[NormanW]

This same question will be asked on an Aprilia board, but on the other side of the coin.

Why should I buy a Suzuki Burgman 650 and not an Aprilia Atlantic 500?
I want to hear from all you salesmen out there. I am really having a tough time deciding.
I will be using the bike as a daily driver and putting about 60 miles a day on it with a 50/50 split in city and highway driving.

Thanks in advance.

 

[migz123]

If you are intending on putting 60 miles a day, it's not even an issue: just by cc's alone, the Burgman is the smart way to go.

 

[allwalk]

Hi Norman and welcome to the board. This question was asked by someone else earlier. Have a read on this thread and if you need more info contact the guy via Private Message.
http://burgmanusa.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=257

 

[SCOOTNVA]

Burgman vs Atlantic

Just my 2 cents, as I looked closely at both the AN650 and Atlantic 500 for similar usage ...

The Atlantic truly offers more bang for the buck and is a great maxi scooter. If money is a driving factor ... you won't be disapointed with the Atlantic.

That being said, the Burgman 650 is just one great machine. It is actually a motorcycle in scooter clothing. Sure it costs more than the Atlantic, but it is worth every penny ... and then some!

Ride on,
Greg

 

[BertvL]

This same question will be asked on an Aprilia board, but on the other side of the coin.

Why should I buy a Suzuki Burgman 650 and not an Aprilia Atlantic 500?
I want to hear from all you salesmen out there. I am really having a tough time deciding.
I will be using the bike as a daily driver and putting about 60 miles a day on it with a 50/50 split in city and highway driving.

Thanks in advance.

Norman,

I can tell you why I ordered the Burgman and not the Atlantic.

First of all because the Burgman looks better and drives super. After two test drives on the Burgman, I did not even bother to test other scooters like the Atlantic or Silverwing. I did make a test drive on the Honda Deauville, a 600 cc touring motorcycle. It could not match the wind and rain protection and the storage space of the Burgman.

Compared to my AN400, driving the AN650 is much more quiet. Rides on the highway with the AN400 are often 'shaky', because of the turbulence from cars and trucks. Not so on the AN650.

Furthermore, the Burgman has a better rear suspension. On the Atlantic, the motor and the suspension are combined into one moving part. The moving mass is relatively large and on short bumps, the rear wheel may loose contact with the road. On the Burgman, the rear suspension is separated from the motor, just like on motorcycles. The moving mass is less and the rear wheel can follow bumpy road surfaces more easily.

Last, but not least the Burgman has more HP than the Atlantic.

The weight and width of the Burgman could be a disadvantage in dense trafic, especially in the city. However, the width of the AN650 is exactly equal to the width of my current AN400 (measured between mirrors). I don't see that lane splitting will be more of a problem with the AN650. The Burgman Executive even has electrical retractable mirrors when space becomes too narrow. When fully equiped touring bikes (BMW, Honda) manage lane splitting, it certainly cannot be a problem on the Burgman.

 

[mactd83]

i had looked at the atlantic also, i was not happy with how the compartments dont have handles and when u are up close you can tell the atlantic is built very cheaply. after that i went and looked at the burgman and saw imediately the better quality construction that the japanese do over the italians. the burgman is more expensive but as far as the factors i weighed in its twice the bike of the atlantic and im pretty confident japanese technology and craftsmanship is much better than the italians.......by the way im pro japanese when it comes to motor vehicles...they tend to break less often. my moto is if ur gonna buy a big ticket item do it right the first time.

 

[Edwljoseph]

I would look at the Scabeo 500 over the Atlantic. However, from what I heard (even from Aprilia dealers), parts are a "bear".

I have no regrets about buying the Burgman 650. In fact, I'm looking at the 400 for the other half

 

[jb4278a]

500/650 Comparison

Norm...try to avoid having to say...."I wish I would have known"....as previously mentioned, see for yourself....find a dealership that will give you the opportunity to test-ride....because as everyone mentioned....there really is no comparison....the 650 does have the edge...I owned a 500 for over a year....the design, for example...where you place your feet when touring....the 650 allows your entire foot to properly rest at a comfortable angle....not the 500. The storage is superior....visual port-holes for both the engine coolant & oil on the 650. And, of course, power.....with the 500, I often reached the max acceleration going up hills....these are the kinds of things that a manual can't tell you. Yes, and better suspension, and heat distribution underneath....I could go on & on....but I'm not a salesman for either scooter....just an informed customer suggesting that you take a close look at both models.....good luck!!

 

[foxy]

burgman or aprilia

I just sold an Aprilia Atlantic. It's a fine bike for the money. Parts are not readily available, dealer network is small and qualified technicians are rare for this bike.
The bike handles very well and is great in heavy traffic in the city. Needs more power on the highway, however.
The Aprilia is quite a buy, but with leftover 2003 Burgman's all over the place I'd go for it instead

 

[G4HKS]

Burgman or Atlantic 500? Take the Burgman everytime!

There is nothing much wrong with the Atlantic 500. In comparison to the Burgman 650 it's very cheap to buy. Typically £4000 discounted as opposed to £6100 discounted for the Burgman 650. As an Aprilia Dealer we didn't have too many problems with the Atlantics and generally customers were (and still are) very happy with them. However! If the back up is as dreadful in your country for Aprilia as it is in the U.K. then that is a very good reason to go the extra couple of thousand (as expensive as it is) and ONLY consider the Burgman 650, or even the 400. I could write a book on the farcical dealings with Aprilia World Service but it would probably take up the entire space allocated for this excellent web site. Finally, having ridden both I would take the Burgman (in fact I have for my own daily transport and I have a choice of many machines for commuting). More power, better handling, better finish (although the Atlantic is good). Throw in proper support from Suzuki GB in the event of a warranty claim or technical assistance and Suzuki wins each and every time. Just as an example: On Wednesday we called Suzuki to ask about the diesel noise problem with the 650 Burgman. The following day we received a service tool and the replacement part to fit to our machine. Guidance from their technical department had the whole job done in literally 1/2 an hour. In comparison; had an Aprilia Falco for 1st service. Called technical to find out valve clearances. Took 4 hours to actually get someone to talk to on their "new improved help desk". (I wouldn't dare turn our answerphone machines for hours and ignore all our customers). Finally spoke with a lady who thought we were referring to the exhaust and said she would get back to us. (?!) That was Thursday. It’s now Sunday. Not a word. We rang another dealer who told us the settings on a return phone call. I could go on but hope I have made the point clear. And as for wanting Aprilia spares in a reasonable time, forget it, let alone the correct ones! Shame, because their products are very good, just a pity the back up is not taken seriously and never has been. And probably never will.