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 The 1998 XR400R
What's New:
The crank case is not vented into the open air any more, it now travels through a frame
mounted oil collection canister on it's way into the air box. The air box is sealed now,
so the air has to search for a place to enter the motor. The muffler now is also different
inside, and the removable baffle that everyone removed on the '96 and '97 models is no
longer removable. The carb still looks the same from the outside, but is completely
rerouted inside with new circuits and leaner jetting.
What's Better:
The jetting is now perfect for the exhaust baffle, which isn't removable. The throttle
response is improved, and the bike no longer coughs when it leaves the ground.
What Brought the Change:
With the government cracking down on off-road motorcycles emissions, Honda is trying to
come out with a bike that passes the tests. For 1998, the crack down is only effective in
California, and closed arena riding will be exempt from the restrictions for '98 also. The
new emissions are so tight that no two stroke would ever pass and most four strokes
wouldn't make it, especially the '97 XR400.
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