[Twinrider]

The latest Japanese mags have a bit of info on the upcoming Skywave LX. 6-speed manual transmission (which explains the overdrive in automatic mode in addition to the electric screen, etc., that everyone already knows about....

 

[billmeek]

Jim,

Can we assume by the thread title that the mags are saying the Burgman Executive will be released to North America in 2006 :?: :!: :?:

 

[Pinwheel]

oh that would be great.

 

[JD]

Sounds nice, but I don't know if I could wait another year, I have been waiting that long already.

 

[billmeek]

I agree with that JD. If I didn't have the 400, I wouldn't wait around either.

 

[Twinrider]

Jim,

Can we assume by the thread title that the mags are saying the Burgman Executive will be released to North America in 2006 :?: :!: :?:

Bill, I have no idea. I just labeled the thread that way in recognition of the fact that NoAm bikes tend to be dated a year ahead of everyone else's. For example, the '05 Skywave here is the new one with the 6-speed transmission, etc. But in the US, you already have the "05" out on the market (which is the '04 in Europe/Japan). I can try to ask the PR guy at Suzuki if they have any plans though.....

 

[billmeek]

Jim,

The 05 Burgman 650 isn't available here for awhile yet and will be the one with overdrive. Only the 05 Burgman 400s are already on the market.

 

[Twinrider]

That's not what Suzuki sez....

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/AN ... fault.aspx

 

[billmeek]

Jim,

Directly off that link, "Coming to your local Suzuki dealer in March 2005."

 

[Twinrider]

Bill, what I mean is the "2005" model advertised on Suzuki's U.S. website as available in March doesn't have the updated 6th speed transmission, etc. So it's essentially the same as the 2004 model. It's definitely not the upcoming updated 2005 model that's being released in Japan and Europe, which comes with the 6-speed transmission, ambient temp gauge, fuel economy meter, etc.

You can check the google translation here.
Google translation of the Suzuki Japan site

And Suzuki's site here:
http://www.suzuki.co.jp/release/b/b050124b.htm

 

[billmeek]

Jim,

Ah, I misunderstood. As mentioned elsewhere in the forums, the 2005 Burgman 650 info is pretty much a cut and paste of the prior years information. The Suzuki USA media site provides details of the changes or the 2005 models.

2005 Burgman 650 changes

• Center section of front cowl changed from black color to body color for improved appearance[/*:m:vwu1qa6g]
• Turn signal lens changed to white color for improved appearance[/*:m:vwu1qa6g]
• New transmission Over-Drive feature for better fuel economy at highway speeds[/*:m:vwu1qa6g]
• Fuel consumption indicator, temperature indicator and Over-Drive indicator added to the instrument panel[/*:m:vwu1qa6g]

2005 Burgman 400 changes

• Center section of front cowl changed from black color to body color for improved appearance[/*:m:vwu1qa6g]
• Turn signal lens changed to white color for improved appearance[/*:m:vwu1qa6g]

Text copied from :

2005 Burgmans on Suzuki US media site

 

[Twinrider]

Aha, now I see what you mean, Bill. Talk about poor website design. Under features listed for the 2005 model on the main page they don't list or at least highlight any of those new changes. In the "New Features" part of that section they only mention that California bikes are now getting a "catalyst in exhaust to reduce emissions."

Even http://www.motorcycledaily.com didn't pick up on these upcoming changes. In their recent review they ended by saying:

Although we tested a 2004-model Burgman 650, the 2005 model is unchanged except for color choice. The 2005 model will be available in March here in the US at an MSRP of $7,799.

 

[billmeek]

Yeah Jim. The emissions part is directly from the 2004 text. They also list the colors are silver and black when it should be silver and blue. I'm not surprised that Motorcycle Daily got it wrong too. I don't doubt their source within Suzuki gave them the wrong information. :?