The Future of Burgmans

[capitano]

a grand for a service

It's when I read stuff like this that I have to surmise that the big manufacturers simply regard riders as cash cows, to be milked at every opportunity. It seems that running something ostensibly as practical as a big scooter is every bit as overpriced as keeping a weekend warrior's sports bike on the road.

Erm ,not quite, Jaz. I have mates that run Triumph Rocket 3s and Ducati Diavels. They'd rub heir hands in glee at a £1000 service bil at 16.5k miles.

Try nearly £2k for a major service before 10,000 miles!!!

[MrGrumpy]

Erm ,not quite, Jaz. I have mates that run Triumph Rocket 3s and Ducati Diavels. They'd rub heir hands in glee at a £1000 service bil at 16.5k miles.

Try nearly £2k for a major service before 10,000 miles!!!

But just what do they do that costs £2k? Gold plate the cylinder bores???
I could never understand why BMW scooter services cost as much - yes, they replace the V-belt, and the chain & sprockets at inflated BMW prices, but that still leaves several hundred quid unaccounted for on quite basic work. Its a real trap for the unwary (or at least those who do a decent mileage).

[capitano]

Erm ,not quite, Jaz. I have mates that run Triumph Rocket 3s and Ducati Diavels. They'd rub heir hands in glee at a £1000 service bil at 16.5k miles.

Try nearly £2k for a major service before 10,000 miles!!!

But just what do they do that costs £2k? Gold plate the cylinder bores???
I could never understand why BMW scooter services cost as much - yes, they replace the V-belt, and the chain & sprockets at inflated BMW prices, but that still leaves several hundred quid unaccounted for on quite basic work. Its a real trap for the unwary (or at least those who do a decent mileage).

To be fair, the £2k Diavel one was (probably) the 15k service done early due to the age of the bike rather than mileage IIRC, plus there may have been some extras due to some ECU/fuelling issues the owner was having. The service itself involved at least one belt change and valve adjustments requiring the heads to come off.

Both the Diavel and Rocket 3 owners expect a £600-£800 bill every time their bike to a dealer, at least once a year. They don't do many miles, either.

[Data]

The Burgman 650 is also very expensive to dealer service. The first service is ok, but they become increasingly horrendous regarding the price of the service each time you take it in. This is mainly due to the extensive bodywork that has to be removed. I've had to do it myself several times on the works 650's that I had. It does take quite a time and you have to pay for that. Then there is the Suzuki pricing scheme which seems to want to charge you quite extortionate prices for air filters etc.

[capitano]

The Burgman 650 is also very expensive to dealer service. The first service is ok, but they become increasingly horrendous regarding the price of the service each time you take it in. This is mainly due to the extensive bodywork that has to be removed. I've had to do it myself several times on the works 650's that I had. It does take quite a time and you have to pay for that. Then there is the Suzuki pricing scheme which seems to want to charge you quite extortionate prices for air filters etc.

I must remember this wisdom in the future. There have been (and undoubtedly will be) times when I've almost pulled the trigger on a Burgman 650 deal.

Thanks again, Data.

[Deleted User 7077]

I know what future of my burger 400 is get it running motd and sell it .

[Stibbs]

I do the servicing on mine. Oil and filter, bought K&N air filter a couple of years ago.
Every two years brake fluid, coolant drive.
Replace belt and associated bits at 14k.
Cheap as chips to run and nearly problem free. Had to replace the rectifier a while back as it went dead, other than that a very easy bike to run and maintain.

[capitano]

I do the servicing on mine. Oil and filter, bought K&N air filter a couple of years ago.
Every two years brake fluid, coolant drive.
Replace belt and associated bits at 14k.
Cheap as chips to run and nearly problem free. Had to replace the rectifier a while back as it went dead, other than that a very easy bike to run and maintain.

I'd imagine that the big expense in terms of a dealer service at 14k is the removal of bodywork to do the valve clearances.

[Data]

Funnily enough Capitano, the 400 is a different cup of tea to the 650 and is very very cheap to run. I had a new 2012 Exec 400 which I had for over 5 years. Bodywork is easy to get off and you don't really need to take anything much off to do the valves or any service work. There is easy access to do most things. To check the valves or adjust is easy. Although bear in mind you have to take the double overhead cams out to adjust the shims on the 2007 onwards bikes but it doesn't take long once you have done it a time or two. And just checking takes no longer than changing a spark plug, again, which is easy. Sorry, I know that was aimed at Stibbs. Sorry Stibbs.

I'm up prowling the house as the storm outside is keeping me awake. My wife can sleep through anything though...lol.

[XP500FUN]

I`m just glad my silverwing has one of those engines that seem to rarely need the valves looking at, if at all really, as blimey, getting in there at them.

Though I am now thinking of moving down to a 300 Cruisym etc, not sure what they are like on that footing.

Its a shame bigger Scooters just don`t sell well here. We might get a bit stuck in years to come.

I can`t see the Sym TL500 doing too well sadly with its chain and highish seat etc.

I still regret selling my old Tmax ( twice !!! ) due to family demandings.

If I keep the old silverwing I am going to bung on YSS shocks ( now with a better softer spring on them by the way for any SW owners, but make sure you check its new stock with the softer version on ).

I might even retro fit some of those seat small shocks too. Thats more about my neck and back than the bike though really.

Its a shame the Burgman 200 is such a clanger on the comfort and handling side or I`d go for one of those myself.

Hope they at least keep the 400 going. Why not drop the price and sell more of them ?