Suzuki Burgman 400 reviews

I have owned and operated a number of motorcycles and have enjoyed all of them for all their various features and capabilities. Both scooters and motorcycles. However, for me the Suzuki Burgman 400 checked all the boxes of what I needed. It is not too big nor too small. The seat height is low enough compared to other luxury scooters to give a comfortable ride. The speed is more than needed to keep up with highway traffic. The underseat storage is one of the most spacious I have ever seen. The handling is smooth and responsive. The bike is just fun and comfortable to ride hands down for me. It also has 2 front glove boxes that are not lockable but perfect for throwing items into and retrieving quickly when you arrive at your destination without having to either put them in your pocket or getting under the seat. The acceleration is great from a stop and exceeds that for most cars under normal driving conditions. Gas mileage is of course better than a car. Highly recommended. Show less

I own a 2004 Honda Helix; though I like and enjoy the machine, I have longed for something faster, heavier and more stable when subject to gusty winds or cross drafts, like when an 18 wheeler passes you. I considered the Kymco Downtown 300i, the Yamaha Majesty and the Suzuki Burgman 400. When I saw a brand new, leftover 2011 Burgman 400 ABS for $6,500, I had to get it! My Burgman has about 1,350 miles on the clock, which means I recently did the first oil change. Though I haven't had a lot of miles on the machine yet, I've had enough to form a good, initial impression. Here's what I think so far... The mileage for a machine of this size and power was a pleasant surprise! I've seen 50 mpg. when riding mostly in the city, while I can pull high 50s to low 60s on a trip. Considering that my Helix gets high 60s to low 70s on a similar ride (i.e. on a trip), that's great! Having the extra power and speed is nice to have; it means that freeway riding is now a viable option for me. Though back roads are more fun, sometimes freeway use is necessary. Though the Helix and other 250cc scooters are freeway legal, they're not freeway viable, in my opinion. In other words, if one uses a Helix on the freeway, it should only be for short distances, like from one exit to the next. Conversely, the Burgman 400 will handle freeways with aplomb, and it will do so all day long. For the added power, stability and speed that the Burgman 400 offers, the 10 mpg. reduction was well worth it. The stability of the machine is a welcome surprise, also. The Helix, though a fun, little machine, is also a light machine. Though its light weight make it ideally suited for operating on city streets, its light weight make it scary when operating on windy days or around 18 wheelers. While you feel wind gusts on the Burgman, you just feel them enough to know that they're there; you don't get scared when you hit a nasty gust of wind. The Burgman 400 will go where you want to, and will continue to go there until you change direction. Because the Burgman 400 is bigger and heavier, it simply isn't as quick and nimble in the city as a 250cc scooter like my Helix. One cannot expect the Burgman 400 to be as agile in the city though. One, it has bigger wheels (14" front with a 13" rear vs. a 12" front and a 10" rear for the Helix), which generates more gyroscopic force, which means it's harder to initiate a turn. Secondly, the Burgman 400 outweighs the Helix by some 150 pounds. That said, the Burgman 400, with its low center of gravity, is fairly easy to maneuver in the city. How are speed and acceleration? In a word, both are excellent. Unless going against a high performance bike or car, you will handily pull away when the light turns green. Top speed is good too. Whereas my Helix will barely hit 70-72 mph, the Burgman 400 will do that all day long and have something left over. Top speed so far was 93, which I hit for a few seconds a couple of weeks after I got it. Once the engine loosens up, I expect the top speed to be in the neighborhood of 95-100 mph. - more than fast enough on two wheels these days! Finally, the Burgman is practical. It has a huge storage compartment beneath the seat! I dare say you could easily put 2-4 bags of groceries in it, depending on what's in the bags. Did I mention that the underseat storage compartment is lit? It is! that's a nice, thoughtful touch. The glove box is a good size, and it has a 12V outlet so you can charge your mobile device. In the dash, there are two openings, one on either side of the handle bars; these compartments are big enough to hold your garage door opener, change or money for tolls, and other incidentals. You push a button, the doors pop up, and you swing them to the side. However, with all that the Burgman 400 has going for it, it's not a perfect bike; it has issues, like any two wheeler does. My main gripes with the Burgman 400 are the seat and the windshield. My main gripe with the bike is the seat; it's just a tad too firm for long rides. I was out on an all-day ride this past Sunday, and I was feeling it when I got home. Consider getting a seat pad from Aerostitch, or getting a Corbin seat if one is available. My second gripe with the Burgman 400 is that the stock wind screen simply does not provide the protection I would like. Though it protects my upper body from wind blast, it directs the slipstream directly at my helmet; ear plugs are a must on this machine! I've read about this shortcoming elsewhere, so this was no surprise. I am definitely going to change the wind screen or add a laminar lip in the near future though. The stock windshield simply is not up to scratch. Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase; the Burgman 400 ABS is everything I thought it would be. It's quick, stable, practical, economical and fun. It's a machine that's big enough to some touring, yet it's light enough for in town use too. It's not too big, not too small; it's not too fast, not too slow; it's not too heavy, not too light. To put it another way, it's like Goldilocks; it's "just right"! I do wish that the stock seat and wind screen were better though. The big question is this: would I buy this bike again? Absolutely! If you're looking for a bike that is practical and can do a lot of things well, you cannot go wrong purchasing the Burgman 400 ABS. My only regret is that I didn't get one sooner.:) Show less

