In case you were wondering about those big scoots.....

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100,000km AN650 Executive review

Postby biggles » Mon Aug 27, 2012 7:55 07
It's been a bit over 4 years and I've just clocked over 100,000km,
I could probably go on forever but off the top of my head:

Things I love (in no particular order)
- reliability
- performance
- storage
- quiet, even without ear plugs
- handling: effortless, forgiving
- ABS you can't practise skids on a bike...
- the tricky transmission
- electric screen
- electric mirrors
- pretty much everything ...

favourite accessories
- helmet hook (under the top box)
- electronic cruise control
- top box
- heated handgrips

things that have gone wrong
- front wheel bearing (was incorrectly assembled)
- handbreak warning light doesn't always work
- electric screen didn't move when asked to (a few times, works OK now)

design flaws
- air filter, dirty side up means when you remove it, debris falls into the engine side of the filter case
- Position of radiator dictates the need for front mud flap unless you stick to clean bitumen

Things I don't like so much
- servicing at dealerships. Probably the greatest obstacle to me buying another Suzuki
- seat not as comfy as it looks
- softer rear suspension with a bit more wheel travel would be nice

Wish list
- a third "economy mode" for the transmission to maximise fuel ecconomy.

Summary:
I love it.
Click to expand...

•••

BMW-C-600-BMW-C-650-88-655x436.jpg


BMW is out with two competitors - my review of them after riding them at Mosport on the weekend is here.

http://www.burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=55309&start=50

Bottom line I'd consider the BMW GT650 if the price was right but the Burgman 650 is a keeper.
 
Most of the BMW reviews have been underwhelming. That's somewhat surprising considering how long the Burgman has been on the market (since 1999 or earlier in Japan, 2003 in NA). True, it's been carefully tweaked, but not redesigned.
 
MacDoc, good reviews, thanks.

Please help me out with this one: There's is (or seems to be) a manufacturer's discount on the leftover 2011 models (both Burgman 400 and 650).

2011 Burgman 400 for $7,000
2011 Burgman 650 for $9,000

Price includes PDI & Freight. Taxes and license are extra.

I already did extensive reading on the net about the two. In your opinion... What are the features in the 650 that are significant, that the 400 doesn't have, and that may be worth an extra $2k ?


Thanks!
 
They are very different machines - $9k for a new Exec is superb deal and there is not difference to the current model
( for all intents the models are identical 2009 through 2012. )

If you are a smaller or shorter rider the 650 might be a handful - this is a big bike - near 600 lb and capable of 170 kph and cruise all day on the slab at 130.
It will get to 100 kph right quick ( Burgman grin ).

For my view - the 400 is an in town commuter with highway capability. I've not ridden one but it has no where near the sophisticaiton of the 650 nor the ECVT trannie.
The 400 needs a belt change every 20k km as does the Silverwing - that is not the case at all with the 650.

The 650 Burgman Exec is still class leader and the feature set at $9k is superb.
If you join http://www.burgmanusa.com/forums/ you'll get varying views and a ton of good info.

Letting me know your use and height will help.

This was the review that got me into the category
http://www.onewheeldrive.net/2006/10/04/scoot-touring-the-honda-silverwing-and-suzuki-burgman/

The ECVT on the 650 Burgman is the magic - the big 850 Aprilla might match it but then $$$ and no storage.

When yo go to the Burgman site you will be shocked at the range of bikes 650 owners have or still own and for most the 650 is the choice ride.
Here's one guys take.

The Burgman 650 is a cross between a scooter, Goldwing and bullet bike. It's fast, comfortable and very manuverable. Braking is outstanding. Storage is terrific. I've owned many, many bikes of all brands and models, but the Burgman 650 is the best two wheeled vehicle I've ever owned. I bought my wife and 2002 for an anniversary present. At the time, I was riding a J1500 kawasaki Indian look alike, which I have since given my oldest son. I loved that bike, but must say that I love the Burgman even more. Now, my wife and I ride together, hassel free, with greater ease than any bikes we've had in the past. The seating and storage can't be beat. You can ride all day without paralyzing your crotch or hands. Gas milage, on the highway, is about 50 mpg, with 47 in the city. Manuverablity, in the city or on the highway is terrific. Acceleration, especially if you hit the power button, is excellent. You can easily put a muscle car down off the line and even do well against cruzers and smaller bullet bikes
Click to expand...

Unless you are height challenged or want a lighter in town ride - grab the Exec.
Sophisticated bit of kit.
 
If this is actually $10k then the GT may be a really winner.

2013-BMW-C600-Sport_004.jpg


Pretty fair evaluation from my experience riding them. Just don't believe the HP rating against the Burgman. The motors are just about identical in performance. The BMW might have a bit more top end - the Burgman get there quicker due to the more sophisticated transmission.

Still at $3k less with similar features and better suspension the GT650 is certainly a contender for the machine I take to Australia.

BMW-C-650-GT-action3.jpg


The windshield is a treat - nice intermediate tourer, well priced and surprising hustle. Up to 120 ( fastest we went ) the 1300 BMW ahead of me on the demo ride did not pull away from the 650 GT. Joys of CVT.
 
