[Chappy]

I'm not opening mine up for a Minor chirp/squeal deglazing every 5000 miles, that's every 2 months in summertime. Ride it out until it's time for belt, clutch replacement is what I would do fellows. The belt/ clutch might last 35k or more. There's too much paranoia going on over this chirp noise, The aftermarket companies are loving you, they're eating it up! Lol

 

[itlives]

4,000 miles into my 2008 (which has 13,400 on it). I've gotten used to the noises and shudder. I did take the CVT cover off and blow it out-- OMG the dust!! It engages a lot smoother now . The way to run these trannies is not in high heels. Put running shoes on that b!+c# and take off like a sprinter!
It's a great running machine!

 

[Otisco Kid]

I was about to jump into the scooter world myself...until I started doing some research into CVT technology. Whooa...said I! A test drive on a brand new Suzuki 650 immediately aroused my nose to the smell of a burning belt .....on a very short and sedate ride. The dealer said it was just a break-in smell because it was so new. Oh really????
More recently I was comparing hi-milage commuter cars....also touting CVT technology. A test drive of one of those was unnerving....no utilizing of engine compression when slowing down felt strange to me...that equates to hitting the brakes!
Quite frankly I deferred to a standard 5 speed tranny on my commuter car choice. And I prefer my standard 5 speed tranny on my MC as well.
I am one driver/rider that is not convinced that CVT technology is the way to go. In cars, scooters, or MCs I like gear driven drive trains. Lets see what auto tranny technology can do in the next few years. For now I'm sticking with manual gear driven drive trains. I don't even like MC drive belts let alone CVT v-belts.

 

[1stwingrider]

I bought a 2002 silver Wing new....in 2002. 12 years later, 25K, no squeals ever.

But....I have to tell you....when I do service per the manual....I CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN....and then I wear white gloves when I put it all back together. I want to make sure that even body oils do not contaminate the parts.

So far...it has worked for me.

 

[Quantum Mechanic]

Just remember, the 5 shoe clutch on the Burgman 400 is trouble free if maintained correctly. All dry cvt clutches need regular maintenance to operate correctly. Suzuki make a good clutch but it must be cleaned and deglazed at the appropriate intervals and it's that bit of info that is missing from the service manual for owners to see. We know this now and we know how to avoid the judder and squeal. For some it will mean opening the tranny case and cleaning the clutch out at the 15k service. It is just one extra bolt to undo at the time when you change the tranny oil and takes just 15 mins or so to do. That includes a deglaze too. For others, it may mean cleaning and deglazing later or even slightly earlier. But if you deglaze and clean the clutch correctly it will last for thousands of miles without further judder. To do it properly it is important to use a sanding block on the clutch pads to keep the working surfaces level. Doing it purely by hand results in minor variances to the friction surfaces causing uneven take up and inducing judder much earlier than it should. This also causes clutch shoe misalignment as the uneven pressure tries to turn the clutch shoe/s out of true, further adding to judder. That is something else I have noticed on customer bikes. The clutch shoes are out of alignment due to uneven deglazing by owners. It is also important to use firm pressure with an 80 grade oxide paper or emery. Don't use a finer paper, it doesn't work so well. You must get right down to the bare fibres of the clutch material removing all glaze. Do that and it lasts for another 15k on average. But it does depend on how you use the motorcycle. Lots of town work causes earlier glazing. Less town work means you can go longer without squeal or judder. Oh, remember to carefully clean the clutch drum by lightly sanding and washing in thinners to remove build up of resin inside the drum.

Again, there is nothing wrong with dry CVT clutches if ridden and service properly. Take Chris's advice on moving off fast with at least 4k revs. I do and have only had to deglaze mine once at 4k and many many thousands of miles on, still no squeal or judder inspite of town work. By the way, all cars use WET CVT clutches and are totally reliable and fun to drive. They do not suffer from judder like the DRY versions can. I have worked on those too.

