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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
Over the years I've heard plenty about the Burgman 400 in paddock conversations, at club nights, over coffee with owners, and in the messages riders send me directly. The picture is consistent. Owners trust it, and their complaints center on its weight and how it behaves at both ends of the speed range.
The most common thing owners say is that it keeps working. Reports of major trouble are rare, and a large, active owner community surrounds it. Shorter riders call it one of the most approachable maxi-scooters around, with a balance that feels light at low speed. The underseat space earns its own praise: owners talk about fitting two full-face helmets plus gear, and they describe it as properly practical for commuting and errands.
The recurring gripe is mass. Pushing it around a parking lot or threading through tight city traffic, owners describe it as cumbersome. A few riders mention it wandering and shaking its head a little on grooved pavement or in crosswinds at highway speed, which costs them confidence. Some also find it lazy from a stop and say brisk starts take more throttle than they'd expect from a motorcycle.
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.
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 New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
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 San Francisco Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard · Big Sur Coast Highway
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 →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Suzuki Burgman 400. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Successor · 2014–2019
Maximum Daily Return, Zero Fuss
Roughly $700 pricier used than this bike at 10 yr
Successor · 2017–2020
Everyday Hauler That Actually Moves
Competitor · 2012–2013
Maxi Comfort, Minimal Hassle
Roughly $1,500 cheaper used than this bike at 13 yr
Compare it with every bike that shares the same spec or equipment.