Came across this which is indicative of the many of the experienced riders on the Burgman site regarding the 650

[2007 Suzuki Burgman 650]

2007 Suzuki Burgman 650

This is the other of my "two favorite motorcycles." As you will see next I have a 2007 GL1800 ABS. If I could have only one motorcycle at this moment--bye, bye GL. The Burger is fast enough to smoke most on a H-Ds, comfortable enough for an 850 mile day (I've done that twice), get 50 mpg at 75 mph
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http://www.sportbikeroads.com/mybikes.htm

28 motorcycles since 1966

Coming up to a new season and there are more choices out there now

came out of this thread...

Re: Am I missing much not getting a motorcycle?

Postby Chérie » Wed Feb 13, 2013 21:14 21
You not miss nothing !

Many many BUSA member here ride for 20-30-40 + year, many have own 5-10-20 and more mc during such period, most here will say Burgman 650 is exceptional bike and will compare well if not better than many mc, burgie more confortable, versatile and better all around than most other mc they have before, except perhaps for mc like gold wing or BMW touring bike.

Last year during bike vacation in USA one from group have accident wreck new Honda, was in hospital 3 day, group have to ride about 400 mile back to get very confortable car to go back and pick-up rider with many broken rib, shoulder, ankle , knee, etc. Me have 115 lb passenger on Burgie but take lead of group, set ride pace for go back at continuous 80-85 mph sometime 90mph on interstate in several state, ride green mountain white mountain, adirondack and never slow down except gas stop, never shift at all but use power button few time, other riders with motorcycle believe they shift 2000 + time, they fatigue when get home, me could have continue many many mile more, and harley rider burn out by bike vibration of harley bike, everyone ride with me know Burgie 650 good machine, but now very very impress by speed maintain over such long distance.

When purchase first burgie in 2005 me worry a lot about what other think and say about me with big maxi-scoot intead of other mc, after when put several Harley bike in shame then me over that issue and Burgie 650 grow on you and more you ride more you love the burgie 650 bike.

Only 2 bike me would consider now, Goldwing and Victory Vision Tour, I go to show room I find both bike so beautiful but when get off and think have so much shifting again + engine heat that burn leg, I then become so very happy with Burgie 650 and so joyful get back on Burgie again.

Burgie 650 good in city yes, but even better when touring, incredible bike especially in mountain, twisties, fantastic biker in bad and good weather, It just do so many thing very well.

[video=youtube;WGwXi60p7wY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGwXi60p7wY[/video]

This person own 28 mc, Burgman 650 is one of 2 favorite mc he own since 1966.

http://www.sportbikeroads.com/mybikes.htm
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Quebec rider with English as a second language.
http://www.burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=60237&p=557453#p557453

I have to admit the ST1100 is terrific for power but the engine heat and the clutching/shifting takes away from it once you understand there is a different approach.

The KLR is not an issue with engine heat tho the shifting at times is annoying - it's got so much grunt you can be a bit sloppy and it's a necessary evil for off road - gotta have that clutch.
The upright seating on the KLR is very nice and I bought risers for the ST1100 to help that a bit and get away from the engine heat.

Still prefer the 650 Exec all around tho.
Keep your options open - there are 10,000 members on the Burgman site alone that understand the appeal of no shifting......and they've owned just about every bike there is.
 
Re: Burgman 650 Updated for 2013

Most of those are screen caps from the Suzuki promotional video. Here's a better gallery for details: http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2013-suzuki-burgman-650-is-all-new-photo-gallery-50193.html

The new styling isn't so disjointed looking now, although the early appearances at bike shows may have been prototypes. A claimed increase in fuel economy is about the only real news besides the bodywork. Hopefully it's a prelude to an engineering update similar to the 1200>1250 Bandits.
 
Re: Burgman 650 Updated for 2013

I wonder how Honda's NC700X would've stacked up if it were an option at the time
 
Re: Burgman 650 Updated for 2013

AF4iK said:
I wonder how Honda's NC700X would've stacked up if it were an option at the time
Click to expand...

The Integra? About the same horsepower and 100 lbs lighter would probably give it the "performance" edge. Mind you, the Burg's SECVT is a surprising bit of technology, so maybe not. The same budget suspension and less storage would be marks against it. Especially the storage part. Once you have a trunk, tankbags and bungie nets don't cut it anymore.
 
Re: Burgman 650 Updated for 2013

Flywheel said:
The Integra? About the same horsepower and 100 lbs lighter would probably give it the "performance" edge. Mind you, the Burg's SECVT is a surprising bit of technology, so maybe not. The same budget suspension and less storage would be marks against it. Especially the storage part. Once you have a trunk, tankbags and bungie nets don't cut it anymore.
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It's got less storage volume but still a pretty cavernous compartment where the conventional fuel tank would be. Plus he'd have the manual tranny back... though as you've said, the CVT apparently is a plus to those who have it.
 
Re: Burgman 650 Updated for 2013

Does anyone own a T-Max? I really like the looks of the T-Max over the Burgman. Very popular in Europe from what I hear and just a stiff price tag here in North America.
 
