2006 Suzuki Burgman 400 from United States of America
Summary:
The perfect Urban / Suburban Scooter!
Faults:
Nothing!
General Comments:
I never write reviews on products, but when something comes as close to perfection as the Suzuki Burgman 400, you have to let people know about it.
I purchased a new 2006 Burgman 400 S in August of 2007. It was a year old, and sat around the showroom floor for a year, but the dealer gave me a deal I couldn't refuse. I started out looking at 2007 Burgmans (650 and 400) and the Honda Silverwing. The Burgman 400 is the perfect Urban / Suburban scooter. Big enough for 2 around town or a weekend road trip, but small enough to deal with urban gridlock. The under the seat trunk is huge. It will easy hold your helmet, rain gear, and bike cover, and will still have room for your laptop or a small briefcase.
Here in Washington, DC you have some of the worst traffic and drivers in the U.S. This is where the Burgman shines. It's weight and low center of gravity give you exceptional maneuvering ability at relatively low speed and solid braking even on poor road surfaces. Larger tires would help with ride comfort on rough roads, but the Burgman is still a 10 in this area.
I've had the scooter for 2 months now and I've put 1250 miles on it. Pickup is good, it competes with 95% of the cars on the road, but with the fully auto transmission, the Burgam is not a rice rocket. I'm told it will do 90 mph, but I only do 65. Highway cruising at 65 is easy on the Burgman, but I'm more comfortable at 55; too much wind (and bugs) in your face is not my thing. I took a 200 mile, 5 hour run down to Virginia Beach, VA on the back roads and it was great. Economy, highway or city, is in the 70 mpg range.
For reference, I'm 50 years old and started riding street bikes at age of 15. I've ridden motorcycles all over the world including 3rd World back roads on anything from 100cc scooters to 1600+cc Full Dress Touring Bikes. Previously, I considered my BMW 65R (650cc) Full Dress, the best mid-size suburban commute, around town motorcycle. While I miss my 65R, my Burgman 400 S has filled those shoes. My other favorite bike was a Honda 350-4. You could nit pick this little thing, or that little thing, but the Burgman designers deserve a Bravo Zulu!
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 13th October, 2007
17th Mar 2008, 16:08
Well, the middle of February (2008) I bought a brand new 2006 Suzuki Burgman 400 Type S ("sport"). I think it had passed from dealer to dealer, and sat in the back for a long time (2 years?). I got it for $4999 OUT THE DOOR!.
My web reviews on this site and others weighed heavily in my decision to purchase.
I like the style, I love the function, and it is just about the most practical new vehicle I have ever seen (certainly the best bargain on a new vehicle I've ever purchased).
I was hesitant to purchase a Burgman because of what I read on the web about maintenance expense, so I almost went for the Honda Reflex 250. I still believe the Reflex to be the most dependable scooter ever made. However, when I stood the Reflex and Burgman Type S next to each other and popped the underseat storage trunks, I could fit so much more in the Burgman. Since I was buying this to replace my 1993 F350 crew cab 1-ton commute vehicle ($500 a month on diesel fuel), I needed to be able to haul as much as possible daily.
I easily (and cheaply) addressed the maintenance issue by approaching my local Suzuki-Yamaha dealer before purchasing mine from another town: my local dealer sold me a maintenance agreement (all oil changes, regular services except brakes & tires) - $700 for 36 MONTHS!.
It's fun to ride, only $10 to fill up (looks like every 5-7 days so far), and has more than enough power and performance to haul my 6'1", 220lb. frame around 40-50 every day. For half to one third the price of a crappy new car, I get 60+ MPG. I only have 600 miles on it, and I love it.
I am considering doing a longevity study on my own, just to prove to my teasing friends (and myself and prospective buyers) how many miles I can put on her. I've never seen a bike with 50,000 miles on it, but I'd like to see if she could make it.