[SemBurg]

Rode this morning to catch the Sunrise from my favorite bridge, The Bayside Bridge which spans the north tip of Tampa Bay. This is where I reached 161mph on my Kawasaki Concours, about 130mph on my Suzuki Bandit and 100pm on my Valkyrie. Fun bridge, no police and great views if you just poking along.

This shot was in the same spot about 1 minute after the first shot. Timing is everything for the Sunrise, almost missed it as I had stopped along the way for something that really intrigued me...you'll see that tomorrow for the July 4th special, amazing.

Crossed the bridge and took a backroad along the mangroves and some nice scenery. Nice temps at 81° and only reaching 85° when I arrived home at 9:00am Roads were mine with the exception of bicyclists and joggers.

I enjoy the smaller bridges and the unique builds.

 

[SemBurg]

Pressed on to some more beauty, I enjoy the mornings. This is a private drive, very long circular drive to this stunning home and property. You can't hide money.

Last minute thing, I turned into Phillipe Park, hadn't been there in over 20 years. Really pretty park and well cared for. My wife had a "sports day" and took her employees here several years ago. Now I understand why they liked it. Heavily shaded with mature trees, stunning views and a "Florida Hill"

The Florida Hill...don't blink or you'll miss it. This hill has got to be 14 steps high, amazing. I hiked all the way to the top and didn't even get a nosebleed.
A wonderful morning bonding with Burgman

 

[SemBurg]

I am so impressed with the handling of this bike. I know it's a scoot and I understand it's limitations regarding frame and suspension, but it blows me away. I hit some sweepers and decreasing radius this morning on roads I'm very familiar with and have been running hard on my big bikes. This thing is so stable with a low center of gravity and just squats and grabs the corners, very stable I have grown in confidence each time I ride it. I pushed it today and easily exceeded a corner speed I previously had taken at 70mph on my motorcycle and went through it at 80mph with ease and confidence. This thing is a blast.
Still haven't ground any paint off it like wspollack, I keep leaning.

 

[SemBurg]

My wife finally fell asleep this morning, she suffers from Menier's disease/Vertigo. This told me I had a few hours to get some wind. I took myself out for breakfast. It was 86° when I rolled out and actually felt pretty good.

On my ride home I swung by the Lake to watch folks launch, usually pretty amusing. There was a verbal altercation, someone was impatient and taunting a guy who was pretty green with a trailer. I don't get it, why can't you simply help the guy out and give him some pointers if you're such a pro, no need to embarrass the man in front of his family.

Then the best part of my short ride. I pulled in to a new "motorless" boat launch site just finished by my town. This is for canoes, kayaks etc... electric motors are okay. This is an awesome place to fish as the big boats and flats boats can't get to it. It directly feeds into Tampa Bay, so high tide let's all kinds of fish in. I've pulled Sea Trout, Red Snapper, Kingfish, ladyfish and mudcats. Always activity, I only keep the Trout and the Reds, I'm stoked about this. It gets better below. I'm happy to see my tax dollars go to things like this we can enjoy.

This is the part that gets better. This is a new fishing pier I did not know was built, such quality construction. All composite fake wood decking with stainless hardware, very well made. I took another photo but can't find it, walk out and it gets even better. It turns right and spans the mangroves for 50yards and then turns and comes back to shore via another ramp. Nice disposal tubes for fishing line and hooks to protect the wildlife. No trash seen anywhere, I can't wait to use it, close to home and a brand-new restroom facility. The day still gets better below...

What a great morning, grateful for the ride, mounted up and leaving when a woman runs towards me waving her hands trying to get my attention. I stop, get my helmet off and she is smiling ear to ear yelling Burgman, Burgman, no kidding!!! Her husband walks over to join us, she was showing him my Burgman, she knew ALL ABOUT IT and everything she said was correct, she was so excited. They were riding a Honda VTX 1300 (she wants him to buy a Burgman) She sat on it, asked to show him the storage capacity, showed him the electric windscreen, showed him the electric mirrors. He asked what size it was, she yells out Its a Burgman 650 Executive. These folks were so excited, it made me feel good. We exchanged info. and he said he will be in touch when he finds one. I said I'll ride with you any time my friend with or without your Burgman. He said he will have a Burgman. Very cool start to my day!!

