Bertie's Review of Suzuki Burgman 400 Scooter
23rd Jun 2004
Overall Rating
- Value for money
- Length of ownership2 Years
- Reliability
- Year Manufactured2002
- Build quality
This Suzuki Burgman 400 is my ideal 2-wheeled transport therefore it's all good.
Outstanding petrol consumption - at LEAST 75 miles per gallon even when ridden hard.
Very comfortable riding position and handles like a dream.
Good weather protection.
Good brakes.
Capacious 'boot' will hold TWO helmets.
Very quiet for a single cylinder machine.
Very easy to keep clean.
Bad Points
There is none for me and I think the most fastidious nit-picker would be hard put to find any. I suppose there are aspects of the machine that could have done better, but that doesn't make them bad.
General Comments
My Burgman 400 has now done almost 15,000 trouble-free miles. It needed a new rear tyre at 9,000 miles and the front one is about to be replaced for the first time.
This being the first automatic bike I've owned, it took a little while to get used to not having to change gears and using the left hand for braking. Anyone not wanting the ultimate performance of the true motorcycle should find the Burgman the ideal device. But it is no slouch as the acceleration is adequate (for me, anyway) and will hold 70 MPH on a level motorway at slightly less than half throttle. Wind noise drowns out any engine noise at any speed other than walking pace where it just purrs along.
Oil consumption has been difficult to measure - it is very low and when the spark plug was changed at 6,000 miles, it looked almost like new with no observable wear on the electrodes. This indicates very clean-burning combustion. Oil tightness is superb and even after a hard run, the machine could be parked in the living room.
I have owned over 40 motorbikes in my lifetime (I am 71) and obviously, technology has moved on. This Suzuki Burgman is the best all-round bike I've had and anyone wanting reliable, elegant two-wheeled transport equally at home on the motorway or pottering around quiet country lanes with sufficient luggage carrying capacity and built-in weather protection will find Mr. Suzuki's creation ideal. If you want to do 'wheelies' you'll have to look somewhere else!
Yes, sir....you got this one right!
On average, people found this review helpful
Members' Comments onBertie's Review
paulmylrea on 8th Sep 2004
yvonne0001 on 12th Sep 2004
well I have just purchased a burgman 400 and sit my final test in a couple of days so wish me luck and I will be back to let you know. cheers
Bertie
on 11th Oct 2004yvonne0001.....the very best of wishes for a pass.....Bertie.
oakendragonheart on 3rd Nov 2005
I've been recording the precise mpg on my burgman 400 w/ the tripmeter at the gas pump. On my first tank of doing this i recorded 50.4mpg and the second 57.7mpg. The bike is about 8 weeks old now. My drive everyday to work is 2 miles of 45mph and 9 miles of 65mph. How are you getting 75mpg im wondering? Is there something wrong w/ my bike... perhaps a bad valve adjustment at the 600mile maintenance?? I'm happy w/ 57mpg and its been running smooth to me (its my first bike)... i just want to make sure everythings ok.
Sevencard on 10th Nov 2005
Very nice review of a great machine. I, too, am 71 and have had numerous motorcycles, including a Honda Pacific Coast light tourer. I find the balance, braking, and overall handling of the Burgmann 400 more to my liking than anything I have owned before.
Bertie
on 5th Dec 2005Hi oakendragonhart. I didn't start seriously checking my fuel consumption until I had done over 1,000 miles. I have now done just over 26,000, and with my hand on my heart, I can confirm that I'm getting an average of over 75 mpg.
My Burgman drinks the super unleaded and my journeys do not include motorways - mostly B roads and some A. I very rarely exceed 55 mph on the A roads and no more than 35 on the B's. I think that has a lot to do with my frugal fuel consumption, and the fact that the machine is professionally serviced at Suzuki's recommended intervals.
It certainly wouldn't hurt to have your Burgman checked over if you are not near the service interval, and if other owners could relate their experiences on here then that would be a great help.
Come Spring, I'll be out and about again after the bike has had a full service. I'll be most interested in the condition of the drive belt, as after 26,000 miles I would expect to require a new one and I'm amazed it's lasted so long, even if it is made from kevlar. I might add that the machine has never given the slightest trouble - I had a front wheel puncture courtesy of a piece of hedge-trashing in early October, and although I'm with the RAC, I used my Holts Tyreweld Emergency Puncture Repair to get me home. (I'm doing a little review on this useful item).
Good luck friend, and safe biking... Bertie.timyak on 11th Jan 2006
I bought my Burgman 400 in 2003. At first I was getting 65 mpg. The bike now has only 7000 miles on it but it now gets 80 mpg!!! I live in Pittsburgh, PA (USA), which is very hilly to say the least, yet my mileage is still terrific.
