There’s a certain romance in riding a retro-styled(classic) motorcycle. It’s like smoking a cigar in an old jazz club, sipping whiskey in a dimly lit bar—classic, rebellious, and unapologetic. The Motorstar Cafe 400 attempts to capture that spirit: a vintage-inspired, air-cooled thumper that whispers sweet nothings to budget-conscious riders looking for a slice of the past. But is it a cult classic in the making, or just another cheap knockoff? Here’s my take.
The International Connection: Where Does It Come From?
The Motorstar Cafe 400 isn’t an original creation. Like many budget-friendly bikes in the Philippines, it’s a rebadged model—specifically, a rebranded version of the Mash Roadstar 400 from France and the Shineray XY400 from China. These bikes share the same DNA, being produced by Shineray, a Chinese manufacturer that specializes in cloning old-school Japanese and European motorcycles.
Specs Breakdown: What’s Under the Hood?
At its core, the Cafe 400 is simplicity incarnate. It’s powered by a 397cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine producing around 27 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 30 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. This engine is reminiscent of old Honda designs—rugged, reliable (with care), and pleasantly torquey.
Here’s what you get:
- Engine: 397cc air-cooled single-cylinder, carbureted
- Power Output: ~27 hp @ 7,000 rpm
- Torque: 30 Nm @ 5,500 rpm
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Brakes: Front and rear disc
- Weight: ~151 kg dry
- Fuel Capacity: ~13 liters
- Top Speed: ~130-140 km/h (depending on wind resistance and rider weight)
- Fuel Consumption: Around 25-30 km/L (depending on riding style)
It looks the part of a proper retro cafe racer, with spoked wheels, a teardrop tank, and a minimalistic seat that classic bike lovers crave for. But as always, the devil is in the details. Wanna know more? Read on.
What Do Riders-Owners Say? (Pinoy Users’ Feedback)
If you ask Filipino riders about the Motorstar Cafe 400, you’ll get a mix of admiration and frustration. Many appreciate its retro charm and affordability—where else can you get a brand-new 400cc bike for less than the price of a used big-brand model? But others are quick to warn about the compromises.
The Good:
- Budget-Friendly: At around PHP 140,000-160,000 brand new, it’s a steal compared to a Royal Enfield Classic 350 or a Honda CB500X. Even cheaper bought second hand (some even going below 100k).
- Classic Styling: It looks like a proper old-school cafe racer, and with just a few simple mods, it can easily pass as a custom build.
- Decent Performance: For a single-cylinder, it pulls well in the city and cruises comfortably at 100 km/h on the highway.
- Highway – Legal: Speaking of hi-ways, its the cheapest hi-way legal bike you can get! This is a major consideration of many owners.
- Easy to Modify: Whether you want to go full brat style or clubman racer, aftermarket parts are available locally and internationally. There are many local builders to cater to you preferences, from simple to wild.
The Bad:
- Build Quality Issues: Expect rust-prone chrome, wiring gremlins, and inconsistent fit and finish.
- Vibrations: That old-school single-cylinder charm comes with handlebar and footpeg vibrations that can make long rides uncomfortable.
- Carburetor Tuning Needed: Out of the box, some units suffer from rough idling and poor fueling. A proper jetting job fixes this.
- Limited Dealership Support: Since it’s a rebadge, official Motorstar parts can be tricky to find. Many owners source parts from online groups and sellers. Another good thing is that many of its parts are actually compatible with Honda and Yamaha bikes, so there’s really no issue with parts availability. Just ask around. Become a member of a Cafe 400 group.
Weaknesses You MUST Address
If you’re considering the Cafe 400, you need to be prepared to tweak, adjust, and sometimes, curse at it. Here are the top issues you must address:
- Electrical System: Many riders complain about poor wiring, weak batteries, and random electrical failures. The fix? Due to its simplicity, most shops can easily fix this concern. If you’re a real OC and willing to spend a bit, replace the battery, and have a complete rewire using higher-quality cables and connectors, also use relays for good measure.
- Rust Protection: Motorstar’s factory paint and chrome are known to deteriorate quickly. A proactive approach with rust-proofing spray and repainting exposed metal will keep your bike looking fresh. Again, if money is no object, you can have the parts powder coated and rust-proofed.
- Carburetor Tuning: Have a good mechanic re-jet and tune the carb for smoother throttle response and better fuel economy. Or, you can replace the carb for a better one. While you’re at it, change the stock rubber carb manifold for a steel one, as it’s known to be a pain point being prone to cracking.
- Suspension Upgrade: The stock suspension is basic at best. Upgrading to better shocks and fork oil can improve handling drastically. Shorter riders, many lady-owners, opt to replace the rear shocks with much shorter ones(210 to 180mm), significantly lowering the seat height and center of gravity.
- Bolts & Fasteners: Check all bolts regularly! Many have complained that some do tend to loosen over time. Applying thread locker (Loctite) to key areas is a wise pro-active measure. Some even replace the bolts with higher quality stainless one for better insurance.
Verdict: Buy or Bye?
So, should you buy the Motorstar Cafe 400? If you’re expecting a polished, hassle-free ride like a Honda or Yamaha, this isn’t your bike. But if you’re the type who enjoys wrenching, modifying, and turning a flawed machine into something unique, the Cafe 400 has potential. Dependability? Yes, with certain measures, it is a sturdy and reliable performer, having proven its mettle in many endurance rides.
All in all, the Motorstar Cafe 400 is a motorcycle equivalent of a street food joint with questionable hygiene, but absolutely killer flavors—risky, rewarding, and definitely not for everyone. But with patience, good sense and a trusty, competent mechanic, it can even compete for Michelin stars, in my biased opinion. So, if you’re willing to deal with its quirks and niggles and looking for a highway legal ride on the cheap, you can now have a stylish, fun, and character-filled crotch rocket that won’t break the bank.
How about you? Would you take a chance on the Cafe 400? Or is it a disaster waiting to happen? Let’s hear it in the comments people!
– Admin Tony
If you wanna show off your custom Cafe 400 here, just send me the pics and details! Here are some local customized Cafe 400 pictures for your viewing pleasure:
