Well I did it. After much debating with this decision,I decieded to trade in my 09 650 for a 09 400. I bought my 650 just last fall and I must say it was trouble free and more power than someone like me really needs. Why ? I'm a bit of a worry wart and just could not get past the things I had read about the cvt "potencial" problems. That put aside, The 650 is a real Cadilac when it comes to bikes . Anyone that likes get up an go will have to agree, it's a rocket. Comfort is great and had no problems riding for hours very relaxed. Gas milage could have been a bit better but maybe I had a little to do with it as I have a strong right hand twist. A problem I did have is moving it around in a dirt driveway where I live, was a bear. Now for some ,this is no big deal, but i'm 165lbs after dieting and 64 years old so it's a big deal for me. I took the 650 with 13k miles back to the dealer I bought it from ,explained my problem and what I had in mind. The dealer did an even swap for the 09 400 with 2k miles. Yes I lost some by NADA prices but was happy with the deal just the same. Now, the 400 does not have the same power as the 650 but still plenty for someone like me. I find I can easily move it around in the yard as the weight is much more manageable. Comfort is about the same. Gas milage is a little better. One of the things I was really interested in finding out was hiway use. First short trip from central Maine down to Portland Me, about 90 miles of interstate at 75-80mph indicated on the speedo, Was great. I'm used to traveling hiways so feel I can say the bike seemed very stable even passing big trucks. I planning a trip in 3 weeks out to West Point NY about 400 miles and most of it is interstate. I know several have made much longer trips than this ,so I have no worries that the bike will do very well. Any ,this is my take on the 400 at this point and will plan to follow this up after my trip. Ernie.
Downsized from 650 to a 400. My take on it !
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I test rode both before getting a used 400 and have never had any second thoughts about it.
I am 150 lbs. geared up and had several back surgeries so the 650 was way to heavy for me to be comfortable with.
I have taken my old 2005 across many state lines and have always felt it was competent under any condition I threw at her.
Sounds like the dealer did right by you especially factoring in the mileage difference.
Have Fun and Ride Safe.
I am 150 lbs. geared up and had several back surgeries so the 650 was way to heavy for me to be comfortable with.
I have taken my old 2005 across many state lines and have always felt it was competent under any condition I threw at her.
Sounds like the dealer did right by you especially factoring in the mileage difference.
Have Fun and Ride Safe.
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Ernie
Was nice talking to you on the phone a month or so back. Glad you found a ride that you are more comfortable with. I put 46k+ miles on mine so I know you wouldn't have any problems. Good luck & ride safe.
Was nice talking to you on the phone a month or so back. Glad you found a ride that you are more comfortable with. I put 46k+ miles on mine so I know you wouldn't have any problems. Good luck & ride safe.
Ernie,
I know you will like riding the 400 on any roads.
That is a great bike and I have a 400K7 with over 40,000 miles.
I do regular maintenance but every 20,000 miles I replace the belt and pulleys
I have found that at that mileage interval one set of pulleys is worn so I have both replaced and the belt.
Been on some long rides and never have been uncomfortable and the end of the day.
Ride safe
I know you will like riding the 400 on any roads.
That is a great bike and I have a 400K7 with over 40,000 miles.
I do regular maintenance but every 20,000 miles I replace the belt and pulleys
I have found that at that mileage interval one set of pulleys is worn so I have both replaced and the belt.
Been on some long rides and never have been uncomfortable and the end of the day.
Ride safe
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I have nearly 33k miles on my '03 400 and the pulleys are not worn anywhere near their service limit. It is important to actually place a flat edge on the pulley face and gauge the wear rather than relying on a purely visual inspection. Wear grooves that can look and feel like the Grand Canyon will be revealed to be quite a bit less than the 0.4 mm (0.020") allowed by the specs.
I am on my 2nd belt ($93 with shipping), replaced at 16k miles because I wanted to, and it has a lot of life left in it--as does the original belt hanging on a hook in the garage.
I am on my 2nd belt ($93 with shipping), replaced at 16k miles because I wanted to, and it has a lot of life left in it--as does the original belt hanging on a hook in the garage.
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5,100 Posts
Congrats :cheers: but it's not much of a 'downsize' in reality. 8) A few pounds, couple of HP....
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Glad you like it. I have never ridden a 400. I'm a heavier guy, about 270, and do a lot of highway riding, but I have to say while looking at the 2013 400 in flat black sitting next to the 2012 Gray, I REALLY like the way the 400 looked. More than the 650 I bought.
