap import certainly.And about vibration - the XT400E has none at all,the XT600E has as much as you'd expect a 600 single would have.

[Ixion]

..

Bit scary talking to someone today, XT600 has a range of about 220km to reserve. I've got a 2.5tonne Nissan Safari that can get from Chch to Nelson and back on a 70l fill, and still have about 100km of running around town! That would have them both sucking fuel at about the same rate!

!

XT600 doesn't have a 70 litre tank. Ain't a diesel either.

I get 20 to 22 km per litre. Cruising around 120 on the open road, and commuting. Too heavy and tall for a true trial bike, but it's fine on gravel (21 inch wheel) and excellent on beaches, paddocks and such like.

They're very reliable (as in very) , no problem with parts (for the 600 anyway and not much is different) . Also very easy to repair, one of the last bikes that can be repaired by the roadside. 30000 odd kilometres, all I've needed are tyres (two so far) ;a chain and rear sprocket(worn when I got it); a brake lever (broke it) ; and a starter solenoid (usual flea weight crap Jap electrics, replaced by a $20 truck solenoid from Supercheap that will never burn out); and a battery . Oil and fuel and a spark plug just for the hell of it. That's it.

[monchopper]

You should look very very very closely at this

[dino3310]

Here's your bike right here Brian:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh....php?p=1999762
bargain at that price.

[dino3310]

same link as monchopper.
but worth a serious looksey.

[monchopper]

same link as monchopper.
but worth a serious looksey.

Well worth seconding! Brian if you're serious, at that price, reg and wof, lecky leg............. get in quick. Don't dilly dally buy the b1tch.

[kiwibrian]

That looks more like what I like. Air cooled, I'd say fairly close in size to an XR250, a dose more power, 6 speed like the old xr200rd. After 5 years you could've eaten off the undersides of my xr200rd mudguards, I was rather gutted when it was stolen and stripped. Be a little more manageable than the 600+ machines for little old me! I've been looking at a couple on trademe, looks like some have larger tanks put on. Don't think I can swing that sort of dosh at the moment .

Thanks for your input guys. I'll have to keep accumulating some more funds. I know where I'm heading; don't think it'll be too hard saying good bye to red and hello to yellow with something like that. Perfect fit me thinks.

[dino3310]

Don't think I can swing that sort of dosh at the moment .

Thanks for your input guys. I'll have to keep accumulating some more funds. I know where I'm heading

Talk to MERV you might be able to sort something out(payments-hp-or simular), would be a shame to miss it at that price. you could end up spending more on an old XT400 at least the DR is ready to go and keep going for years to come.
sorry to sound pushy it's cause i was down on coin last year(still am) but i managed a personal loan to get the BIG and i've been smiling ever since.