are 03 650's problematic?

[QWK C5]

Curious to know if there are a lot of problems with the 03? Found one for sale in my area with only 3200 miles on it and appears to be in close to new condition cosmetically. I really don't have a lot of money and time to pour into repairs. The seller is asking for $4500 and I'm sure it's negotiable but, if I have to spend a couple of K's to get it right I'll wait for a new 09 and suffer the rest of the summer without one. Any input and opinions will be appreciated and respected. I want to be out on a Burg soooo baaad, but not at any cost.

[Ken]

I don't know that they are problematic any more or less than the newer ones. $4500 may be a little steep although there is increased demand for all scoots. The seller will probably have trouble getting $45. Very low miles and good cosmetics along with good maintenance history will make the price higher. How are tires and battery and add on accessories? $35 to 38 may be more in line with what they were 5 or 6 months ago but all things are changing with our economy and the cost of energy. Shorter story, I have an 03 for past 1 1/2 years and other than normal maintenance, no problems. I really like the 650 and have no regreets for the purchase.

[JohnK]

Some of the earlier K3's had some problems with front wheel bearings and an ignition switch recall, other then that they have been trouble free. Wheel bearing replacements if needed are only about $15 and the vin # can be used to check if the recall was done and is a no charge item by Suzuki. My FIL bought a used K3 about a year ago and has had no problems with it. It was in good shape and test drove fine. We got a good deal on it for $3,700. We changed all the fluids as soon as we got it and have done nothing else to it since except routine maint. We just came back from a 1,000 mile round trip to the mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway and it performed flawlessly.

Not sure about your area but retail is $4,500 in my area. Go to KBB.com and plug in your Zip code for retail in your area.

If it has been well maintained, has no issues with dry rot of the rubber parts and tires and test drives good then you should be okay.

[Dave_J]

I have a 03. Bought it with 12K miles, now have about 38K miles. I had a problem with front wheel bearings twice. I replaced the first set with cheap Carquest units. Failed in 6,000 miles so I bought the best ones and have over 12,000 on them. The early bearings had a steel shield/seal on only one side. My first replacements had steel seals on both sides @ $4.95. The last ones @ $6.95 each, have rubber seals on both sides, the best without spending big $$$ for these http://championballbearings.com/hybrid.html that cost about $45 each. Just oil, filters, antifreeze, sparkplug, ect... normal maintenance changes like any other equipment I own.

Only thing I would have held out for was the 05 and up have an Overdrive feature, amongst
a few other items like a lieing MPG gage (stops at 50 MPG) and outside air temp gage. But I would not have spent too much more just for them.

Just remember, as with any motorcycle, tires are one of the hugest costs per mile. DaveJ

[Colchicine]

Go to my Index, where I have a section on the differences between the 2003s and the 2008s. Also, there is a section on Recalls.

http://colchicine.googlepages.com/burgmanpopulartopics

Differences between years

viewtopic.php?p=286373#p286373
viewtopic.php?p=41396#p41396
viewtopic.php?f=40&t=15786

2003-2004 Ignition Switch

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9179
viewtopic.php?p=87147#p87147
viewtopic.php?p=69760#p69760
viewtopic.php?p=77165#p77165
viewtopic.php?p=89567#p89567

[LeDude]

The only chronic problem that I recall reading about on a regular basis were the wheel bearings, other than that it is as good a model year as any other. The 03/04s were a bit chattier, as far as that dieseling noise goes, than 05+ model years.

If you can get it for a good price, go for it, just be sure to change all the fluids before putting a lot of miles on it, I would do everything,

Engine, transmission, final gear, coolant, front/rear brake fluids. Lube everything and you should be good to go.

[chessie650]

I bought a 03 650 used last year with 16,000 miles. I love it. I'll replace the wheel bearings before my big trip next month just for added insurance. I would buy another one of the same year in a heart beat. It is somewhat noisy at idle and low speed but you'll get used to it and it doesn't affect reliability, at least so far. If you get it, you can trade up to a newer one in a year or two. If the price of fuel is and dollar drop in value stays with us, the resale value of it shouldn't drop much.

