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30 Posts
So, I just sold my 2019 BMW C650GT scooter. And am now going back to the Burgman.
I was asked to put up a comparison, since the two bikes were now quite fresh in my experience.
A little about me. I’m 62 yrs old, 6’2, 32” inseam, and weigh 178 lbs. I’ve ridden 3 Burgmans prior, over the past 10 years, my last one being this past summer, and have about 80k miles on them all together. Much of this will be a matter of opinion and personal tastes.
Each time I sold my Burgman, I soon regretted it! Then when I got another bike, before long I realized what I’d lost. #*@%. You think I’d learn.
It’s was so easy for me to get bored, or think maybe the grass was greener on another bike. The Burgman is that good. It lulls you into such a state of comfort, it can seem a little numb. My analogy would be a Lexus vs BMW automobile.
The BMW is a very nice bike, for sure. Well made, solid. The Tupperware is all fastened down with torx head screws, and a few plastic push rivets. The tabs that help alignment seem beefier and less susceptible to breakage (vs the Suzuki’s, which are quite easy to break).
BMW instrumentation is ok. However, the tach is completely worthless. It is tiny, hard to see, and only indicates in 1k increments. Irritating for such a premium bike, and something BMW should upgrade on future models. Otherwise, no complaints.
The switchgear on the BMW are excellent and I wish the Suzuki was more like the BMW in that respect. Much simpler and more intuitive on the BMW. Fewer buttons and better placed.
The BMW handles more like a regular motorcycle and has a more compliant suspension. It is a sportier ride all in all. It handles potholes and bumps “a bit” better too. The front end seems lighter than the Burgman. Not sure it’s even worth mentioning. Ergonomically, the BMW has more leg room, and my legs hang down more than stick out in front, as on the Burgman. The Beemer also has slightly more under seat storage.
The BMW seems more top heavy. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the rake or camber of the front forks, or something like that. But when moving it around the garage, WHOA!!, it almost got away from me. It felt more tippy. Don’t turn the steering unless you have that puppy straight up and down!
Engine wise, the BMW is LOUD!, and has a continual growl/snarl, as well as a rumble/shake. A lot of folks like the rumble/shake and loud snarling sound. And I get it. That’s why so many buy Harleys. I have to admit at times it was satisfying, and the bike seemed more alive and invigorating than the Burgman. BUT, when just trying to cruise around town leisurely, I found the noise level unacceptable. Granted, my 62 yr old ears are more sensitive to noise than they used to be. It’s a common malady for aging folk. Certainly, your ears may differ. On the highway, again I just found the noise level intolerable. The engine is buzzy at highway speeds, too. This, and the noise level, is probably the main reason I sold the BMW.
The CVT transmission is purely mechanical on the BMW. Centrifugal forces alone are what makes it work. And in my opinion, this is a huge difference. The BMW seemed to be “stuck in 2nd gear” all the time. No respite from the revving. You can hear the CVT whining faintly, but it’s not obtrusive. You can also sense the belt flopping about at times as the variator and clutch spool in and out respectively. You never get that with the Suzuki.
The fuel door access on the BMW is a design flaw in my opinion. A terrible place to put it. One must take great care to get the pump nozzle in properly, and more care not to spill gasoline on the way out. Additionally, to get a full tank you must fuss with the pump nozzle again, all while craning your neck to see if you’re there. Not nice.
Bottom line for me is that the Suzuki is just so incredibly silky-creamy-smooth and quiet, it wins for my tastes. Suzuki’s Electronically Controlled CVT is just amazing. Quiet and smooth at all speeds, with a little growl when giving it full throttle. No shake or vibration...ever. Instrumentation is superb. Fueling up is a breeze. Did I say quiet and smooth? Nothing else compares to it for long distance cruising. If you prefer Lexus, you’ll prefer the Suzuki.
Hope that was helpful to anyone on the fence. If you are looking to buy I hope you can find one to test first.
I was asked to put up a comparison, since the two bikes were now quite fresh in my experience.
