Suzuki Burgman 650

hi im 56 yrs old diagnosed with osterperosis in my hands and shoulders had to get rid of my 05 ultra classic for a scotter I thought buy it changed my mind quick easy to ride responsive great handeling and reliable thanks to the an650 burgman scoot I can still ride and get out in the wind thanks suzuki

Greetings fellow Scooter Drivers. I wanted to share this review with you, because I think it is important. For those of you who are familiar with the Suzuki Burgman 650, you may realise I reviewed the scooter back in 2005 and again a few years later. Today, I had the pleasure of driving the brand new, updated version of our old friend. Here in the Netherlands it has just been launched. I've searched the internet but as yet I haven't read an 'owners' review, only those of motor cycle journalists. So, here's my review following on from many years of already owning this particular Suzuki.

Lets start with the looks! The Burgman is no beauty, more a rather fat frog on two wheels, but hey, this bike is about practicality, so give her a break. The NEW MODEL has had a face lift. Botox did the job rather well, giving accent to several lines, pulling in the fat with a few tucks here and there and added a bit of new make up too. The result is pleasant. She's lost her big fat bum, without any compromise on under seat luggage space. Up front, the lights are slightly different, the mirrors (still electrically folding) are more 'modern', the switch gear remains the same and most notably, the full Digital Dash has given way to a half analogue, half digital affair. Speedo and Rev Counter are now traditional clocks. The rest of the buzzers and bells are exactly the same as the old set up, just a different look. Wheels have been painted in black which is an improvement and if you are into a mat finish, the silver model comes without shine!.. Personally, I like the deep black, because it shines. So, that's about it with looks. If I were to score it on looks, the old model got a 5, the new model a 6.5. Quality of finish seems fine.

What has been sorted, what has not!.... Down to the practical stuff then.

Sorted!...... The switching between automatic and manual has been greatly improved. For those who don't realise, the is a switchable CV gearbox, so you can run her on fully automatic or has step-tronic in manual mode. I actually use mine in both, really!....., and the new model handles the switch over much better than the old! Gearing remains excellent, not too high, not too low. BMW could learn something from Suzuki on their big new scooter!

Another point that Suzuki have sorted it the rather excessive engine breaking that is apparent when you shut the throttle down on the old model. It took a bit of getting used to, as this was a bike you rarely had to use the brakes on. The engine did the breaking a bit too well at times. However, on the new model, this is much more gentle, giving a more relaxed feel especially when negotiating city traffic. I noticed I had to use the brakes more, but enjoyed the more 'free' feeling of the over-ride. Those who have driven the Burgman for years will know exactly what I mean. Also, the wet-clutch-drag has all but disappeared which makes moving her backwards with the engine running far more easy.

The 12v outlet in the lower glove box has also been sorted!... now you can actually charge your phone without having to leave the flap open. A very annoying problem on the old model. And yes, Suzuki have moved the handbrake to a new left hand side position. I'm not sure about this, as its now tucked under my left knee, so it's a bit difficult to get a decent hand full of it, but hey, it's OK. The handbrake is always very useful.

New Annoyances! Suzuki have built in a 'guilty' green light. It comes on when you are driving in a 'green' way. i.e., on almost closed throttle. However I drove her, she still uses about the same fuel as she ever did, so I estimate 18kms to 1 litre of fuel. I have no idea what that might be in imperial terms, but I think it's OK. There are drivers who claim to get over 20-1, but they drive like pussy's. The Burgman isn't the most economical of machines, but fun to drive hard.

Sorted or Not Sorted?..... Nothing has really changed. It all just looks a bit different, but is really just the same. Wherever you poke, prod or look more deeply, you'll recognise it all. After all, the original concept was absolutely brilliant, so in all honesty, there wasn't that much to do. The legendary luggage space remains the same, legendary. No other Scooter manufacturer even comes close!. Fact. Two Full Face Helmets will disappear under the seat, no problem, plus some shopping too. Great!

And finally... should you change up to the new model?

Well, this has me wondering. There is a glut of 2011 & 2012 Burgman's around here that are not sold as yet, because of the 'crisis??'. So, you can buy a brand new 'old model' for considerably less than the new model & in all honesty, these models represent great value for money. If you 'have' to have the latest model, you are going to have to pay the full whack & if you go to exchange in your old Burgman, be prepared for a nasty shock. Second hand trade in prices are awful. Such are the times and the fact that the Burgman has sold in the thousands., so there's plenty on the second hand market.

Am I going to change up?, NO. But I'd like to, but can't warrant the difference in price. Despite being a wonderful update, it still isn't enough to go spending difficult money.

The Burgman 650 was a great bike and it continues on to be the worlds No1 Super Scooter. It deserves all the praise, looks or no looks, it simply works brilliantly.

Enjoy. Mark Hans Pluygers. Amsterdam. 12-04-2013.

