[prossett]

2008 AN400 purchased against all advice for long trip from Abu Dhabi to Europe next year!

I'm convinced the Burgman's a good choice, and better than the big adventure bikes for me - and looking forward to testing to see if it's true.

For now, first thing is maintenance overhaul so the baseline is set. It has 30,000 km, and runs very well. Unknown service history as it was imported a few months ago, seems from EU or Australia as it has key immobilizer. Previous owner dropped it on right side, declared it too dangerous to ride and so I scooped it up! 8)

I've been reading about the AN400 like crazy, and this forum has been very helpful - thanks.

There's still plenty time for me to bail out LOL

 

[prossett]

Thanks - it's a long way in terms of the trip, but just as long to actually getting going Many have these dreams, but few actually leave. I hope to make it, and I guess time will tell.

 

[prossett]

Welcome. I would get a top trunk unless you're thinking of a saddlebag like this one. With a top trunk you can still open the seat.

Preparing Yamaha XT660Z for my Next Trip - Riding Gear & Saddlebag - Part 2 - YouTube

Excellent series of videos, thanks. I'm open to different packing systems, though I'll prolly strap soft bags behind me. I'll take the preparations step by step. First purchase done: a dust cover LOL Now I'll start opening up the tupperware and having a look at how the bike is made, and preparing for fluids/filters change, full service, basically.

Welcome to the Burgman world.

Not sure if you will be going on sub standard roads like sand and gravel. There are no real Adventure type tires for a Burgman 400. You may look at mounting a Car Tire for traction if legal in your areas.

I'm pretty sure it'll be all tarmac roads - sand is deep here, and I'd get stuck within a few yards. But hard-packed dirt tracks I'd do, probably to find a place to camp not far from the road. But yeah, definitely not planning an offroad trip. It's either Iran, Turkey and into Europe - or west thru Saudi, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, and up to Europe. Paved roads are good all the way. I'll deal with routes later, but I'll prolly just set out with a general direction and be flexible, let the Burg guide me

 

[prossett]

Yeah, it'll be dry at least until Turkey.

Meanwhile, getting intimate with the parts... 😂

While waiting for parts for the service, might as well see how it's built. Want to be familiar enough to take it apart and fix stuff roadside (in the dark, sandstorm blowing, while fighting off packs of hungry stray dogs... LOL).

So far, I like how it's put together - very clever. I've fought a few ******* bolts in my life, so I'm actually liking the plastic pop rivets. Gently does it. PO not only dropped it cracking some tupperware on the right side, but apparently also had the fingers of a Neanderthal and ripped out a few tabs. Well, fair enough - it's a 14 year old machine! It's kept itself very well, and a few plastic nicks and broken fasteners isn't bad at all. I'll need to try get it as tight as possible, give it the best chance to make the trip without dropping pieces along the way. Mechanically seems very straightforward, but as of now, I think the issues, if any, will come from the electrics/electronics.

 

[prossett]

That's an excellent suggestion, thanks.

Also they can be melted to fill space in ABS cracks. Plus a gazillion other uses!

Bit like WD-40 and duct tape...Ah, a good roll of clear plastic duct tape, too - maybe this Gorilla Tape

 

[prossett]

Phase 1 - Tupperware party! now completed

Plenty of missing tabs, Grand Canyon crack, and a friggin hole...

You've all seen same or worse, so I'll just say I'm now familiar with all the Burg plastics, at least in terms of removing them.

 

[prossett]

Ah! kindred spirit - David, excellent to read your posts!

Epic and totally fun indeed in the end, we realize life is short, and every so often one has to extend beyond normality, just to feel that raw emotion of truly being alive!

I'm now well into phase 2 - mechanical overhaul!

Basically, following the AN400 service manual and adding the recommended mods from the experts here 8) Big help!!

16 year old tyres!! Crikey Moses!! I'm swapping out the front at 5 years of age, also going with Shinko SR567 - rear still good, so I'll replace just before leaving.

I'd love to have the chance for the Scoot The Ozarks Rally! Thing about North America is you can ride for years and never have to leave the continent - such a great and diverse natural landcape, with every city offering something special. I've done the West Coast twice, and a bit more inland: Vancouver, BC - Baja, Mexico, many years ago!

As for my trip, I've purposely stayed away from planning it other than "enter at south, exit at north" LOL Overall it looks like 3,000km across Iran, another 3,500km across Turkey, and then I'd be in EU. In total I'll estimate 10,000km / 6,300 miles.

Something like this - I'll develop all route notes in due time, and I'll gladly share before, during, and after updates!

For now, full focus on maintenance, else I'll be going nowhere... and then Phase 3 will be overland mods and long-distance touring.

Fun times!

