Daytona test rides
This past Spring, the wife and I test road the Aprilia Atlantic (2 up) and the Burgman 650 ( 1 each). Yesterday we test road the Magesty and Burgman 400 (both 2 up). I wanted to ride the Silverwing; however, Honda had a rule about having high boots on and I wans't going to buy a pair of boots just for a test ride.
LAST SPRING:
The Atlantic was the first Super Scooter I had ever riden. We were two up, in the rain, and at then end of a line of Aprilia 1000cc sport bikes. The Atlantic was fast and I was pushing the sport bike rider ahead of me when we came to the curves. We pegged the speedometer at almost 90 in the wet. The scooter was fast and smooth. The brakes almost too good until I got used to how touchy they were. The reveiw from the back seat was only so so. It was comfortable; but, the foot position was odd.
At Suzuki, the wife and I each tried out the Burgman 650. Heavier than the Atlantic, but more powerful. It felt more planted at speed. Better wind protection I thought. The push button shifting was jerky. I left it on auto and in the power mode. Perfection. I had a blast. The wife had trouble with the seat height & width, and bikes weight. She never felt comfortable with it. Mind you, at the time she had a 750 Monster.
Yesterday:
Started of with the Magesty, two up. Smooth, quiet, nimble are words that come to mind. Not as fast or quick as the Burman 650. More of a city bike. Poor wind protection too. Back seat review was bad. Very bad. Hard and the angle for the feet must have been designed by some bow legged tortured bugger. Stay away from this bike if you are going to carry a passenger. It was great at passing the big cruisers in the corners though.
The Burgman 400 felt better than the Magesty as far as grunt goes. Cornering also seemed more planted. We were glued to the ride leader's V-Strom on the run. The V-Strom behind us was left behind at every turn as he tried to move through the gears. Twist-n-go is so nice. You just brake late, throw the bike over, then twist like hell and pull yourself through the curve. The rear seat gets the best review. Back rest and running board mean passenger comfort. It's a little hard, but maybe that's because it's brand new.
Honda.......no ride without high top boots. Man that sucked. Then I saw quite a few Honda rides go out w/o someone taking the Sivlerwing. That really sucked.
For an only bike, it would have to be the Burgman 650. The Honda might be in the same class, but I couldn't recommend it. The 650 has power, protection, and running board for the passenger. It does need a back rest.
For a second bike, or city commuter I would have to pick the Burgman 400. Light, nimble, and quick the bike still has creature comforts and the protection for weekend touring. I just think it might be over taxed two up, loaded with gear, traveling western North Carolina. If you stayed in Florida, it might be a good only bike choice.
Oh yeah, if you were on a Harley on I-4 yesterday morning and were passed by a silver K1200LTC doing a 100+, that was us. We like to listen to music while we ride, not someones exhaust . 8)