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2004–2006 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
The Daily Grind Erased
The Burgman 400 sits in that narrow space where a scooter stops being a city toy and starts being real transportation. The 385cc liquid-cooled single makes 33 hp and 24 lb-ft, routed through a CVT and a belt to the rear wheel, and that's enough to hold freeway speed without the whole machine feeling stressed about it. What sets this generation apart isn't any single number. It's the packaging: a body that actually shields you, a seat 27.4 in off the ground, storage under it that swallows a week of errands, and 13-inch wheels that make dense traffic feel navigable rather than hostile.
It rides like it was designed by someone who commutes. Twist and go, no shifting, no clutch, a low center of gravity that keeps it planted at walking pace. Our measured everyday usability came out at a flat 10.0, and city maneuverability at 9.5, which is about as clear a signal as this scoring system produces. It ages the way honest Suzukis tend to: mechanically solid, cosmetically less so. The real buyer is anyone whose riding is mostly measured in stoplights and parking spots, with the occasional highway stretch. The caveat is that nothing here adjusts. Fork and shock are fixed, and there's no ABS.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 33 hp (24 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 24 lb-ft (32 Nm) |
| Displacement | 385 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 260 mm |
| Front tire | 110/90-13 |
| Rear tire | 130/70-13 |
| Seat height | 27.4 in (695 mm) |
| Dry weight | 406 lb (184 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.4 gal (13 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Over the years I've heard plenty about this Burgman. It comes up in paddock conversations, in owner chats at club nights, and in the emails and messages riders send me directly. Put together, the picture of the 2004–2006 AN400 is consistent. Owners describe a practical, durable, easy scooter that holds its own on the freeway. The complaints center on weight at walking pace, soft getaways, and a couple of smaller issues that show up with hard use.
The praise riders repeat most is about what the Burgman carries and how well it protects them. Owners like that the trunk takes two full-face helmets, so errands and longer trips both work without extra luggage. They mention the tall screen and wide fairing just as often. Those keep wind and rain off well enough that full days in the saddle at highway speed stay comfortable. The twist-and-go transmission also gets steady credit. With no clutch and no gears, stop-and-go traffic takes very little effort.
Owners often call the engine close to bulletproof and report high mileage as long as it gets regular maintenance. Several put fuel economy at 50 to 65 mpg in mixed riding, which gives it useful range between fill-ups. On the freeway, riders describe it as planted and confidence-inspiring, with a top speed north of 90 mph.
Weight is the most common gripe. Riders call it ponderous when they push it around the garage or creep along at very low speed, though most add that it lightens up once it's rolling. Another recurring complaint is that pulling away from a stop feels sluggish, especially next to sportier maxi-scooters. A smaller group of owners reports two more issues. Long stretches at 70 mph and above can burn enough oil that they top up between changes. Others describe electrical faults in the starter button, the key switch and the wiring connectors that sometimes leave the bike refusing to start.
Ignition switch terminal case recall
Suzuki issued a US safety recall (NHTSA campaign 05V-372) covering certain 2004 Burgman 400 (AN400) scooters: an improperly manufactured ignition switch terminal case could make contact between the ignition switch contacts unstable and cause arcing, risking electrical failure and stalling. Dealers replace the ignition switch terminal case assembly free of charge.
Clutch / variator squeal
A squealing noise from the CVT area during take-off, often attributed to glazed clutch shoes or variator belt slippage. Cleaning or replacing the clutch assembly usually resolves the issue.
Starter button and key switch failure
The starter button and ignition key switch contacts can wear or corrode, leading to intermittent starting issues or no-crank conditions.
Premature rust on frame and underbody
In areas with high humidity or road salt, the chassis and lower body panels can develop rust prematurely. Regular cleaning and anti-corrosion treatment help mitigate the problem.
Where this Suzuki Burgman 400 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Burgman 400 is actually built for.
If your riding is stoplights, parking hunts, and short hops across town, this is close to the ideal tool. Storage, weather protection, and no clutch to manage, with enough engine to take the highway home.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
It'll handle your city half honestly and hold freeway speed to get you out of town. But this is a machine built for utility, not for a photogenic run up a twisty ridge road.
Made for San Francisco Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard · Big Sur Coast Highway
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Compare it with every bike that shares the same spec or equipment.