[dkcambel]

Looking through the service records on mine (2003 model & previous owner kept meticulous records). Only problems it's had were the front wheel bearings and the recall work. It's probably good to go. I anticipate having to replace the battery soon though. 5 years is about the most you can expect out of a battery. And ditto to the advice to replace all fluids...

[rlyons]

I had an 03 before I bought the 07 and didn't have one problem with it. I replaced the wheel bearings when changing tires just because but the old ones were fine. In my opnion it was just as good as the 07. I just happened on a deal on an 07 and took it.

[Ken]

I replaced all wheel bearings in mine at 7K miles because so many did have a problem with them. When I removed mine, they were still good but only sealed on one side. I cleaned and greased the old ones, put them in a baggie and stored them in the glove box in case I was on the road and needed one in an emergency. If memory is correct, front and rear bearings with seals was about $30 for the good ones. I consider bearing check or replacement at tire change time to be normal and routine maintenance.

On a 650 with 28K, I'd bet that they have probably been changed already.

[Gerthurman]

I have a '03 650 with 17000 + miles. No problems other than the typical maintenance.

[Jim]

No more than some of the newer ones.

[rossrandy]

i bought 2003 new.i do basic fluid changes,usually let trained dealer mechanics do everything else.i have found it to be absolutely reliable to this day.i had rear bearings fail early but they were replaced without incident, that was the only on road failure[drove below speed limit to dealer].couple rear tire leaks because i picked up nail/screw replaced the tire immediately.i have just over 55500 kilometers on my odometer.only problem i see is my cost of tires[$270 rear installed],too much high speed riding and road hazards giving average lifespan of 10ooo kilometers for rear tire.would i buy another burgman if this one ever needs replacing, "YES"

[QWK C5]

thanks for all your posts. I've decided to wait and purchase an 09 because I'm drawing close to the end of summer here, all the dealers have no stock here and the biggest factor, I purchased a swimming pool for the wife, who is recovering from cancer and all the treatments. I can put my desires on the back burner for the time being for my best friend/better half. In the meantime I'll be taking the MSF course and prepping for my Burg.

[Dave_J]

[SNIP]... I can put my desires on the back burner for the time being for my best friend/better 3/4's. In the meantime I'll be taking the MSF course and prepping for my Burg.[End of SNIP

Two very good decisions, BRAVO man. DaveJ

[Ken]

thanks for all your posts. I've decided to wait and purchase an 09 because I'm drawing close to the end of summer here, all the dealers have no stock here and the biggest factor, I purchased a swimming pool for the wife, who is recovering from cancer and all the treatments. I can put my desires on the back burner for the time being for my best friend/better half. In the meantime I'll be taking the MSF course and prepping for my Burg.

I don't know where you are located but summer has just begun for us. Weatherman just said we can expect 100 by this Sat with feel like temp of 105. Hope everything is going well with your better half's recovery. Wish I had know you were getting a pool, I would have sold you mine. After 32 years of pool maintenance and grown kids with a pool that was seldom used, We had it filled in. Haven't landscaped yet as we are waiting for the ground to fully settle.

[sewjourner]

I'm 36k in and loving every minute of it. Spring comes, I pop off the tupperware and change out all the fluids with synth, plugs and filters and bamb. My car never seems me until winter... usually about 20 F or so. I love the rain. Last year I got into my car to move it,.... battery was dead. hahahaha... I didn't care. Hopped on my scoot and away I went. This is my 14th bike or so....what's the old saying, "once you get a scoot, it never gets the boot" ? You'll have to peal it from my cold dead hands.... which actually could happen.

I did wheel bearings and that's it. Oh eventually my kickstand kill switch stuck and had to be cleaned. Wish I could say that about any car I've ever owned.
One last thing, I dark-sided the back tire and love it and don't change it out every 5 minutes.

[MJR]

Wow a post from 2008! I wish my '03 hadn't had the CVT bearing crap out taking the primary shaft splines with it.