·
2007–2016 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
Commuter Comfort Done Right
Suzuki built the Burgman 400 around a liquid-cooled 400 cc single making 34 hp and 27 lb-ft, sent through a belt-driven CVT. There's nothing exotic in it, and that's the point. The step-through chassis hides genuinely large underseat storage, the fairing and screen give you real weather cover, and ABS comes standard on this trim. At 489 lb wet with a 28.0 in seat, it carries its bulk low enough that the mass stops being a topic once you're moving. This is the honest, quietly capable end of the maxi-scooter world, and it earns its place there without asking for attention.
It works best in exactly the environment it was drawn for: dense traffic, short hops, and the odd freeway stretch where 34 hp is enough to hold a lane without drama. Fifty mpg from a 3.6 gal tank makes the running costs boring in the best sense, and the mechanical package has proven durable in service. The caveat sits in the CVT. Belts wear and clutch rollers degrade, which shows up as slipping, squeaking, and softer response, so budget for periodic replacement. There was also a safety recall covering regulator/rectifier failure from moisture in the wiring, affecting 2008 models and possibly others through 2012. Check the paperwork.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 34 hp (25 kW) @ 7,600 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 27 lb-ft (36 Nm) @ 6,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 400 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front tire | 120/80-14 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-13 |
| Seat height | 28.0 in (710 mm) |
| Wet weight | 489 lb (222 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.6 gal (13.6 L) |
| Fuel economy | 50 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Safety
The first thing you notice is how little the Burgman asks of you physically. You step through, sit down, and your feet are flat on the ground at 28.0 in. The bars fall to hand at a relaxed angle, the levers are light, and the whole control set is simple enough that you stop thinking about it within a block. The single thrums rather than barks, and at road pace it settles into a low, unobtrusive hum with only a faint pulse coming through the floorboards. Behind the screen the air is calm across your chest and shoulders. The 120/80-14 front and 150/70-13 rear give it a planted, slightly deliberate feel through a series of turns, and the 489 lb never announces itself once you're rolling. It's the kind of machine you ride for an hour and forget to have an opinion about, which is high praise for a scooter.
This section is the community's voice, not mine. Over the years I've kept an ear on what Burgman owners say in long-running online threads, in conversations at rider meetups, and in the notes that land in my inbox. For this generation, the picture riders paint is a consistent one: an easy, dependable everyday machine with a handful of gripes they'll tell you about without prompting.
Trust leads the conversation. Owners report few serious problems over the long haul, and many point to the large, active circle of fellow owners as part of why they feel covered. Comfort follows: riders describe a well-mannered, effortless machine for city and suburban duty. Shorter riders single out the reachable seat and the balanced feel at walking pace, and the deep underseat bin earns steady praise for taking two full-face helmets and gear.
Weight tops the list. At low speed the scooter feels like a lot of machine to shove around, whether that's a parking lot shuffle or squeezing through tight traffic. A smaller group describes the composure loosening up at highway pace, with wandering and mild head shake over grooved pavement or in crosswinds. And a few say the launch from a standstill feels lazy, asking for more throttle than they expect to get moving.
Regulator/rectifier failure (recall)
Moisture intrusion into wiring could cause regulator/rectifier failure, leading to engine stalling. A safety recall affected 2008 models and possibly others from 2008-2012.
CVT belt wear and clutch roller degradation
Some owners report CVT belt wear and clutch roller degradation causing slipping, squeaking, and reduced performance, requiring periodic replacement.
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
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Burgman 400 is actually built for.
This is your bike. Park it anywhere, ride it in weather that would keep you home, swallow the errands underseat, and spend almost nothing doing it. The freeway stretch on your route is covered too.
Made for Austin · Los Angeles · Miami Beach / Miami
It'll handle your commute and the run up to Skyline without complaint, but 489 lb and 34 hp make it a relaxed companion on a twisty road, not a keen one. Buy it for the weekdays.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2004–2006
The Daily Grind Erased
Compare to the previous model →