Currently riding a honda ace 1100cc . this bike has been with me for the last 10 yrs. Live in Singapore and thought of switching to burgman 400. Still thinking whether to purchase brand new or second hand. The second hand(4 yrs on the road) cost abt US$2000 while the brand new is about US$6000. The brand new one has space compartment for 2 full face helmet while the older one i was told could not even fit one full face helmet. What are ur thoughts or opinion? THis is my first time considering a scooter. Thank you.
Burgman on my mind
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There seems to have been a major improvement to the 400 when fuel injection was added. Other things like the metal in the exhaust system (A problem in older models) were improved at the same time, as was the storage capacity (as you noted).
When you look around the web, you'll find that there are a significant number of people discussing mechanical issues with older 400's, but almost no one talking about troubles with the newer ones. Once Suzuki went to fuel injection (and made other changes) the mechanical problems seemingly vanished almost totally. This forum can be a bit deceptive in that the vast majority of posters are located in the USA and Canada, where only the fuel-injected Burgman's have been mass-marketed. We never had any experience with the older models here. Thus, our (almost entirely positive) experiences do not include the somewhat less-reliable Burgman scooters that can still be bought second-hand in much of the rest of the world. Some people do very well indeed with the older models, but the new ones are simply fantastic in this regard. Breakdowns are almost unheard-of.
Other folks will probably have other opinions. For my own part, however, I'd buy a fuel-injected Burgman if I at all possibly could. They are far more technically advanced machines, in many regards.
When you look around the web, you'll find that there are a significant number of people discussing mechanical issues with older 400's, but almost no one talking about troubles with the newer ones. Once Suzuki went to fuel injection (and made other changes) the mechanical problems seemingly vanished almost totally. This forum can be a bit deceptive in that the vast majority of posters are located in the USA and Canada, where only the fuel-injected Burgman's have been mass-marketed. We never had any experience with the older models here. Thus, our (almost entirely positive) experiences do not include the somewhat less-reliable Burgman scooters that can still be bought second-hand in much of the rest of the world. Some people do very well indeed with the older models, but the new ones are simply fantastic in this regard. Breakdowns are almost unheard-of.
Other folks will probably have other opinions. For my own part, however, I'd buy a fuel-injected Burgman if I at all possibly could. They are far more technically advanced machines, in many regards.
You may have answered your question
-first a new bike is in better condition, it has more refinements , it's safer, and (a big one) it has a warranty -
Why I say you may have answered your own question is -spend 2,000 used and in 3 years you have a 7 year old bike worth nothing -
Spend 6,000 new and in 3 years you will still have some nice equity (and with a extended warrant worth even more)
Just my 2 & 1/2 cents worth
-first a new bike is in better condition, it has more refinements , it's safer, and (a big one) it has a warranty -
Why I say you may have answered your own question is -spend 2,000 used and in 3 years you have a 7 year old bike worth nothing -
Spend 6,000 new and in 3 years you will still have some nice equity (and with a extended warrant worth even more)
Just my 2 & 1/2 cents worth
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Hi sambora67.
Welcome to the forum :hello2:
You have received sound advice from a conspicous consumption perspective! So I really have to play devils advocate.
Here are some of the problems with the older non FI Sveltes (400s')
1. Carb icing in cold wet conditions (Brit winters) - you don't have those so no problem there then!.
2. Rear wheel seizing onto hub spline. Well documented problem and can be entirely avoided by regular mantenance and application of anti-seize compound.
3. Rear spline insert failure - most have these design/manufacture problems have presented by now and you would be most UNLUCKY to experience this.
4. Rusting exhaust systems - this is certainly true in Northern Europe where salt is laid down on the highway in winter - do you have winters like that in Singapore? Anyway aftermarket systems are available that are cheaper and more durable.
At the end of the day - if you save $4000 you could buy a new rear hub/wheel and a spare exhaust and still have have $2500 change - not that you would have to do that! BTW the trunk is smaller on the Olde Svelte but you CAN get a full face helmet in there OK.
In Sum, my contrary advice is to save the money and get a well looked after $2000 Svelte at least when/if you decide you want a 650 (Lardy) you will have $4000 + what you can sell the Svelte for towards that purchase. If you go for the new Svelte you will use your capital and take a slam on depreciation.
In addition the new 400 FI is not foolproof and one member here has had catastrophic engine failure!!
Welcome to the forum :hello2:
You have received sound advice from a conspicous consumption perspective! So I really have to play devils advocate.
Here are some of the problems with the older non FI Sveltes (400s')
1. Carb icing in cold wet conditions (Brit winters) - you don't have those so no problem there then!.
2. Rear wheel seizing onto hub spline. Well documented problem and can be entirely avoided by regular mantenance and application of anti-seize compound.
3. Rear spline insert failure - most have these design/manufacture problems have presented by now and you would be most UNLUCKY to experience this.
4. Rusting exhaust systems - this is certainly true in Northern Europe where salt is laid down on the highway in winter - do you have winters like that in Singapore? Anyway aftermarket systems are available that are cheaper and more durable.
At the end of the day - if you save $4000 you could buy a new rear hub/wheel and a spare exhaust and still have have $2500 change - not that you would have to do that! BTW the trunk is smaller on the Olde Svelte but you CAN get a full face helmet in there OK.
In Sum, my contrary advice is to save the money and get a well looked after $2000 Svelte at least when/if you decide you want a 650 (Lardy) you will have $4000 + what you can sell the Svelte for towards that purchase. If you go for the new Svelte you will use your capital and take a slam on depreciation.
In addition the new 400 FI is not foolproof and one member here has had catastrophic engine failure!!
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Well put, NormB et al. I would add one caveat, though. Look very closely at how used is used in this item. There may be some huge costs lurking for you just keeping the used 400 perking along. And even if major things are great, there will emerge the little, non-critical things that marred your scooter before you got it. Will living with those little warts be okay?
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577 Posts
You know, sometimes you just have to teat yourself and buy new.
New is nice!
After 10 years, you deserve it!ccasion5:
New is nice!
After 10 years, you deserve it!
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