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bmadson
MCUSA Scribbler

Date Joined Jul 2005
Total Posts : 1038

Posted 8/28/2006 8:28 AM (GMT -8)

On a ride up and down San Francisco's famous hills, across the Golden Gate Bridge and north into wine country, we ride the latest edition of Suzuki's Burgman 400 luxo-scooter. So, what do you all think? Can you imagine yourself riding one of these one day?

OhioSteve
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2004
Total Posts : 861

Posted 8/28/2006 8:50 AM (GMT -8)

That was a great story, but when will we see a real Battle of The Dino-Scooters? I would LOVE to see video of a Burghman and a Majesty vying for position at ButtonWillow! :)

I am the foremost expert on my opinion.

Eduardo
Registered Member

Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 373

Posted 8/28/2006 8:52 AM (GMT -8)

You should have at least tested the 650!

I went to have a valve adjustment at the dealership a couple weeks ago. They overbooked, and I my appointment was an hour delayed on top of the 3 hour job. I brought my bike and didn't have a ride- forgot that the mx department didn't have any benches or something to occupy my time. After an hour of waiting and standing up, they asked me if I wanted to borrow a Burgman for a couple hours while they finished up.

I said no thanks, I'd rather stand still then drive one of those things. Bleh! Nice write up though.

RedDog
Retired SportBike Bum

Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 11268

Posted 8/28/2006 9:42 AM (GMT -8)

That scooter must be the way to go if you live in town, excellent MPG and lots of storage. Good write up - but did you test it 2Up and then what about its power? Still enough to keep the traffic? I guess the 650 is the choice then? Oh did it have good lights?

Yeah I saw that you had too little time with it, so, it's all right.

RedDog

Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!

Normal People Scare me!

bmadson
MCUSA Scribbler

Date Joined Jul 2005
Total Posts : 1038

Posted 8/28/2006 10:09 AM (GMT -8)

All good questions RedDog. The 650 would have been fun to test as well, but that press intro came before the 400, so no dice. Suzuki offers a passenger backrest for the 400 and the rear shock is preload adjustable, so they built it to be passenger friendly, but since I didn't get a chance to test it 2-up I can't say for certain. Also I didn't get a chance to test the lights out, sorry.

OhioSteve, I also would like to see the Burgman matched up against the Majesty. Of all the different scooter models, the Majesty is the Burgman 400's most natural competitor. Riding them back-to-back would be very informative.

Eduardo, thanks for the compliment but you missed out man. A free ride on the Burgman might have opened your mind up to the whole scooter thing.

bkorfhage
Punk Kid

Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 410

Posted 8/28/2006 7:47 PM (GMT -8)

Is that Bart layin' down the bike tests! Hell Yeah. Nice work my friend.

go ahead, ask me anything...

Tros
Global Moderator

Date Joined Apr 2004
Total Posts : 7309

Posted 8/28/2006 8:17 PM (GMT -8)

bkorfhage said...
Is that Bart layin' down the bike tests! Hell Yeah. Nice work my friend.

Korf is still alive! shocked

"People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost."

Tros
Global Moderator

Date Joined Apr 2004
Total Posts : 7309

Posted 8/28/2006 8:25 PM (GMT -8)

bmadson said...

Also I didn't get a chance to test the lights out, sorry.

I really did enjoy reading the article, watching the video clip, and checking out the pictures. Keep up the good work, Bart.

So... You didnt get to test out the lights... At least Red Dog asked you first. It's a given my first question is always, "How are the lights?" Oh well..

A Burgman 400 vs Majesty 400 would be a very good showdown. Awhile ago I heard the Majesty was the clear winner. With the changes to the Burgman, it may not be the case any more... Another great showdown would be a Burgman 650 vs Honda Silverwing showdown.

"People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost."

Desmolicious
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618

Posted 8/28/2006 8:50 PM (GMT -8)

Suhweeeet! As for the complaint about the windshield, weird that Suzuki didn't mention that they offer a Burgman 400S (for sport!) that has a cut down windshield, which is what I'd take. That 400 would be fine 2-up, when I had my (derestricted woohoo! )50cc Kymco scoot, I had no probs 2-up around LA on surface streets.

p.s. just noticed that that is an 06 model w/ only single disc brake and smaller wheels, and apparently a really really small lady riding...

Børk! Børk! Børk!

Post Edited (Desmolicious) : 8/29/2006 4:53:39 AM GMT

RedDog
Retired SportBike Bum

Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 11268

Posted 8/29/2006 5:30 AM (GMT -8)

I never had a scooter. Scooters were popular when I was in my late teens. Many of my friends had Vespas, Puchs, and Lambrettas, mostly 125s and they had a hard time keeping up with the traffic maxing out at some 100 kmh (63 mph). I tried them and they were fun. more compartment, covered you pretty well in rain - but I hated the tiny wheels that could slip so easy. I am glad they fixed the wheel issue cause that was serious.

