Hello, i've been looking at the Burgman 400's for about 2 years now and recently came across one with LOW miles at a price that fits my budget and i need some input. A 2004 Burgman 400 with 511 miles, yes 511, for $2,500. Original owner, scooter has been stored inside warehouse and was recently serviced/tuned at a local dealership. Older gentleman purchased it, cruised around town alittle and lost interest. I did call the dealership and got to speak with the tech who performed the work and he said it was in like new condition and didn't notice any issues. The scooter looks great and the only "gripe" i have is that some of the chrome on the exhaust and mirrors is alittle rusty. The low miles scare me and i've seen some posts that say these 400's use oil, which i don't really like. It starts, runs, and rides well, but what issues might i encounter? How bad is the oil issue? I know tires can go bad just sitting, but what else do i need to look for? Or do i need to stay away from this one? Thanks!
Questions before i buy my first Burgman!!!
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First off - welcome to the Forums! :cheers:
Sounds like a good deal!
I would definately change anything fluid - from brakes to coolant, gas etc. It sounds like you'd basically be buying a new bike that needs some polishing.
As far as the oil issue. Some have it and some don't - mine sort of does. I'll use about a quart +/- between oil changes at the recommended 4500 miles. Mine didn't start that until somewhere around 15K on the odo and it's managable. If you check your oil every couple two or three tanks you should be fine. I run around with an 8 oz. soda bottle full under the seat for "extra", but I rarely have used it. I'm actually switching back to dino oil from synthetic to see if that will make a difference - so far about 800 miles and it hasn't moved on the dip stick :thumbup: .
I don't think I'd have an issue spending 2500 given a little polish will work (light rust/tarnish disappears most of the time). I think I'd start at $2200 though just because
Good Luck!
Sounds like a good deal!
I would definately change anything fluid - from brakes to coolant, gas etc. It sounds like you'd basically be buying a new bike that needs some polishing.
As far as the oil issue. Some have it and some don't - mine sort of does. I'll use about a quart +/- between oil changes at the recommended 4500 miles. Mine didn't start that until somewhere around 15K on the odo and it's managable. If you check your oil every couple two or three tanks you should be fine. I run around with an 8 oz. soda bottle full under the seat for "extra", but I rarely have used it. I'm actually switching back to dino oil from synthetic to see if that will make a difference - so far about 800 miles and it hasn't moved on the dip stick :thumbup: .
I don't think I'd have an issue spending 2500 given a little polish will work (light rust/tarnish disappears most of the time). I think I'd start at $2200 though just because
Good Luck!
I remember hearing about how the bearings could become worn from sitting at an angle. I have to be honest and don't know how true that is. I agree with the fluids, and I would also have the electrical system checked out.
I am not trying to scare you off of it, hell I would jump at the deal.
I am not trying to scare you off of it, hell I would jump at the deal.
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It sounds like we should be hearing soon about your new Burgman!
(I wouldn't worry abou the bearings)
(I wouldn't worry abou the bearings)
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I got a used 2005 and have loved it. My biggest surprise was how many insects like to live in an unused scooter. The first thing I did after getting it home was carefully remove the Tupperware making lots of notes as to where each push pin goes and gave it a good inspection. I found lots of dirt/mud daubers nests and a wasp nest. I even found a freshly roasted frog that evidently rode home with me and had been living there. I found the air filter needed to be cleaned and oiled, the oil needed to be changed, and the tranny area and filter blown out. Then it was worry free riding. 15,000 smiles later I still love my little scooter. I have changed out the Clutch idler bearing at 12,000 miles and do clean the idle adjust screw every oil change for optimum performance. But she has been good to me. Do check your oil regularly if you put a lot of freeway miles on it as the oil consumption issue seems to be related to or accentuated by longer distance higher speed riding.
Good Luck with your decision!
Good Luck with your decision!
How can someone leave such a machine vegetating for so long.? At that price it's a bargain.
As far as the "oil problem", most K4-7 bikes experience this minor oil consumption hiccup at an early stage. I have had my 400K4 from new and clocked over 144,000 kms, encounted no design problems other than ones that I've created, but still have to check the oil before every long ride. It is consuming more oil than when new, which is to be expected. It doesn't have the clutch problems like the K7--- but is far easier to check the valve clearances, remove the air filter and work on the engine than the K7.. Would I buy another one....YES. johnD.
As far as the "oil problem", most K4-7 bikes experience this minor oil consumption hiccup at an early stage. I have had my 400K4 from new and clocked over 144,000 kms, encounted no design problems other than ones that I've created, but still have to check the oil before every long ride. It is consuming more oil than when new, which is to be expected. It doesn't have the clutch problems like the K7--- but is far easier to check the valve clearances, remove the air filter and work on the engine than the K7.. Would I buy another one....YES. johnD.