Can't wait to see pics of the Scoot The Ozarks Rally 8)

 

[prossett]

Yes, new V-belt (OEM, the Mitsuboshi) ordered and on its way - didn't even look at the old one yet, but it's an item for replacement on the service schedule, so that'll go in fresh regardless. This first effort is to baseline a bike of which I know no history.

I did pull off the V-belt dust filter, and promptly destroyed it while trying to wash it LOOL it was rotten and crumbling to dust, actually. Now looking at a DIY sponge solution, as the stock one seems really flimsy. The manual says clean, but never replace... maybe they know it'll fall apart and so it gets replaced automatically that way, without needing regular service intervals!

I think the metal CVT parts should be OK - just planning to change the belt, that's all. We'll see once I open it up properly. I'll have a good look at the rollers for any wear.

Thanks for the wheel bearing suggestion, @Dave_J - that's a good and easy, and cheap preventative move, especially since I'll have the wheel off to change the tyre - appreciated.

 

[prossett]

No mention in the service schedule

(Image shared under copyright “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.)

 

[prossett]

Very useful, thanks. I'll keep the bearings as they seem pretty smooth - I'm all for re-setting a used bike's maintenance when I buy it, but I also need to focus my efforts and not get carried away and change out everything LOL I get to the point where I start thinking I might as well have bought a new one!

Phase 2 - mechanical servicing nearing completion: did all fluids (except final drive, waiting for belt to arrive and do them both at once - though I'm scheming what to do about the variator tool... definitely DIY, but ideally it's something I can carry with me on the bike - like using the tyre irons and a breaker bar pipe... or a butch tent pole, something McGyverish like that.) Also changed air and oil filters. If there's any bike that suffers from oil filter envy, it's got to be our Burgs! LOOL

Fuel tank clean as a whistle!

So, ahead of me are final drive oil, v-belt, valve clearance check and new spark plug.

I'm also looking at the 5-year-old front tyre and thinking that looks pretty good, actually...my stingy streak kicking into play LOL Except I've already bought the new replacement - doh! Maybe I'll run the old one for the test-rides, and swop it just before the trip.

Next phase - electrickery!

And then that will have been long enough for me to have forgotten where everything goes...

 

[prossett]

Thanks SemBurg - appreciated.

Yes, it's my hobby as well as a practical way to keep things running well.

Usually just a couple of side panels, and you're done - but the Burg takes its tupperware to an art form!

Here in all its glory, except handlebar cover and instrument display - wow!

Oh, and no front fender.

 

[prossett]

No painting for me. Gave them a good wash with gentle dishwashing liquid, and then this stuff:

They look new.

Except where there's chunks missing LOL

 

[prossett]

Ok good to know. Noted.
Any idea how durable it is - or are you just now trying it ?

I'm plotting a potential color change on this bike, of course, only on the painted sections.

There was a new member who used spray on bedliner on the black lower pieces.

I may do that, plus your stuff on any upper black bits & repaint all else.

It's excellent, and I've used it happily for years. Here in UAE we have to deal with UV damage and so these kinds of plastic renew products are used a lot - that brand worked well for me and buddies so we keep using it, but I'm pretty sure other brands would do the same.

Yes, you're right - not if you are planning to paint, in which case a rough untreated plastic is what you want. Your current paint should be removed before re-painting anyways.

But for the raw plastic parts (the black, unpainted ones) much better not to paint them but rub this stuff into them. They really do look new. I'll take a few close-ups - hard to believe these are original 14-year-old tupperware!

As for bed-liner - excellent stuff! The rubberized texture and protection is awesome, but I've only used it on metal, not plastic. I think for the price and result, I'd save the bed-liner for another application, not Burg plastics.

 

[prossett]

Re-assembling the Burg! 8)

(deferred the v-belt change and valve adjustment)

Time for next phase: testrides and mods!

This first one - wind protection - should make a big difference to comfort right off the bat:

PO had that short 'sport' windscreen on the right - yeah, he dropped the bike, cracked it, chopped it off, and made it look like it was intentional...

 

[prossett]

The large GIVI shield looks like a good design and functional. Is it one piece? Is the top part of the shield an add on?

Yes, it's two parts, and the upper can adjust the airflow by sliding up or down.

AF266 - GIVI Airflow Sliding Windscreen for Suzuki Burgman 400 06-16, HxW max 81x67 cm, 12 cm sliding, fits oe
headlight fairing, fitting hardware included € 145,90

This guy shows it from 0:36

 

[prossett]

WOW! What an Excellent Adventure! The prep and the upcoming ride, all the best!

Thanks @BurgDanno - happy to share it with you all!

I'm taking it one step at a time, with each completed phase pushing me closer to departure date - exciting times

So far:

1. vehicle choice
2. mechanical check and baseline service
and just today: 3. first long ride!

