I can officially join the club

[Flanker37]

Hi guys, some of you may know already. i past my test last week, and the first big bike i own is a burger 400 2004 K4.

I travelled from leicester to london to collect it. And the ride back last saturday was smooth and uneventful.

However this wednesday gone, i have noticed the bike seems to be shudering a lot. Its shudering from setting off, which i thought might just be engine vibration at first. But once i get to 50mph or beyond the shuddering is bad enough to be rattling my head in my helmet

I have googled burgman 400 & shudering. And it seems to be a common problem on 2007-2008 models. No mention of 2004's that i can find.

Various suggestions are mentioned from wheel balance to changing pulleys?

Have you guys got any thoughts, what should i check out first?

[JohnR93]

Start at the simplest first, wheel balancing. The weights are self adhesive and can 'drop' off. You may be able to see a small square patch of sticky stuff where the weight was on the rim(s). If they are still there, and the tyres are new(ish) they may not have been re-balanced on fitting. If it's not this, move on to checking other things like a worn belt etc.

[Data]

As John says...

It's unlikely to be a clutch shudder, judder problem as it only occurs at 50mph. The clutch will be locked up way before that and the shudder would be there right away mostly if it was the clutch. This means it's more likely to be a wheel balance or tyre problem. If a Burgman has been ridden slowly for a long time, it is sometime evident that the bike isn't quite as smooth at speeds of 50-60mph or above when you first start to go faster again. This is often caused by a build up of transmission dust on the belt and pullys. A fast run or two often cures it. But check out the wheels first for balance and tyre defects then post back here with what you find.

Oh....nearly forgot! CONGRATUALTIONS ON PASSING YOUR TEST FOR BIGGER BIKES.

[ridinhigh]

he says its shuddering from setting off,now that to me does not sound like wheel balance,he could have a faulty tyre bulges on it,
but its not balance problems ,that wont manifest itself till a certain speed

[Data]

ridinhigh, yep you are right. Flanker, sorry I misread the post and due to being up most of the night wasn't firing on all brain cells. Most probably is some clutch or variator problem or a very worn belt with some bits missing from it. Could be worth checking the tightness of the clutch and variator holding nuts as if they work loose it will vibrate alot and could cause considerable damage. Don't delay!

[GTscootz]

Could the rollers be so worn they have flat spots??

[Flanker37]

It was my wheel out of balance, and only cost me £10.

So i can't really argue.

So now that i have my 2004 K4 Burger, what can i do to improve her over the next few months?

[Dave Weller]

Keep filling it up with petrol, in other words, get out and practice as much as possible, buy an advance riding guide and rack up the miles until you are at one with it.

[ridinhigh]

so really pleased about simple cure

[R1K SU]

Go out with other more experienced riders, and follow their lines around corners, it will give you more confidence, dont lag to far behind them, stay withing 20-50ft
Follow other bikes and learn from them, find out when bike nights are, hang out pick up tips
I used to ride on my own and didnt learn much, but as soon as I found guys to ride with I improved very fast