You think that is just a Suzuki problem? Try finding a Silverwing. When you wait until EVERYBODY in the country is scrambling and snapping up any fuel-efficient ride, you will have problems coming by one. Sorry for the bad experience but every bike shop I've been in the past few weeks is crying same song: Demand is up, the dollar is tankiing and the manufacturers cannot keep up with the demand.

You are suffering from "Behind the Curve" syndrome. It smarts and you think you're getting screwed but you waited too long.

I know that does not give you any comfort or a ride but that's the way the market is right now.

Since he's not coming back, I can say that if he's wanting a Silverwing, he'll have a VERY long wait. The Honda shops around here are out of them. And a "Honda" dealer cannot 'stock' them UNLESS that dealer has 'exclusive license' in an area. So our local Honda shop in Sierra Vista can stock them but as of a couple of weeks ago, I was told if you wanted one you could plunk down $1000 deposit, and maybe get the one that is scheduled to come in in 3 months, and at that you don't know what model it will be. Another Honda dealer said they cannot stock them as they are not exclusive, and the other Honda dealer in Tucson doesn't have any in stock and does not know when one or more will BE in stock.....so if you are looking for a Big Scoot, it's a Big Wait unless you come across a good used one.

 

Yeah when I got my 650 last week I only managed it because someone had a dealer trade from two states away for one of those Yamaha off-road car type things. Otherwise I would have to wait until March. Maybe his dealer could have worded it better. Something like "We'll try as hard as we can and we're supposed to have one coming next week but who knows with demand this high." But it's definitely not Suzuki's fault other than failing to realize demand but who could have predicted these gas prices?

 

Times are a changing, wait till you go in to get service and get to wait a week or two for an oil chnage!

 

Called yesterday for the 600 mile service. First appointment is a two week wait. I could drop the bike off and they might work it in over the next few weeks

And yes I know I could do the service myself but I have a couple of other things I want them to look at while they have it in the shop.

When I started looking two months ago, all of the maxi-scooters were near impossible to find. My guess is it isn't getting better for a while.

 

I do not believe you should blame Suzuki for this, this is 100% the dealers fault. THEY should not have promised you something they know (yes, they did know, no matter what they say) that they could not get one. I've had the runaround with a salesman here saying 'yea yea I can get you one, just need $XXX down and i'll ""START LOOKING"" (start looking?? that tells me your not sure you can get one).

After repeated visits and talks with this guy, he FINALLY broke down and told me the truth... there was none to be had, he had about 6 other orders infront of me, and they all looked grim (some had full deposits).

By this time he was in ''apoligitic'' mode, he even went to the hassle of calling a local Honda dealer he used to work for to see if they had any Silverwings (which I didn't want anyways) but they had zilch stock of any scooters larger than 50cc.

Suzuki did not anticipating the demand for these things, doesn't mean they should be held responsible for a dealer's false promise.

 

Dear QuantumRift,
I rode home on a SilverWing the same day I went to pick up my trade-in.

 

Dear QuantumRift,
I rode home on a SilverWing the same day I went to pick up my trade-in.

Ahahahah...so you DID come back! It's good you found one because around here they are has hard to find as "hen's teeth". Happy RIDING! :cheers:

 

Called yesterday for the 600 mile service. First appointment is a two week wait. I could drop the bike off and they might work it in over the next few weeks

And yes I know I could do the service myself but I have a couple of other things I want them to look at while they have it in the shop.

When I started looking two months ago, all of the maxi-scooters were near impossible to find. My guess is it isn't getting better for a while.

Do the service your self and schedule the other stuff when you can.

 

I ordered my 08 650 in January, 08, picked it up early in March, 08. The dealer service has been outstanding -- xan call on Monday, take in for routine service on Wednesday, service begins at the time of appointment and I can wait for oil change, and lube change. Am very please with my machine, with Suzuki, and especially the dealer here in central Missouri.

Lakeguy

 

Its a shame a dealer pulled that stunt on you but it happens. I have a Honda dealer in walking distance of my house with the BEST service anywere for parts and repair (Im in Norfolk VA) but I got a bad vibe in sales when trying to purchase a Reflex a few years ago. Still use them for gear and parts though. Im still trying to find a good Suzuki dealer right now. If I went with the SYM RV250 I would have it good from Scoot Richmond but theres that Burgman again. A dealer is someone you build a relationship with, its not a fly-by-night Chinese purchase.

