Just one small step....

[Vimesy]

Hi all, I've lurked these forums long enough but am finally near committing to Maxi's. A dealer near me has a 2007 Burger 400 that's only done 1,300 miles. I'm off for a test ride on Saturday and I'm pretty sure ill buy it but I'd like a little reassurance and advice on what to look for when viewing/riding.

I'm coming from years of riding big BMW's so this is totally new to me. Anything I should be looking out for? When's the next service and should I be trying to bargain the price down (if so how?) - its up for £3,700.

Any thoughts, help or advice would be hugely appreciated.

[pikey]

Yes dont grab rear brake (thinking its a clutch )when you think it should change gear

[mightbesane]

I'd want a full service done right away depending on what has been done by the dealer in preparation for the sale. A scoot that's several years old and hardly been ridden needs to be gone over thoroughly. Dry rot in the tubing? State of all fluids including coolant? State of the belt and rollers? Stem to Stern. Stuff that you wouldn't look at once in 15,000 km otherwise.

As far as riding tips go, when I went from bikes to scoots I had to learn what it meant to be smooth on the throttle.

[Vimesy]

Blimey, how would I check all that?

Do you honestly think its better going for a higher mileage bike then? Thought I'd done alright finding such a low mileage example.

[VOZZA]

Hi Vimesy and welcome.
I've ridden a Burgman 400 on demo once, didn't go for it because I felt the seat was too low for me although legroom on board was OK. It was a 2010 one.
I understand that pre 2008 models occasionally had a squealing clutch problem which was sorted in the later model so that may be worth looking out for.
Low mileage is not always a good thing with brittle seals etc. through lack of use over a long period.

[Vimesy]

So are there any obvious signs I should look out for that would highlight problems through lack of use? I'm not sure I could get a look at the rollers and belt nor the inside of tubes. Any where specific where I could look?

I'm beginning to have second thoughts about this scoot already.

[mightbesane]

Don't get scared. We tend to follow the Dark Side of the Force when it comes to these sort of matters. As I said, ask the dealer what service has been done. Ask if they've checked the belt, changed the plug, checked the seals and such. A good mechanic can tell if there's rot pretty easily. And a good dealer should have had the same questions as I've described if he wants your return business. I'd only begin to worry if you get blown off with, "It's as-is. Take it or leave it."

And a free demo ride is always a good thing anyway.

[Normsthename]

I'm coming from years of riding big BMW's so this is totally new to me

At first it will feel very strange and Alien wirh the Feet Forward Riding Position after riding 'Normal' Bikes.
But give it a few miles and you will wonder why all bikes aren't made that way!
Good luck with the test ride, I have owned Three Burgman 650's and Two 400 Burgmans, I love em!

Andy

[Vimesy]

Not scared so much as nervous. To me £3,700 is a lot of dosh and I dont want to make a poor decision.

The dealer is selling the bike for its owner but I'll try and squeeze as much in the way of extras as I can out of them starting with a service. I've already asked for them to fit heated grips if I buy so I'm not worried about having the bike straight away. Would rather it was as sorted as possible.

Thanks for all your advice - i'll keep you posted.

[poldark]

2007 is around the change of design, so understand if it's the "newer" version, sorry I'm not expert enough to give more details on how to spot the differnce but suggest the V5 will have the manufacture code (K6, K7 dictate year of model).

3.7k isn't an especially stunning price for that age of machine, as said low miles on older machine is likely to mean little maintenance done in 5 years. I'd prefer a newer machine (09 on perhaps) with equivilent of 3-4k miles per year, so it'd have had an annual oil change.

What's wrong with this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-SUZUKI-B ... 3a7cd9a72a

The clutch issues were well documented and seemed to effect a lot of the early (new) models, or they got reported a lot and gave that impression, so ask specifically if the clutch bell has been replaced as I'm pretty sure Suzuki issued a revised part.

Good luck