Despite having some engineering issues, or maybe more compromises than issues, Yamaha’s DT400B is an incredible all-around on/off bike that works equally well in both situations. Ride it to work and then take the long way home, through the woods, getting the best of both worlds with one vehicle. This 1975 Yamaha DT400B is listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Forsyth, GA, and the seller is asking $4,100. Here is the original listing, and thanks to PRA4SNW for the tip!
There may not be a lot of “woods” where you live, especially if you live on the 14th floor of an apartment or condo building, but if you can get outside of the city and onto an unpaved road or trail, that’s when you really start forgetting everything going on at work. Read any social media today, and you’ll see meme after meme about bad bosses, “toxic” work environments, and all kinds of real or perceived drama related to making a living. Once you get on that trail, it all melts away, or a lot of it does.
Yamaha bored out their successful DT360 engine and created the DT400B for the 1975 model year, based on the genre-defining DT-series that came out in 1968. On/off bikes would become incredibly popular in the era when humans were eager for outdoor activities like motorcycling, snowmobiling, skiing, tennis, and all of the things that bring that era back for a lot of us. The DT400B lasted until 1979, a totally different era than the late 60s, as you know. The DT400 had some challenges trying to do it all, though. It was about 280 pounds, so not a lightweight, and the center of gravity was somewhat high, even with the big engine mounted low. Some reviewers of the era said that this engine, mounted in a better frame, would have made it a legend. Even with some cornering-at-speed issues, you really can’t go wrong here.
3,127 miles isn’t a lot after literally five decades on the planet. My mustache comb has more miles on it than that. The engine is Yamaha’s 397-cc two-stroke reed-valve single with 23 horsepower and 28 lb-ft of torque rolling through a 5-speed transmission. Drum brakes, front and rear, aren’t unusual for this era, but they do the job. The seller says this engine has been completely rebuilt, and it runs great. The bike has a new battery, seat, cables, chain, sprockets, and more. This isn’t a survivor, but it may be the nicest one you’ll find and is priced more than fairly if not a bargain. Hagerty is at $4,200 for a #3 good-condition example, and given the work that’s been done on this numbers-matching example, it seems like you can’t go wrong here. Have any of you owned a Yamaha DT400?
Yep, it’s official, he’s back. Having had a Suzuki TS400, these were always my arch nemesis ( I think my Suzuki was faster). This is in outstanding condition, I mean, even the turn signals are intact, the 1st thing to go in a spill, and why most aren’t ridden again. This was the best you could get, and the 500 4 stroke was a poor replacement. I wonder what the story was on this bike, it wasn’t ridden much, but not neglected in any way, like most. To be clear, I didn’t care for my DR 400, and to me, this is the best dual purpose bike to be had, and it’s 50 years old! Thanks SG.
You ever get a ride on a DR650 Howard ? You may have liked that better than the 400. Even at 280lbs this is lighter than most 250 enduros these days. Love it. Thanks SG 👍
My buddy had a TT500 four stroke. He could literally wheelie it for miles, I was right beside him and a shade under 5 miles was his best. I was lucky to get 200 to 400 yards..
Bought a new TS400 in 1972 for 925.00 with helmet !! One of the best bikes i have ever owned !!
I had a Suzuki TS400J and it was an incredible trail bike…after I had divested it of useless things like the headlight/instruments, the huge taillight, etc, etc., but still maintained its (barely) street legal status. The headlight was replaced by a Preston Petty headlight/number place. A trailer clearance light with taillight/brakelight was strapped to the rear trame hoop with the license plate strapped on behind it. Metal footpegs replaced the slippery rubber ones. Closed off the compression release. The mirror was strapped to the handbars (I could see behind myself looking under my armpit).
I opened up the airbox, cleaned and matched the ports, rejetted the carburetor. A big advantage over the Yamaha was the oil injection on the Suzuki, something I don’t believe the Yamaha had. Not only did I have to worry about concocting premix, the pump delivered oil to one end crankshaft while the other crank was lubricated by the tranasmission oil. The injector system also meant that oil was sprtized into the intake port even with the throttle closed. No worrying about keeping the piston et al. lubed on long downhills.
That engine was a beast. I don’t think it revved beyond 6000 rpm but man did it have torque. Get stopped on an uphill? Turn it sideways, kickstart it, and continue up the hill. I didn’t know I wasn’t able to do that, so I did it.