 

[Quantum Mechanic]

Forgot to mention one other very important thing about avoiding squeal and judder. Make sure you keep the transmission air filter clean. Remember, it's every 1800 miles it needs doing. More if you live in dusty condition. Nearly every bike I see for service has this filter near or completely clogged. It reduces the airflow and thus the cooling effect on the belt and clutch considerably. This causes not just a rise in transmission temperature, but increase the amount of dust in the clutch and transmission area leading to judder and squeal. A good constant blow from the transmission fan blows considerable dust out of the transmission, through exhaust preventing problems.

 

[Bolzen]

One major problem is amount of inside dust -- even after 100 miles i can find a good deal of this stuff in the cvt area. It may contribute to fast shoe glazing.

 

[westnash]

Interesting that my transmission air filter had almost no dust in at 3,300 and don't think it was previously cleaned.

Why do you think there is no mention of clutch deglazing in Suzuki Service manual?

Is there a step by step procedure on the forum or another source?

 

[Jarlaxle]

Forgot to mention one other very important thing about avoiding squeal and judder. Make sure you keep the transmission air filter clean. Remember, it's every 1800 miles it needs doing. More if you live in dusty condition. Nearly every bike I see for service has this filter near or completely clogged. It reduces the airflow and thus the cooling effect on the belt and clutch considerably. This causes not just a rise in transmission temperature, but increase the amount of dust in the clutch and transmission area leading to judder and squeal. A good constant blow from the transmission fan blows considerable dust out of the transmission, through exhaust preventing problems.

Where would that be on a 2012?

 

[Bolzen]

Where would that be on a 2012?

Where it is on all other 07- models.
Yes, westnash -- this information is repeatedly in many threads on the forum.

 

[burgman30102]

34,000 miles on my 08 and I've never been anything but happy with the CVT. Clutch and shifting - ain't nobody got time for that!

No those Dr. Pulley sliders - don't get me started lol.....

 

[westnash]

Yep, no house calls from Dr. Pulley needed or wanted!

 

[Bolzen]

Nash, you had experience with dps -- elaborate a bit, maybe?

 

[westnash]

What is normal hwy rpm at 70 for menber's 400s?

 

[westnash]

member's 400s

 

[Liamjs]

member's 400s

7k.

On a completely stock 400, with a completely engaged belt, the rpms / 100 correlate very closely to actual speed. So 6k = 60, 7k = 70, etc.

 

[DoubleJ]

100 km or 60 mph I get 5600 on the tach. Fairly new belt, rollers and guides.

 

[Quantum Mechanic]

Sounds the same as mine when it was just run in. With new belt I was 6500rpm at 70mph indicated. Now, with the belt a bit more worn, it's just under 7k revs at 70 but with many more miles on the clock.

 

[Roger32849]

This thread has been one of the most enlightening experiences I have read. I am overwhelmed by the absolute dedication shown here to the Burgman Scooter. It is reassuring to know I belong to a forum that not only will defend their product but will also tolerate a new comers tirade, who's seemingly only purpose is to post what amounts to a "Rant". Like a kid throwing a tantrum at McDonalds because he didn't get the happy meal toy he wanted. Look at the reads his thread generated, it probably had the the reverse of his intended affect. Everyone, banded together and rallied for Suzuki. Yeah!!!!!!

I personally have two and they are not the first scooters I have owned, but certainly they are the best. No matter how good, or what label is on the side of it.... If it is mechanical, it needs proper care, even then it will eventually fail.

It is unfortunate he joined the forum as a means to simply Slam Suzuki..

 

[Quantum Mechanic]

Roger, I confess it's one of the best bikes I've owned. The judder is not a problem for most people but reading the forum, you'd think everyone gets it. They don't. Believe me, I would not defend a bike with bad design problems, but honestly, the Burgman 400 is one of the most sorted bikes on the market and just seems to run and run forever with little maintenance. Enjoy your bikes.