[Ironsiren]

Hi all

My wife dropped a bomb shell a week ago agreeing to possibly owning a scooter for our travels this summer. We settled on the Burgman at our local motorcycle show as it has a very low seat for my vertically challenged wife.
Just today I found an ad listing a 2008 BLUE 400 for sale for $4,500 with only 748 kms, seriously 748 kms, mature lady ridden, being sold as the owner has lost interest. HOWEVER, I have done some very hasty research and discovered that the color Blue doesn't seem to be an 08 color. It seems it's the color of the 07 model year. Now I have found out about the clutch pack being a 3 pack in the 07 and then being upgraded to the 5 pack in the 08. The owner did tell me it went in for one recall but didn't elaborate what work had been done.

Question: Is this a 07 and if so what possible problems with the bike over an 08 will I have with the drivetrain?

LOL I should have read the FAQ's first....color question ...it's a 07 but the question about the clutch is still valid. Does the clutch fix that Suzuki came out with work?

Thanks to all who respond
Tony.....my wife will be the Ironsiren, LOL

 

[Daboo]

First, let me welcome you to the forum. I'm kind of prejudiced, but I do think the 400 is one of the best motorcycles in the world. What the other motorcycles might be...I don't know. But I'm willing to admit there might be one or two.

Second...can you please add your location to your profile? The answer I give you is dependent on where you live and what Burgman 400s were offered there.

In the USA...where we don't have kilometers, the Blue color was only offered for 2007...and the earlier years. In 2008, Suzuki offered only Black and Red. But Canada and Europe may have different colors...and they use kilometers instead of miles.

You can tell for sure what year it was made by looking at the vehicle data plate in the upper right corner. It'll tell what the date of manufacture is. You'll find that plate under the glove box near where your left knee would point. Also, just ask to see the registration. That'll tell you as well. Chances are, it sounds like she bought the bike new in 2008 and just assumed it was a 2008.

Next, she is asking way too much. It doesn't matter what she owes on the bike...the Trade-In value is only $2,225 and the Retail value is $3,275.

Assuming it is at least a 2007 or newer bike, I'd seriously consider buying it...if the price is low enough. Suzuki made few changes in the later years. You'll get basically a new bike for half the cost.

In 2008, Suzuki went to a 5-shoe clutch and changed the air intake for the CVT from the rear of the black cover to the front. They added a small air deflector to the side stand to direct water and dirt from going into the CVT. The headlights were changed. 2007 had the European lighting system with the left side being a low beam and the right side being the high beam. You could buy a new right side reflector and wire the plug to give you a low beam light on that side too...for a lot less than it costs to buy a new 400. The exhaust gasket was changed. The Regulator/Rectifier Connection Wire was changed too...and had a recall on it. The 2007, never had a recall that I know of for the Regulator/Rectifier Connection Wire.

In 2009, Suzuki added a duct to the air intake to the CVT area. Supposedly, an ABS option was offered, but I've never heard of anyone...in the USA...buying one with ABS in 2009. In 2010, Suzuki didn't import any Burgmans to the USA. In 2011, Suzuki added ABS. In 2012, the changes were color only. In 2013, I believe the changes are also only color.

The 3-shoe clutch in the 2007, was not the kiss of death at all. In an unofficial poll we took here on BUSA, the 2008 400s had a higher number of clutch squealing problems than the 2007. IMHO, I think the squealing clutch was caused by Suzuki's break-in instructions. They were using the same instructions you would use for a larger bike with a manual transmission. The effect was to prolong the clutch engagement time...overheat the clutch pads...and glaze the surface over. The instructions said to keep the rpms below 4000...which is where you really need to blip the throttle to, in order to quickly engage the clutch. I would not hesitate because of the year and the 3-shoe clutch in buying a 2007 400.

My own 2007 400 had the OEM clutch last for 33,500 miles before it wore out. I didn't get any squeal in that time. As far as the rest of the bike, I had every intention of keeping it for 100,000 miles. The only reason I sold it at just shy of 49,000 miles, was that I got a deal on a new leftover 2008 (in 2011) that I couldn't pass up.

Chris

 

[Quantum Mechanic]

ditto on what Chris says...and also just check that things like the front fork oil seals don't leak after a ride. If the bike has been stored lots and not ridden for long periods, these seals can dry out and shrink causing them to leak when you press the bike back in to service. This bike is likely almost brand new with so few miles on the the clock, but it makes little difference to whether the seals dry out or not. We've also had water pump seals and engine cranshaft seals go on bikes that have been stored for 3 years or more without use. Just be careful and get that price right down otherwise walk away. It's better in my opinion to buy a higher mileage bike that's been regularly serviced than to gamble with a low miler that's been stored for very long periods without use. Of course there are exceptions...is this one?

 

[Timbo64]

"It's better in my opinion to buy a higher mileage bike that's been regularly serviced than to gamble with a low miler that's been stored for very long periods without use. Of course there are exceptions...is this one?"

That's the advice that I've always been given by the mechanics I know.