Elite 80 Anyone?

3079 Views 20 Replies 12 Participants Last post by NormanB, Jan 3, 2005

ScooteRVer

Discussion Starter · Dec 18, 2004

After spending hours browsing the myriads of postings on BurgmanUSA yesterday, I'm convinced that I should UPSIZE from my trusty Honda Elite 80 to a Burgman 400. For the past few months I've considered others like the Honda Rebel and Virago 250, but as someone has said, "that's old technology".
My '99 Elite 80 has done great.... for three years and some 7000 miles.... and typically 130+ MPG. However, it's usually doing that at around 35 MPH, which keeps me on the more scenic back roads in NW Oregon. I really like the simplicity of auto-clutch/transmission and hand brakes, but have some apprehensions about a bike that's more than double the Elite's weight (170 lbs).
Sure wouldn't mind some suggestions where I could get a great deal on an AN400. BTW, are there any significant differences between the 2003 and 2004 model?
Cheerio,
Loren

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

wasions

· #2 · Dec 18, 2004

Hey, welcome.

I had a late 80's Aero 80. It was a pretty nifty ride (It would wheelie - my 650 won't

), but the distance between small towns here became monumental. It was my only scooter among lots of cycles, and in it's element, it was great fun. The 400 will be a quantum upgrade.

The differences between the '03's and '04's are negligible, if any.

Steve

garyw0cki

· #3 · Dec 18, 2004

I have a 400 and it's no more difficult to handle than 50's 150's and certainly your 80. Don't sweat the weight at all. The big pluses include real braking power, smooth ride, I rode today with a bunch of Harley riders at 60-70 mph, good acceleration and it has tons of storage space. You won't regret it. Look around, you might even find a new 03 out there. I did see some on the internet, it was a dealer in Ohio that was clearing them out. I found mine here in Vegas and the dealer treated me very well. Good luck :lol:

billmeek

· #4 · Dec 19, 2004

Welcome to the BurgmanUSA forums Loren. Glad to have you join us.

The only differeneces I remember between the 03 and 04 models is the 04 has an adjustable interval oil change light and the blue 400s are a diffrerent shade of blue.

NormanB

· #5 · Dec 19, 2004

Hi Loren
Welcome to the forum :hello2:
Do not worry about the weight difference at all, the weight is all low down, the only time you will notice ANY difference is moving it around in your garage - Oh yes - and you will not be able to fit it in your rucksack! :lol:
The 400 is a great machine, simple to maintain, good performance with the ability to stay out of trouble on the freeway. Just check you fit OK on the bike - I am 6ft 1in and it is a bit tight for me - if you are taller you need to try it - deffo.

ted clement

· #6 · Dec 19, 2004

Or, if you can be satisified with absolutely top speed of 70 mph on flat surface, then don't overlook a good buy on a Honda Reflex. Its a really smooth machine. I traded mine on the 400 and have no regrets because I wanted more top end power than the Reflex could give.

allwalk

· #7 · Dec 19, 2004

Greetings Loren and welcome to the forum! :wave: Don't be afraid to step up. As others have said the weight is only noticeable when pushing the machine around. Go to your local dealer and sit on one to see.

Doctor K

· #8 · Dec 19, 2004

Or you can own both. My Elite is fun at slower speeds and my Burgman is fun on more open (and faster) roads.

ScooteRVer

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 19, 2004

Hi Fellow Riders.....
Hey, I appreciate all your encouragements .... but of course I realize that you are all "biased" already :wink: but that's quite OK.
I neglected to mention earlier that in the early '80s I rode a Vespa 125 to work almost every day in the Seattle/Everett area and tallied 30,000 miles in three years. It wasn't too fast either, around 45 mph max, but it got around 75 mpg. Not bad for a 2 stroker! I don't recall how heavy it was. I've read one or more postings here that indicated some guys are doing about 65 mpg with the Burgman 400, which sounds good to me. I may have to keep the Elite 80 just for the fun and 130 mpg in addition to the 400, huh?
I found a Suzuki dealer in the Portland area yesterday on the Web... gave them a call and found out that they have one new '05 400; so I probably will venture up there (45 miles) this week to see if the "bug will bite me".
Cheerio,
Loren

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billmeek

· #10 · Dec 19, 2004

ScooteRVer said:
I've read one or more postings here that indicated some guys are doing about 65 mpg with the Burgman 400, which sounds good to me.

A few of us (well .... at least me) have ran'em hard and only get 60. Some of the more careful riders are getting 70+.

ScooteRVer said:
I may have to keep the Elite 80 just for the fun and 130 mpg in addition to the 400, huh?

Couldn't hurt. :wink: But you may find yourself riding the Burgman most of the time just to have the extra 'get up and go' in case you need it.

ScooteRVer said:
I found a Suzuki dealer in the Portland area yesterday on the Web... gave them a call and found out that they have one new '05 400; so I probably will venture up there (45 miles) this week to see if the "bug will bite me".

Be prepared to ride it back home and to be grinning all the way.

pauljo

· #11 · Dec 19, 2004

ScooteRVer said:
... but of course I realize that you are all "biased" already :wink: but that's quite OK.

Anyone that currently owns and enjoys a particular model will have some bias. And I do realize that your statement was made partly in humour.