After riding Nortons, Triumphs, and a few others in my teens...I let my motorcycle licence expire (well didn't renew it once when renewing my car licence)thinking I'd never ride again. WELL.....at around age 62, I bought a 4 stroke ...50cc Chinese scooter ...what a disaster. I bought it to get around town on....but found it wouldn't keep up with the traffic. I thought "this will turn out to be a deathtrap". SSooo I got rid of that and bought a 50cc 2 stroke scooter. Had a good time on that but decided that as I have been travelling long distances in my employemnt (By car, and approx 1500 -2000klm per week) I needed to upgrade to something bigger. Of course...had to sit my licence again didn't I ?.....over here(New Zealand ) you cannot ride anything bigger than 250cc on a 'Learners Licence)....so I bought a 250cc. Which was a SYM...wonderful scooter.....BUT...not big enough for long trips. Bought an AN650 (std) and had it sitting in my garage until I went for my full licence..then the fun began. For the past couple of years,y mate and I log up about 300-500klm every Saturday, do a couple of 2000klm trips each year...and we have a blast !. Yes,'ve had some unnecessary expense with this scoot....for example....body panels are horrifically expensive....in fact...any parts. Unlike many of you, I do not do my own repairs....so I pay through the nose....but tell you what....these bikes are awesomeperformers, smooth, reliable,nd such fun.

Feb-April 2008 I decided I was going to buy my dream Burgman 650 Exec'. The trouble was, that all the dealers from West coast of Wales through the Midlands and as far east as London promised delivery dates they couldn't keep. Finally, I got straight on to Suzuki, gave them a mouthful, and got a delivery within three days! Now, I'm very short-legged and never found a bike I liked that could accommodate me. Only the Burgman 400 managed that, and the new 400 served me extremely well for 12 months until I could get my real prize - the 650. The day arrived and I toddled off very gingerly, keeping the speed down to 40mph for the first 600 miles. She handled beautifully; tight bends were no problem, acceleration was incredible, and overall handling sublime. Very heavy to push, but I bought it to carry me, and not the other way round! So a little forethought was always needed with regard to parking. She tended to be a little heavy on the juice, but taking the bike weight and urban driving into account, that was to be expected. Once I'd got past the 600-mile mark, I started opening her out, and boy could she sing. No matter where I stopped, people came up to admire her. I joined an international group of serving and retired police officer riders who initially treated the bike with derision - until I left them in a cloud of dust! They gave the bike a lot of respect after that! I toured Ireland twice, Belgium and France, most of Wales and a few large slices of England, all very comfortably, and all very enjoyable, the bike never letting me down - well, not for the first 9 months. It was then the problems began. Still well under the two-year under warranty, I noticed that the wheels had started pitting. The dealer told me that Suzuki would not permit a full strip-down and repaint, and so all I got was a respray, which lasted for about 3 more months before the pits started showing again. About a month or so before the warranty end, I noticed that the rear springs were showing marked signs of rust through the chrome. Most of this was on the sides nearest the wheel, which of course are impossible to see as you can't get to them without taking the panelling and rear wheel off. However, I did the best I could to remove the rust and give a degree of protective covering. two weeks after the warranty had ended, the heated grips stopped working and had to be replaced. Then about two months later, the heated seats failed on a cold, wet, windy and dark night. The dealers told me it was a faulty rectifier, which cost me £350. Only a month later, the bike started coughing and cutting out. The rectifier again! With no satisfaction from the dealers, it was another £400, including two 10amp fuses at £5 each, but which the dealers didn't have in stock, and which I never received! By this time, the bike was just over two and a half years old. I had thought of changing it at three years old, but the value had dropped to below £3000, and a new bike would have cost in the region of £7000+, so I decided to hold on to her as she still ran sweet as a nut! Okay, she had to have a new front tyre after 7000 miles, and two new back tyres, neither of which lasted more than 5000 miles, by which time I had cut my mileage as I was feeling less confident about travelling long distances. The bike is now four and a half years old; the electric wing mirrors no longer work, the springs no longer have any chromium and are just solid rust; the forks are showing real signs of rust; and the headlights don't retain their correct beam alignment. Three months ago, I found that the front brake callipers had seized and had to be replaced, while the rear brakes require constant adjustment - although they're supposed to be self-adjusting! On getting those sorted, it was discovered that the rear brake reservoir seal had collapsed, and the reservoir was full of water; how dangerous was that? Oh yes, I forgot to mention that the petrol cap cover has never closed properly due to a faulty clip. I've discovered that garages don't like to work on Burgmans due to the degree of effort required. A simple (!!) job like replacing the plugs means the removal of the front wheel, mudguard and radiator. For the customer, the costs very quickly escalate - take my word for it! Taking the costs of regular servicing, replacements and repairs into account, I've paid well in excess of £3500, and the bike still hasn't done more than 15000 miles! So, it's a love/hate relationship. I love the Burgman to bits for smooth, comfortable and pleasurable riding. The engine simply purrs happily at speeds up to 90+ mph, and the throttle response is a total joy, especially when overtaking; and I've never yet had to use the booster to do it. Sadly, I absolutely hate the build quality. All the metalwork is cheap and nasty, and nothing is simple when it comes to cleaning, maintenance, servicing or repairs. The bike cannot hold its price, so it requires a degree of calculation on when the line is drawn to keep or to sell. Value for money? Based on my own experiences, I feel that it is way over-priced. The odd thing is, if I had the money I would definitely buy another, even though the RRP is above the £8 Grand mark. However, I would probably stick to my previous practice of changing the bike every three years, regardless of cost! Would I recommend it it? Yes, although I'd make reference to the many problems I've had. If Suzuki provided better quality materials, and if servicing wasn't so expensive, I'd feel quite a lot happier about the price.