I told him of Burgman USA, so make them feel welcome if they show up here, nice folks

 

[mikeyMarine]

too dang bad no new burgmans coming in great write up and pics! love them shoes that lady has.

 

[SemBurg]

too dang bad no new burgmans coming in great write up and pics! love them shoes that lady has.

I think they would look best on her

 

[SemBurg]

Rode to work this morning @ O-Dark thirty, spent a several quite hours alone, catching up no one to bother me. Left home 82° nice, returned 87° not as nice.

Ermax review...I prefer the stock shield. They are the same height; they sit at different angles. The Ermax dumps air in my face (lower angle) this can be easily remedied with raising the shield. I did not need to raise the shield with the stock, it was perfect until 70mph, then I raised it to smooth out the airflow @ 70mph and above.
The Ermax fit & finish/clarity are unmatched to any shield in my 44 years of riding. I like the looks but do not like the extra adjustments required to fine tune the airflow. This is not a bad thing in Florida as it's Hot & Hotter.
The Ermax is the bomb in the looks department, but I see no reason to spend the money as there is no benefit.
Bottom line, this is nice although requires adjustment more frequently for me. I prefer my stock Suzuki shield.
When I walked in the door my wife said, "what's with the big smile" you look like you just returned from a vacation. "I said don't ever let me sell my Burgman" I go through bikes like underwear, I so enjoy this bike it truly fits the bill for me. I have never enjoyed riding in my local traffic on any bike. This is a dream, plenty quick enough, lightweight and so solid and well planted, nimble handles like a dream. I'm actually smiling in traffic, never done that before. I read of all the problems here and on several other sites regarding CVT issues. I sure hope I avoided that in my latter year choice on this bike. I want to take this to my grave, more fun than any of my big bikes past. Really enjoying my Burger.

 

[Stroke]

The Burgman 650 is such a great ride. I am still hopeful at some point Suzuki brings it back, and if they did, it would be even better.

 

[SemBurg]

The Burgman 650 is such a great ride. I am still hopeful at some point Suzuki brings it back, and if they did, it would be even better.

I would like if it was brought back to life in the US, I'm doubtful that this will actually ever happen. Just a dead market for the 650 and the Burgan 400 has kind of nudged it aside and taken its place. The 400 suits more types of riders and attracts more buyers. I'm still a dyed in the wool Burgman 650 fan.

 

[Charbroil]

SemBurg: You parked your bike on the center stand on what appears to be fresh asphalt, on a sunny 80+ day. It didn’t sink in? How many hours were you at work? I’ve seen my bike sink in in under 30 minutes with those conditions

 

[Dave_J]

Rode to work this morning @ O-Dark thirty, spent a several quite hours alone, catching up no one to bother me. Left home 82° nice, returned 87° not as nice.
View attachment 100068
View attachment 100069

Ermax review...I prefer the stock shield. They are the same height; they sit at different angles. The Ermax dumps air in my face (lower angle) this can be easily remedied with raising the shield. I did not need to raise the shield with the stock, it was perfect until 70mph, then I raised it to smooth out the airflow @ 70mph and above.
The Ermax fit & finish/clarity are unmatched to any shield in my 44 years of riding. I like the looks but do not like the extra adjustments required to fine tune the airflow. This is not a bad thing in Florida as it's Hot & Hotter.
The Ermax is the bomb in the looks department, but I see no reason to spend the money as there is no benefit. I don't care for tall shields, rather go without than those tall goofy barn door shields.

Bottom line, this is nice although requires adjustment more frequently for me. I prefer my stock Suzuki shield. My apologies in advance for those that like the tall goofy shields. 😬

When I walked in the door my wife said, "what's with the big smile" you look like you just returned from a vacation. "I said don't ever let me sell my Burgman" I go through bikes like underwear, I so enjoy this bike it truly fits the bill for me. I have never enjoyed riding in my local traffic on any bike. This is a dream, plenty quick enough, lightweight and so solid and well planted, nimble handles like a dream. I'm actually smiling in traffic, never done that before. I read of all the problems here and on several other sites regarding CVT issues. I sure hope I avoided that in my latter year choice on this bike. I want to take this to my grave, more fun than any of my big bikes past. Really enjoying my Burger.

Ahh Come on now, tell us how you really feel. Don't hold back.

