Originally Posted by Starfleet

Donunder,

Here's a quick promo video of the B400 2007 onwards model. There is some good shots of the bike in use. It's showing the standard version with no frills but good none the less. It gives a sense of the riding position and how big the bike is. I've just been checking and one of the reasons the 400 is so popular is the fact that it has a bigger carrying capacity than it's Six Fiddy stablemate...interesting I thought. It's just we are all conditioned to think bigger is better...but not always it seems if carry capacity is what you want. The motor is more than capable. Hope all this helps.

Enjoy and here is the link: Suzuki Burgman 400 - YouTube

Originally Posted by Xavier6162

Ok this is not a contest. I hope you guys let me hang around here. But here is what I've found...based on my observation.

!. No clutch

The Clutch is a personal thing to me. I personnel missed the ability to slip a clutch. The Burgman is abrut at times. So is the SV650. Maybe all Suzuki bikes are the same. Slipping the clutch eases a lot of the operations. Because of the clutch, the SV650 is easier to operate, especially at slow speed. It’s feels like riding around on a bicycle. The Big Burgman could never do that. Or should I say the average person on a Burgman could never do that. I never felt safe at slow speeds on the Big Burgman because of it’s quirky operations. With a clutch, I decide how the machine operates.

2. No gear shift

Right. But because of the torque I really don’t have to shift that often. Besides. I find shifting fun. And I feel safer with low speed shifting while corning than on the Burgman 650. There is a jolt at about 12-14 mph on the Burgman. That’s very upsetting while corning. To me, that was a safety issue and a quirk that bothered me every singly time I cornered. Talk about unnecessary stress. Now I shift when I want to or if I want to.

3. ABS

The SV650 does come with ABS. I didn’t get it. The SV650 has much better brakes. Because of it’s weight, poor suspension breaking hard on the Burgman wasn’t pleasant. Breaking was similar to (but not quite) like breaking on a car and I made sure to give my self the same consideration. I braked and rode the Burgman as if I was driving a car. The breaks on the awesome. Super awesome. Unexpectedly quick. In fact, at my first stop light I stoped about 20 (feet short which was a little embarrassing) and I was only using the rear. The Burgman would have taken me all the way to the light using both breaks.

By the way, engine Breaking is a blast on the SV650. Hated it on the Burgman. It may have had something to do with the Suspension of the Burgman. But it's absolutely fun on the SV650. And keep in mind I also have a choice to use engine breaking or clutch slip it out or a combination of both.

4. No footbrake

So……See ABS above.

Weather protection

Right. But since I don’t ride in bad weather this is moot.

Fuel economy

Right. The SV650 range is from 45 – 50 MPG. A couple of MPG short of the Burgman 650. But since the fun factor is much higher and anxiety factor is tremendously reduced , I’ll willing to make the sacrifice.

Wind noise

You’ll have to trust me on this one. And if not, test ride a SV650 and see for yourself. The wind noise and turbulence is much worst on the Burgman. Much worst. In fact the secondard reason for getting rid of Piglet was because of the wind. With the stock shield on the Burgman…well you know. I don’t have to explain. I did get the larger windshield but at speed the back wind was knocking my head forward. In short, the wind would beat me up with either shield, though I preferred the stock to the larger shield. I’d use my Burgman to ride down to my sailboat once a week. The wind use to beat me up so badly I’d take a nap right after getting there. Not to mention having to deal with the tingling in my hands even with the softer grips and my very sore butt.

A trip to my boat today on the SV650 had none of that. No tingling hands even with stock grips. No sore butt. No excessive wind noise or buffering around. In fact, I didn’t even take a nap. Didn’t feel like it. The SV650 was much more comfortable despite the slight lean position and lack of sails…I mean fairing.

Touring comfort

Only in the area of storage. See above for the rest. The Burgamn 650 also has a crappy suspension. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I tested other bikes. This is one of the reasons the SV650 was much more comfortable. On the Burgman I would tense up at certain places on the highway because I knew how much the bumps were going to upset the suspension…and me. On the SV650 damping is much better and recoil is faster resulting in a much smoother ride. So smooth that I did not tense once at the same places. But if you think that the absolute upright position on the Burgman aids to comfort, your right. But because of the brakes and especially the suspension the ride isn’t as comfortable. Not even close.

Ease of cleaning

You got me on that one. Not looking forward to oiling and cleaning that chain every 600 miles. Well, maybe for the first couple of time yea, but after that….well this is one of the reasons I had kids. I’ll let them do it.

6. No footpegs / adjustable leg room

See above. This feature did not make the ride more comfortable over the SV650. Though the adjustable leg room did help alleviate the uncomfortable-ness caused by the Burgman 650 in the First place.


7. Wider seat for the rider and passenger

Since I will never carry a passager…moot.

8. No dorky looking exhaust pipe or radiator (my personal complaint)

What did they say about looks……….

9. Cheaper insurance

Progressive bare minimum Insurance for my Burgman without Medical and $500 deductible for comprehensive and collision was $242 for the year. With GIECO I tripled the coverage (because it’s a sports bike) and added Medical and went with zero deductible for comprehensive and collision. I’m paying $284 per year. I don’t know which is cheaper. They appear to be the same to me.

10. Bigger bike = more visibility

Bigger Bike, harder to maneuver. Smaller lighter bike, easier to get out of the way. There is a tread here where I wished for more power because the weight of the Burgman was a nauseas for me. While riding, or while just moving it around.

11. Better headlights.

Really…how can you tell?

I’m 5’ 7.5” 230 pounds. I have a big belly. This is the naked version. Although one is not as up right as on the Burgman, you are also not laying on the tank.

By the way guys. Don’t take offense. The Burgamn with all it’s faults is just not the bike for me. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. I’ve found something better for me. It’s lighter, more responsive, I feel safer on it, and it’s much more comfortable for me and much more fun to ride. There is a trade off in everything. There were too many negatives for me in the Burgman 650 and too many positives on the SV650. I never knew how great and fun this SV650 was until I test drove it. If you really love your Burgman, I suggest you not do what I did.