[Desert Rat]

Here is my take on both scooters. I'll start by saying I'm 66 years old, 6' tall 32" inseam & weigh 180 lbs. I had my 07 400 for just under 5 years & put just over 46k miles on it. I've had my 650 for 5 days & put just over 225 miles on it. So this take wouldn't have anything to do with repairs or tire life.
1. OEM windshield 400's is much worst then on the 650 exc. Changed out my 400 one to a 7Jurock & that fixed the problem. Adjustable one on the 650 is very nice, I can live with the OEM one for now.
2. The ride on rough roads 650 wins hands down over the 400.
3. Fuel mileage well that's easy my 400 averaged for it's life 66.4 mpg first reading on 650 was 54.7 mpg which I can live with.
4. Quietness, 650 wins hands down again at idle & open road.
5. Power I think you can guess 650 again.
6. Mirrors well 650 aren't as bad as I figured after reading other post but 400 wins here.
7. Gauges very close but I'll give it to the 400 only because you can have MPG & trip distance up at the same time.
8. Ease of putting on center stand 400, as it's 150 lb or so lighter.
9. Brakes as I haven't needed the ABS on the 650 or ever needed to lock up the 400 I'll call them equal.
10. Seat comfort so far I don't notice any big problem with either. Installed backrest on both though.
11. Storage 400 has bigger underseat area but 650 is deeper.
12. Ease of backing up I find that there isn't any difference on level ground engine on or off.
13. Cornering as I don't lean over to drag anything I have to give it to the 650. A winding road I ride each day I seem to take corners faster on the 650 then I did on the 400. My son even noticed that I lean over farther on the 650.
14. Seat height goes to the 400 but I have no problem with the 650 so for me they are equal.
15. Grips they both needed Grip Puppies.
16. Riding in the wind well that goes to the 650 as it sure doesn't get kicked around.
17. Feel of speed is less with the 650 compared to the 400 at freeway speed.
18. Headlights I'll give that to the 650 as it has hi-lows on both bulbs where the 07 only has one hi-low.
19. Vibration well the 650 has way less at idle & on the road. Has to do with engine balancer on the 650.
20. In town riding I find the 650 to handle just as well as the 400.
21. Which is best............. well right now I like my 650 very much, but ask me in four more years. :wink:

 

[Bolzen]

Dude, you got tired from the 400. It can happen with any bike (well, not the V-Storm of course )

 

[Scootereno]

I'm waiting the 4 years and then asking again.
I have ridden the 650's and still love my 400 better.
But I will give the 650 the wind advantage for sure!
Ride Safe and Have Fun.

 

[Bolzen]

I have ridden the 650's and still love my 400 better.

So only 4 years to wait for the details. 8)

 

[Jeff_MdR]

Desert Rat: I'm pretty much with you down the line with the following comments.

2. Rough roads - they both stink, the 650 stinks less.
12. Weight. You might be the first person not to notice a difference in moving the bike around. Maybe it's my 30" inseam, but the 400 is much easier to push around.
13. Faster cornering. Because of the frame-mounted engine and physics of un-sprung weight, the 650 is more stabile in higher speed cornering. Fun-factor however, is a draw.
14. In-town riding. My go-to bike is the flickable 400.

I'll add my own #22: In riding hills/mountain twisties (ascending and descending), the ECVT options and engine breaking on the 650 make it indisputably superior to the 400.

 

[Desert Rat]

Desert Rat: I'm pretty much with you down the line with the following comments.

2. Rough roads - they both stink, the 650 stinks less.
12. Weight. You might be the first person not to notice a difference in moving the bike around. Maybe it's my 30" inseam, but the 400 is much easier to push around.
13. Faster cornering. Because of the frame-mounted engine and physics of un-sprung weight, the 650 is more stabile in higher speed cornering. Fun-factor however, is a draw.
14. In-town riding. My go-to bike is the flickable 400.

I'll add my own #22: In riding hills/mountain twisties (ascending and descending), the ECVT options and engine breaking on the 650 make it indisputably superior to the 400.

#12 Remember I said flat ground, now having to back up a grade........... :roll:

 

[Jeff_MdR]

Sadly - I'm talking about flat ground, too :lol: