First highway ride

chkm8

XS400 Student
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Roch, MN
After a couple of months on the city streets, we ventured out onto the freeway for the first time tonight. I am pretty impressed with what the little guy can do. Nice even pull, quick acceleration. Only got up to 65, a lot of wind makes me a little nervous about being thrown around. I think I need to change tires too, I've got modern sportbike tires that don't feel like I get a lot of contact with the road. The 400 reminds me a lot of my old Seca II, high revving and quick.
 
true, that's why I was getting thrown around a little in the 20 mph winds. I hate the look of a windshield, I'm hoping when I drop the seat and shocks it gets me out of the wind a little and I can feel what the bike can really do.
 
I rode mine daily for years on a busy 2 lane with a 55 mph speed limit. I had a small fairing that I had cut the windshield down on so it just broke the wind enough to be comfortable. Since I just recently started riding again and the fairings gone I feel the same way you do. I've had her up to 60 or a bit more but haven't had the guts to take off on our 4 lane with the 65 limit. I really have to lean down to avoid the feeling that I'm about to lift off and I weigh around 220. The trucks really buffet you around a lot but when I was 30 years younger it didn't bother me. Like a lot of other things I guess.
 
These bikes definitely aren't made for the highways. Mine seems pretty shakey as well. The limits on the highways where I live are 70 and most people do 80. It actually pulls back on your arms pretty hard at 80 but I started using the passenger foot pegs and then just tucking in or propping yourself up on the tank with your left arm.
 
Yep, know what you all mean. Had mine up to 70 on a divided highway during a bike ride a couple weeks ago. No winds and no other traffic on the road but the bikes so not a normal ride. Mine did ok and still pulled when I opened the throttle fully but not confidence inspiring. My bike is for back road riding anyway. I like cruising at 40-50, away from traffic and enjoying the ride and scenery.
 
I have a buddy who rode a 350 Honda on a long trip west and back. He's a bit on the crazy side anyway. I always dreamed of taking this bike a long way but I can't really see it being too enjoyable. I recently watched an old movie on Netflix called "Cycle South (1971) that consisted of three guys riding BSA thumpers to begin with and changing to 175 Kawasakis from somewhere in the U.S. to the Panama Canal. Looked like a lot of fun for guys not on Medicare.
 
I think you all need to eat a few more cheeseburgers... lmao... I drive mine daily on a 4 lane highway... I run about 70 to 75 mph... I have driven in high winds and rain... she always sticks to the road nicely... but that might have something to to with the 270 lbs I add to the ride =)

Peace

David
 
I think you all need to eat a few more cheeseburgers... lmao... I drive mine daily on a 4 lane highway... I run about 70 to 75 mph... I have driven in high winds and rain... she always sticks to the road nicely... but that might have something to to with the 270 lbs I add to the ride =)

Peace

David

It might be, though it might also be the fact that the PO put on tires that belong on a CBR or 'busa. Always feels like there is no contact with the road. My old BMW had vintage tires that felt stable.
 
I think you all need to eat a few more cheeseburgers... lmao... I drive mine daily on a 4 lane highway... I run about 70 to 75 mph... I have driven in high winds and rain... she always sticks to the road nicely... but that might have something to to with the 270 lbs I add to the ride =)

Peace

David

It might be, though it might also be the fact that the PO put on tires that belong on a CBR or 'busa. Always feels like there is no contact with the road. My old BMW had vintage tires that felt stable.
 
I did a constant 80mph on my Seca 400 for 30 miles straight. held up just fine. of course it was screaming the engine though but a smaller back sprocket will fix that. :thumbsup:
 
Yeah, I'm thinking the wind thing wouldn't be nearly as bad without those pullback handlebars and high seat.
 
Had Bacon, eggs, etc for breakfast , quarter pounder with cheese, mushrooms and onions plus fries for lunch and a big dinner. Bike is feeling more stable. Will continue regimen and report back.
 
I don't think there is a magic combo... I have run mine at 75 to 85 for long periods of time running both 16/35 and 16/37...

Seems to me the 400 engine runs best at higher rpm's... at least mine anyways...
 
Had Bacon, eggs, etc for breakfast , quarter pounder with cheese, mushrooms and onions plus fries for lunch and a big dinner. Bike is feeling more stable. Will continue regimen and report back.

Nice work!! Keep it up!!

:thumbsup:

Peace

David

aka "The Moose" :laugh:
 
Had Bacon, eggs, etc for breakfast , quarter pounder with cheese, mushrooms and onions plus fries for lunch and a big dinner. Bike is feeling more stable. Will continue regimen and report back.

classic. I'll try that :thumbsup:
 
I don't think there is a magic combo... I have run mine at 75 to 85 for long periods of time running both 16/35 and 16/37...

Seems to me the 400 engine runs best at higher rpm's... at least mine anyways...

So the 16/37 is a workable combo that doesn't bog down at low RPM? That was my only concern. Mine seems to want to jump to 5-6k and feels right at home when she gets there. I'm not brave enough (or had enough warm beer, for drewpy) to try anything close to redline.
 
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