burgman 650 - good purchase??

[halfabusa]

A quick comment about Meldrew's review, I changed the spark plugs on mine by just unscrewing one side of the radiator and pulling it outwards just enough to squeeze my hand through, so it's not always necessary to take the radiator out (and i have thick fingers)

I had a 2003 model which was my first maxi and loved it to bits. Mine was not the exec model with all the gizmos. It came with a givi screen which was very good on weather protection. I rode it for a few years and would have kept it for longer but it died on me one day due to primary spline issue which is very well known for burgman 650's of that vintage. I think that issue was fixed from 2006 or 2008, can't remember what year exactly.

Wheels were already in bad condition when i bought it, even though the owner i bought from kept it in a heated garage (might be due to the owner before him?) and I kept mine in garage for a while until we moved to another property which didn't have a garage, and i just kept it outside and rode all year around, commuting to london.

In traffic, i felt very comfortable filtering through, even more so than my burgman 400 because the height of mirrors being out of the way of most vehicles. On the burgman 400, the mirrors were always on the same height with some of the cars/vans.

Weight was only an issue for me when pushing it through the narrow gap between my house and my garden, other than that it was fine.

Headlight bulbs on mine went every 4-6 months unlike Meldrew's so it was a pain to change them so often. I suspect that was due to some electrical mishap somewhere though.

Servicing was easy enough given enough time and a garden/garage to work in. Plenty of videos and forum knowledge to do most servicing.

Air filter was a doddle to change compared to other scoots i owned, as it was just behind the glovebox.

I used the power mode VERY frequently, but 99% of the time for slowing down rather than brisk acceleration. I used it as an engine break basically.

I did have issues with sticky calipers from time to time and when it happens, better pray the bike's not in a narrow alley requiring to be pushed out of. A good clean on pistons cured that issue.

I loved my 650, it had a road presence which topped the tmax and burgman 400 i had afterwards.

It was powerful to win through traffic lights GP with most cars and some bikes and quite chuckable in the corners, although not as much as the tmax.

The only reason i didn't buy another one again is the design is getting on a bit and i wanted something that looked different to what i already owned.

[Steve_D]

I did a couple of Italian trips on my new 2011 650 and it still only had just over 7,000 miles on it when I P/X'd it early this year for my FJR. Done one Italian trip on the FJR and whilst it certainly had speed in abundance, it wasnt quite as comfy as the Burg. I found my fully laden Burg great on the twisty mountain roads and the braking was excellent. This year, same roads, same speeds and the FJR brakes faded twice! Plus, they are both heavy bikes but the Burgs weight is low dow. The FJR is higer which is probably why I had a 0 mph fall when reversing out of my drive. Still, only a grands worth of damage. Unless I give up my once a year European trips, I will probably go back to a Maxi scoot in two or three years time and unless anything better is out there with regards to speed, performance, handling, luggage carrying capabilities, weather protection etc I'd get another one but this time I'd look for some other mug to take the initial depreciation hit!.

[MrGrumpy]

Generally echo most things already said on here. Generally its a decent thing, though not perfect. It goes well enough, economy is fine, and its handling was pretty good as well for a big beast. Not a sportsbike-like obviously, but pretty responsive. It is heavy & cumbersome at rest though, and I found the ride quality awful on bumpy country roads. And its a pig to clean....

Whilst I liked mine initially, after a while I found it increasingly to lack the fun factor, and hankered for another Tmax. I have a theory (based on very little evidence) that the big Burger appeals more to experienced bikers, especially those who've ridden the big touring bikes. I found it to be like a Pan European disguised as a scooter! People who are more from a scooter background seem to get the TMax more.

[frankiej1949]

I would look for a 2013/14 model. There have been several on ebay less than 6 months old for £6000/6500. I picked up a May 2014 for £6500 from Earnshaws in Huddersfield. Saw it advertised on ebay, absolutely amazing scooter.

[Gerard C]

I think some people criticise other bikes to build up and justify their own current ride. Many people for example give the Silverwing a lot of stick for its supposedly dated looks. Who gives a toss? I think that if you're happy with a Bike then go for it. As regards cost of servicing etc. I have every thing done by a local mechanic who gives great service and is very reasonable. The new bike has to be done at a dealers until the warranty expires so that's a bit more expensive.
When I had a 2010 Burgman 650 I didn't have any problems at all it just went fantastically for the 30,000 miles I did on it. It blasted some very surprised Bikers from the lights and unless they caught me on a straight dual carriageway then it held its own in all situations. BUT The new 2013 model is an improvement. It does feel a lot lighter when manoeuvring than the older model. Both have the whistles and bells on the Exec some are useful and some are not. I use the folding mirrors a lot when its in the Garage. The screen barely moves from the lower setting but there all there if you need or want to use them.
At the end of the day the Burgmans of whatever capacity are always the bench mark against which others are judged. In my opinion only of course.

Other Bikes and Models are available so check them out if they appeal.

[irev]

That's another thing, Granpa Grumpy put in the effort to hose down his Burgman to keep salt corrosion at bay during the winter and my wheels never went to shit.

The difference is only that I'm not complaining about it.

Shit! Now I'm complaining about your complaining about my wheels, which I wasn't even complaining about.

I'm turning into Meldrew......

I feel a song comin' on

[youtube][/youtube]

[charles1976]

well just have to say a massive thanks for all the time and effort people had put into helping me, giving opinions and advice, I really do appreciate it a lot! Frankie, you bought the machine I was also considering from earnshaws, a white one right? anyway perhaps the size and weight are a little too much for me, ultimately a 400 will probably suffice!!!!

decisions decisions!!!

[charles1976]

as much as I would like the updated 650 I just don't think I can justify circa £6k plus... I also have a new car !!!

seen a 11plate burgman 400 for £3300 with low miles...

[Dave Weller]

I do think that the 400 Burgman is a better scoot, and I've owned both, for solo use.

[irev]

I do think that the 400 Burgman is a better scoot, and I've owned both, for solo use.

So have I, with around 80,000 mile across both types, and agree with Dave. Sigfiddy is a car but has running costs on a par with a mo'sickle, The 400 may not have the ultimate performance or fancy gizmos, but as a maxi it probably fits the bill better, with lower costs and just as much comfort for solo riding. The only reason I switched was because I moved out of London and used the SigFiddy to do the high-speed run back to the relatives.

But I kept the 400 in my mums garage and used that to potter around between them.

Says it all, really.