 

[SemBurg]

SemBurg: You parked your bike on the center stand on what appears to be fresh asphalt, on a sunny 80+ day. It didn’t sink in? How many hours were you at work? I’ve seen my bike sink in in under 30 minutes with those conditions

I got there at Sunrise, only parked a few hours. That's the back shaded part of the lot, rear tech. entrance. The asphalt is solid and old with a solid stone base underneath it. The fresh black "look" is a topcoat sealer and fresh painted lines I had re-applied two years ago. No sinking, no damage, no worries.

 

[SemBurg]

Another pre-sunrise ride this morning in cooler temps. I found spark plugs for my truck online this morning, ordered them for pickup from my local Auto-parts store. While I was riding at 8:03am I get an alert my order is ready for pickup (they open at 8:00am) I did something I've never done on any previous motorcycle. I went to pick them up and run errands, then picked up a couple of Bacon egg & cheese Bisquit's and headed home. My other bikes have been primarily for hobby, sport riding, tour riding. I never used them for local transportation or around town errands. This was so cool, really enjoyed it, so easy to get in and out of the garage for local riding instead of muscling big bikes around. Still does the longer rides with ease. I am so glad I made this transition; I was on the fence with owning a "scooter" Wish I would have made this move sooner.

Of course, I detoured for a short ride, cutting through Walsingham Park. I watched the County Park employees raise the flag, I saluted. They in turn saluted me. Wow. No matter how crappy this world can be, it's more enjoyable on a Burgman.

I think I'll be doing errands more often now. I had a rider on a white Busa pull up next to me giving the thumbs up, made me smile. Respect from a serious business Busa rider, made my day

Breakfast and my spark plugs fit with ease under the seat. I hope all my Burger buddies have a great day; I already did.

 

[SemBurg]

Suzuki emblem arrived. Measures 2-1/4" (5.715cm) length X 1/4" (0.635) height. Perfect size and color for fitment on the dash. Quality metal emblem with 3m double stick exterior tape. Heading out to the garage to STICK IT.

Purchased from Natalex Auto emblems. Also bought Suzuki valve stem caps with the Suzuki "S" logo. I'm certain no one will ever see them except me.

 

[SemBurg]

While installing my new Suzuki emblem I decided to change the spark plugs, air filter and clean the throttle body in my 4Runner, the parts have been sitting around a while, now my house projects are complete, my auto maintenance done and more time to ride.

I was going to place the emblem in a different location, up higher on the black. She thought it looked bester on the white. I let the wife pic this spot. Happy wife/Happy life.

I've owned every Toyota Model truck released in the US and every generation 4Runner from Gen1 to Gen5. This is the most cramped pain in the arse to work on. Just to change plugs had to remove the engine cover, intake, wire harnesses, vacuum lines, air filter housing, secondary air injection valves and so on. All fresh fluids, including power steering and rear end. Started @ 10:00am and just finished.
I saved hundreds of dollars to spend riding and dining out on my Burgman.

Air up all my tires hit the A/C for a break, going for a sunset ride tonight on the Burgman. If this blasted sun ever sets.🥵

 

[SemBurg]

Morning Ride started at Frida's Cafe & Bakery. This place is the bomb if you like baked goods, or anything that tickles your fancy on this menu will be the best you've had. It's that good.
If you like GOOD food, you must check out this menu. https://fridascafe.com/

Very nice inside, I sit outside when I'm riding. Several nice, covered porches around the back and sides of the building, spotless clean.

I sit where I can keep an eye on my bike, it's located in Largo... (Lar-ghetto) Many undesirables in the area but the best darn bakery/sandwiches/soups anywhere.
Home by 9:00am, got a ride in and beat the heat again. 😎

Taking the 4Runner out for the day, heading up to Ocala to check out our old home and see what they've done to it, take the wife to lunch (Cajun) and let the 4Runner computer re-learn the changes I've made to it, kind of scrubbing it in.

 

[Bluebottle]

Ya got a little some think on yer seat in that first pic
green thing

 

[DarisPakar]

I got this from Ebay to mount on my Burgy Dash …..

 

[SemBurg]

Ya got a little some think on yer seat in that first pic
green thing

Yes, that started life as a little seed and now it's a giant weed; it only bothers me when I speed.

 

[SemBurg]

Perhaps you are speaking of this guy. He doesn't talk much (good thing) and loves the wind (good thing), never complains (good thing) and doesn't affect my weight & balance, (good thing) = The perfect passenger.