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Oct 29, 2023

2023 Suzuki Burgman 400: Performance, Price And Photos

As one of the oldest and most popular maxi-scooters on the market, find out what

As one of the oldest and most popular maxi-scooters on the market, find out what makes the latest Burgman 400, an excellent urban commuter

Suzuki's Burgman 400 comes off a fresh update from MY2022, so the 2023 model is a carryover. Solid metropolitan good looks from the full bodywork joined with good road manners and interstate-capable speeds. Power still comes from a smooth operating, 400 cc engine with the usual automatic transmission, and comes with some plum engine-control electronics on par with much larger machines. It has a pretty good stock storage capacity to boost its commuter/grocery-getter chops, plus there's access to DC power to charge your devices underway.

The Burgman line started in 1998 with the 250 model, but the very next year saw the addition of the Burgman 400 which has continued up til the present and shows no signs of abating. It's worth mentioning that Suzuki chose the Burgman family for its experimental foray into hydrogen fuel-cell technology as an alternative to displaced-footprint, electric-battery bikes.

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Suzuki has been making this Burgman 400 engine for a hot minute, so the factory has had time to refine it over the years. The result is a tuned engine that delivers the goods and even comes with some ride-control electronics to boot.

First, the crunchy bits. Power comes from a 400 cc thumper with liquid cooling for the thermal stability and stamina it brings to the table, plus the engine water jacket helps to attenuate the mechanical noise that escapes the cases.

Dual over-head cams time the four-valve head with a lobe profile that minimizes the valve-overlap period for effective exhaust-gas scavenging while minimizing the free hydrocarbons that make it into the exhaust stream. This helps it qualify for sale anywhere in the U.S. and is Euro5 compliant.

The catalytic exhaust and Pulsed Secondary Air injector take care of the rest. As for electronics, an Easy Start feature pairs with an Automatic Idle Speed Control for stability at idle, even on cold starts. Traction control completes the drivetrain electronics suite.

The 2023 Suzuki Burgman 400 produces 28 horsepower and 25.9 pound-feet of torque. Power flows through a CVT gearbox that delivers the twist-and-go operation that scooter riders expect. It will get up to 60 mph pretty smartly, but the acceleration drops off from there, and the top speed is in the 85-to-90 mph range. That's plenty fast for interstate travel but is pretty limp for roll-on at speed.

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Suzuki keeps to the urban maxi-scoot design that always sets it apart from the Italian scooter style. A molded front fender leads the way and acts like a spoiler for the front forks, just like you'll find on larger machines. The main body carries a mixture of hard angles and gentle curves with a broad front fairing and vented windshield to protect the pilot's legs and trunk from wind and weather.

There's a pair of small storage compartments in the inner fairing with 6.3 liters of storage and with the rest of the storage stuck under the seat, it's scooter style. The seat is heavily sculpted to give your thighs a break both when riding, and after you put your feet down, with stadium seating, J.C. handles, and fold-up footpegs for your passenger's comfort. Plus, the rider's backrest is adjustable fore and aft by half an inch, so you can dial in for comfort. All-around LED lights ride at both ends to ensure good two-way visibility with the world.

Length

88.0 in. (2,235 mm)

Width

30.1 in. (765 mm)

Height

53.1 in. (1,350 mm)

Seat Height

29.7 in. (755 mm)

Wheelbase

62.2 in. (1,580 mm)

Ground Clearance

4.9 in. (125 mm)

Fuel Capacity

3.6 gal. (13.5 L)

Curb Weight

481 lb. (218 kg)

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Suzuki uses large-diameter, thin-wall tubing for the underbone-type frame on the Burgman 400 that necessitates that generous tunnel hump in between the footwells. Sure, a flat deck is easier to use, but this "maxi" type scoots all carry a tunnel, so it is what it is.

The front forks are motorcycle-sized with 41 mm inner tubes and a 4.3-inch suspension stroke that delivers a plush ride. Tubeless rubbers come in a 120/70 and 150/70 at the front and rear, respectively. The wheels are cast-alloy and come in a 15-inch diameter up front with a 13-inch rim out back.

Credit where it's due, Suzuki throws on a stock ABS feature with dual 260 mm discs ahead of a 210 mm disc, and twin-pot calipers for ample brakeage and the electronics to safely get the most out of it. It's rare to see dual front brakes on a full-size bike in this displacement range, let alone a scooter, so this is a really nice feature to have.

Front Suspension

471 mm telescopic, coil spring, oil damped

Rear Suspension

Link type, single shock, coil spring, oil damped

Front Tire

120/70-15M/C (56S), tubeless

Rear Tire

150/70-13M/C (64S), tubeless

Front Brake

Dual 260 mm disc, 2-piston calipers, ABS-equipped

Rear Brake

Disc brake, single 210 mm, 2-piston caliper, ABS-equipped

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The 2023 Suzuki Burgman 400 starts at $8,599. There's only one colorway in our market this year. It's a rather dark Solid Iron Gray paint that is almost institutional looking. Blue rims add the only splash of non-monochromatic color.

Warranty

12-month limited warranty

Colors

Solid Iron Gray

Price

$8,599

None of the usual suspects from the rest of the Big Four would quite do the job here, but it looks like BMW's C 400 GT does. The German machine comes with impeccable fit and finish, even though the factory managed to make three separate colorways, each in a monochromatic paint combo that is only marginally more interesting to look at than the Suzuki's duds. But, that's just vanity talking.

With the C 400 GT, BMW adopts more of a blocky look with its bodywork details, but the end result is much the same with an air of maturity that you just don't get from smaller scooter styles. An underbone frame causes the same tunnel hump between your feet, but that's not a surprise in this body style.

Double front disc brakes are a constant, as is a stock ABS feature, so the anchors break even. Beemer also runs full LED lighting and a self-calibrating Automatic Stability Control (traction control) feature to meet Suzuki point-for-point.

Power comes from a 350 cc thumper with 34 ponies and 26 pounds o' grunt on tap against 28/25.9 for more bang for your buck. The top speed is set at 86 mph for another break-even point. BMW brings the pain with a lower sticker at only $8,245, and that may be difficult for the Burgman to overcome.

He Said

"Looks like a solid commuter for a dignified rider. Perhaps the color choice was an effort to not put off riders who may be a little bit longer in the tooth, but it looks like it'll be freakin' hot under the Southern sun. Hits all the usual points, but the electronics really elevate it within the scooter hierarchy."

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says,

"Roll-on is still a little weak on the highway, so if your travels are mostly on highway routes, the Burgman might not be the best choice. Road-test it to see if it meets your needs. However, for urban and suburban roads, the Burgman 400 has good engine performance and nice torque low in the range for getting off the line like a boss."

Top speed of the Burgman 400 is about 85 MPH

Fuel economy for the Burgman 400 is a claimed 67 MPG.

The liquid-cooled 400 cc single-cylinder engine in the Burgman 400 produces 28 horsepower and 25.9 pound-feet of torque.

Requiring a motorcycle license for operation and with ample top speed to stay with traffic, the Burgman 400 is expressway legal.

TJ got an early start from his father and other family members who owned and rode motorcycles, and by helping with various mechanical repairs throughout childhood. That planted a seed that grew into a well-rounded appreciation of all things mechanical, and eventually, into a formal education of same. Though primarily a Harley rider, he has an appreciation for all sorts of bikes and doesn't discriminate against any particular brand or region of origin. He currently holds an Associate's degree in applied mechanical science from his time at the M.M.I.