Rides Great - Less Expensive!

The Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive is the bike for those who value comfort, convenience, economy, and performance more than the approval of hardcore bikers. Its 638 cc., twin cylinder, fuel injected, four valve per cylinder engine is quiet and powerful. It’s large, padded seat and long floorboards m...ake it easy to get comfortable and stay comfortable for hours at a time. The low, covered engine does not emit heat on the driver on hot days. The fairing and windshield provide substantial protection which reduces driver fatigue on long trips. The under seat storage accommodates two full-face helmets or a helmet, jacket, gloves and other incidentals. It runs on regular fuel and has averaged 54-57 mpg consistently. Insurance is also a bargain (I pay $176 annually for full coverage including towing). Often when I pull into a gas station or a restaurant, I am greeted by curious bystanders who are intrigued by the bike and full of questions. Although many hard core bikers will recoil at the fact that it is an automatic, the CVT transmission has a clutch less manual mode for those times when one wants to “run it through the gears”. In fact, the manual mode can be engaged at any speed as the transmission selects the appropriate gear ratio based on speed, e.g., if one shifts (by mere press of a button) to manual mode when traveling at 60 mph, the transmission goes into fifth gear. There is a practical aspect to shifting into manual mode at or near this speed as by pressing the upshift button, the transmission goes into Overdrive and engine revs drop by a few hundred rpm which reportedly increases fuel economy by up to four mpg. Further convenience is provided by the onboard 12 volt outlet. In short, it is fun yet practical machine that can be used as a daily commuter or long distance tourer. While the initial response of hard core bikers I have encountered on the road is sometimes derisive, after a few minutes of conversation I have listened to more than one recount the story of a friend who bought a Burgman for his wife, and is now riding it himself instead of his own testosterone pumping machine, no doubt because the Burgman is simply “a better ride.” Read Full Review

When do you know that a bike is right for you?

When do you know that a bike is right for you? I think you should like how it looks and how it feels. Comfort doesn't just apply to your riding position, but also your mental state. In this regard, the Burgman 650 offers easiest most hassle free riding I've ever done. Sure, the comfortable upright r...iding position with multiple choices where to put your feet is great, but the mental ease of riding this bike is a God send for those of us who want to do anything a street bike can do without trepidation.

After riding this bike for a few days and taking it on a couple of extended rides, I wanted to post my initial impressions and perhaps put some information down that I couldn't easily find on the 'net.

Having mostly had cruiser style bikes, and most recently the 800+ lb. RSTD, I must say that the Burgman feels much different. Not only is it a couple hundred lbs. lighter, but despite having the same brake configuration (dual front disks, rear single disk) the braking is much smoother on the Burgman which is attributable to both smoother braking by the pads as well as a very flat stop without noticeable fork lunge. The suspension of this bike is much more sporty and stiffer than your cruisers, and this makes their manageability much nicer.

There is some information that isn't readily available from the Suzuki Website, and folks are asking these questions, so I'll state them here.

The rear wheel comes standard with a 90 degree valve stem, but the front wheel does not.

The GVWR of the 2007 Suzuki Burgman 650 is 999 lbs.

This is important to know when you are a 300lb guy. You need to know how much cargo/passenger weight you can carry. With a Dry weight listed around 525 lbs. the real world loaded up weight seems to be closer to 600 lbs. So If I'm riding, I only have about 100 lbs. of room left for passengers & such. There is generally a built-in safety margin in this figure, so I'd feel comfortable taking a small passenger, but I must warn you that exceeding the GVWR of any vehicle is done at your own risk.

My first ride on a Burgman 650 one made me a little nervous. The smaller wheels definitely make the cornering geometry feel much different. The bike leans much quicker than the big cruiser and definitely feels more agile.

The city or suburbs is the traditional domain of a scooter. If your riding a traditional 80cc, 125cc or 250cc scooter you know that maneuvering around the streets and parking lots is a breeze. Fortunately, the Burgman 650 retains this ease of low speed maneuvers and parking lot movement. However, on the surface streets the Burgman gets up to speed with little effort. The Electronically Controlled Variable Transmission (ECVT) is very intuitive. With three modes to use (standard, power & manual) you can choose how many rpms you want per gear.

Many folks ask the question "but how does it feel at highway speeds"? This may sound crazy to some, but this is probably the most comfortable, smoothest highway bike I've ever ridden. It feels pretty much the same at 70 mph as it does at 35. Smooth, controlled, comfortable. I believe an aftermarket larger windshield is a common mod for these as the factory one seems too short and too narrow for great protection. I'm about 5' 11" and I have a 30" inseam and a long torso, so this is one mod I'll be looking at. Long distance touring seems a completely viable possibility with this bike.. It doesn't feel like any scooter I've ever ridden before - it is quick and responsive with no problem getting up to 80 mph or more with just a twist of the wrist.

I only ever ridden one sport bike and that was back in 1985 when my friend and I switched bikes on a trip to Oroville. He rode my 1984 Magna and I rode his 1985 500cc Honda Interceptor. Though the riding position is vastly different, the small front wheel of the Interceptor and the smaller wheels on the Burgman 650 give both bikes a similar cornering feel and capability. Ground clearance is good. This is where the ECVT Automatic Transmission is most impressive. You can go manual and treat it like a paddle shifter, you can go in power mode or leave it in standard mode. In all cases the transmission feels very intuitive. Just a roll off of the throttle seems to put the bike in just the right gear to negotiate a curve with the greatest of ease. Would it be crazy to classify this as a sport-scooter? I think that's a valid description.

Having read multiple reviews of satisfied owners and not readily finding any reviews that pan this bike, I am thrilled that this machine is in my garage. I can see this bike providing many years of satisfied ownership. At this point I can say this is my most favorite two wheeled machine that I've ever owned. What is the opposite of buyers remorse? Whatever that is, that is what I have.

Yolanda
http://automotive-clip.blogspot.com Read Full Review

The Best, from "Wrongway"

I have had[no kidding]over a hundred bikes in my 74 years of actual riding,I am 87,and am now on my fourth Burgman 650. models 2002,2004,2006,2008, and have to say no other bike I have owned can come anywhere near them for pure riding pleasure,I am a member of the Ulysses of 22 years and a lot of my... friends are now riding Burgmans after seeing mine perform.I also tried Yamaha Majesty 400,MP3 Piago 400 which were very good but have swinging engines where the Burgman is fixed and has a mechanical rear wheel drive in oil and has very generous storage. Read Full Review

Blast

Make the beast with a 1000cc motor and they will all come to ride it. Excellent all weather cruising scooter. Its part of the family now. Ive owen Harley to Honda but this one has em all beat.Very fun to ride. Read Full Review

The Ideal Compromise

I don't mean to belittle the Burgman Exec by using the word "compromise." I mean that it should meet the needs of most people looking for a fun to ride, comfy scoot that can go all day! Read Full Review