My brother who has wanted a cruiser since I got my first one a few years back is now asking me what he should get for his first bike now that I've switched to the Burgman. He's about 140 pounds wet. I'm steering him towards a used 400 as well.
My brother who has wanted a cruiser since I got my first one a few years back is now asking me what he should get for his first bike now that I've switched to the Burgman. He's about 140 pounds wet. I'm steering him towards a used 400 as well.
They claim the new 650 is a lot easier to push around. I have been considering a new scooter for quite a long time. I have eliminated the Aprilla & Kymco because of lack of dealerships, the Silverwing is still a long shot but probably not. The latest Majesty offers me nothing over my 2005 Majesty & I eliminated the T-Max within a few seconds of actually seeing one. I really wanted the BMW but not after setting on one.
That pretty much leaves the 400 & 650 Bergmans by default.
My question is for those who have had considerable experience riding two or more of the Majesty, 400 Bergman & 650 Bergman. Is there any significant difference in how well they handle high winds on the freeway?
I should expect that the lower seat of the 400 Bergman might provide some advantage & the heavier weight of the 650 might help but I would like to hear from those with real time experience.
I will likely keep the Majesty as a spare since it's not likely I could get much for it (73,000 miles) & it is still running good. That is also a good reason to consider the 650.
That pretty much leaves the 400 & 650 Bergmans by default.
My question is for those who have had considerable experience riding two or more of the Majesty, 400 Bergman & 650 Bergman. Is there any significant difference in how well they handle high winds on the freeway?
I should expect that the lower seat of the 400 Bergman might provide some advantage & the heavier weight of the 650 might help but I would like to hear from those with real time experience.
I will likely keep the Majesty as a spare since it's not likely I could get much for it (73,000 miles) & it is still running good. That is also a good reason to consider the 650.
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My brother who has wanted a cruiser since I got my first one a few years back is now asking me what he should get for his first bike now that I've switched to the Burgman. He's about 140 pounds wet. I'm steering him towards a used 400 as well.[/quote]
140? :shock: how bout a honda metropolitan and a sammich ? :lol: just kidding, for first bike even the 400 is a full load, as much fun as it is and as easy as it is to ride it's easy to forget it gets up to killing speed quite nicely, and is every bit a full size cruiser when it is lying on your leg or skidding down the pavement on the non rubber side, brc course first then a bike
140? :shock: how bout a honda metropolitan and a sammich ? :lol: just kidding, for first bike even the 400 is a full load, as much fun as it is and as easy as it is to ride it's easy to forget it gets up to killing speed quite nicely, and is every bit a full size cruiser when it is lying on your leg or skidding down the pavement on the non rubber side, brc course first then a bike
So far the riding difference I have noticed is the 650 is a little more solid at say 75 as the speedo shows. The added weight is a help and the bike goes where you point it. Now thats not to say that the 400 does a bad job. At 75 on the interstate, I found that the 400 does a great job, just don't try to make it to follow as straight line as the 650. The 400 will drift a bit with the wind and when a big truck comes up on you ,let go by and ease up on the handle bar tension and go with the flow. Meaning the wind will move you a bit but it won't blow you off the road. The MOST important thing I would tell any newer rider in riding high speeds, Learn and constantly practice Counter steering ! This will save your life. It works great and gives you much more control of where your bike goes. Ever find yourself in a fast,55-60 mph long sweeping right hand turn on a secondary road riding with friends and your near the centerline,you see an oncomming car comming toward you and he is hugging his centerline. Now all of a sudden you feel like the bike just does not want to tighten up and move away from your line. You just lost control for a second! Remember that tinglely sick feeling you just had? Counter steering WILL avoid this. I may have not explained that very well, but if it's happened to you ,you know what I'm talking about. Ernie
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Like Scootereno I drove both before deciding on the 400.
When I bought it just two years ago this week I was riding a 1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 I had had for 22 years--that at 554 lb dry was no lightweight--however I was stunned by how heavy the 650 Burgman felt; until I found it weighed 524 lbs. That is very heavy for a "650 anything"...
When I bought it just two years ago this week I was riding a 1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 I had had for 22 years--that at 554 lb dry was no lightweight--however I was stunned by how heavy the 650 Burgman felt; until I found it weighed 524 lbs. That is very heavy for a "650 anything"...
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