Glenn McDonald on 4th Feb 2006
I to will be 71 in May 2006. Bought my suzuki 400 Burgman in June of 2005 and as of now have put 5,000 miles on it. The MPG is about 70 on most tanks of mid grade gas. Of all the bikes I`ve owned over more than half a century this one rates amoung the best for all around pleasure. Judge Mac.
fayetelCherry
on 15th Apr 2007How fast does the Suzuki Burgman 400 go? And what is the average take off speed from 0 - 60?
fayetelCherry
on 26th Apr 2007I just got a the new 2007 Burgman and my husband got the 2005 Majesty. We hear that they are compatible especially with the changes in cc 385 to 400cc in the new Burgman. The Majesty 2005 always had the 400cc until just recently they dropped the new 07's to 395. My husband and I will test them and see which is the better bike. I know structurally the Majesty with its rear end shocks and closed in rear wheel component s appear to be made much better then the Burgman, but the Burgman looks 10x better as a good looking bike. Now we will see which one preforms better. Will give you details latter.
timyak on 27th Apr 2007
I like most of the changes that Suzuki made to the Burgman, especially the increase in cc's, but I heard that the braking system is less intuitive. For the price, I still don't think that there is a better scooter available in America. As far as 0-60 times, that's not why one should buy a this scooter because torque is not a strong suit; however, the Burgman does get up to speed rather nicely. It handles really well in the twisties and highway riding is OK at best.
chris5762 on 4th Jun 2007
I am currently running in my new Burgman 400 K7 and my fuel consumption is at between 16 and 16.5 miles per litre (approximately 72 to 75 mpg). The scooter is performing great and the handling is so predictable. The braking is smooth and precise without any unexpected lock ups or nose dives. I agree the screen could be longer which would cut down wind noise immensely, but that's about my only gripe. Only another 100 miles before my first service then perhaps I might consider venturing onto a dual carriageway!
moe400 on 22nd Jun 2007
I recently had the 600 mile service done on my Burgman 400 which include an oil change. The owners manual says the next oil change is at 3600 miles. Is that really so?
I'd like to get an idea of the frequency of service and also types of service I can anticipate and of course, at what price.oliverio on 11th Mar 2008
wheres the fuse box located for the 07 burgman 400
torah
on 7th Apr 2008I have just purchased a 2008 400cc bergman and I love it. I have already put 1000 mls on it and it went like a dream. My only gripe is when it rained the water came round onto the inside of the windscreen making quite a mess of the dash.
merddynemrhys on 9th Jun 2008
Part of the problem in assessing miles to the gallon is that the US gallon is smaller than the UK gallon - so riders across the pond will get apparently worse performance.
lcmaddison on 15th Jul 2008
I'm considering the Bergman 400 for travelling to and from work for economy purposes. Will this scooter be able to sustain a daily round trip of 65 miles of which 27 is on a dual carriage way. Any advice would be much appreciated.
fayetelCherry
on 16th Jul 2008Ok , my husband and I did race on a strip near the airport and he did beat me several times (6). His Majesty 400 (2005) will beat the 2007 Burgman400. We always start off pretty much the same. My Burgman handles more like a motor bike and his Majesty handles like a cruiser. The Majesty rides more smooth. The design of the shocks on the Majesty is just better, but the Burgman 400. handles turns much better. The Masjesty 400 requires less effort on the trottle compared to the Burgmen.
The Burgman is a better looking bike from the front end design .
We need the bike to be able to pick-up pretty quickly becasue of todays drivers and highway speeds and of course we did not buy the bikes for racing.
To sum it up. It is only my opinion but the Majesty is the better bike as far as mechanical design ,speed and proformance. But the Burgman beats it in style hands down.rodethelot on 1st Aug 2008
Hi folks, I live in england and have just completed a round trip to the Russian border and back, love the burgman, no probs, used to own a Silverwing when I lived in Thailand and like the burgervan better, so now you know, it aint just a comuter,theres a big world out there....ride it!
FredgDa on 3rd Aug 2008
With regards to fuel consumption don't forget a British gal is bigger than a USA one so UK figure will be different 71 mpg in UK is the same as just under 60 mpg in USA.
simon j on 6th Aug 2008
I have just collected my new burgman 400. Very pleased so far but a bit confused as to running in procedures. the handbook says keep revs to 4000 for first 600 miles. This equates to roughly 35 mph(depending on road conditions). This is way too slow, even dangerous in some situations. Also it would not load the engine enough as you are supposed to do. i think I will ignore it!
frannkmonts on 7th Aug 2008
simon j: 35mph is not too slow for a 35mph road. You don't have to try to break it in on the interstate.
Nicky39 on 14th Jun 2009
hi i am considering getting a burgman but cant decide between the 250cc and 400cc most of my riding is commuting only 10 miles each way but do enjoy a weekend out on the bike but i would like to keep up with my husband on trips out he owns a kawasaki er5 500cc does anyone know if the 250cc is capable of 70mph on the motorway and if so would i be tearing the heart out of it.
so advice on which would be the best would be appreciated.jetcassie
on 6th Jan 2010I found this review very helpful because...it covers every aspect about this scooter based on a rider with a great deal of experience
rjc1944 on 2nd Jun 2010
I'm about to take delivery of a 1999 Burgman and it's good to see that someone else of "a certain age" likes the beast. I'd also read of oil-consumption problems and it's reassuring to see the good comments about that.
How to Hotwire a Moped?
fair review of an excellent all round bike.