 

I put down a $500 depossit on a 2008 Burgman 400 two weeks ago Saturday at Nicholson's in Ann Arbor, MI. I had called all over, and everyone said they were out. These guys said they had one, so I gave them the money. They said they would have it in by mid week. I called Monday this week, because I had not heard from them. I had to leave a message, because the salesman was busy. Never got a call back. Today I go in to inquire as to what was going on. I was told that they could not get me one, but they tried to sell me a yamaha, and a Burgman 650 Executive at full price. I was also offered a 2009 for delivery in November when riding season is all but over. :cussing: If anyone has a lead on a Burgman 400, please let me know. I would be very pleased to find one.

 

Burgman hunt, was: Re: Burned,Bye Bye Suzuki

If anyone has a lead on a Burgman 400, please let me know. I would be very pleased to find one.

(This is not really on topic in the Gripes forum. Your complaint is with a dealer, not with Suzuki nor the machine itself.)

Just keep searching all the craigslists within the distance you care to go. If you are willing/able to fly (or take bus or train) and drive it back, look further out. Google, ebay. Keep looking. You can get them shipped to you, if you're willing to buy a used vehicle sight unseen (I'm not.) They are indeed hard to find, but there are some out there. Also consider similar maxi scooters like Yamaha Majesty and Honda Silverwing.

We have a very active Classified section here. Keep watching it. Maybe find some other scooter forums too.

 

Re: Burgman hunt, was: Re: Burned,Bye Bye Suzuki

(This is not really on topic in the Gripes forum. Your complaint is with a dealer, not with Suzuki nor the machine itself.)

This is an issue for Suzuki, because when their dealers act like this it reflects on them, and they should be advised of it. Thanks for the search tips I have been using them all already.

 

This may be slightly off topic, but it is germane to this thread.

Yes, it really is an issue with the dealer. He, or his sales staff, are the ones who treated you poorly. Suzuki is at fault to some degree for keeping the supply side of the equation so small when the demand side is screaming. Although I have been told that Suzuki does only one production run a year on the Burgmans, and each dealer receives a specific allocation from that run. If this is true, and I have no idea on that, then the scarcity right now is understandable.

There are no Execs at any dealer within about an 8 hour drive from where I live. At least that I can find. I got lucky. My dealer called me up and told me that the Exec they'd been holding was available because the previous buyer's financing fell through. I grabbed it quick. That was yesterday. They'll be delivering it on Monday or Tuesday, after they take care of a couple things I wanted done before delivery.

 

Dealer in Terre Haute, IN thompsons motorsports had two 650's onthe floor last week....

mike

 

There is a real nice burgman 400 2006 in the show room at Cyclewise in New Haven, Vermont. 7500 miles for 4900, who ever gets it first. They are great people to deal with1-802-388-0669

 

When I went on a quest to find a 2007-2008 Burgman Executive a few weeks ago, I searched every Craig's List in California and in Reno, NV, to no avail. I checked with three Suzuki dealers, that had ads in CycleTrader for Northern California, and learned that they were all sold out of Burgmans, and that there were none in California. The dealer in San Francisco said he had traded a motorcycle for a Burgman (dealer trade), but it was a standard Burgman 650. Like the other dealers, he said that he couldn't get another Burgman until the '09's were in. Additionally, they all said they needed a deposit to hold one, because they had more buyers then scooters to sell.

My buddy used to sell Vespas, and he said that they couldn't keep Vespas & Piaggios in stock. As the US slowly evolves into a 3rd world country , we're going to see scooters jaming the streets just like you do in Vietnam, China, Italy, France, etc. I ride my Burgman every chance I get. It's either that or spend $80-$100 to fill the tank in my Nissan Titan.

 

There is a 2008 AN400 available at Mount Baker MotoSports in Bellingham, WA. I just saw it 3 days ago. They were ready to deal on it so give them a call if it's not too far for you to deal. Color is black.

 

where are you at? my dealer, thompsons motorsports, terre haute ,in
has a silverwing and a burg650 on the floor as of last tuesday..... both new. ask for john tell him mike sent ya.... i do not work there. just buy lots of stuff

 

I have no connection to this dealership, except as a customer. Sloan's in Murfreesboro, TN has a new 650 Burgman (white) and a used 650 Burgman (silver). OR, for $6950 I'll sell you my (black) 09 Suzuki 650 Burgman (squeaky brakes and all). 1.2K miles.

