[dickie]

I really hated to see it go. I loved everything about it...except for one thing...it was too **** big for me. I'm a slight 5'5"/150lbs and it was just too heavy and tall for me to handle comfortably in parking lots and in heavy traffic. Loved it on the open road though.

I'm looking for something better suited for someone of my short stature. I'm was leaning towards a post '07 Burgy 400 or maybe a Yamaha Majesty? Then I started thinking about a Honda Silverwing? I know it's a bit lighter than the 650 I just sold.

Is there anyone out there who can comment on if the Silverwing will be better for a pip-squeak like myself? I'm open to all and any suggestions. Most of my riding is around town but I'm occasionally up on the highway or open road.

Thanks all.

 

[Hornhonker]

BMW ?

 

[Chérie]

BMW seat much higher than 650 burgman this not help you at all, your feet never ever touch ground with BMW. Look for lower seat and more narrow scoot, this help you very much.

As they say now in Europe, '' BMW scooters, division of KYMCO. '' :lol:

 

[Daboo]

I know it would be a huge step down for you, but the 400 has a low seat height.

I know of someone who rode his over a thousand miles in one day. I suspect most of those miles were on the freeway, so it'll probably handle the occasional jaunt on the freeway.

Chris

 

[MacDoc]

The 400 is 1.5" lower....not sure about the width and certainly lighter by some 90 lb.

I can't comment on riding the 400 but I was happy moving from the Silverwing to the Burgman 650 but did not find much of low speed handling difference and did not like the single stopper on the front.
The Swing tended to track ruts and that was very annoying at speed. The 650 did not.

The Swing seat is only a tiny bit lower ( less than 1/2") than the 650 so I'd tend to recommend the 400 especially given your riding profile which seems ideal for the 400 - the Burgman is 20 lb or so lighter as well than the Swing.

The 400 has dual front brakes which I think is a big benefit and actually has more storage than the 650.

Sounds like a no brainer....

http://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/Suzuki ... page_1.htm

 

[Chérie]

This person weigh 150lbs only, 400 burger have plenty power & braking for what he want to do city & hiway, plus biggest storage and best fuel economy of all.

400 model with 28 inch seat high is winner for this person.

 

[29534]

I got an 08 400 because it is lighter and has a lower seat then the 650. I rode my friend's 650 and find I like my 400 more. Being short, I would buy the 400 again with no hesitation.

 

[pyfis]

You may find this website useful.

http://cycle-ergo.com/

 

[HowHH]

I'm a smidgen taller than you, less mass, 28"inseam. The 400 is no lighweight (almost 500 lbs wet per Suzuki) but much easier than the 650 to walk around. The ground is closer too. I can't quite flatfoot it with both feet at the same time, but it's good enough.

As much as I liked the 650 in the showroom, it was a struggle for me to even get it off the sidestand. You know those times coming to a stop on bad/uneven/sloped pavement and you put a foot down and you realize the ground is further away than you anticipated? I'm sure that on the 650 I'd just be tipping over. On the 400 it's not a problem.

I'd love the power and all the electical upgrades of the 650 (e.g., powered mirrors and windscreen), but the 400 is still plenty fun. No problem getting away from traffic during the commute.

By the way, that cycle-ergo site is great. Never knew about it.

 

[zackman]

Well here's my 2 cents worth as well, I agree that the 400 is a great bike had one my self and loved it but I am a much bigger man so I wanted the 650 now a couple of things you might want to look into ,1- look at www. burgmanseats.com about redoing your seat taking a good bit of the stock foam out and cutting it down and adding special foam just for you will lower it as well as give you a better fit. "that is if you go with the 400" but if the 400 is still too big for you then I would look at a used 250 cc honda silverwing, a smaller bike like the burgman 400 but still pleaty of power for around town use I'm not for sure about the highway use of this bike thought, I did know of someone who had one and road it up and down our back country roads at 55 to 60 with no problems. I would stay away from the china scooters they may look good but I have heard too many bad storys about breaking down and no one willing or able to fix them. You might also want to look at the Piaggo BV Tourer 250 cc scoot very nice bike but still only good for around town ** I'll leave a pic of it ** just do a goggle search and you'll come across it.
I wish you well and let us know on what you decide, Ride safe and Happy trails :thumbup: Zack

 

[Desert Rat]

I would also have to agree for your size a 400 would be just fine. :thumbup:

 

[dickie]

I really appreciate all the great info. I've been leaning towards the AN400 and the recommendations here pretty much cemented it for me.

I found a 2008 for sale with 100 miles on the ODO, asking $4500. Needless to say I'm more than a little suspicious of the mileage and also worried that if the mileage is correct, there may be dry rotted seals or internal corrosion. The owner says its all legit, big surprise there. He has a story about getting it from a wealthy customer of his...blah, blah, blah. It's a 2hr drive away, I'm thinking about going to see it tomorrow.

Any tips on what to check to see if the mileage is legit? Air filter maybe? :?:

Thanks again. The members of this forum really are a great bunch. :thumbup:

 

[Chérie]

I really appreciate all the great info. I've been leaning towards the AN400 and the recommendations here pretty much cemented it for me.

I found a 2008 for sale with 100 miles on the ODO, asking $4500. Needless to say I'm more than a little suspicious of the mileage and also worried that if the mileage is correct, there may be dry rotted seals or internal corrosion. The owner says its all legit, big surprise there. He has a story about getting it from a wealthy customer of his...blah, blah, blah. It's a 2hr drive away, I'm thinking about going to see it tomorrow.

