Changed from a V Strom to Burgman 650
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OldDog, I have a V-Strom 650 sitting out in my shed. I have found that I have not ridden it at all since I picked up my new to me Burgman 650 Exec. I have already transferred my rear top box over to the Burgman and will be moving my Givi E-41's as well as soon as my brackets are in. Thought I loved my V-Strom until I got my Burgman. For me, the Burgman is a much better bike.
Namaste'
Doug in Kentucky
Namaste'
Doug in Kentucky
I don't - I used to ride with a buddy with a 650 Vstrom and they were similar in many ways. He had a top end advantage but the Burgman's storage was much better.
Handling in the twisties was similar as was acceleration and braking. Vstrom suspension is much better.
The Vstrom is a nice machine but marginal off road due to weight and the Burgman 650 is easier to ride in traffic.....easier to ride all around and Doug in Kentucky has the right of it.
THe two 650s are NOTHING like your 400/1800 comparison.
Handling in the twisties was similar as was acceleration and braking. Vstrom suspension is much better.
The Vstrom is a nice machine but marginal off road due to weight and the Burgman 650 is easier to ride in traffic.....easier to ride all around and Doug in Kentucky has the right of it.
THe two 650s are NOTHING like your 400/1800 comparison.
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G'day from Australia
My only concern is reliability since reading of very expensive repairs to the transmission.
Here's to a happy relationship with my (soon to be) Burg.
Hello Douglas, Saturn 5 here from the V Strom forum. I too am looking to buy a 2008 Burg. Exc., maybe as soon as tomorrow. I'm hoping for comfort and protection from the elements. I was happy with the V Strom 650 and had many adventures into the Australian Outback but those adventures will now be on my Kawasaki GLE 500. I have high hopes of the Burg., as yet I have not ridden it nor any Scoot. since 1970 on a very tired Lambretta.
My only concern is reliability since reading of very expensive repairs to the transmission.
Here's to a happy relationship with my (soon to be) Burg.
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Hi there. I remember you. I have had my Burgman 650 Exec. for almost three months now. I did get my V-Stom out of the shed yesterday and rode it a little. Put it back away and went riding on my Burgman. They are both good bikes, I just personally like the Burgman better. As to the transmission reliability issue, I think for most it is a non-issue. It is important to check the Stopper bolt for chips out of the end of it every 10K miles and replace it as needed. I have already bought two of them to store in my toolbox. Cost me $12.
Saturn, I think you will enjoy having the protection from the elements with the Burgman. Lots better than we had on our V-Stroms. Are you keeping your V-Strom too? I have so far.
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Hi again Doug, I hope to have a Burg.Exe. ABS, 650 in my shed this week and will sell the Wee Strom privately as the dealer is giving me a very good deal in buying the Burg. but offered $2000 below the going market price for the Strom. Wife says the Strom must go but I'm keeping the Kawasaki GLE 500 for off road. I have high hopes for the Burg. 650 as the owner reviews have me bursting with anticipation and excitement, it just looks so good. My Burg.( I have yet to secure it) is silver, not my preference but I plan to paint it black and silver, similar to a BMW 1200RT I once saw.
I trust you will have any wonderful memories with this scoot. Ride safe and call in from time to time.
Cheers
Southern Cross
I trust you will have any wonderful memories with this scoot. Ride safe and call in from time to time.
Cheers
Southern Cross
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Today I rode to my dealer full of anticipation, credit card fully charged and firmly in my wallet. The salesman I normally deal with was away on his day off but another salesman quickly rolled " my" Burg out of the showroom and with papers signed I donned my gear and was away for my test ride.
Through the shopping area and onto the freeway heading in an area I travel almost every day.
I'm so disappointed, I guess I was expecting too much. The engine was willing, the cvt was very good as we're the impressive brakes which had much better feel and grip than my V Strom. But the handling was not for me as was the seat. The designers of the windshield have done an excellent job at directing the air blast directly to the riders head when either up or down. This was even worse than the V Strom.
