Switch 650 to 400

2519 Views 17 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Jeff_MdR, May 20, 2012

roy_ryall

Discussion Starter · Oct 25, 2003

I posted this on the "other" Burgman site, but since I am migrating to this site, I decided to post is here also.

A number of people have asked me why I would change from a Burgman 650 to a 400. Here is a list of items I have come up with:

Lower seat height
Easier routine maintenance
Lower operating costs
Cheaper insurance
Simpler technology
Easier to operate at low speeds - lighter
It cruises at a high enough speed to handle any highway situation
Accelerates sufficiently (I may add a Malossi unit and/or a Leo Vince exhaust to remove the lag in acceleration from 25 to 45mph)
Handles sufficiently in the curves
I think I can do long distance touring on it
Might make me slow down a little
I always have been drawn to simpler things
Something new to try
Crazy

The 650 is a great bike. All things considered, it is the best all round bike I have owned. It rides better, corners better, more comfortable than the 400, but the 400 has its own pluses (listed above).

Disclaimer: I have only ridden a 400 for about 200 miles in various driving environments, but I think it is a good move for me. If not, I can whine about it later.

Roy, soon to be 400, tn usa

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

allwalk

· #2 · Oct 25, 2003

Well Roy I'm from the other site as well. Have you picked up your 400 yet.We didn't have the 400 here in Canada last year and anyways I still would have gotten the 650. I wanted a more comfy ride for 2 up. The extra power of the 650 delivers what I want in a touring bike for 2 people.
Is it ok to call it a bike? Some of the people at work call it a girlie bike or toy scooter. How little they know and how narrow minded. But if it means calling it a scooter than I'm proud to call my self a scooter rider.

mistergib

· #3 · Oct 25, 2003

Leo Vince Exhaust for the 400

Roy, just for your info.....there is no exhaust manufacturer, Leo Vince
included, that offers an exhaust at this time for the 2003 (K3) 400. The
ones for the earlier models have a different mounting. I've been waiting
for one my self. Taffspeed thinks that GPR will be producing one by the
end of October....we'll see.

Gib McKain

roy_ryall

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 25, 2003

Allwalk, no, I have not found one at the price I want. Winter is starting so I can wait awhile. However, I would still like to have it now to ride some and put some accessories on it.

Gib, thanks for the info on the exhaust. If I get one, I will need to make sure it it is for a 2003 (2004?).

Bill Seward

· #5 · Nov 7, 2003

Girlie Bike?

My wife would think calling her 400 a "GirlieBike" would be fightin'
words, and my wife's quite a girlie!!!
Anyway, she named it "SCOOTZILLA" , and says anyone out there can
use the name if they want to.....
Bill

Paul 38Burg650 07

· #6 · May 11, 2012

Swapped rides with a buddy (my 2007 650 for 2003 400 that he bought wrecked and replaced forks and triple tree) and it was fun to ride the 400. I would say -- I could be happy with it for the kind of East Tn Riding I do (day trips and moatly back backroads).

Info in case you ever want to do the route -- we were on one of the most curvy routes around East TN, Hwy 70 north out of Rogersville from Hwy 11, a valley over to Hwy 66, then north on 66 to another real backroad over to Hwy 31, then over the mtn on Hwy 31 to a valley back to Hwy 66 and out to Hwy 11. Anyway, we switched a couple different times (to start with on just normal backroads, one straight 4 lane, and again on one of the most curvy over the mtn routes).

I would say the 400 is not the ride of the 650, but it is very adequate. Could even be used for touring and Interstate -- still, not as good as the 650. EX of 400 - A friend with a Yamaha Majesty (400) did a trip to Canada with folks on Harleys, and Goldwings (he did what they did except burnt a lot less gas). :lol:

I like all the advantages that Roy mentions and would definitely consider a 400cc (even a Yamaha Majesty) or even 500 (Yamaha T Max and KYMCO 500, I have not ridden either of those). Plus, I understand a Car Tire can be used on the back -- I ahve my 650 Darksided and would definitely want to try that on the 400.

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Garnet

· #7 · May 11, 2012

Wow! That's the resurrection of an 8.5-year-old thread...:clock:

and it sounds like it could have been original today! :!:

It looks like things really never change when it comes to the Burgmans! :lol:

Dave_J

· #8 · May 12, 2012

Garnet said:
Wow! That's the resurrection of an 8.5-year-old thread...:clock:

and it sounds like it could have been original today! :!:

It looks like things really never change when it comes to the Burgmans! :lol:

And the funny thing is, Roy is still on a 650.

Daboo

· #9 · May 12, 2012

Dave_J said:
...And the funny thing is, Roy is still on a 650.

Nope, once again on a 650. I believe he's bounced back and forth a couple times in those 8.5 years.

Chris

Dave_J

· #10 · May 12, 2012

Dave_J said:
...And the funny thing is, Roy is still on a 650.

Daboo said:
Nope, once again on a 650. I believe he's bounced back and forth a couple times in those 8.5 years.

Chris

Small details.

roy_ryall

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 12, 2012

Daboo said:
Dave_J said:

...And the funny thing is, Roy is still on a 650.