But I think this is one of the least biased forums you'll find. Many of us have been riding for years, and have owned quite a few other bikes. Some of us still own at least one other bike in addition to our Burgman. And we do avidly follow developments in both motorcycles and scooters. So when we comment on a strength or weakness of our Burgmans, it is often with a good basis for comparison to other rides. That is one of the reasons I enjoy participating in this forum.

MikeLucey

· #12 · Dec 21, 2004

Actually, I 'hooked' my wife into riding by getting her a used Elite 80. She rode it for a summer and then traded up to a Burg 400 -- which she LOVES! She was worried about the weight of the bigger scoot, just as you are, but got used to it in days. Maybe hours. Better see if you can trade in the Elite. Otherwise it will sit unused in your garage. Trust me, I know. (Anybody wanna buy a used Elite?)

ScooteRVer

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 21, 2004

OK, all right already..... more encouragements from you-all!
Well, yesterday I drove up to a Suzuki dealer in Hillsboro, which is almost 50 miles from the sticks where I live... but it was a very nice day for a drive in the country... maybe even the city ;-). I think it would have been great on two wheels too.
Anyway, they had ONE Burgman 400, but it wasn't serviced yet... no battery and no fluids, so I couldn't do a test ride. But when I moved it onto its center stand I noticed that it has a lot more "beef" than my Elite 80. It's just a lot more bike, including the huge under seat compartment and the three smaller ones up front. I'm 5'9" and 145 lbs, so it seemed to "fit" perfectly... with a nice low 27" seat height. And since the controls are exactly the same, I think I wouldn't get confused.
The sales guys quoted me a 2005 price of $5500, plus another $115 for title and registration (for 4 years in OR). Does anyone know if there's any negotiation tactic .... or is it a "fixed" MSRP?
My next step is to get a credit card that pays airline miles, with a bonus mileage, so I can boost the benefits, so to speak. But then.... with a Burgman 400 maybe I'd rather ride than fly??! 8)
Loren

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billmeek

· #14 · Dec 21, 2004

Loren,

The MSRP is $5,699 for the 2005 model 400. Call a few other dealers and see what price you can get. If you wait a few days and talk to the same dealer, they'll usually come down on the price.

NormanB

· #15 · Dec 21, 2004

ScooteRVer said:
OK, all right already..... more encouragements from you-all!
[snipped] But then.... with a Burgman 400 maybe I'd rather ride than fly??! 8)
Loren

Sounds like you have been bitten or smitten and need little encouragement from us!! :wink:

Theres always a better deal to be had - keep looking!

burgwoman400

· #16 · Jan 2, 2005

400 Burgman vs. Elite 80

Loren, I learned to ride on a Helix 250 but knew I wanted more power in order to keep up with the Goldwingers in my group. I got a 400 Burgman in April '04 with a goal of getting my cycle endorsement (I'd been riding with a permit) before the end of summer '04. I love the handling of the Burgman and found it easy to control both in the slow speeds while I practised the test course and on the freeway at 85 mph with my friends on the 1500 and 1800 Wings. As it turned out, I took my test riding an Aero 80 (just like an Elite) that was provided by the company giving the test. It was a great scooter and I passed with no problem but to the point, go for the Burgman 400---you are in control of your throttle , slow ,fast or in-between. The Burman handles well in all situations. I ended 2004 with 7,614 miles on my "Burgie" and started 2005 with a New Year's Day group ride of about 60 miles. It was 32 degrees so not a long ride but we were out there! By the way I'm 5'4" and weigh more than you (a Burgwoman never tells.) Happy riding! Burgwoman

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ChrisLucey

· #17 · Jan 2, 2005

Happy New Year, Loren!

I made precisely the same transition that you are contemplating -- from an Elite 80 to a Burgman 400. I agonized for months between a Reflex and the Burgman, because I was intimidated by the 400's relative size. Thought it would be too much for me to push around. (I'm female, 5'7" and weigh about 145 lbs.)

Bought the Burgman because I got a far better deal on it than on the Reflex. I drove it, heart in my mouth, out of the dealership onto a busy 4-lane divided road, with never so much as a test ride. Within 15 minutes in the saddle, I was hooked. This baby is SMOOTH.

Two tips for you.

#1: Here is a thread describing my buying experiences, in hopes you find it useful. http://burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=381

#2, from the heart: If you have not already done so, take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's beginning rider course. It gave me the confidence to finally abolish the lingering doubts I had about having bought "too much machine." (Yep, I bought, and drove, my 400 before I had a proper motorcycle license. Not smart.

)

Good luck, Loren!

Cordially,
Chris

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ScooteRVer

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 2, 2005

Thanks Ms Burgwoman....
All the comments I've read on this Forum have been so postive and enthusiastic about the Burgman 400.
Sooo..... last week Monday I went to the big Vancouver, WA dealership and got a brief ride around their parking lot and it seemed to handle a lot like the little Elite 80.... but heavier.
Anyway, I guess things were a bit slow after Christmas, so we negotiated a price a bit under MSRP and I wound up having the young sales guy deliver it by riding it all the way (89 miles) to my place. Of course, then I had to make another round trip to take him back.
What a day..... and since then it's been mostly drizzly a gray in NW Oregon ;-(
Cheers,
Loren

ChrisLucey

· #19 · Jan 2, 2005

Boo-yah, woman! Congrats and welcome to "the club!" What a wonderful present for the New Year.

Safe and happy riding,
Chris

pauljo

· #20 · Jan 2, 2005

Loren,

Congrats on your new 400! I hope the sun comes out soon so that you can fully enjoy it!

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