Burgman 400 (MY2021)

The Burgman 400 is a mid-size maxi-scooter built to make the daily ride easier than taking the car. A liquid-cooled 400 cc single makes 29 hp and drives through an automatic transmission and a belt final drive. That means no clutch to work in stop-and-go traffic and no chain to lube on Sunday. ABS and traction control come standard, and so does an LED headlight. Its place in the class comes from how much weather protection and storage Suzuki fitted into a body that still stays narrow enough to slip through gridlock. It gives you touring-bike practicality at commuter width.

At 481 lb (218 kg) wet on a 62.2 in (1,580 mm) wheelbase, it is not a featherweight. Still, it steers in a calm, predictable way that puts new and returning riders at ease quickly. This is a scooter for people who want a sensible tool. Running costs are low, the engine is reliable, and the contoured compartment under the seat swallows daily cargo or your riding gear. The honest caveat is that it needs looking after. If you skip winter maintenance, corrosion finds its way in. The front fork also has no adjustment at all, and only the rear shock takes preload.