Was new 400 Burgman, now new 650 Exec.

[poldark]

On the move to the 650. Maybe wait until you see the new model that is reportedly coming out next year. They may have solved the very expensive transmission failures that the 650 can suffer from. I personally know someone who has had the transmission fail at 42k miles. Total cost to fix was in excess of £3,000! He actually sold the bike to the dealer in it's failed state for next to nothing and bought a new 400z abs. We had a meet a few weeks ago and he says he is very happy with it having had it for 4 months and 3k miles at that time.

Agree that staying a bit longer with the 400 maybe sensible to see what/if happens on revised 650.

But I must correct you on the transmission failure, Suzuki already redesigned the 650 (K5 onwards) to modify the Primary Spline and correct the known design issue. My K3 failed at under 30k miles, last year, rather annoyingly 9 months after the 7 year duration that Trading Standards deem as a product lifetime, so stopping any attempt to claim against Suzuki.

There have been a few (very very small numbers) who've seen belt failures, but these are usually 50-100k miles, the best source of knowledge on this is BUSA forum and associated Le Dude knowledge base.

[Data]

It is the belt failure I'm referring to. There are more and more belt failures showing up now as bikes of all ages get more miles on them. On BUSA there are increasing numbers of people with newer bikes with belt failures and some below 50k. Le Dudes bike has also failed due to a transmission problem and he is likely to throw it away I hear. He of course is the 650 supremo and has always said the 650 is a throw away bike due to the poor transmission reliability. I only know one person over here that has had a belt failure, but have heard of the earlier transmission failures that you speak of and which is now corrected as you say. It seems the transmissions are not good long termers though due to the drive belts short life and the massive cost to replace the belt.

[poldark]

It is the belt failure I'm referring to. There are more and more belt failures showing up now as bikes of all ages get more miles on them. On BUSA there are increasing numbers of people with newer bikes with belt failures and some below 50k. Le Dudes bike has also failed due to a transmission problem and he is likely to throw it away I hear. He of course is the 650 supremo and has always said the 650 is a throw away bike due to the poor transmission reliability. I only know one person over here that has had a belt failure, but have heard of the earlier transmission failures that you speak of and which is now corrected as you say. It seems the transmissions are not good long termers though due to the drive belts short life and the massive cost to replace the belt.

Perhaps, but the danger is the percentage of failures given the numbers in use can be very misleading on a forum where you only every see postings on failures. I suspect that 99%+ of B650s work like clockwork, the "issue" with the belt is perhaps Suzuki never expected the design/bike to be used for the mileages they're being used for - especially in the US. Le Dude's belt failure is at 52k and he's (amazingly) replaced himself, clearly for mere mortals it would be "game over".

I certainly would have no qualm about buying another, provided it was K5 or later.

[Data]

I think it's a difficult call to make on the 650. I'm like you and fully believe we hear the worst on these forums and mostly, everything is alright in the real world. But I don't think that's the case with the Six Fiddy. Both my Suzuki dealers have had the 650 in with broken belts. One even at 25k. That was less than two years old so was covered by warranty. But the other bike was at a different dealer and was 4 years old and with 38k on the clock (I think! but not much different to that if not actually 38). Overall, there are more and more bikes showing up with belt breakages which is unnerving if you own one or want to buy one. The other thing is that belts seem to break willy nilly at differing mileages, and usually between 40-50k. That's just not on. You may be right in what you say about Suzi not thinking the bikes would be used for big mileages, but the 400's have always been used for big mileages and no problems. So to design a bigger bike even more likely to be used for tours etc that just don't cut the mustard at high miles is not too good. I really hope the next 650 has a handle on that problem and has it cured. We can hope eh!

[wuffstuff]

After listening to the advice here, the same advice that encouraged me to buy the 400, I've decided to buy the 650 and be done with it.

Thanks for the advice, again.

[wuffstuff]

Ordered the 650 today. Coming on 1st September as the sales guy is on holiday and he thinks a 62 registration would be advantageous, though I don't care. I'll will report back on the differences, as I see them.

[SH125Paul]

I am already thinking of the move to a 650 for the extra power and speed and may have to lose a shedload to do it.

Ordered the 650 today. Coming on 1st September as the sales guy is on holiday and he thinks a 62 registration would be advantageous, though I don't care. I'll will report back on the differences, as I see them.

Did ya PX the 400?
If so, how far down did ya trousers get pulled for 2 months and 3K miles?
Gonna be a worthwhile move, all things considered, with that sort of mileage... enjoy!

[wuffstuff]

I am already thinking of the move to a 650 for the extra power and speed and may have to lose a shedload to do it.

Ordered the 650 today. Coming on 1st September as the sales guy is on holiday and he thinks a 62 registration would be advantageous, though I don't care. I'll will report back on the differences, as I see them.

Did ya PX the 400?
If so, how far down did ya trousers get pulled for 2 months and 3K miles?
Gonna be a worthwhile move, all things considered, with that sort of mileage... enjoy!

Chopped in the 400. Cost me about £1500 for 2 months and 4000 miles. Better than waiting another year though and trying to trade a clean but very high mileage scoot. Fair enough, I saved about £800 on fuel (normally using the car), no parking costs in London, no congestion charges etc. Probably ended up £500 down. The lack of stress and the fun of the long journeys was worth more than £500, hence me buying the bigger one.

Every day, a new adventure. When you're my age money is less of an issue than enduring the stress of getting in and out of London in a car.

[Data]

Congratulations Wuffstuff. You will be pleased with it I'm sure. Just take it easy when running in as it's the drive belt that really needs to bed in correctly so it's not overstressed too early. It should then pay dividends later in life with belt/transmission life. It's been mooted on some sites that maybe running them in too fast (as in the motoman fast method) is responsible in many instances for drive failure later in life. If you treat her right to start with, it'll go for a very very long time without any problems. Let us all know how you get on with it when it arrives. Yipee! with evny!!!!

[JimR]

I find the burger a good all rounder,Price ,Fual, Power ect,my only problem is ground clearance ,the centre stand doesnt clear speed bumps very well