Any tips on what to check to see if the mileage is legit? Air filter maybe? :?:

Thanks again. The members of this forum really are a great bunch. :thumbup:

Once you see and try bike if you like this 400 insist on inspection at local dealer of your preference that dickie pay for, explain to dealer situation, have dealer check gasket, seal, rubber component such tire, belt, hose, radiator hose & coolant etc., have clutch & brake check also parking brake not jam, engine vibration etc., is fuel injector & fuel system dirty, you get true picture and piece of mind also from inspection, if bike need repair you negociate price less repair require. Brake caliper may need work as pin may be stuck or not have lube, etc.

Me would be very careful to make sure not overpay if need work.

Wish dickie good luck with this.

 

[Desert Rat]

100 miles on a 08 :shock: Battery has to be bad, + $4500 to me is a little steep even if only 100 miles. :roll:

 

[dickie]

I contacted a local bike mechanic and he said he'd charge around $50 to do an on site pre purchase inspection. I'm waiting to hear back from the seller. May run up there tomorrow and take a look-see.

New question:

Would you trust this to haul a Burgman about 100 miles on an interstate highway?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... nQodwU8AwA

I have this in my garage right now. I've used it to haul smaller 150-250cc bikes. It has a 500lb weight limit, right about max for the burgman. It doesn't give me warm fuzzes though.

Getting my wife to drive up there with me and wait around while the men do their things involving motorcycles might not be worth the hours of complaining I'm certain to hear. :roll: it would be like me going shopping for handbags and shoes. :x

 

[zackman]

If you have the truck that can pull it I would go rent a small u-haul enclosed trailer roll it in and tie her down, even a 6 cylinder truck should be able to pull a small u-haul be safier then that thing you just showed might be ok for a really small bike, but the 400 is not that small and that way it is enclosed, you could then take her straight to the dealer from the u-haul as well, just my 2 cents again, good luck, but one more thing I would do is a craiglist search for a look around your area, to see if theres any others you might be able to use that info in your favor with the seller your about to see, never know. Good luck and Happy trails, Zack :thumbup:

 

[Scotty1981]

Well here's my 2 cents worth as well, I agree that the 400 is a great bike had one my self and loved it but I am a much bigger man so I wanted the 650 now a couple of things you might want to look into ,1- look at www. burgmanseats.com about redoing your seat taking a good bit of the stock foam out and cutting it down and adding special foam just for you will lower it as well as give you a better fit. "that is if you go with the 400" but if the 400 is still too big for you then I would look at a used 250 cc honda silverwing, a smaller bike like the burgman 400 but still pleaty of power for around town use I'm not for sure about the highway use of this bike thought, I did know of someone who had one and road it up and down our back country roads at 55 to 60 with no problems. I would stay away from the china scooters they may look good but I have heard too many bad storys about breaking down and no one willing or able to fix them. You might also want to look at the Piaggo BV Tourer 250 cc scoot very nice bike but still only good for around town ** I'll leave a pic of it ** just do a goggle search and you'll come across it.
I wish you well and let us know on what you decide, Ride safe and Happy trails :thumbup: Zack

There is a bigger 350 sized version of this now I believe. It's what I would get if I ever had to get rid of the Burgman for something smaller.

 

[dickie]

I'm all set up to go take a look at this machine tomorrow morning. If the mechanic gives it a clean bill of health what's the max I should pay for an '08 AN400 with 100miles on the meter? KBB retail price is around $3700.

Well here's my 2 cents worth as well, I agree that the 400 is a great bike had one my self and loved it but I am a much bigger man so I wanted the 650 now a couple of things you might want to look into ,1- look at www. burgmanseats.com about redoing your seat taking a good bit of the stock foam out and cutting it down and adding special foam just for you will lower it as well as give you a better fit. "that is if you go with the 400" but if the 400 is still too big for you then I would look at a used 250 cc honda silverwing, a smaller bike like the burgman 400 but still pleaty of power for around town use I'm not for sure about the highway use of this bike thought, I did know of someone who had one and road it up and down our back country roads at 55 to 60 with no problems. I would stay away from the china scooters they may look good but I have heard too many bad storys about breaking down and no one willing or able to fix them. You might also want to look at the Piaggo BV Tourer 250 cc scoot very nice bike but still only good for around town ** I'll leave a pic of it ** just do a goggle search and you'll come across it.
I wish you well and let us know on what you decide, Ride safe and Happy trails :thumbup: Zack

I have a like new 1987 Honda CH250 (Elite 250)in the garage right now. I used to own one as a kid in 1986 so there's a bit of childhood nostalgia connected to it. I rejetted the carb, put new weights in the variator, new V-belt, tires, brake pads, gear oil, coolant flush, vac and fuel line. All the body panels look nearly new. I ride it a few times a month. It'll hit 70mph, though i wouldnt recommend it, 60 is pretty comfortable. And best of all...when I stop at a traffic light, my feet reach the pavement!

 

[dickie]

I just did a VIN number check on the '08 Burgman with 100 miles. It was titled in Feb of this year with 4300miles. Hmmm...

 

[MacDoc]

Yeah that's kinda weird.
Now my 2005 650 only had 1500 miles when I bought it on 2011 - so low mileage is not unusual but the roll back is strange - wonder if the front end got trashed and needed a speedo replace
does your VIN check provide accident history?