Traded in the SR400 for the V7 II, after about 1000 miles.
Nice bike, that never failed to start within 2-3 kicks (one kick when warm).
Just too small and underpowered for me.
(07-02-2015, 07:21 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I had a car like that once.
I still have a car like that. Only used it once.
Every review I've read about the SR400 suggests it's very easy to start with the kick starter -- you can even start it with your hand instead of your foot. But I agree, the lack of electric start caused me to look elsewhere when considering a lightweight bike for my lady.
Were they even sold in California? I've seen several around here, among the myriad and ubiquitous HD's and R1200GS's.
Yes, the SR-400 is sold in California. Unlike Suzuki's 49-state TU250.
Thanks. Now the TU, that's not a bike I see often...
You guys haven't lived until you've tried to kick-start an old AMF 1000 HD Sportster...
I was 12 years old...my uncle says, "If you can start it, you can ride it."
About an hour later and the need for new ankles, he had mercy on me and started it for me. The next year he bought one with a starter. I grew up riding in the dirt, first bmx style then dirt bikes, but I had a blast riding that sportster. Good Times.
Toddman, my first Harley was a 59 XLCH Sportster in 1969, and I can tell you as a 19 year old weighing maybe 120# it was all I could do (and sometimes more than I could do) to kick start that thing. One time, after an unsuccessful kicking exercise, I had my brother tow me with his 64 Ford with the windows down while I rode along side him holding on to the pillar between the windows. When we got up to about 20 mph I let go, shifted it up into second (on the 4 speed trans) an let out the clutch. The rear tire skidded for awhile and then rolled over and it fired up. I'm not sure I turned it off all day. Sometimes I would go into someplace and leave it sitting outside idling. Wonder it wasn't stolen, but then kicking it over would have been someone else's problem lol.
(04-21-2016, 12:01 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Toddman, my first Harley was a 59 XLCH Sportster in 1969, and I can tell you as a 19 year old weighing maybe 120# it was all I could do (and sometimes more than I could do) to kick start that thing. One time, after an unsuccessful kicking exercise, I had my brother tow me with his 64 Ford with the windows down while I rode along side him holding on to the pillar between the windows. When we got up to about 20 mph I let go, shifted it up into second (on the 4 speed trans) an let out the clutch. The rear tire skidded for awhile and then rolled over and it fired up. I'm not sure I turned it off all day. Sometimes I would go into someplace and leave it sitting outside idling. Wonder it wasn't stolen, but then kicking it over would have been someone else's problem lol.
That's great! Obviously addicted from tender age to motorcycling.
Yes sir, it's a family thing. My dad rode, my mom rode, 3 out of 4 of my brothers and sisters rode. Heck we still have 12 riders in the family (my older brother just passed away but was still riding at 77). Technically my first street bike, was a new Harley in 1965 (but in reality it was just a rebadged Italian Aermacchi which made Harley's small street bikes to compete with that new company Honda that was just coming into the states). I wanted a Honda C110 50 Sport but my dad, a Harley rider and WW2 vet hated the Japanese and refused to let me get the Honda. Since I was 15 and he had to sign for it, I ended up with the Harley. Weird little thing. Looked like a girls bicycle. Kick starter was on the left side of the bike, 3 speed gear changer was in the clutch side twist grip. 50cc 2 stroke with oil measuring cup on bottom of gas cap. You filled up with gas, turned gas cap over, measured (or guessed) on right amount of oil to add, dumped it in, replaced cap and bounced the suspension up and down to mix it up. Like I said.. weird. Still I was on two wheels, enjoying life, and have been ever since. Start my 51st year of riding middle of next month. It's been a great life on two wheels.
Considering his understandable disdain for the Axis, I'm surprised your dad allowed you to have an Italian bike, despite the HD badge. I imagine any talk of an R60/2 would have been verboten!