 

I have no connection to this dealership, except as a customer. Sloan's in Murfreesboro, TN has a new 650 Burgman (white) and a used 650 Burgman (silver). OR, for $6950 I'll sell you my (black) 09 Suzuki 650 Burgman (squeaky brakes and all). 1.2K miles.

Well not really sure what this guy's complaint was, but probably a newbie to motorcycling and he wasn't sure how to service his brakes or I gather from his post how to get his brakes to stop squeaking I guess.

You have to be a total nut job to sell your bike because your brakes are squeaking, if that is really the case !

 

How ironic... this is exactly what happened to me in '08. I was looking around, not sure what I wanted, going between the Silver Wing & the Burgman, but I knew I was going to buy SOMETHING. My brother talked me into the Silver Wing. I bounced over to the Honda dealership and they had sold the last one. It was June 1st. I asked about placing an order for one, and the salesperson blew me off completely... and added, "it's June. Start shopping in February if you want a bike."

I was upset that I was treated that way, but went straight over to the Suzuki dealership. They had one 650 left.

I'm so glad that Honda salesperson was a jerk.

 

Maybe my timing was just right but I walked in to my dealer and they had one that was delivered 3 days ago...I bought it still in the crate...they built it this Friday and I picked it up Saturday morning. The entire sales experience, price, rate was a pleasure and less than I expected in dollars.!

 

You are writing this during a time that has completely different circumstances than the OP. Other than dealers' customer service being junk which is likely to happen anytime. But for the ease in finding a bike, note:

There is a context that should be noted as to what was going on in mid 2008 when this thread was started. Gas was expensive and people in the US were looking for cheaper alternatives. Thus the sudden interest in scooters. Many were bought up during this time. Especially so in October when the bubble burst and the economy tanked. SUV's and trucks wouldn't sell to save their lives, so much so that there needed to be a "Cash for Clunkers" incentive.

But then the pendulum swung the other way and price of gas plummeted. Many now quickly forgot about the high price of gas and the gas guzzler that was choking them just a year earlier and now bought another one. So much for lessons learned....
And some out there were in financial ruin, even having lost their homes, jobs, etc. So much so that by 2010 there wasn't any model 2010 Burgmans sold due to no new first time buyers looking for cheap transportation alternatives, particularly for what many considered to be an overpriced segment (maxi-scooters). Now all of a sudden, you couldn't give these bikes away. Many sit on dealer floors taking up valuable space.

So, you see, the fortunes of the market for these things ebb & flow. While it's neat to visit these old threads, it's good to remember the context of what was going on at the time the OP posted his initial comments. It's kind of like discussing failed front bearings on an '03 650 back then, and some guy with a '13 updates the thread saying "I don't know what he's talking about, my front bearings are fine", not realizing '03's had an inherent problem with them.

 

Happened to me in 2000 when I tried to buy a Honda Helix. Leaving out details, after a couple of months they said they couldn't get one, come get my deposit.

Worked out well because next year they came out with the Reflex, which is way better, and I bought one the second I saw it in the showroom floor.

Happened to me in 2006 buying a Jeep, made to order. Leaving out details, six months later they still didn't even have a build date. I cancelled, bought one sight unseen via the phone, flew 5000 miles to buy the closest thing nationwide to the one I ordered (which was t very close) and drove it 5000 miles home to Alaska in the middle of winter.

In 2013, bought my used TMAX also sight unseen, flew from Alaska to PA and then drove 3 hours to pick it up, drove 3 hours back and flew back to Alaska. It sat I storage for 3 months until I came to PA for good.

Here in 2016, I still have the Reflex and the Jeep and the TMAX (;

I don't understand or have sympathy for people who are not willing to go very far for a vehicle they supposedly want so badly. If you're not willing to travel to wherever the machine is, you're just not that motivated.

 

...
I don't understand or have sympathy for people who are not willing to go very far for a vehicle they supposedly want so badly. If you're not willing to travel to wherever the machine is, you're just not that motivated.

Depends on what your free time is worth, and how much in travel and (if applicable) shipping/transport costs you're prepared to wager on the transaction working out.

 

Suzuki dealer gave me a 20 days estimate delivery time for my 650.
got it in 6 days..

 

I would never buy new under any circumstances.

 

Not motivated enough to do so