I picked up one of these the other week, simply because I have always been curious about these big scoots. Overall, this bike is a great mode of cheap transportation. Performance wise, I would compare it to how your average 4-banger economy car would perform. accels of the line well, a noticeable flat spot, then steady acceleration. While it's definitely no rocket, I do find it difficult keeping it under 55 mph., though. It rides effortlessly at highway speeds. Also, the 400cc four stroke sounds like an industrial sewing machine. Overall, it is what it is, a fun, economical, comfortable way to get around on two wheels. Show less

I bought this scooter used at 9,000 miles and have been very impressed with it so far. I took it on a long 500 mile trip and got excellent gas mileage (74 mpg). Around in town I was getting around 54 mpg. It can easily cruise at 75 miles per hour or more and still get great gas mileage. It is very comfortable and stylish even when compared to newer motorcycles and scooters of 2012. Even when going up and down mountain passes in Oregon and Washington, it was fun and effortless. Show less

I bought a 2011 with ABS for around town. It's a great bike for grocery runs and other urban commuting duties. It will cruise easily at 75 mph. while returning around 60 mpg. average. I also own a Triumph Tiger and BMW 1200R but for city stuff the Burgman cannot be beat. Show less

I bought it used in 2008 with 500 miles. It was my first bike in 20+ years. I ride to and from work 50 miles per day and gas mileage is averaging just under 65. You can't find a better maxi-scooter. It's easy to ride and not as heavy as the 650 that Suzuki makes. Show less

I bought my 2008 model in June of 2009. I have put over 200 miles on it in one day, and it performs flawlessly. The only noticeable drawback is the rock hard seat. It's like sitting on the side of a tank. I find it fairly user friendly and easy to work on. All the tupperware pops off easily, which makes for quicker do-it-yourself upgrades and maintenance. It's a well-spent six grand. I considered the 650, but the 400 gets better mileage. I can't wait to take it to Texas from Cincinnati, Ohio. Show less

It looks and handles great. The motor runs very smooth without all the vibrations like in traditional cycles. The seat is very comfy and low enough for shorter women like me to handle with confidence. I am 45 and this is the first bike I have ever owned but plan to keep riding till they have to pull my fingers off the handlebars. You will not be sorry if you purchase this bike. Show less

I have cycles and let me tell you this is a very comfortable scooter. It does both city and highway miles well with great mileage in either venue. Plenty of room under seat for most of your needs on the road. No problems since new. Only complaint for me was the windscreen. Show less

Absolutely a great bike does over 100mph. Gets 55 mpg driving it hard. 65mpg taking it easy. Holds two helmets under the seat. No shifting takes getting used to. Show less