I brought the scooter home yesterday, got 'er cleaned up and put alittle over 100 miles on it. I'm very happy with the deal and it looks/rides great. Power starting off is alittle wanting but it cruises very nice on the interstate. The only thing i've found to be wrong so far is the fork seals, both are now leaking. I have ordered a new set of seals, anyone put new seals in? Anything i should watch out for and is there a service manual i can download online? It doesn't look hard and i'm going to give it a go next week along with a valve adjustment. The dealer serviced the fuel system, new plug, new air filter, battery and replaced the ignition switch under recall recently. So..........I'm happy!
Hey Boombox, nice find. I have pretty much the same bike and I'm in my third season now with no problems out of the ordinary. Actually no problems at all.
The oil thing? Learn how to set the - oil change intervals notification - to your preference on the bike and keep the routine.
The bike has been sitting for some time and seals will dry out, battery's will go flat etc.. so that's expected. Expect to spend a few bones on the service.
Like the mod said service it and ride it. You WILL enjoy it. Worst case scenario is that you upgrade to the 650 thereby negating the super bargain you just got. :lol: :lol:
Welcome to the Burgman community.
The oil thing? Learn how to set the - oil change intervals notification - to your preference on the bike and keep the routine.
The bike has been sitting for some time and seals will dry out, battery's will go flat etc.. so that's expected. Expect to spend a few bones on the service.
Like the mod said service it and ride it. You WILL enjoy it. Worst case scenario is that you upgrade to the 650 thereby negating the super bargain you just got. :lol: :lol:
Welcome to the Burgman community.
You got a good deal, Boombox. Seems like a lot of people who don't ride buy Bergmans thinking they might start riding, or they buy them to get their wife into riding and it doesn't work. So it isn't too uncommon to see older ones with no miles for a fantastic price (I got mine that way too.)
One trick for fork seals is to find something thin and flat (Like a window blind slat, or a .015 or so feeler gauge blade) and slid it up between the fork seal and inner fork tube an inch or so. Then slide it around sideways a full 360 degrees (It may be easier to take the forks off the bike so you can turn the outer fork tube while holding the feeler gauge still to do this if you can't get to it on the bike). This avoids the bigger task of disassembling the forks. What happens is the fork seal gets dry the dirt or crud gets into the sealing surface. The feeler gauge breaks the dirt free. Sometimes using WD40 while doing this helps wash the bad stuff free and re=lubricates the seal. I have done this numerous times on various machines with more successes than failures. It usually works unless the rubber on the seal is cracked. With the skimpy number of miles on your bike, I would be willing to bet your rubber is good, and this trick would work. Fork seals leak a lot on bikes that set a long time.
One trick for fork seals is to find something thin and flat (Like a window blind slat, or a .015 or so feeler gauge blade) and slid it up between the fork seal and inner fork tube an inch or so. Then slide it around sideways a full 360 degrees (It may be easier to take the forks off the bike so you can turn the outer fork tube while holding the feeler gauge still to do this if you can't get to it on the bike). This avoids the bigger task of disassembling the forks. What happens is the fork seal gets dry the dirt or crud gets into the sealing surface. The feeler gauge breaks the dirt free. Sometimes using WD40 while doing this helps wash the bad stuff free and re=lubricates the seal. I have done this numerous times on various machines with more successes than failures. It usually works unless the rubber on the seal is cracked. With the skimpy number of miles on your bike, I would be willing to bet your rubber is good, and this trick would work. Fork seals leak a lot on bikes that set a long time.
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+1 they actually make a tool for "cleaning" the fork seals:http://www.autotoolworld.com/product.asp?itemid=158355&gclid=COiFxJSPyLUCFQODnQodtRwAsA
I tried it on the CM400A I rebuilt a while back and the Harley I just finished and was surprised that it worked and so easy.
I tried it on the CM400A I rebuilt a while back and the Harley I just finished and was surprised that it worked and so easy.
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That next to last or next to next to last sentence about the newer K7 ones being morejohnd said:
difficult to do some maintenance on--what's that about? I admit I know next to nothing
about newer models since I don't own one and don't check their forums. I'm just curious.
Is it a bodywork thing or a switch to shims? My SV650 has shims and hasn't needed adjustment
in 40K miles. Some of them--according to reports on its forum--NEVER need adjustments.
Shims--not necessarily a bad thing. Maybe a good thing.
Thank you.
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I know this thing has already been beaten to death but I wanted to comment on the bike with low mileage that had been sitting for awhile. I bought my 2006 Burgman 400 for $3700. Then I had it transported to the dealer for full servicing before I rode it. It has run fine since then. I now have 2000 miles on it total. Did I mention that it only had 2 miles on it when I purchased it in June of last year!? Yes, it had been sitting in a barn for 6 years. It runs like a charm so far. The key was to have it fully serviced and inspected by the dealer before riding it any distance because the oil, gas and other fluids start breaking down after awhile. In my case, the dealer was impressed with how well it was kept. As fore the possible wobble from sitting, I guess that could happen but mine rides smoothly. I hope yours is as smooth. By the way, did you get a regular 400 or a 400S ?
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