I'm so disappointed I was ready to buy it today but the killer of the deal was the short incompetent suspension. No doubt this can be improved but already having sorted out the ordinary suspension on the V Strom, I just don't feel like doing it again and I know to get this suspension to what I want would involve either better forks or at least extending the damper rods by 30 or so mm. New and better ( longer?) shocks would help improve the ride. I know that this is not the bike I want for long trips. What a shame as I thought the bike, oops Scoot was impressive in many ways but the seat and suspension/handling was a deal breaker.
I'm feeling rather flat tonight, I wish I was one of the happy band who have found the Burg. just right.
Southern Cross
Through the shopping area and onto the freeway heading in an area I travel almost every day.
I'm so disappointed, I guess I was expecting too much. The engine was willing, the cvt was very good as we're the impressive brakes which had much better feel and grip than my V Strom. But the handling was not for me as was the seat. The designers of the windshield have done an excellent job at directing the air blast directly to the riders head when either up or down. This was even worse than the V Strom.
I'm so disappointed I was ready to buy it today but the killer of the deal was the short incompetent suspension. No doubt this can be improved but already having sorted out the ordinary suspension on the V Strom, I just don't feel like doing it again and I know to get this suspension to what I want would involve either better forks or at least extending the damper rods by 30 or so mm. New and better ( longer?) shocks would help improve the ride. I know that this is not the bike I want for long trips. What a shame as I thought the bike, oops Scoot was impressive in many ways but the seat and suspension/handling was a deal breaker.
I'm feeling rather flat tonight, I wish I was one of the happy band who have found the Burg. just right.
Southern Cross
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1,043 Posts
I looked at the Burgman just as I did my V-Stom when I bought it, as a platform to be made by me into what I wanted. No, it is not as good as your V-Strom after you did all the changes to make it a great ride. Yes, it can easily be made into a bike that handles well and has a comfortable seat along with a windscreen that does the job. There is a good aftermarket for the Burgman (almost as good as the aftermarket for the V-Strom).
For me, I am working on the seat problem right now. Not sure yet but it looks as if I will be going to one of the aftermarket seats. The one by Cary Vincent is my current leader. But, I am trying things with my stock seat first. I am a frugal man. I already have options such as my Alaska Sheepskin and an ATV cushion (inflatable) that I bought at Wally World years ago. I also have a BeadRider that I use on my V-Strom over my custom seat. It didn't work well on the Burgman on the stock seat for me.
As to the windscreen, you must be taller than me (not hard as I am only 5 foot 8 inches tall). I (so far) am finding the windscreen acceptable. It does allow a lot of air around the sides so I am keeping an upgrade to a wider screen in the back of my mind.
The suspension... You are not going to get the long suspension the V-Strom has without going to another Adventure type of motocycle BUT the Burgman's suspension can easily be make better. Hagon shocks on the back and some Progressive springs on the front will do that job.
I have already put a top box on the back of the scoot as well as my Givi E41's on as saddlebags (I like LOTS of storage).
I look at any new bike as potential and ask if it is going to meet my needs better than the bike it is replacing before purchase. For me (due to medical problems) the answer was a resounding yes.
Namaste'
Doug in Kentucky
For me, I am working on the seat problem right now. Not sure yet but it looks as if I will be going to one of the aftermarket seats. The one by Cary Vincent is my current leader. But, I am trying things with my stock seat first. I am a frugal man. I already have options such as my Alaska Sheepskin and an ATV cushion (inflatable) that I bought at Wally World years ago. I also have a BeadRider that I use on my V-Strom over my custom seat. It didn't work well on the Burgman on the stock seat for me.
As to the windscreen, you must be taller than me (not hard as I am only 5 foot 8 inches tall). I (so far) am finding the windscreen acceptable. It does allow a lot of air around the sides so I am keeping an upgrade to a wider screen in the back of my mind.
The suspension... You are not going to get the long suspension the V-Strom has without going to another Adventure type of motocycle BUT the Burgman's suspension can easily be make better. Hagon shocks on the back and some Progressive springs on the front will do that job.
I have already put a top box on the back of the scoot as well as my Givi E41's on as saddlebags (I like LOTS of storage).
I look at any new bike as potential and ask if it is going to meet my needs better than the bike it is replacing before purchase. For me (due to medical problems) the answer was a resounding yes.
Namaste'
Doug in Kentucky
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