YZF400 street legal

[ChrisPed]

Hey guys,

Found a 1998 YZF400 for sale for $3200. Bike is already made street legal and looks to be in good condition. Was wondering a few things about it.

1. The bike is 16 years old, is that old for this bike in particular? How would this have effected this bikes quality as a whole?

2. Would extended road use damage the engine/gearbox when neither are make for this?

3. Is $3200 a good price? I think its a bit high for its age, and will try to talk him down a bit.

4. Is this a good bike? I've read quite a bit about the wr400, how much does this bike differ?

5. I'm a fairly new rider, 5'11", 160lbs, 16yrs. Would thus bike be too much for me to handle?

Don't have any more information at the moment, pending his response.

Thanks in advance.

[jrice2012]

Hey guys,

Found a 1998 YZF400 for sale for $3200. Bike is already made street legal and looks to be in good condition. Was wondering a few things about it.

1. The bike is 16 years old, is that old for this bike in particular? How would this have effected this bikes quality as a whole?

2. Would extended road use damage the engine/gearbox when neither are make for this?

3. Is $3200 a good price? I think its a bit high for its age, and will try to talk him down a bit.

4. Is this a good bike? I've read quite a bit about the wr400, how much does this bike differ?

5. I'm a fairly new rider, 5'11", 160lbs, 16yrs. Would thus bike be too much for me to handle?

Don't have any more information at the moment, pending his response.

Thanks in advance.

Insanely too much. Bike is worth 1200 tops. If in perfect condition

[ipsullivan]

I believe the seller is asking that much because it is "street legal". If you plan on registering it, make sure the seller has it registered or has in the past to avoid a big disappointment. Make sure you research the laws regarding this in your state.

I sold my 1998 YZ400F a couple months ago for $1,600. I only paid $1,200 for it last year.

With that said, $3,200 seems a little nutty. I can see the value it having it street legal if it is done right. But not that much value.

Too much bike or not would depend on your riding level.

[forgotmyusername]

Are you planning on riding it on the street? Man 16 with a street legal bike is kind of nutty. This is coming from a guy that's owned more street bikes than cars. Stay off the street until you're more proficient and you'll live a lot longer.

[jrice2012]

However. In the right hands. A yz400 for an around town commuter seems like it would be so much fun it should be illegal. Especially if it's comparable to the yz450f

[ChrisPed]

The bike has all the papers necessary, and in fact is currently registered. Around here street legal dirt bikes are far and between (British Columbia), however, I agree he is asking well over the bikes worth. I'm not so much worried about riding on the street here, as it a quiet town with no freeway. My biggest worry is the bikes age itself - 16 years is quite a bit, especially considering this was one of the first 'truly' successful four strokes. Would this bike have aged too much? What was the condition of your yz when you sold it ipsullivan?