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

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The introduction into the category continues .......75 HP and a lot of tech....

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Article Summary December 18, 2006 When Honda released the first mass-produced four-cylinder motorcycle in 1969, the 72 bhp CB750K caused a sensation due to its performance. The horsepower and capacity wars that followed have seen the capacity of production motorcycles raised to a staggering 2.3 litres and it seems that the scooter world is following suit with the announcement of the Gilera GP 800, an 850cc V-twin-engined scooter that will most likely become the the world’s fastest scooter when it hits showroom floors a year from now. Suzuki kicked off the maxiscooter craze in 1999 with its Burgman 400, then Yamaha followed with the 40 horsepower twin cylinder 500 T-Max in 2000, then Honda trumped that with the 50 bhp Silver Wing 600 twin then in 2002, Suzuki raised the bar further with the Burgman 650. As forecast earlier this year, Piaggio (which owns Gilera, Vespa, Moto Guzzi, Aprilia and Derbi) has been working on a new 850cc maxi scooter and the bike was shown publicly for the first time in Milan. The scooter will bear the Gilera name, with its 75bhp 90 degree V-twin motor giving it a top speed of more than 120mph. Perhaps even more significantly, the Aprilia engine comes straight from the new Aprilia Mana and features an advanced electronic transmission.
A simple touch of the button on the handlebar and you enter into a completely different world. Three separate mappings for the totally automatic transmission and a sequential shift with 7 gears make it easy to find the best-adapted configuration for the riding conditions.
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more

http://www.gizmag.com/go/6632/picture/29968/
 
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Like the Honda, it seems to be more of of a PC800 than a real scooter, although I'm sure it dances nicely. After riding the Burger, the lack of a step-though would be a deal-breaker. Ditto on a proper trunk.

Mind you, the scooter/beginner market is probably more accepting of automatic transmissions, so it may be a smart business decision.
 
MacDoc said:
mmm that's a step through

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Looks taller then other scoots, at least in the "step through" area. Still a scooter, but looks like its almost getting close to the flat seats of the old 70's bikes... a bit of a stretch, but will stick with it :p

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If I must split hairs, it's more of a step-over, similar to the T-Max.
 
Yes - no question there is a move to step over - what I find amusing is on overnights seeing the lack of storage riders doing the high kick - usually on the step over to get on :D

Seat is taller than the Burgman 780 versus 750 mm which is a bit more than an inch so may suit taller riders some of whom find the Burgman cramping their knees.
 
Just finished a five hour ride--only about 300km done slowly. Knees were a bit stiff, but only for a few minutes after I parked. We have winner! Hopefully there's another weekend like today before the season is done.
 
I got 700k in from 11am to 7pm long loop to Dover and then North of KW into Amish country.
Up to 17 along the Lake to Turkey point....10 when I got home.
Should be some decent days. If you have a backrest try stretching your legs straight.
You're not riding upright - flat foot are you??

If youi meant stiff from the cold...yeah the knees do get nailed along with back of hands.....grip heaters were appreciated today.
 
I ride extended on the diagonals, with upright and streetbike crouch mixed in for variety. It changes the pressure points on the seat and back posture, which is great. The stiffness was similar to the sort experienced during a long car drive. Nothing serious and easily dispelled with a quick stretch.

The scoot's previous owner installed a GIVI windscreen (with the wind deflectors at hand height) and I run heated gloves, so the cold wasn't much of a bother. Definitely need a heated vest or jacket. Even a heavy lined textile coat gets chilly after a while.
 
as I was saying about the transmission - that's where the magic resides....and this is a very good explanation of why and how....

Burgman 650: Automatic Transmission (SECVT)

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Burgman 650: Suzuki Electrically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (SECVT)

Summary: The Burgman 650 Executive has a fantastic, computer-controlled automatic transmission, with rider-selectable performance modes; a.k.a. Suzuki Electrically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (SECVT).

I am so pleased with the performance of my Burgman 650 Executive, which is largely a result of the automatic transmission this maxi-scooter employs. After riding the Burgman for 22 months and 60,000 km, I felt it was time to put the praise out to the world.
How Do I Know the SECVT is a Great Transmission?

I have tested the SECVT on many of my motorcycle journeys, in and Around Australia, over 13 hours of straight riding, and 1,300 km only quickly stopping for fuel. I rode it up and down the Great Dividing Range, from sea level to 1,500 metres AMSL in 2 hours, and down again. I rode through some of Australia's toughest desert roads; roads, no sane person would take this scooter there
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; I did, and I am proud I did!
The SECVT endured the longest stretch of straight road (146 km) in Australia, and the worst roads imaginable for a scooter, such as hundeds of kilometres of endless gravel roads and creek beds — with and without water in it. This SECVT performed, and is still performing, flawlessly! I simply love it.
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the technical part.....continues
http://www.max.grenkowitz.net/?topic=989
 
I did a tour in Japan a few years ago. The group was mostly on Ducatis and naked liter bikes. Our guide, and group leader, was on a Burgman with his 12 year old son on the back. We had all we could handle keeping up with him in the mountains, and he totally lost us in Tokyo traffic. Check your ego at the door, and try one of these out. There’s nothing wrong with comfort and convenience, especially when speed and handling are part of the package.
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comment on this article

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/10/large-displacement-scooters-where-the-rubber-meets-the-road/
 
Probably on Metzeler Feelfree Wintec's...which you cannot order into Canada :(
 
Here comes the mid range CVTs from BMW

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article

http://3d-car-shows.com/2011/the-new-bmw-c-600-sport-and-bmw-c-650-gt/

snip

The two-cylinder inline engine of the C 600 Sport and C 650 GT is an all-new development by BMW Motorrad with a displacement of 647 cc. In both models, its rated power output is 60 hp at 7,500 rpm, and its max torque of 49 lb-ft is available at 6,000 rpm. The power is transferred via a directly integrated CVT, or continuously variable transmission.
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You CAN shift when you want - you soon won't bother.
CVT = that nice rush when you are in the sweet spot for each gear??
Well that sweet spot just stays there all the time in Power mode. Roll and go

For cruising you just leave it in standard mode and the computer does the economy thing. A hand and mind saver in stop and go traffic -
You eliminate shifting from your riding and until you've used one you can't know how liberating that is. Your attention is fully on the riding, the line, the braking.

extensive photos here

http://www.mcnews.com.au/2012_Bikes/BMW/C600_C650GT/BMW_Scooter_Images/pages/BMW_C650GT_STORAGE.htm

Long explanation of the thinking and engineering here.

http://www.mcnews.com.au/2012_Bikes/BMW/C600_C650GT/BMW_Scooter.htm

I prefer the GT look and feature set tho it's very much a duplicate of the Burgman 650 Exec.
( imitation and flattery come to mind ).
Having a matching top case on the GT would bring a very sweet mid range tourer that is much fun in the twisties ( all the CVT designs by nature are due to centre of gravity and nature of the transmission.
They hint at the Burgman grin here - fascinating - not a normal German term - seems they surprised themselves.... :D

In the field, the overall concept behind the two maxi scooters' suspension systems manifests itself particularly in ease of manoeuvrability, for instance in city traffic, and in fascinating riding stability on country roads and motorways.
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The one real attraction is the BMW suspension is likely head and shoulders above the Burgman ( it's weakest aspect ).
Also the slight extra power would be welcome. Most else is near identical....I suspect Suzuki will respond in 2013.
 
Damn, that's f'n ugly.
 
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