i had a vl 1500 suzuki, due to a work injury i could not hold up the bike when reverse it out of garage,thinking my biking days was over my father in law let me ride his 400 burgman and found it fantasic but i wanted somyhing with a bit more power , look at the burgman 650 and having taken it from the shop for a test ride found that t did not want to take it back,had it now 4yrs and still love riding it around town and out around the lakes. i am 6ft 2ins but you have to remove drivers back rest and put a sheep skin over the seat, best thing i bought i give it 5stars.

I am 63 years old and have been riding street bikes and cruisers since i was 16. I traded a 2004 1500 intruder in for my 650 burgman exexcutive.

No regrets a all

Its a fun ride, lots of pep, good stability, no problem keeping up with traffic. Wants to get up and go, have to watch speed limit as it doesn,t seem to recognize the signs.

Accelleation is great, don't have to be concerned about those loud cruisers getting ahead at take off, u just will likely leave them in the dust.My grandson used to riding the 1500 intruder with its big back seat says the burgman is more comfortable and told his mom she should trade her 650 v star classic in for a burgman.

Acquried a after market backrest makes it more comfortable for an old fart like me.

Considering an aftermarket windshield ($300) as the windshield offers less than I am used to from th Intruder.

Mileage is not bad at a little over 50 mpg imperial (4.5)liters.

Seems to be getting better.

If you are interested in being a biker that likes noisey exhausts and a rough ride this is not the bike for you.

If you like to ride for the enjoyment of the ride and don't give a damb about pier pressure from the cruiser gang and if you like to ride with the elite group in the BMW class and the Goldwing enthusiats, the burgman is a step in the right direction

I have owened the 650 Burgmen for many years. it`s a great bike.

plenty of storige space.

I have a 650 2006 Burgman and have done 30000 klms on it.This bike always attracts attention because is so different. It is an open road tourer and its better than anything I have ridden for the job. Its not good with a passenger,clumsy in town and heavy on fuel.

Out on the open road its a delight and will cruise at 140 klm per hour all day. The Buggie will carry a stack or stuff under the seat,seating position is good and the foot rests are long a let tired riders stretch out. The 650 won't outrun a super bike,not even close. But over long distance you probably arrive quicker because of less fatigue.

This is not a scooter and if climb off a 250 onto one of these than be careful or it will bite you.

If you have got a few years clocked up but still love to ride grab one of these machines. The other club members may laugh at you but not for long once the see just how well these things go.Highly practical,great lights,good comfort and very fast long distance tourer. These things are the original wolf in sheeps clothing machines.

Buy one spend a 2000klms getting the feel of it . Chances are you will never buy an ordinary bike again

I wouldnt recommend the Bergman after buying the sccooter from brand new, and with less than 500km on the clock I have had a MAJOR BRAKE FAILURE, the main arm of the caliper has broken and the brake pad came out, still waiting fro news/information and a fix from Suzuki. I have pictures to prove it.

I had a 1997 Harley Davidson Heritage and never thought about purchassing a 2007 Suzuki Burgman 650.Well to make a long story short I sold my Harley and never looked back. The Suzuki Burgman 650 is a flawless machine. From take off to handling this bike is a blast. I cant find one problem with this bike. Yes its a "scooter" but make no mistake about it, when you take of from 0-60 in 8 sec and easily climb to 100mph you dont feel like your on a scooter. This bike is soo smooth on the highway and handles like a dream. The variable transmission is a hoot. No clutcing or shifting gears. Just get on and enjoy. Take the bike for a test ride and believe me you will understand what I am talking about. To me its not a scooter. Its a motorcycle without a clutch and gear shifter period.Its also very comfortable. If you purchase the 650 make sure to spend the extra few dollars on the "Exsecutive" it comes with ABS brakes, retractable mirrors, chrome muffler, back rest for the passenger etc. I cant say enough greatness about this bike. Go for a ride yourself and you decide.