Suzuki RM400
1978—1980

I have tried to tell the Suzuki RM 400 model history on this page as I know it. This page is still under construction. I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads, magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible. If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these instructions.

1978 Suzuki year code: C

The largest Suzuki motorcrosser of the seventies. Still air-cooled with conventional, but laid down twin shocks at the rear. The U.S. sales brochure from '78 says this: ”Even if somebody could build an engine as good as the RM-400 Power Reed, they still couldn't beat Suzuki's air forks, aluminum works type box section arm, and laid dow, forward mounted gas-oil shocks (with reservoir) for total performance. Conical hub in front—full floating brake and magnesium hub panel in the rear.”

1978 Suzuki RM 400 Overall Length: 2 155 mm (84.8 in) Overall Width: 880 mm (34.6 in) Overall Height: 1 225 mm (48.2 in) Ground Clearance: 310 mm (12.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 455 mm (57.3 in) Dry Weight: 108 kg (283 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 402 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, piston and reed valve. 43 hp (32 kW) @ 6 500 rpm, 47 Nm (4.84 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format. 1978 Suzuki RM 400 Overall Length: 2 155 mm (84.8 in) Overall Width: 880 mm (34.6 in) Overall Height: 1 225 mm (48.2 in) Ground Clearance: 310 mm (12.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 455 mm (57.3 in) Dry Weight: 108 kg (283 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 402 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, piston and reed valve. 43 hp (32 kW) @ 6 500 rpm, 47 Nm (4.84 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1978 Suzuki RM400C specifications (USA)
Engine:	Air-cooled single cylinder two-stroke, Power Reed
Cylinder displacement:	402 cc
Bore x stroke:	80 x 80 mm (3.150 x 3.150 in)
Compression ratio:	6.7 :1
Carburetor:	Mikuni VM36SS
Transmission:	5-speed, constant mesh
Lubrication system :	Fuel-oil mixture
Starting system:	Kick starter
Front suspension:	Air/oil-damped, leading axle
Rear suspension:	Aluminum box type, gas-oil shocks, 2 dampening adjustments, 3 load settings
Front suspension stroke:	249mm (9.8 in)
Rear suspension travel:	251mm (9.9 in)
Front brake:	Internal expanding
Rear brake:	Internal expanding, full floating
Front tyre dimension:	3.00-21-4PR, full knobby
Rear tyre dimension:	4.50-18-4PR, full knobby
Fuel tank capacity::	8,5 liter (2.2/1.9 US/UK gal.)
Color:	Yellow

1979 Suzuki year code: N

Modernized appearance and larger engine. The U.S. sales brochure from '79 tells this about the model: ”Power Reed engine; CDI ignition; improved clutch release mechanis; 5-speed trans;leading axle rear forks; forward mounted, gas-oil remote reservoir shocks, 2-way damping adjustment, 3-way spring load settings (11.8" rear wheel travel); full floating rear brake; magnesium brake panels/engine side covers; heavy duty chain tensioner and chain guide; extra-rigid, extruded aluminum swing arm; self-cleaning aluminum alloy rims; plastic fuel tank; slim-styled at 223 lbs.” The picture below is a detail from the sales brochure I found on the vintage-suzuki.com website. The next two pictures show a restored '79 RM400N. “This was restored with mostly NOS parts including tank, seat, all plastic, forks etc,” says Chris, the owner.

1979 Suzuki RM 400 Overall Length: 2 120 mm (83.5 in) Overall Width: 880 mm (34.6 in) Overall Height: 1 235 mm (48.6 in) Ground Clearance: 335 mm (13.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 445 mm (56.9 in) Dry Weight: 101 kg (223 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 417 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, Reed valve. 43.5 hp (32.5 kW) @ 7 250 rpm, 45.5 Nm (4.63 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1979 Suzuki RM 400 Overall Length: 2 120 mm (83.5 in) Overall Width: 880 mm (34.6 in) Overall Height: 1 235 mm (48.6 in) Ground Clearance: 335 mm (13.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 445 mm (56.9 in) Dry Weight: 101 kg (223 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 417 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, Reed valve. 43.5 hp (32.5 kW) @ 7 250 rpm, 45.5 Nm (4.63 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1979 Suzuki RM 400 Overall Length: 2 120 mm (83.5 in) Overall Width: 880 mm (34.6 in) Overall Height: 1 235 mm (48.6 in) Ground Clearance: 335 mm (13.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 445 mm (56.9 in) Dry Weight: 101 kg (223 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 417 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, Reed valve. 43.5 hp (32.5 kW) @ 7 250 rpm, 45.5 Nm (4.63 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1979 Suzuki RM400N specifications (USA)

Engine:	Air-cooled single cylinder two-stroke, Power Reed
Cylinder displacement:	417 cc
Bore x stroke:	80 x 83 mm (3.150 x 3.268 in)
Compression ratio:	7,0 :1
Carburetor:	Mikuni VM36SS
Transmission:	5-speed, constant mesh
Lubrication system :	Fuel-oil mixture
Starting system:	Kick starter
Front suspension:	Air/oil-damped, leading axle
Rear suspension:	Aluminum box type, gas-oil shocks, 2 dampening adjustments, 3 load settings
Front suspension stroke:	285mm (11.2 in)
Rear suspension travel:	300mm (11.8 in)
Front brake:	Internal expanding
Rear brake:	Internal expanding, full floating
Front tyre dimension:	3.00-21-4PR, full knobby
Rear tyre dimension:	4.50-18-4PR, full knobby
Fuel tank capacity::	8,5 liter (2.2/1.9 US/UK gal.)
Color:	Yellow

1980 Suzuki year code: T

New graphics but basically the same machine as the '79 RM400N. Wider 5.10-18 rear wheel, more ground clearance, a little heavier. You will find more specs on the RM400 magazine articles page (Dirt Bike article, May 1980). The pictures of the Massimo Pipino's RM400T are taken recently and the bike is not 100% original but quite close.

1980 Suzuki RM 400 Overall Length: 2 140 mm (84.3 in) Overall Width: 880 mm (34.6 in) Overall Height: 1 220 mm (48.0 in) Seat Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Ground Clearance: 365 mm (14.4 in) Wheelbase: 1 445 mm (56.9 in) Dry Weight: 103 kg (227 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 417 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, Reed valve. 43.5 hp (32.5 kW) @ 7 250 rpm, 45.5 Nm (4.63 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1980 Suzuki RM 400 Owner: Massimo Pipino, Torino, Italy Comments: ”This is the bike I used to ride in vintage MX championship. It's a Suzuki RM400. It was built in 1979 and I bought it two years ago. It is in its original shape. The only thing I replaced is the handlebar, because i prefer the shape of Renthal. The bike is very easy to ride, powerful but not brutal like, for example, the later KTM 495/'91. It's not too heavy and you can ride it like it was a 250cc. Great bike!” Here's more visitor's Suzuki pictures.

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