Hello all - new to this forum, but wanted to add my 2-cents about mega-scooters. I have been riding for over 20 years. Bikes varying from Bandits, Katanas, GSXRs, and cruisers of all sizes, metric and otherwise (even a Honda Elite 150 scooter back in the '80s). Due to a work injury last year, the damage to my left foot has made it difficult for me to comfortably execute shifts on a typical motorcycle. So, with reluctance, I sold my baby: my 2003 Vulcan 1500 Nomad FI. I really do miss her, but this also began my search for an alternative to keep me on two wheels. Hence, my discovery of the Burgman 650, and several owners groups/forums. I took the plunge last week, and as many had warned me, I just may never go back to a "regular" motorcycle again. So allow me to repeat my post from BurgmanUSA.com:
I picked up my shiny blue new-to-me 2005 Burgman 650 this past Saturday. It actually had 14,700km on it, not the Kijiji-advertised 9200. The seller said he meant miles in the classified ad, which is weird, as it is a Canadian model, with metric instrumentation and confirmed VIN. However, he didn't STATE miles in the ad, so I argued for a couple hundred more off the price before I would ride it away. Either he gave in, or I was hopping back in the car that drove me there. He gave in. All-in-all, I got a good deal, and am satisfied.
The seller lives about 2 hours from me, and I chose a route back that would take me through some nice countryside roads, as well as a brief blast on a major highway, so I could experience the scoot in many situations. For those of you that might know the area, I started in Kitchener, up through Erin, Caledon, Orangeville, Hockley, etc. In any case, as some of you posted in this thread, and many more posts that I read here on this site and others predicted, I am amazed with this bike. Call it a scooter, bike, whatever you want; it is so smooth and powerful that I had to stop a few blocks away from my starting point and just stand by the curb and stare at it in amazement. Nothing could have prepared me for just how well this package is put together.
Remember that I am coming off a 1500cc v-twin cruiser: not much power, but LOTS of torque. Never had an issue with lack of pull, or out on the highway. But the Burgman feels like it could literally run circles around my Vulcan. However, the most impressive thing about the Burgie is the way it rides at freeway speeds. No buzzing, not strained at all, still decent passing power left in reserve, even at 120km/h +. Simply amazing! It was difficult at times to rein my speed in, the scoot easily cruising well above posted limits. If I didn't pay attention, I'd constantly be 15-25km above where I should be. Something to get used to, but impressive all the same.
My first addition will be one of those windscreen spoilers I have seen folks talk about on various forums. The large Givi screen on this Burgie is pretty good, leaving my eye-line about 2 inches above the top of the screen. However, there is some buffeting, particularly above 100km/h. I hope the MRA X-Creen Touring Spoiler will get rid of that - looks like a decent product, so I ordered one up this afternoon (and received it next day from aviciouiscycle.ca). Addition #2 will be the Corbin Tall seat. I may be only 6-feet tall, but I really found that I was a little bit cramped. Would love another 2 to 4-inches of room. But this one will have to wait until my budget allows.
Overall, I am simply blown away. Really, it's not something you can adequately describe to another rider until they hop on and try it out for themselves. Finally, I see what all of 'those scooter people' have been raving about. In honour of my previous Vulcan 1500 Nomad, which was my dream bike (I still look at pictures and sigh), I am naming my Burgman 'The Nomad', and I hope to be wandering many miles this season astride her. See you out there!