Click to expand...

Nope, once again on a 650. I believe he's bounced back and forth a couple times in those 8.5 years.

Chris

A lot more than "a couple times". Funny, I just test rode a friend's 400 a couple of weeks ago. I was thinking about getting a 2012 gray/black 400. Nice looking bike.

Scootertrash

· #12 · May 12, 2012

I've never had the opportunity to ride a 400, newer or older version, but would love the chance. We put 56,000 miles on an 06 650 standard, and 25,000 miles on my wifes Silverwing, more similar to a 400, I would presume, with the exception of a 600 c.c. twin mill. I find a lot of times I favour the kinder to your body ride on the wing,and it's much more owner friendly to maintain, and keep clean, in my opinion. However when it comes time to ride two up, with about 40 pounds of junk, thought necessary at the start of the trip, I'll choose ole Burgy Boy in a heartbeat any ole day! P.S. The tires on the wing are much cheaper as well.

rustynail

· #13 · May 13, 2012

I rented a 400 before I bought my 650. I often-times wonder if I bought the wrong one.

I think I'm headed to the T-max or Silverwing for my next scooter. We'll see, though... This community is great - it may be the thing that keeps me on a Burgman. We'll see in 5-7 years (right when I start getting into CVT-issue mileage on my 650).

azrider

· #14 · May 13, 2012

I bounce back and forth between the two as often as I like but much prefer the 650. Instant off the line acceleration , much more power at my disposal when cruising along, more comfortable to ride. Still enjoy the 400 though. They are very different from one another, only the name is the same. It really comes down to what you are more comfortable sitting and riding on. Lots of folks prefer the 400 over the 650. If I could have only one it would be the 650. That's just me though, everyone is different. They're both great.

azrider

· #15 · May 13, 2012

Another thing is the weight of the rider. Unfortunately I've gained back a lot of the weight I lost a few years ago, and I'm just a hair under 250lbs. Time to go back on a diet. I think the 400 complains about my weight where the 650 couldn't care less. If you're heavier or ride 2 up, just something to keep in mind.

JustPassinThru

· #16 · May 13, 2012

azrider said:
I bounce back and forth between the two as often as I like but much prefer the 650. Instant off the line acceleration , much more power at my disposal when cruising along, more comfortable to ride. Still enjoy the 400 though. They are very different from one another, only the name is the same. It really comes down to what you are more comfortable sitting and riding on. Lots of folks prefer the 400 over the 650. If I could have only one it would be the 650. That's just me though, everyone is different. They're both great.

This is very interesting to me. I have had a 400; I am the proud new owner of a 650; and what led me back to the Burgman and off conventional motorcycles is a Burgman clone I have...the updated VOG, with a 300 engine.

The VOG is close enough to the 400 that you can feel the kinship. It's good handling, for those tiny 13-inch wheels; it's balanced like a Burg...not surprising as it's almost an exact copy of a 2003 400 chassis.

I like the nimbleness of it; and the better seating position (the VOG actually uses a better saddle than the Burg 400; it doesn't have the sliding butt-stop but instead has a firm pillow, in a good spot). The economy is MUCH better...75 mpg versus 48.

The Burgman 400 is better on fuel that way, also...in the 60s; but that's almost half again as much. And the Burg 400 has a deep, DEEP luggage bin - the 650, not so much. Nor the VOG.

I think I'm gonna like the 650 - it's a good distance rider; a weekend bike. But if I could only have one...I'd pick a Burgman 400.

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Quantum Mechanic

· #17 · May 14, 2012

I went for the B400z ABS as my first scooter. In 43 years of riding bikes (my last two: GSX1400 & DL1000GT K8) I'd never considered a scooter ever. But I had my mind 'expanded' unexpectedly when I had to ride one 210miles for work one day instead of the 1250 Bandit that's usually available. Wow! What a pleasure to ride it was. Plenty of power & smoothness combined with good fuel economy, handling and roadholding. Comfort was good too and all my work stuff went under the seat no problem with space to spare. What a revelation it was. But you guys know all that stuff. But it really was the riding experience of the 400 that convinced me to make the change. I tried the six fiddy and loved it inspite of the extra weight, but I felt unless I was doing two up work all the time, which I don't, then it didn't warranty the extra cost, which over this side of the pond is several thousands of pounds more over the 400. Plus the extra complication and cost during servicing and later in the bikes life put me off it. Cost of fuel over here is many times greater per litre than you guys pay too, so the 400 has a huge advantage on that front. I currently average 75-76mpg in mixed riding (uk gallons). So it's horses for courses in my book and I can see why some may alternate between the two bikes. They are both superb. :cheers:

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Jeff_MdR

· #18 · May 20, 2012

It was when my wife and I came to the realization that we love 2-up touring, that I bought the 650. We're preparing for out fifth 2000 mile California backroads tour next month. The 650 has never let us down, and I cannot conceive of ever giving her up. But, pound-for-pound, for day-in and day-out riding, the 400 is my go-to ride. I hope I never have to make a 'Sophie's choice ' as to which one I'd have to give up.

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