[JustPassinThru]

My Burg 400 clone, the VOG, is living on borrowed time.

It's eminently useful. I have a 650; that's my cruising bike...but I need something lighter and less thirsty.

I see a local dealer has a 2003 Burgman 400 for sale - his marked-up price is $1999.

It has 26,000 miles on it.

I'm considering this for several reasons: First, some body parts may be interchangeable with my VOG. Possibly the tires as well And I expect general handling will be similar.

Is this even remotely worth it? The second reason is, Craigslist Burgmans have pretty much dried up. Oh, sure, there'll be more in the fall - but at what price.

What issues can an owner expect, that have been solved in newer 400s? Does a 400 with that much mileage have much left in it, anyway?

What's a more-realistic offer on this?

 

[Aladinbama]

Mines in that neighborhood and I'd hope to get that much for it if I sold it, but ...
As long as it's been cared for it should be ok. Some pre 07s have oil usage issues - mine does. As long as you check it every other tank of hwy driving you should be ok. As far as parts interchanging with the Vog, it would be a miracle if they fit well. My guess is that they won't. My experience with Chinese scooters is that just because it's a clone doesn't mean it's close to the same. Given that it's a 250 would also mean differences.
Take it for a ride. If it feels good, make an offer - I always start at least < 20% of asking price.

 

[JustPassinThru]

Mines in that neighborhood and I'd hope to get that much for it if I sold it, but ...
As long as it's been cared for it should be ok. Some pre 07s have oil usage issues - mine does. As long as you check it every other tank of hwy driving you should be ok. As far as parts interchanging with the Vog, it would be a miracle if they fit well. My guess is that they won't. My experience with Chinese scooters is that just because it's a clone doesn't mean it's close to the same. Given that it's a 250 would also mean differences.
Take it for a ride. If it feels good, make an offer - I always start at least < 20% of asking price.

Oh, yeah - the nose cone and headlights are far different. And mine's a "Son-of-a-VOG" - they bumped the displacement to 300 and added FI. Alas, with Tank gone and BMS selling few, there aren't many takers. The guy I bought it from, had gotten a "Xingyue Dealer Franchise" and thought he was on his way. Then, mine blew the engine up...and he discovered what his franchise was worth. No parts; no support, no-speak-Engrish. TEN MONTHS to get the engine rebuilt under warranty - and long before it was done, that XINGYUE DEALER sign was in the trash.

But - believe it or not, and you probably won't - the power on that thing is comparable to a 400. I know because four years ago I had a later-model 400.

But I'm looking at more general parts. The taillights are, it looks like, identical assemblies. The seats look the same. EXACTLY the same; except the VOG seat is more comfortable. Probably won't wear well (mine is two years old) bit better on comfort.

Little stuff like that. Now the Xingyue engine...fresh rebuild or not, I want nothing to do with it now. I don't trust it and there's nobody who can get parts for it. If the VOG 260 was rare, the 300 is singular. Only web reference I saw to it was Google links to hopeful "China trading partners" who wanted "distributors." You can get Xingyue 300s with fuel injection, on a 100-unit order.

FWIW, the guy with the Burgman here, is the same dealer. He's as honest as dealers come, meaning of course he does his thievery openly and on the table. But he's also 200 miles from where I now live, so it's not convenient.

 

[Daboo]

Each vehicle's condition is different, so you'll have to evaluate that part. I have a 2008 400 with over 26,000 miles...and it looks and runs like new. That mileage wouldn't be what would put me off, if the owner took care of it.

Chris

 

[Scootereno]

At 26,000 miles the drive belt should be replaced if it hasn't been done yet.
The tappets are not self adjusting and need to be checked regularly and are probably due.
Those would me my 2 biggest concerns with purchasing an 03 with that mileage on it.
The mileage is right at the scoots major "scheduled" service and over due on years.
If the dealer throws that in (full service and new belt) and actually does it all your bases would be covered as best as possible. :wink:

 

[Buffalo]

I wouldn't consider 26,000 to be a lot of miles on a 400 as long as it was reasonably maintained and not abused. I've got over 36,000 on mine and it is still running just fine. As was mentioned, you probably need to check the valve clearance and the belt. If you can get the dealer to do that as a part of the deal then that would be even better.

 

[Mel46]

Scootereno, I just noticed that your byline says you get 70 mpg. I must be doing something wrong. I only average 65 mpg. Is there a secret to better mileage or is it just that I only have 2800 miles on the bike?

 

[Scootereno]

Not to divert the subject but I have found buying ethanol free gas is the key otherwise 65 mpg doing is very well.
I live right on the fringe of the metro Atlanta area and get my gas in Walton County where they don't have to buy the designer gas (no emissions requirements).
It is usually about a nickle cheaper too. :wink:

 

[303 whodat]

Last August (10 months ago) I bought a 2005 Burgman 400, with 23,000 miles on it. Owner had taken it to the dealer for maintenance, but could not give me any maintenace records, I too was hesitant on a bike with these high miles. Since I've bought it, I've put on over 6,000 miles. I had the 25k service done ($280 at my excellent local motosports mechanic), new tires ($260 roughly), otherwise the bike has been great to me. No problems, no issues, and I've driven it in 8 degrees to 100 degrees. I have kept a battery tender on it in the cold weeks, and also once a week to top it off. At 5000 feet altitude here in CO, I have acheived a low of 58mpg in the cold, and 77 mpg last week running at a steady 50 mph, 50 miles at a time.

I will say this- after I added Dr.Pulley 18g sliders and a use Leo Vince 4 Road exhaust, and the bike no longer hesitates between 0 and 40. It feels like a brand new bike right now, and I'm sitting around 29,500 miles.

I would definitely recommend budgeting about $500 for basic unkown maintenance (25k service etc) but from there you're set... although, for $2500 you can get in a nice bike with much lower miles.

In my area, for example, pre 07 Burgmans gor for 2700 and lower. An 03 with 8k miles actually showed up for 1825.... then was snatched up and flipped for 2700 a week later.

 

[GK13]

I bought mine, same year, at 19,000 miles, for 1500. Blue book is only 1800. I'd lower his price before I bought it. Or have him through in some service.