Next phases, something like:

4. touring mods (including packing...)
5. long-distance test-runs (need to build up stamina, but also test all equipment)
6. bureaucratic docs (carnet, visas, insurance, medical, import upon arrival to EU, etc.)
7. route (flexible, but I do need a general idea LOL)
8. final service (got to give myself the best chance possible to avoid mechanical issues, especially before reaching EU)
9. Let's do it!!!

 

[prossett]

First ride went exceedingly well, and I'm now sure the Burgman can take me 10,000 km to EU!

I did my research, trusted the Burgman and maxi-scooter community reviews, but at time of purchase I could only sneak a ride down the street and back.. so it was a bit of a gamble - one that I now know will most probably pay off

Consider that the other bike I'd short-listed for this trip was a late-90s BMW R1150GS, which is considered the grandpappy of overland touring!

But the Burgman won out... at least in my own decision-making.

This morning, not too long a ride, as I wanted to get a feel for braking, cornering, acceleration, swerving, all those fun maneuvers, so important to build confidence with the new bike. Also, sharp eye on the engine temperature, vibrations, posture, comfort, air protection, etc.

Superb in all regards - what a great bike!!!

And I'm an experienced rider, carrying 40+ years of riding all sorts of bikes, with the most recent being a Ducati S2R 800.

And although the Burg pros know all this already, this may be useful to people considering a Burgman 400.

Overall, I think the overall comfort is its best feature, though it's swingable and lots of fun in the corners, and also super-easy to ride - also fast enough, while not being scary.

Feet forward and leaning back while accelerating out of turns is a total hoot - grinning ear to ear!

But the Burgman seems to be in the zone everywhere.

Here's the road I took:

I was wary of the smaller diameter tyres - not an issue. Super confident in curves. We'll see in wet conditions.

Pressed to find 'the best' feature, I'd probably say the various riding positions possible, behind that fantastic windshield!

What I learned: I found I was slipping forward on the seat, but it was because I was keeping my feet too far back, almost like a traditional motorcyce - all changed when I stretched out my legs forward. Also, I felt I needed quite hard pulling of the brakes, which fatigued my fingers; but I think it will improve when I lower the levers. They're set a bit high for me. Possibly it's also the absence of downshifting: and of course no foot lever for rear braking! Lastly, I missed leaning into the fuel tank, especially on longer turns, but leaning back fixed that!

All in all - superb first ride. Couldn't have gone better for someone wanting a long-distance road machine

 

[prossett]

Bike looks great…..You might think about packing a spare rear tire or source one to be waiting for you at the 8.5k km mark.

Thanks - good advice.

I'll slap on new tyres before departure, and at the 8.5k km mark I should be in Greece, or thereabouts - over the Bosphorous Straight and on EU soil at any rate - and so finding new rubber should be OK (but pricier!).

Actually, perhaps last few days in Turkey may be a better place to shop for scooter tyres and parts... web says the Burgman 400 is available there, and in general Turkey produces many auto/moto parts, that are then sold in EU at hefty mark-up.

Scooters are also popular in Iran, where there is also a Suzuki dealer, though it doesn't offer the Burgman nor motorcycles over 250cc - tyre size might be a problem. Or, it could be an opportunity to cross over to the darkside! There would be no debate about pros and cons of installing a car tyre, and I wouldn't hesitate one instant if it would keep me going.

In any case, DHL and other couriers deliver to all major cities along the route , so if I really had to spring for a new tyre, I'd do that. I'm pretty sure there will always be a truck driver ready to load me into the back to get to the next city. I'd like to see someone try this with the Burg!!! LOL

It's an important point, BTW, and it extends to other Burgman parts, too. For general punctures, I'll have a repair kit, spare valves, and irons with me, and there will certainly be plenty of tyre shops all along the way, so the issue would have to be total tyre failure or just devastating wear.

 

[prossett]

Godspeed prossett, I’ll be following you for the duration of your journey !

P.S. If you Crowd Source Fund this adventure I’ll buy you a shot of Ouzo
and a beer to wash it down.

Cheers! If you're crazy enough to fly out to Greece at the opportune time, I'd gladly share thoughts and a bottle with you.

Meanwhile, 2nd mod completed 😎

Ejector seat wire - thanks to BurgmanUSA for the advice!

 

[prossett]

When I turned legal age to drink I’d go to my local pub and sit with the old timers and I remember a WW2 vet tell me this joke ….

If Russia attacked Turkey from behind do you think Greece would help ?

I would bust out laughing watching him laugh ….

You be careful and try to find a Canadian Flag Patch 🇨🇦 to velcro to your jacket and if anyone asks tell ‘em your from Toronto.😁

😍 funny thing, I was born in Toronto 🇨🇦