Re: Burgman 650 Updated for 2013

No ownership but like the BMW sport it's neither fish nor fowl. Not enough storage.
Decent look. But you should take a look at the re-designed 650 Exec as it has shifted somewhat. Also all the step throughs look very different when a rider is aboard.

AN8E0153.jpg

Burgman-front-action1.jpg


01yamaha-tmax-white.jpg

Notice he is carrying a back pack....what's the point of a scoot without storage.

but that is a cool looking machine and much lighter.
TMAX.jpg


They ALL look lanky and awkward from the side when parked.
The TMax has a high step through.

It's a big price tag for the T-Max. I can see it in Europe where the heavy traffic and shorter commutes are common and the big scoots have a significant presence.
Like the BMW Sport model ...think it's not right for North America.

Depends on what you are after in a ride.
 
Re: Burgman 650 Updated for 2013

PaisaMed said:
Does anyone own a T-Max? I really like the looks of the T-Max over the Burgman. Very popular in Europe from what I hear and just a stiff price tag here in North America.
Click to expand...

I have one. I posted above a question to MacDoc about the Suzuki's Burgmans because I was about to buy one, but I ended buying a 2009 Tmax 500cc (barely used). I got it at the end of the season (Sept 2012) and can't wait for spring to take it for a longer ride.
 
rarely see so honest a transition

e: Considering transitioning to a 650 Executive

Postby osbornk » Sun Apr 07, 2013 18:43 18

My friend, who has a 2006 R1200RT, bought a 650 last spring. A group of us get together one or two times each week to take a ride of 150-250 miles. In the beginning, he would occasionally ride the 650 instead of the BMW.
By the fall, he would almost always ride the 650 rather than the BMW (and we ride crooked mountain roads). It took him all summer to talk me into riding his 650 instead of my BMW.

When I finally rode it, I bought a 400, even though the only thing the 650 and 400 have in common is the name. We both find we have to make ourselves ride the BMWs to keep the battery charged and we would both choose the Burgmans over the BMWs if we had to choose only one.

We found that shifting gears is highly over rated.
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yup :D and there is more choice out there these days....
 
Not about scoots directly but just reaffirms the move to high tech automatic transmissions at the very top end of speed and performance.

k-bigpic.jpg


It doesn't have a manual gearbox, but the PDK is supposed to be unbelievably fast and all new for this GT3. We'll live. We'll be sad. But we'll live.

UPDATE: It redlines at 9,000 RPM. It has 475 horsepower. It has rear-axle steering. It gets to 60 in 3.5 seconds. It's made me collapse with excitement.
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more of the high tech automatics coming on the motorcycle side as well...count on it.

Best quote of all

The Porsche 911 is all well and good. The 911 Turbo is fantastic. But people that like driving, well they get the 911 GT3. Here's the newest one. Holy **** this looks great. (UPDATE: It's better than you thought.)
Click to expand...
http://jalopnik.com/2014-porsche-911-gt3-this-is-it-updated-450987702

Lose the shifting and concentrate on the driving or riding.....:D
 
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A bit more insight from those that actually have a basis for comparison.

http://www.burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=61038

This comment was interesting

Nissan....already has most of their cars using CVT's...............!!!!! And I spoke to a number of owners and they just love the performance..............
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friend of mine who is very savvy said the same thing about the CVT cars.
 
The underlying principals in this case remain the same. Efficiency, flexibility in performance choices, maximizing performance without pouring out raw HP and letting the pilot concentrate on riding/driving rather than shifting.

There is an immense and growing amount of electronics and computer power in vehicles, traction control, ABS, even wheelie suppression....sophistication in transmission and allowing the characteristics to be changed and mapped is just one more step in that progression.
Hey no question at times it's plain fun rowing up through the gears and the move to retro style line ups just reinforces that.

But yanking that ST1100 hydraulic clutch in traffic gets old and hurting on my hands far too quick and being able to shift the performance of a staid commuter into a decent twisties machine is a total treat and there is far more along those lines coming. Aprilla has three ranges in it's version.

Another point too is it's getting expensive to ride just from a fuel standpoint and being able to offer BOTH fuel efficiency and retain decent performance with the touch of a button is appealing from that standpoint alone and switching the auto to manual lets me hypermile if I really want to extend the range by keeping it in overdrive.

Combine that with motor/trannie designs that keep the weight way down low so the Burgman which is only 45 lb lighter than the ST feels much more nimble in traffic.

The one reviewer on the NC700 which has similar high mileage commuter goals in mind concluded that if ever a machine wanted a CVT it was that one .....as it stood, it was boring and my experience and my son's simply confirmed that.

The BMW 650GT on the other hand up against the 1300 the lead rider was winding out kept pace easily up to 110 or so which really is a key aspect....half the horsepower but the trannie made the difference ( and lighter weight of course )

There has always been a promise in CVT and slowly it's being realized. Better materials will help as well. Choice is good.

When I started riding many cars were stick shift and most of us learned early on and there was little choice on the motorcycle side so the transition from car to motorcycle was easy.
Now there are few stick shifts by comparison and learning clutch and shifting is a barrier to riding that some simply don't want to cross and I think the manufacturers understand that.
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