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My Burgman 650 VS. Kawasaki Concours C10

4K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  simbaboy 
#1 ·
Hello Friends,

I have been lurking for a few months but decided to do my first post.

Last April I bought a great condition 2006 Burgman 650 with 11K miles. The previous owner was an older gentleman and a good guy. The seller would not let us take the GIVI windshield off because he said it would crack. We paid for the scoot and got the Title but he still kept shaking his head 'No' re: taking the windshield off. Well, we had a small enclosed trailer so I ended up having to ride the bike back to Lansing, MI. The bike would not go up into the trailer with the shield up.

I knew this bike was special on the ride home. It was the easiest ride and most comfortable ride I have ever had. The first ride home was 150 Miles but felt more like 60. It was effortless. I had ridden a buddies' 400 but this was very high end.

I have owned several motorcycles as most of us. I have had 3 Kawasaki Concours C10's in the last couple of years and my best riding buddy is the Regional Connie Guru and COG Forum director. He has had his bike sent to a C10 carburetor specialist in Florida to get more 'low end torque' cams (whatever that means). It is supposed to give his bike extra low end power.

On a recen ride on a cold day here in Michigan we decided to go out for 'A Ride To Eat'. We both stopped at a green light side by side. I said I could 'take him and his Florida Carbs'. He is a great sport and a great overall dude. He said ok. The light changes and we were both off.

I had the bike wide open full throttle. And so did he but he had to shift. We could not shake each other. I tried hard but could not pass him. He later told me he was having no mercy either and was going all out. He did not get ahead of me. I got to 103 MPH (indicated) on my Burgie after which the bike had no more to give me or if it did have more, I was not getting any faster quickly. At that point he started getting ahead of me and we both slowed down after a couple of seconds. I told him he could have saved $400 by keeping his carbs stock and not sending them to Florida at SISFs (Concours owners know this name as he is very famous in that circle).

Today, it was 32 degrees here in Mid Michigan (Lansing) area and the family decided to go to Birch Run (outlet mall) and Frankenmuth (German town with a famous Christmas Store). I said yes and my Wife took a look at my face and she knew what I was thinking. It is amazing what 22 years of being married to the same person does. So she 'allows' me to ride but I had to follow rather than lead. She knows I ride a little too fast.

I put on my heated glove liners and heated jacket liner and we were off. I was very comfortable both ways and actually had to lower the temp on the glove liner a couple of times. I have Powerlet RapidFire heated gear and dual wireless controller. I wanted to buy Gerbing at a motorcycle show earlier this year in Novi, Michigan. I am glad I got the Powerlet stuff. It works as advertised. My Connie friend has Gerbing stuff and he swears by that also. But my wireless (it uses Bluetooth) controller is great. Also, I get instant heat and adjustment.

Recently, I was thinking of adding a V-Strom to my stable. But the more I think about it my Burgman and KLR650 are a perfect complement to each other.

Thanks
Simba
 
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#2 ·
Glad to have you aboard, Simba! Oddly enough, I actually know Steve (SISF=Steve In South Florida) since he lives just up the road from me. He's a great guy and his carb treatments are magical, but if it's performance you want then you should ask about his gearing upgrades. The carb treatment will keep the fuel flowing evenly and stop the fuel from leaking into the cylinders and causing hydro-lock and a bent rod.

Great to hear you're having fun with the Burgman. I just got mine a month ago Thanksgiving and it's been the best money I've spent in years. I even got to get my own heated gear out of storage when it dropped into the mid-30s on Wednesday morning!
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the welcome.

I am really liking my Burgman. It is without an doubt the best street bike I have owned. It has all the acceleration and power I need.

In the past I have ridden either the KLR650 or my Concours C10. I also have had my share of cruisers. My seat on the Burgman is stock. My wife occasionally rides this bike (we 'bought it for her') but recently has been riding her dual sport Yamaha TW200 more. She can flatfoot the TeeDub more easily than the Burgie. (But she reminds me frequently whose bike it really is).