A little about me. I’m 62 yrs old, 6’2, 32” inseam, and weigh 178 lbs. I’ve ridden 3 Burgmans prior, over the past 10 years, my last one being this past summer, and have about 80k miles on them all together. Much of this will be a matter of opinion and personal tastes.
Each time I sold my Burgman, I soon regretted it! Then when I got another bike, before long I realized what I’d lost. #*@%. You think I’d learn.
It’s was so easy for me to get bored, or think maybe the grass was greener on another bike. The Burgman is that good. It lulls you into such a state of comfort, it can seem a little numb. My analogy would be a Lexus vs BMW automobile.
The BMW is a very nice bike, for sure. Well made, solid. The Tupperware is all fastened down with torx head screws, and a few plastic push rivets. The tabs that help alignment seem beefier and less susceptible to breakage (vs the Suzuki’s, which are quite easy to break).
BMW instrumentation is ok. However, the tach is completely worthless. It is tiny, hard to see, and only indicates in 1k increments. Irritating for such a premium bike, and something BMW should upgrade on future models. Otherwise, no complaints.
The switchgear on the BMW are excellent and I wish the Suzuki was more like the BMW in that respect. Much simpler and more intuitive on the BMW. Fewer buttons and better placed.
The BMW handles more like a regular motorcycle and has a more compliant suspension. It is a sportier ride all in all. It handles potholes and bumps “a bit” better too. The front end seems lighter than the Burgman. Not sure it’s even worth mentioning. Ergonomically, the BMW has more leg room, and my legs hang down more than stick out in front, as on the Burgman. The Beemer also has slightly more under seat storage.
The BMW seems more top heavy. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the rake or camber of the front forks, or something like that. But when moving it around the garage, WHOA!!, it almost got away from me. It felt more tippy. Don’t turn the steering unless you have that puppy straight up and down!
Engine wise, the BMW is LOUD!, and has a continual growl/snarl, as well as a rumble/shake. A lot of folks like the rumble/shake and loud snarling sound. And I get it. That’s why so many buy Harleys. I have to admit at times it was satisfying, and the bike seemed more alive and invigorating than the Burgman. BUT, when just trying to cruise around town leisurely, I found the noise level unacceptable. Granted, my 62 yr old ears are more sensitive to noise than they used to be. It’s a common malady for aging folk. Certainly, your ears may differ. On the highway, again I just found the noise level intolerable. The engine is buzzy at highway speeds, too. This, and the noise level, is probably the main reason I sold the BMW.
The CVT transmission is purely mechanical on the BMW. Centrifugal forces alone are what makes it work. And in my opinion, this is a huge difference. The BMW seemed to be “stuck in 2nd gear” all the time. No respite from the revving. You can hear the CVT whining faintly, but it’s not obtrusive. You can also sense the belt flopping about at times as the variator and clutch spool in and out respectively. You never get that with the Suzuki.
The fuel door access on the BMW is a design flaw in my opinion. A terrible place to put it. One must take great care to get the pump nozzle in properly, and more care not to spill gasoline on the way out. Additionally, to get a full tank you must fuss with the pump nozzle again, all while craning your neck to see if you’re there. Not nice.
Bottom line for me is that the Suzuki is just so incredibly silky-creamy-smooth and quiet, it wins for my tastes. Suzuki’s Electronically Controlled CVT is just amazing. Quiet and smooth at all speeds, with a little growl when giving it full throttle. No shake or vibration...ever. Instrumentation is superb. Fueling up is a breeze. Did I say quiet and smooth? Nothing else compares to it for long distance cruising. If you prefer Lexus, you’ll prefer the Suzuki.
Hope that was helpful to anyone on the fence. If you are looking to buy I hope you can find one to test first.
) I'm experimenting with a cheap noise cancelling headset. Tearing it apart, and seeing if I can apply the components to the inside of my helmet. There's actually a YouTube video of some fellow doing just that, and it worked amazingly well.
