Awesome thanks. Just wondering if anyone can tell me if there is much difference technically between the 650 and the 650 exec? Would the repair manuals be the same? I know the exec has some other bells and whistles but for the most part I assume that everything is the same except the mirrors, adjustable windshield and the back rest am I correct?
I was told (in 2009) that the Executive came with heated seat and grips and with ABS. I have heard since that the Exec is the only model sold in Canada and that it is not generally available in the US. The ABS feature has since becaome standard on all Burgmans, AFAIK.
There are subtle differences between models sold in different places. Canadian bikes are metric, and cannot be switched to miles. Annoying, that. British bikes are in miles but can be switched to kilometers. I don't know about American or Australian models.
There are also different engine setups to comply with different regulations here and there. These are all described in the shop manual. If you plan on doing your own work, the shop manual is indispensible, even with
LeDude's excellent tutorials. (Thank you again, LeDude!)
All the noise about imminent CVT failure is just that — noise. It has happened to a few unfortunate owners who have made their stories known, but the bolts used for the last seven (?) years are stronger and do not wear to the same degree. The design has also been improved in newer model. I replaced the bolt in both my Burgmans at 25,000 miles as a matter of course, and there was very little wear on them, not even enough to justify replacing them. I'd already bought the bolts.
There are two known points of failure to beware of.
Firstly, the starter switch can get stuck with all the gunk inside. The symptom is that your headlights become erratic or fail. There are two sets of spring-loaded contacts in the switch, one to disengage the headlights and the other to engage the starter motor. The gunk prevents the headlight contacts at the back of the switch from returning all the way. The quick fix is to shoot it with WD-40, but the permanent solution is to dismantle the switch, clean it out, bend the rear contacts slightly and replace them, using a lighter dielectric grease.
The second point of failure, particularly for 2009 models, is the rectifier, also called the regulator. It's a cheap part, poorly manufactured, and forced the recall of the 2009 Burgman 400s. Some (if not all) of the 650s have the same crappy part, including mine. When it went, it took my stator with it. Ugly.
I recommend getting some kind of backrest. We have the 3-brothers one, but there are others. I find the additional lumbar support greatly increases the comfort of the ride. That's true of any bike, btw.
Anyway, enjoy your bike. The Burgman is truly an awesome machine in its own element, which is motoring down the highway. You will find out. Moreover, once you get used to the engine braking and feathering the throttle to control the transmission, you can rip through the twisties at an outstanding rate. The Burgman will amaze you more than once, I promise.
Ride safe
Scott Fraser
Clagary