Scooters were like wine - I stuck to beer.

A note about lights: Critters are all over out here and particularly at night. Besides forest rats, racoons, cats, dogs, possums, we have skunks. I hate to hit any of them, but the skunks cam with a strong flavor. In daytime I use hi-beam and the better it is, the more visual I will be for the biggest MC killer of them all, the cagers.

Thus, the better lights, the better. They are probably as good as it gets.

RedDog

Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!

Normal People Scare me!

Post Edited (RedDog) : 8/29/2006 1:36:27 PM GMT

bmadson
MCUSA Scribbler

Date Joined Jul 2005
Total Posts : 1038

Posted 8/29/2006 7:37 AM (GMT -8)

Thanks Korf! I'm happy to carry on your MCUSA scooter-testing legacy. :-)

Desmo, you're right that is a 2006 Burgman pictured not a 2007, but I do mention in the test that they offer the shorter windscreen as an accessory. They had one scooter at the intro equipped with the shorter screen and some of the other options like handguards, but I didn't get a chance to ride it. The stock windshield wasn't horrible, but it just wasn't my favorite. Also I agree with you about its 2-up capabilities, I'm sure it would do an admirable job.

Shakli
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2004
Total Posts : 373

Posted 8/29/2006 8:30 AM (GMT -8)

I really wish you could have ridden it at 75-85mph that is commuting speeds on the highway. I wonder if there is enough Umph in the 400 at those speeds to still pass a car. Also I have a funny feeling that at those speeds the gas mileage will drop some.

So the question for me is the 400 enough as a commuter or should I really be looking at the 650 or the 600(silverwing).

"It is much more fun to ride a less-powerful bike quickly/fast than it is to ride high-powered bike slow." Andy VH

Desmolicious
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618

Posted 8/29/2006 9:15 AM (GMT -8)

As for gas mileage, 52 mpg is not really impressive for a 400cc scooter. On a recent w/e ride where speeds varied in range from 30mph to about 110 mph, my Duc averaged 52 mpg, and a BMW K1200s that came along averaged 50mpg.
But our bikes need super unleaded, if the scoot runs on regular, then that adds to the savings. Still want one..

Børk! Børk! Børk!

Shakli
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2004
Total Posts : 373

Posted 8/29/2006 9:20 AM (GMT -8)

Scoots are on regular gas.

"It is much more fun to ride a less-powerful bike quickly/fast than it is to ride high-powered bike slow." Andy VH

jimmihaffa
Registered Member

Date Joined Dec 2004
Total Posts : 217

Posted 8/29/2006 9:56 AM (GMT -8)

I've always liked the Burgman line of scooters and even wanted one before my last bike purchase. I'm in Canada and it seems to me that theres a pretty significant pretty significant price differential between American and Canadian prices on these machines, even accounting for differences in the respective value of the dollars. At $5800, if I were living in a sprawling high traffic area and warm weather climate like So. Cal, I wouldnt even think twice and buy one of these machines.

bkorfhage
Punk Kid

Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 410

Posted 8/29/2006 10:15 AM (GMT -8)

Kansas - Keep your eyes peeled for more of me...I'm trying to convince these boys to take some of my drivel in the next few weeks!

go ahead, ask me anything...

Meade
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2006
Total Posts : 4

Posted 8/29/2006 11:41 AM (GMT -8)

Regarding mpg figures, I must point out that those guys were climbing the hills and dales of the San Francisco area. That's low average mileage for a Burgman 400.

I purchased a 2007 Burgman 400 two weeks ago and have logged nearly 500 miles. My mileage so far is averaging between 60 and 61 mpg. I use the scooter mostly for my 35-mile round trip commute to work downtown and back to my home in the suburbs. I did take an 80-mile weekend trip on some back roads just west of town and averaged about 65 mpg on that trip. As I'm still in the break-in period I'm being easy on the scooter, but I did take it for a short romp between exits on the Interstate last weekend. It had no problem keeping up with 70+ mph traffic, and even passed a car or two that was going the posted 65. I never hit the throttle stop, and it acted like it wanted to give quite a bit more. Most owners over on BurgmanUSA.com report a top speed of about 90. BTW, for those of you who questioned the bike's 2-up capability, I'll add that I tip the scales at 300 pounds. My new Burgie doesn't seem to have a problem with that. The bike's dry weight is 438 lbs and its GVWR is 910 lbs. You do the math!

If you're interested in learning a LOT more about the bike, I suggest the BurgmanUSA site. It was instrumental in my choice of what mega-scooter to purchase. (There's also a site for the Yamaha Majesty -- www.MajestyUSA.com.) Happy riding!

