1981Suzuki GN 400E
24 fields on record
The 1981 Suzuki GN 400E is a Japanese cruiser. It uses a 396cc air-cooled four-stroke single making 27 hp and 29.4 Nm, driving through a 5-speed gearbox. It weighs 140 kg dry and has an 11.5-litre tank and a 750 mm seat.
- Capacity
- 396.0 ccm
- Engine
- Single, four-stroke
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Dry weight
- 140.0 kg
- Seat height
- 750 mm
- Power
- 27.0 HP (19.7 kW) @ 7500 RPM
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Cruiser built for its class - everyday, practical use.
- Built for
- A cruiser from Suzuki, built around a 396cc engine - a real production model, but this profile is formula-generated from its class and spec sheet rather than individually reviewed.
- Not ideal for
- Not for serious performance or off-road use.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Will it fit you?
Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to usReliability & safety
Bike Reliability score, safety recalls and owner complaintsBike Reliability
How the score works →The Suzuki GN 400E passed its annual roadworthiness test first time 76.9% of the time, 8.0 points below expected for bikes of the same age and mileage. That beats 23% of models.
This covers every year of the model.
Test records don't say which version a bike is, so this covers Suzuki GN 400E / Suzuki GN 400 L / Suzuki GN 400 TD together.
All years of this model.
| # | Model (all years) | Score | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kawasaki Z 440 LTD | 39 Below average | 404 |
| 2 | Honda CX 500 C | 39 Below average | 354 |
| 3 | Kawasaki Z 440 LTD Belt Drive | 39 Below average | 404 |
| 4 | Suzuki GS 450 L | 33 Below average | 563 |
| 5 | Suzuki GN 400E | 23 Below average | 516 |
| 6 | Honda CM 400 T | 17 Poor | 380 |
Rivals are the most-viewed bikes on MotorcycleDB in the same category and engine size, from within three years of this model.
From British annual roadworthiness tests, 2005-2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA MOT test data, Great Britain). How Bike Reliability works.
Engine
- Capacity
- 396.0 ccm
- Power
- 27.0 HP (19.7 kW) @ 7500 RPM
- Torque
- 29.4 Nm (3.0 kgf-m) @ 5000 RPM
- Engine type
- Single, four-stroke
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.1929 HP/kg (dry)
- Compression
- 9.3:1
- Cooling system
- Air
- Fuel system
- Carburettor
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Chain
Performance
- Top speed
- 146.0 km/h (90.7 mph)
Dimensions & weight
- Wheelbase
- 1410 mm
- Overall length
- 2110 mm
- Seat height
- 750 mm
- Dry weight
- 140.0 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 11.50 litres
Chassis & suspension
- Front suspension
- Telescopic fork
- Rear suspension
- Dual shocks
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- Single disc
- Rear brakes
- Drum
- Front tyre
- 3.60-18
- Rear tyre
- 4.60-16
Specs last verified against published sources: .
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 396 cc | 396 cc | 396 cc | 396 cc | 396 cc |
| Dry weight | 140 kg | 140 kg | 140 kg | 140 kg | 140 kg |
| Seat height | 750 mm | 750 mm | 750 mm | 750 mm | 750 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 11.5 L | 11.5 L | 11.5 L | 11.5 L | 11.5 L |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the Suzuki GN 400E?
The 1981 Suzuki GN 400E has a Capacity of 396.0 ccm (24.17 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Suzuki GN 400E have?
The 1981 Suzuki GN 400E has a Power of 27.0 HP (19.7 kW) @ 7500 RPM.
How many gears does the Suzuki GN 400E have?
The 1981 Suzuki GN 400E has a Gearbox of 5-speed.
What is the torque of the Suzuki GN 400E?
The 1981 Suzuki GN 400E has a Torque of 29.4 Nm (3.0 kgf-m or 21.7 ft.lbs) @ 5000 RPM.
How much does the Suzuki GN 400E weigh?
The 1981 Suzuki GN 400E has a Dry weight of 140.0 kg (308.6 pounds).
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