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Downsized from 650 to a 400. My take on it !

3487 Views 33 Replies 18 Participants Last post by  Desert Rat, 
E
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.
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cliffyk
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.
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cliffyk
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"...
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cliffyk
gruntled said:
cliffyk said:
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"...
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The specs listed for the 650 say 613 lbs wet. Less 24 lbs fuel that's still 589 lbs. Their web site still doesn't have the specs for the 2013 model.
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Then it is heavier than I thought, 35 lbs more than a Vulcan 1500!!!
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cliffyk
osbornk said:
Gr8ful said:
I have a 400 in my possession as a friend had me keep it in my garage. Compared to the 650 it is much easier to move around and is still comfortable riding. Around town is perfect for this machine but at hi way speeds the little 400 engine is working pretty hard. At 65-70 mph the RPMs are way up around 6 k. That is a little to high for me, I like the engine a little more relaxed. I do like the 650's extra throttle response also. The 400 analog Gage's are better than the 650 digital in MHO.(corrected on the 13s)
The 650 feels like the 400 on steroids.
Glad the 400 fits you well.
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I think you might be overly concerned about the high engine speeds. Keep in mind that the same company makes engines for the 600cc range of motorcycles that turn 14,000 RPMs without a problem. I ride my 400 on the interstate and the RPMs frequently reach 7,000 or more at interstate or higher speeds and it is none the worst for wear and still gets 60+ MPG (high 60s running around 60).
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I agree, if an engine is built to be a high-revver (the 400 is, with ball/roller bearings and an oil-cooled piston), then it becomes a personal preference not an area of concern--I have run my '03 400 at 70 to 80 mph (actual speed, 6400 to 7200 rpm with my CVT mods) for hours, stopping just to fill the tank and check the oil (at speed it will use 4 oz or so in 300 miles)...
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