The problem of course was the heavy frame and the flexywobble forks. My fantasy was putting that engine in a different stronger lighter frame with stronger forks. It never happened of course. I sold it to buy a 1972 Husqvarna 360CR, a maniac world class professional motocross bike. Way to fast for me. The kid I sold the Suzuki to trashed it within a couple of months by not watching the trans lube which got sucked into the engine. He froze the transmission. RIP Suizuki.
1976 Husky, Heikki Mikkola Replica. Pro motocross riders are animals. I wasn’t.
You’re TS should have been faster, Howard. Ads I’ve seen show it having a 10hp advantage over this Yamaha. What a great time to grow up riding motorcycles in the 60s/70s.
Your point of getting away from the toxicity via the magic of 2 wheeled Zen is as always right to the point, Scotty, and this would be a great way to get there. Something about becoming one with the environment you’re in as it reels away from under you, being an integral part of your machine, the sense of temperature change as you top a hill into a valley with a lake, the smell of new cut crops giving way as you get into a dense forest….
From 0 to Zen is a good mantra, and on a bike you can appreciate is the best way to find it.
I have to make a confession…….
I’ve kept it secret long enough…..
Sadly……
I’m not a bike guy….
Always had a desire, my brother got hurt badly due to absolutely no fault of his own, it was some knucklehead in a car. But after that happened, I just decided not to pursue a motorcycle license.
But that being said after reading Nevadahalfracks post, man it sure sounds tempting. Especially just puttering off road on a nice quiet trail at a relaxed pace.
Scotty, the Yamaha looks like its in mint
condition in the photos. You just might talk me into it yet.
Never..too late Dave. Nevada about nails it. What I call a sightseeing bike aka 250 or 300 Japanese Enduro, would be a good starter. Very mild power and delivery. For way more juice, but manageable twist, Suzuki DR 650.
You meet the nicest people on a Honda.
This bike is super cool! Two stroke on/off road! I had an RM 250 and 400, nothing is more fun than the torque of a two stroke! Hopefully the new owner enjoys it!
Congrats on having ridden an RM400 and being alive to talk about it. The widowmaker moniker is well deserved from what I understand.
I had the twin to this bike when I was12. My mom and dad bought it for me, my little brother got a 100 Kawasaki and my dad got a Kawasaki 360 Big Horn. All were nice bikes and we kept them into the late 80’s.
I had one, bought brand new when I was young. One of the greatest machines I have ever owned! I had it for several years. Used it described above, local streets, highways and trails. I called it my iron horse.
I had a Yamaha 125 Enduro in 1975. Good bike, but when Yamaha came out with the monoshock YZ250, I was all in. I had Elsinors for breakfast and Kaws for lunch! Been riding on the street for 45 years now…..that dirt bike experience has saved my life a dozen times on the street. This bike is beautiful by the way. Why did they need to rebuild the engine with so few miles on it?
I bought a new 250 in 1977. My buddy bought the 400 just before I went to the dealership so he got the 400, I got the 250. He still has his!!
Had respect for the TS400 as many buddies rode those with Tim being able to wheelie his for for so long….but I’ll stick with my Yamaha’s over one. My 1978 DT400 has all the power and such but still like my DT250 a little more….Nice bike here with about the same mileage mine has and alot cleaner and close to what nice ones bring.
I bought this bike’s grandfather brand new in 1973, the RT3 360 enduro. I have managed to keep it through several job changes, several new homes, two marriages, two divorces, and numerous girlfriends. I liked it so much that I have since managed to acquire 3 more of them as well as an RT2 (1972) an RT1-B (’71) and an RT1 (’70) and to complete the set I found a pair of DT-360s (1974) all of whom now live in my garage where my ex used to park her car. I don’t know how y’all do it as I can honestly say I would gladly sell my wife before I would part with my Yamaha.
Riding dirt/motocross bikes in the 70’s was the most fun I’ve ever had on a motorcycle. I have always had bikes and still do, at 74 years old. BMW’s now though, too old to ride the dirt. Now a days, when I fall, I don’t bounce, I break.
My first bike was a ’74 DT400, so seeing this one up for sale really struck a chord with me. I still have great memories of the fun I had with it.
A big thanks to Scotty for picking up another one of my dream Yamaha submittals!