Sportbikes
1989Suzuki GSX-R 400
32 fields on record
The 1989 Suzuki GSX-R400 is a race-replica four-cylinder 400 making 59 hp from 398cc.
- Capacity
- 398.0 ccm
- Engine
- In-line four, four-stroke
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Dry weight
- 160.0 kg
- Seat height
- 735 mm
- Power
- 59.0 HP (44.0 kW) @ 11000 RPM
What’s new for the 1989 Suzuki GSX-R 400
vs the 1984| Spec | 1984 | 1989 |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 59.0 HP (43.4 kW) | 59.0 HP (44.0 kW) @ 11000 RPM |
| Top speed | 175.0 km/h (108.7 mph) | not listed |
| Dry weight | 152.0 kg (335.1 pounds) | 160.0 kg (352.7 pounds) |
| Seat height | 780 mm (30.7 inches) | 735 mm (28.9 inches) |
| Gearbox | — | 6-speed |
| Front suspension | Telescopic | Telescopic forks |
| Front brakes | Double disc. Dual hydraulic disc, four piston calipers | 2 x Discs, 4 piston calipers |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Single hydraulic disc, dual piston calipers | Single disc, 2 piston caliper |
| Wheelbase | 1425 mm (56.1 inches) | 1375 mm (54.1 inches) |
| Cooling | — | Liquid |
| Compression | 11.5:1 | 11.8:1 |
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Built as a pioneering lightweight race-replica, it excels at spirited backroad riding and short track sessions rather than outright top-speed runs.
- Built for
- The GSX-R 400 is a nimble, high-strung, race-bred machine that rewards an aggressive, involved riding style over relaxed cruising.
- Not ideal for
- This is not the right bike for riders seeking long-distance comfort, passenger-friendly touring, or any kind of off-road capability.
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 →22
out of 100Below average
The 1989 Suzuki GSX-R 400 passed its annual roadworthiness test first time 72.6% of the time, 8.3 points below expected for bikes of the same age and mileage. That beats 22% of models.
All years of this model: 18 / 100 (poor) from 4,046 tests.
72.6%Passed first time
17.4%Failed outright
10.0%Fixed during test
28,000Typical miles
391Tests
Pass rate by miles ridden
All years of this model.
Score by year first registered
17
22
17
16
16
21
12
22
18
25
34
'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98
Against its rivals · ranks 6 of 6
| # | Model (all years) | Score | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yamaha RD 350 F | 76 Good | 141 |
| 2 | Suzuki RG 500 Gamma | 66 Good | 2,168 |
| 3 | Gilera Saturno 500 | 64 Good | 208 |
| 4 | Yamaha TZR 250 | 59 Average | 3,338 |
| 5 | Suzuki RGV 250 Gamma | 39 Below average | 2,632 |
| 6 | Suzuki GSX-R 400 | 18 Poor | 4,046 |
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
- 398.0 ccm
- Power
- 59.0 HP (44.0 kW) @ 11000 RPM
- Torque
- 39.2 Nm (4.0 kgf-m) @ 9000 RPM
- Engine type
- In-line four, four-stroke
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.3688 HP/kg (dry)
- Bore x stroke
- 56.0 x 40.4 mm
- Compression
- 11.8:1
- Cooling system
- Liquid
- Fuel system
- Carburettor
- Starting
- Electric
- Ignition
- CDI
- Lubrication system
- Wet sump
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Chain
- Clutch
- Wet multi-plate
Dimensions & weight
- Wheelbase
- 1375 mm
- Overall length
- 1995 mm
- Overall width
- 695 mm
- Overall height
- 1110 mm
- Seat height
- 735 mm
- Dry weight
- 160.0 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 15.00 litres
- Ground clearance
- 125 mm
Chassis & suspension
- Frame
- Aluminum angular pipe double cradle
- Front suspension
- Telescopic forks
- Rear suspension
- Full floater swing arm, non-adjustable
- Rake (fork angle)
- 27.0°
- Trail
- 96 mm
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- 2 x Discs, 4 piston calipers
- Rear brakes
- Single disc, 2 piston caliper
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 | 1984 | 1989 | 1990 | 1993 | 1995 | 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 398 cc | 398 cc | 398 cc | 398 cc | 398 cc | 398 cc |
| Dry weight | 152 kg | 160 kg | 160 kg | 160 kg | 160 kg | 160 kg |
| Seat height | 780 mm | 735 mm | 735 mm | 735 mm | 735 mm | 735 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 15 L | 15 L | 15 L | 15 L | 15 L | 15 L |
| Bike Reliability ⓘ | Too few tests | 22 Below average | 17 Poor | 21 Below average | 22 Below average | 25 Below average |
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 GSX-R 400?
The 1989 Suzuki GSX-R 400 has a Capacity of 398.0 ccm (24.29 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Suzuki GSX-R 400 have?
The 1989 Suzuki GSX-R 400 has a Power of 59.0 HP (44.0 kW) @ 11000 RPM.
How many gears does the Suzuki GSX-R 400 have?
The 1989 Suzuki GSX-R 400 has a Gearbox of 6-speed.
What is the torque of the Suzuki GSX-R 400?
The 1989 Suzuki GSX-R 400 has a Torque of 39.2 Nm (4.0 kgf-m or 28.9 ft.lbs) @ 9000 RPM.
How much does the Suzuki GSX-R 400 weigh?
The 1989 Suzuki GSX-R 400 has a Dry weight of 160.0 kg (352.7 pounds).
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