Meade in Richmond, Virginia

Desmolicious
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618

Posted 8/29/2006 12:12 PM (GMT -8)

Nice info Meade in Richmond, Virginia!

Børk! Børk! Børk!

bmadson
MCUSA Scribbler

Date Joined Jul 2005
Total Posts : 1038

Posted 8/29/2006 2:43 PM (GMT -8)

Welcome to the boards Meade. Your 60 mpg figure was consistent with what Suzuki brass told us was a typical number. We did a lot of hills in SF and idled quite a bit making passes for photo runs and stuff. Also, Shakli I mention in the test "the ease of motoring up to 75-80 mph without any problem whatsoever." I felt pretty confident when I made some passes on the highway, it's definitely a capable freeway commuter. I guess you'd have to try the 400 and 650 back-to-back to decide which one would be a better fit. Again Meade's report that the 400 can get up to around 90mph corresponds with the rough estimates Suzuki's PR people gave us.

johnburgman
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2006
Total Posts : 2

Posted 8/29/2006 4:35 PM (GMT -8)

I have a 2005 Burgman 400 and I didn't think that they could improve it! Having owned many m/c's over the years to find that they all required compromise to a greater or lesser degree I found the Burgman hit the spot with me. I tried the Bergman 650-too big, too heavy and too complex, (but very very nice)-after all, the idea behind a scooter is simplicity. I thought that I would have trouble in the remote areas of my mind in that the left lever worked a brake and not the clutch, and that I would be pounding the floorboard for the rear brake-it never happened, the transition was faultless. With 6K miles behind me, average gas mileage is 58 mpg, and the lights are excellent. This scoot has some really nifty features including a flash-to-pass headlight switch, four way flashers and an amazing amount of storage space. If you have ever ridden a bike with bags you know how wide it suddenly gets, on the scoot, no problem. I stop by the grocery and do my weekly shop and carry it home under the seat-you don't want to go too far though, it does get warm under there! The Burgman 400 (and this is unique to the 400) has a single sided rear swingarm with a 3 bolt de-mountable rear tire. Other scoots have more complex rear wheel mounting arrangements which require dismantling the rear suspension to fix a flat. If you want to do your own service get the Suzuki shop manual and plan to have plenty of time, removing the tupperware is as time consuming as doing the service items. The 2005 has a remote control to change the preload on the rear shock-it tried various settings but came back to the stock setting as it seems to offer the best ride for me (156#) and the stock windshield has not bothered me. Occassionally I hit the freeway for a short distance (4 miles) and it rides great, long wheelbase = straight line stability although I do wonder about those little wheels turning so fast.....

Ferrit
Registered Member

Date Joined May 2006
Total Posts : 213

Posted 8/31/2006 1:35 AM (GMT -8)

Couple of ??? that I didn't see answered above:

The lights are the best of any bike I've owned stock, even better than my Kaw Voyager XII.

2-up at freeway speeds are no problem. We've run 85-90 for extended periods with no issue although at those speed the buffeting that Bmad felt is worse on the passenger.

My only complaint is the teeny gas tank. This thing begs to go and needs a 4 or 5 gal touring tank option!!

Great writeup.

sideways
Registered Member

Date Joined Mar 2006
Total Posts : 351

Posted 8/31/2006 6:41 AM (GMT -8)

Me thinks Eduardo was showing his machismo and has doubts about same.

Any one who gives up long term freedom for short term safety deserves neither-- Benjamin Franklin

David Rider
2005 ST1300

Date Joined Dec 2004
Total Posts : 546

Posted 8/31/2006 7:15 AM (GMT -8)

bmadson said...
On a ride up and down San Francisco's famous hills, across the Golden Gate Bridge and north into wine country, we ride the latest edition of Suzuki's Burgman 400 luxo-scooter. So, what do you all think? Can you imagine yourself riding one of these one day?

If I didn't already have a great bike, from Suzuki no less, I'd be tempted. Too bad I's sooo poor when I went to college; of course these weren't around then either, darn the luck.

That video is great though. It worked so well for me, I wonder if you could sell it to Suzuki for an advertisement.

Rock on.

"The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me." - Abraham Lincoln

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)

Tros
Global Moderator

Date Joined Apr 2004
Total Posts : 7309

Posted 8/31/2006 12:23 PM (GMT -8)

Ferrit said...
The lights are the best of any bike I've owned stock, even better than my Kaw Voyager XII.

Thanks for the answer, Ferrit. I end up riding in the dark quite abit, so knowing what is just ahead is very important to me. :-)

"People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost."

OhioSteve
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2004
Total Posts : 861

Posted 8/31/2006 5:55 PM (GMT -8)

You hear alot about motorcycle gangs, but not much about scooter gangs. You guys should make a video of the a gang of burghman riders crossing the desert, maybe with "Radar Love" playing in the background. :)

I am the foremost expert on my opinion.

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