You are absolutely correct about about SISF. One day I will send my Connie carbs to him also. He does great work at a very low price. My friend has both the carb and gearing/cams from SISF. But up to 103MPH we were neck to neck (after which he could easily have gone past me).

I do plan to change out the 'CVT Bolt' on my 2006 Burgman 650. I think LeDude has a tutorial somewhere but I can't find it at his Center.

Thanks
Simba
 
#3 ·
Great first post Simba.

I too had a great Sport touring bike, an ST1100. But the comfort quotient is no where near the Burg. It was downright uncomfortable in comparison.

Performance wise, the ST has it beat, but who needs to go 115mph? The 650 has plenty of highway moxi. And the fun factor is off the chart with no shifting to worry about.

Glad you made the switch. Enjoy your ride.
 
#13 ·
Great first post Simba.
I too had a great Sport touring bike, an ST1100. But the comfort quotient is no where near the Burg. It was downright uncomfortable in comparison.
Performance wise, the ST has it beat, but who needs to go 115mph? The 650 has plenty of highway moxi. And the fun factor is off the chart with no shifting to worry about.
Glad you made the switch. Enjoy your ride.
It's just me, but I wouldn't trade my ST for anything in the world! I like my Burgman (and the 650 is nice too, BUT), but I REALLY like the ST. It's the second most comfortable bike I've ridden (the first being a GL1500).
Enjoy Your Ride!
 
#7 ·
There are a lot of things I'd go aftermarket on, but this isn't one of them. It's an engine part and I'd get it from Suzuki. It's designed to do its thing inside the engine and I don't want it falling apart in there if it's not up to snuff from a materials technology standpoint. Yes it's ridiculously overpriced at six bucks, but at the end of the day it's still only six bucks.

http://www.bikebandit.com/search?q=21748-10g10
 
#10 ·
Welcome Simba...
you mentioned going to Frankenmuth, but didn't mention
anything about going to Frankenmuth Inn for a fried chicken dinner.
If you didn't make a stop there, you missed out on a great meal.
 
#11 ·
Here is a true story.

I moved to East Lansing, MI from California and started dating this girl who 4 yrs late became my wife.

Anyhow, while we were dating my future Father-in Law (FIL) kept hounding me about taking a weekend day off and he would treat me to the best chicken dinner I have ever had. He would do so in Frankenmuth.

And he kept hounding me. And more and more of the same.

Well, one day I say yes and we go to Zenders where you can have 'The World Famous Chicken'. We wait an hour in line and start getting our chicken dinner served. With each bite of the chicken my FIL would inquire if that wasn't the best chicken I have ever had. I was so irritated about him not letting me eat the mediocre chicken in peace that I wanted to tell him a hundred times that I have had better chicken at KFC. But every time I wanted to open my mouth my girlfriend would give me a look of caution. I am glad I maintained some discretion because a couple of years later he 'allowed' me to marry his daughter.

I owe a lot to 'the best chicken in the world'. And my then ability to keep my mouth shut. I wish I still had the same temperance as I did in my mid 20's. At the age of 50 I will tell you what I am thinking.

Thanks for reading my long post but if you didn't I don't care. You missed some great wisdom.

LOL. Thanks.
Simba
 
#12 ·
My grandmother made the best fried chicken (sorry Mom) I have ever eaten. Wonderful stuff. I have never found it's equal.

Oh, and welcome to BurgmanUSA. Nice bunch of people up here.

Namaste'
Doug in Kentucky
 
#14 ·
I don't have a lot of stuff/cars that I would call 'Best In Class'. I can certainly afford it as I have been blessed. But I am frugal and am happy with the stuff that I do get.

I got a used Burgman 650. It looked like new and rode like new. With this bike I feel I got 'Best In Class'. No I have not ridden any other megascooter. But I am happy and content.

Thanks
Simba
 
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