M400 - What Do I Need to Look For When Buying One?

[MonsterMadMarty]

I'm going to go look at a 2001 M400 tomorrow.  All my experience with Monsters so far have been with the M900's.  Is there anything in particular I need to look for with the 400's?

Cheers in advance for any tips, hints or suggestions 

[DarkMonster620]

Small engine, wet clutch . . . almost as heavy as the M600/620, bit revier . . . hard to get parts in the US, I think

Only seen/riden one, from a Philipino customer, he was stationed here . ..  needed to open the throttle for it to move

[koko64]

Marty, you got a learner in the family? If you get a 400 I'd be interested to see how it goes. I'll have a kid riding soon.

I guess all the usual stuff around servicing history and abuse Vs care applies.

I thought about just helping me kid find a 250 dirt bike and Motarding it until they save up for a stock M900 and get their full licence. I reckon a stock M900/SS would feel pretty LAMish after riding hi comp, flatslide equipped, light flywheel, light clutch 900s. I rode a stock '95 900SS awhile back and it felt pretty measured and rideable. It actually felt more gradual and measured in response than a M620L I rode recently. Must be the CV carbs, heavy crank and flywheel, etc slowing the 900s motor response.

Cheers.

[MonsterMadMarty]

Yeap, I'm buying for the better half to learn on although she could ride a 600 on L's she wants a bike as light as possible (I know not much difference but she thinks a 600 is 2/3 of my 900's and the 400 is less than half that of the 900! I tried explaining but I'm never right!)   

Anyway I do kinda prefer the idea of the 400 as it has dual front brakes and looks closer to my bikes than the 600 does!

Also, the bike is cheap as it's been dropped once (while stationary) and it's unregistered so it will be a nice quick little project for me 

[koko64]

You certainly are a magnet for the bargains!

[brad black]

injected ones are better than carbed, esp low speed riding when cold.  it's just as heavy as a 900 tho.

[MonsterMadMarty]

Here she is 

[DarkMonster620]

Here she is 

who? bike or gf? or both?

[red baron]

Congrats on both.


M400 looks to be super clean.

[MonsterMadMarty]

Thank you 

She only has 19000 kilometre (aprox. 12000 miles) on her (the bike) and I have only shown her best side (the bike) as it's been dropped on the left.  I have most of the parts required to fix her up (the bike) the only real work is repairing the standard Monster dent in the tank!

[Speeddog]

Looks like a keeper!

What's the little widget on the side of the airbox, just below the rubber tank blocks?

Might want to rotate that headlight down a bit, both your better half and local aircraft will appreciate it. 

[koko64]

Good find. The missus looks happy with it which is the main thing.
I was after a yellow one for me kid. Safety colour.

[MonsterMadMarty]

Good find. The missus looks happy with it which is the main thing.
I was after a yellow one for me kid. Safety colour.

Yes I do like the colour just need to get the better half a yellow leather one piece like Uma Thurman in Kill Bill

Looks like a keeper!

What's the little widget on the side of the airbox, just below the rubber tank blocks?

Might want to rotate that headlight down a bit, both your better half and local aircraft will appreciate it. 

Yea, gonna adjust the headlight and forks (bars are sat way too low)

As for the widget I was gonna ask about that, I've Googled it and can only find stuff in Japanesse! It's attached to the coil wires so guessing it's some sort of boosting but not sure what or how?

[Howie]

http://www.okadaprojects.com/usa/products_booster.htm 

[red baron]

It's an ignition wahwah pedal.