I need advice on buying a cheap small tourer.

**MarkH** · 6th August 2008, 08:52

I have been away from bikes for far too long. In a couple of months we will be in fine weather and I would like to escape from my cage! I wouldn't mind getting a 600-750 sports bike, but I fear I would lose my license within a few weeks if I rode one of those.

What I am considering is trying to find a cheaper Suzuki AN400 Skywave/Burgman

to use as a fun wee cruiser. Currently I am looking at a 1998 model with low k's.

What I want to know:
How are these 400cc scooters for . . . well . . . everything? I don't need to ride at 300kph or race around a track - but I would like to be able to go on a decent ride for a few hours at 100-110kph. I would be looking at cruising around Auckland (city & motorway) and heading out of town on a nice day. I also would like to use it for work (onsite computer tech) and my idea would be to go to the customer's site, store the helmet, jacket & gloves under the seat - then go into the customer's place and sort their computer probs.

Also - is buying a 10 year old scooter going to be a problem to me? Is there that much difference between the '98 & '08 scooters?

I asked at a bike shop about a Givi topbox - apparently only a couple of hundy. Is the underseat storage all I would ever need or is it worth adding a Givi topbox for the extra storage capacity.

Help a man escape from his cage and give me some good advice here guys!

**MSTRS:Me** · 6th August 2008, 09:32

Originally Posted by MarkH

.....*SNIP*.... give me some good advice here guys!

ATGATT cos they are trying to kill you...
If you want the wind in your hair but convenience of a cage, get a convertible.

**Badjelly** · 6th August 2008, 09:50

I haven't ridden one of these myself, but from what I've heard it should be perfect for what you want to do with it. Very good for open-road cruising, apparently. But just remember, Burgmans are never cool.

**kickingzebra** · 6th August 2008, 10:37

buy my k6 gsxr 600, they only go as fast as the twit twisting the throttle...
5000 ish kms, never looped the loop... more than than twice anyway, and never been wheelied in 6th.
will be mint as come sale time, 12 g or so

**MarkH** · 6th August 2008, 10:57

Originally Posted by MSTRS

ATGATT cos they are trying to kill you...
If you want the wind in your hair but convenience of a cage, get a convertible.

If I wanted the wind in my hair I wouldn't be looking at 2 wheels and a helmet now would I?

I have the convenience of a cage - cause I already have one. What I am wanting is another option - the fun of riding on 2 wheels.

**MarkH** · 6th August 2008, 10:59

Originally Posted by Badjelly

But just remember, Burgmans are never cool.

If I cared about looking cool I would probably buy a Harley or something. I am old enough to be over what every other prick thinks - I am looking out for me and I want to have some fun!

**Badjelly** · 6th August 2008, 11:00

Originally Posted by MarkH

If I wanted the wind in my hair I wouldn't be looking at 2 wheels and a helmet now would I?

Well you did ask for good advice.

Here's some more:

Never play cards with a man named Doc. Never eat at a place called Mom’s. Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own.

**MSTRS:Me** · 6th August 2008, 11:01

Yea yea I know...it's KB tho innit. Not where you come for sensible answers....
It's a tough question tho...you kinda need 2 bikes to cover your requirements.
Maybe you'd be better off with a mid-sized cruiser with hard luggage attached?

**MarkH** · 6th August 2008, 11:04

Originally Posted by kickingzebra

buy my k6 gsxr 600, they only go as fast as the twit twisting the throttle...

Yeah, unfortunately that's the thing that concerns me!

I have been around for a while now and I have paid THOUSANDS in tickets and lost my license twice.

When I got my license 25 years ago they didn't have the demerit points system, if they did I would have lost my license a couple more times.

Also 12K for a bike is over twice my budget, but thanks for the offer.

**Badjelly** · 6th August 2008, 11:05

Originally Posted by MSTRS

you kinda need 2 bikes to cover your requirements.

Nah, I reckon a maxi-scooter can cover all his requirements. Bearing in mind that looking cool isn't one of them

.

**MSTRS:Me** · 6th August 2008, 11:08

This would be a good setup http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...VersysGivi.jpg
Or this with side ones added http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...g/Image012.jpg
Just drop the panniers off for weekend blasts

**MSTRS:Me** · 6th August 2008, 11:11

Originally Posted by Badjelly

Nah, I reckon a maxi-scooter can cover all his requirements. Bearing in mind that looking cool isn't one of them

.

Seriously naff
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0vAERDDZorE/Rw...2992D98F82.jpg

**MarkH** · 6th August 2008, 11:17

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Yea yea I know...it's KB tho innit. Not where you come for sensible answers....
It's a tough question tho...you kinda need 2 bikes to cover your requirements.
Maybe you'd be better off with a mid-sized cruiser with hard luggage attached?

Actually I had thought of that idea - basically if I had the spare money I WOULD get 2 bikes (Maybe a new 650 scooter and a new sports bike).

I am thinking at this stage of getting back into riding and maybe later as finances allow move up to something better or even just add another 2 wheeled vehicle to my fleet. But if I at least get something now and buy some gear (helmet/gloves/jacket/boots/wet weather gear) then it would be easier to migrate to another bike/scooter later.

What do you mean by mid-sized cruiser? I really need to keep my spending below $5k here. I was hoping that something like a 400cc scooter would be likely to be cheap to run with not much maintenance required (no chain to lube for a start) over and above normal oil changes. I hear they do better than 20kms per litre - at current and future petrol prices that is not a bad thing. I have read in some forums/blogs/where ever about guys with several bikes buying a scooter and then using it more often than the bike because it is so easy (twist & go) and fun.

**Badjelly** · 6th August 2008, 11:19

Originally Posted by MSTRS

...Just drop the panniers off for weekend blasts

He didn't say "weekend blasts", he said "a decent ride for a few hours at 100-110kph". It depends what he means by "decent ride".

I've read magazine articles, and KB postings, that say the maxis are very capable of open-road trips, but they're not sports bikes. MarkH, nobody but you can judge whether you're going to enjoy the feel of a maxi on the open road. Any chance of getting a decent test ride on one?