I need advice on buying a cheap small tourer.

[MarkH]

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?

Hmmm, that's not a bad idea:
http://www.colemans-suzuki.co.nz/con...x?entryPK=1535
about $80 to rent one for a day - could be worth it.

I only worry that if I rent a 650 I might be spoiled by the experience and not be happy with a 400 - maybe I should pop in and see if I can rent a 400.

[Badjelly]

DougB seems pretty happy with his Burgman 400

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=66081

PrincessBandit enjoyed her ride on a 650

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=73365

I remember someone on KB saying he prefers the 400 (or was it the 250?) because the 650 is just too bloody big.

Things to think about...

[Badjelly]

By the way, I saw a reference to the 2007 Burgman 400 having more power than its predecessors. You were thinking of a 1998?? Maybe that will be significantly slower.

[MarkH]

By the way, I saw a reference to the 2007 Burgman 400 having more power than its predecessors. You were thinking of a 1998?? Maybe that will be significantly slower.

The 2007 got a new motor and larger storage - but the 1998 has 32hp & 32Nm while the 2007 has 32hp & 34Nm. A bit more torque for the new model and the same hp - I don't think that the '98 would be significantly slower. But certainly the '07 would be better if I had more money.

[portokiwi]

Maha's got one for sale lol. at least he was selling it on his birthday The more he drank the cheaper it got My wife was so tempted but it was to big for her.
I didnt want another big thing throbing under her

[jafar]

Hmmm, that's not a bad idea:
http://www.colemans-suzuki.co.nz/con...x?entryPK=1535
about $80 to rent one for a day - could be worth it.

I only worry that if I rent a 650 I might be spoiled by the experience and not be happy with a 400 - maybe I should pop in and see if I can rent a 400.

Riding a scooter is like riding a fat chick, great fun until your mates see you

Seriously, take a few out for a ride before you decide.

[Pogo2]

You are right about performance, they're not sportsbikes and they dont claim to be. There are possibly more 400cc one's around that the 650 as they weigh a little less and the performance is ok. Yes they will do 100-110 kph all day and the underseat store at 67 litres is alot bigger than some top boxes.

Automatic is great around town. One of the best feature IMO is the seat. So comfortable with the small backrest/lumbar support. Also you can more your feet around on the floorboard to give you several riding positions. A good feature on a long trip. There are some major differences between the 07 and pre 07 models. Mine is currently doing in excess of 70mpg.

Scooters may not be cool but they are extremely practical. After years of a CBR600 and a BMW K100RS I really enjoy my burger and my back enjoys my burger as well.

Take one for a ride and see what you think ( and make up your own mind).

[Gizzit]

Hi Mark,
The scoot you have picked out ... Burgman 400, would be fine for you needs. I test rode one of those several months ago, as well as the 650. Of course the bigger Burg had more grunt, but the 400 gets along real well. According to some reports I have read, the 400 sells way more than the 650. Check with the local Burg dealers/riders.
I'm not biased, as I ride an 08 DR650SE and also use a PGO 150 T-Rex scoot for commuting. While the bigger scoots aren't seen as "cool" in NZ yet, ... they will! I have recently returned from a trip to Asia and Burg's are the business over there, and in Europe ... where big scooters have been the choice of many riders for a very long time. You will find some bike snobs on here, but tell them to fuck off. Everyone who enjoys riding two wheels and their choice of bike/scoot is just fine by me. It's about enjoying life and having fun.
I hope you enjoy whatever you choose to buy.
Cheers,
Grant.

[MarkH]

Thanks for the replies guys - I will see if I can get in this week to the bike shop and arrange a test ride - maybe even rent one for a day and get some decent riding in to test city/motorway/open road.

As far as scooters go I can see the lack of cool - the 50cc 4 strokes are downright slow & gutless - only good for urban use for riders without a bike license. But the 125cc scooters are great little urban commuters and the bigger scooters work fine on the open road. Since I have a full license (since over 22 years ago) I wouldn't personally consider a 250cc - they cost the same as the 400 and have to work harder to do the same job. I think the 400cc scooters would be working too hard to keep a constant 140kph, whereas the 650 could do that speed all day long - but I can do without the grief from the so I want to keep under the 110kph and just cruise along happily, for that the 400 would hopefully be a great machine. Personally I think that many people just don't understand that the 400cc and above scooters are not really designed as a little urban transport - they are designed as more a small/mid tourer and plenty of guys in the USA use them to tour all over the country running up a LOT of miles.
I wonder if these bigger scooters are starting to sell well here - I have seen quite a few around the place over the last few months. Just yesterday I saw a Burgman 400 on the southern motorway and I have seen a few bigger scooters around the place in Onehunga.

I have a friend that hasn't ridden a bike since a drunk driver cost him half of his right leg (just below the knee) - if I get a burgman/skywave I will see if he would be keen to get one too. Am I right in thinking that there is nothing for the right foot to control?

In January I get almost no work - I am considering doing a trip to the South Island by scooter - presuming I buy one before then. But I would want to do a bit of riding before that to get comfortable on the machine.

[Gizzit]

You are right. Nothing for either foot to do ... apart from stick them out occasionally to stop you whacking your ear on the ground when you are stationary !! I'm sure the 400 Burg or similar will be a lot of fun. I certainly will consider one again, but right now I'm happy with what I have.
Best of luck with your purchase and adventures!

Grant.

[spacemonkey]

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

G'day,
I've been thinking of getting one of those BMW's when I get my full in December.

How are the BMW's on the reliability front?
Are the belt drive better than the Chain?
And what are they like for servicing cost's?

Cheers
Dave

[MarkH]

By the way, I saw a reference to the 2007 Burgman 400 having more power than its predecessors. You were thinking of a 1998?? Maybe that will be significantly slower.

It looks like the 2nd hand 400 Burgmans are selling for just too much money- the cheapest I've found is on trademe with a current bid of $4500, but is ten years old. So I've decided to flag that idea completely and look to buying a new Burgy.

I went for a test ride today on a Burgy 400 K8 - 2nd hand but only 3 months old and less than 1000 kms on the clock, apparently the owner bought it then decided he wanted more and traded up to a 600 Silver Wing. The test ride convinced me of one thing - I want one! I took it onto the northern motorway, went north 2 off-ramps and took the upper harbour highway exit, went right then right again onto the onramp. With a steep uphill climb to the onramp the scooter accelerated smoothly to 120 and cruised along the motorway at comfortable cruising speed. It had been about 20 years since I last rode, but I got the hang of it pretty quickly. Now I miss riding more than ever . I didn't even have proper gear on except a helmet and I didn't feel particularly cold - I would happily use a scooter for most of the year. It really didn't feel very heavy and was a pleasure to ride on.

Now we are only about 3 weeks from Spring time and I really want to buy a scooter soon - my finances would allow me to get one if I don't mind incurring a butt load of credit card debt. My current feeling is that I want the scooter enough to be willing to pay a ton of interest if I can have one now. I might have a talk to my lovely mother about the idea of a low interest loan to clear the credit card - better to give her 10% than give Visa 22%.

Now I'll check around for the best deal I can get and accept the hit to my finances when I make the purchase.

I think people that don't ride just don't understand how strongly the people that do ride desire getting out on the road on a bike - I don't think I can really explain the longing I feel. It really has been too long since I was cruising around on a bike enjoying the journey more than the destination.

[shafty]

Seen this? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-170828284.htm

A tiny bit above your budget, but oh so nice.........


OR....

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-170003887.htm

[Pogo2]

Other riders will bag them but, for around town and further afield they are great. Simple to ride, not too heavy, good protection and enough power for most situations.

Yesterday I rode Scenic Drive - great day and no traffic and the bike was great to ride.

Who did you take the test ride with. I found Haldanes quite accomodating!

[vifferman]

Now we are only about 3 weeks from Spring time and I really want to buy a scooter soon - my finances would allow me to get one if I don't mind incurring a butt load of credit card debt. My current feeling is that I want the scooter enough to be willing to pay a ton of interest if I can have one now.

Check out the MTF loans most of the dealers offer - they're not too bad. I bought my last bike with a trade-in for half the value, then another quarter on the card, and the last quarter on an MTF loan. I can't remember the loan period (a few months??), but it cost me only $30 in interest.