[Jeff_MdR]

http://rideapart.com/2013/07/rideapart-review-2013-suzuki-burgman-650-abs/

This reviewer must have been on the same ride as the Motorcycle.com guy - he even borrows from that review. Generally quite positive.

Like everyone else, the reviewer is taken aback by the price. (Although no mention was made that the rider was wearing about $1400 worth of MC gear).

I'm posting this mainly 'cause the test ride was basically in my backyard - Malibu, Topanga, PCH. (I'm a lucky guy) .

 

[MJR]

I'm posting this mainly 'cause the test ride was basically in my backyard - Malibu, Topanga, PCH. (I'm a lucky guy) .

Close enough to me too.

 

[R1200]

Sort of sad that first time in 10 years Motorcycle.com reviewed the Burgman 650... so they have no point of reference to the previous Burg 650.

I noticed a lot of the writing was heresay as "Suzuki says", "other riders say" mixed with some of his personal experience of 300mi :wave: on the '13 Burgman 650.

I trust riders reviews on this BurgmanUSA forum more than I do reviewers for online magazines and magazines

 

[MacDoc]

Gotta love the comments from mcycle snobs. on the OP review

••••

This is the only review I've seen that nailed it
http://www.onewheeldrive.net/2006/10/04/scoot-touring-the-honda-silverwing-and-suzuki-burgman/

and they got both of the machines correct ( I owned both of them and still have the 650 ).

••••

This review from the UK is also bang on .

http://www.2commute.co.uk/2013/04/26/road-tests/suzuki-burgman-650-executive/

 

[Jeff_MdR]

Thanks for reminding me of what a great article the onewheeldrive piece is - should be required reading for all newbies contemplating the jump from motorcycle to scooter. Plus the author can really turn a phrase, e.g. " I don’t think the novelty of hiking my trousers up to the nipples, pretending to gum food in my helmet, and then taking the race boys off the line will ever wear thin – welcome to the joys of a CVT transmission."

The UK review of the 2013 is as you said, 'bang on.' (A phrase I'll be adding to my own vocabulary )

 

[MacDoc]

That would be UP to a scooter

 

[R1200]

http://rideapart.com/2013/07/rideapart-review-2013-suzuki-burgman-650-abs/

...review. Generally quite positive.

Like everyone else, the reviewer is taken aback by the price.
I'm posting this mainly 'cause the test ride was basically in my backyard - Malibu, Topanga, PCH.

It seems like that the Honda NC700 gets all the attention as it is the darling of the "New Concept" bike to sweep the motorcycle industry while the '13 650 is this heavy overpriced scooter

Most are missing the point... '13 Burgman 650 inexpensive for $4,000.00 For an automatic ECVT add $1000, power mode $1000, dual disc front brakes $1000, backrest $1000, centerstand $1000, under seat storage $1000, windshield $1000, tupperware to shield you from the wind $1000. Stock '13 Burgman 650 $4,000.. as shown with optional equipment $11,000.00 :laughing8:

Look at the NC700 and all the optional equipment needed to bring it to the comfort, convenience and storage level of the all the Burgman 650EX.

Honda NC700 at $7,499.00 looks cheap, but go to the Honda website and add everything that would make it equal to the Burgman 650. The total price for the Honda NC700 is 10,173.55 and this does not include installation! ..and at this price the NC700 still only has one disk brake and has a chain.

So an equally equipped NC700 with dual disc brake and some sort of shaft drive is around $11,000.00 :idea:

Malibu and PCH is only 5 minutes away or less from me.. but this does not distract me that to get an equally well equipped motorcycle or scooter as the Burgman 650.. there are some "smoke & mirrors" in the marketing of Honda vs. Suzuki where all options come standard.

Don't get me wrong that I only think Suzuki... If something goes wrong with my CVT, I will have wished that I had a chain drive that can be easily replaced. I hope to put at least 30,000+ mi on my present Burgman 650 without any major CVT issues and probably lean toward the NC700 or CTX700 if any CVT issues. I would also like to see how present '13 650 Burgman owners do on high mileage. Only time can tell whether changes to the CVT make the '13+ Burger the reigning Burger King.

 

[DWL]

foot pegs on Honda way to far forward for me . The Burg you can change riding position on long ride.

 

[Jeff_MdR]

R1200 - excellent point about evaluating the price based on a feature-to-feature comparison. As a 2-up long distance tourer, I would want comparable features on Honda x700 bike.

As a Burgman owner since 2005 I've seen the MSRP increase over 25% for the 650 Executive. In a period of very low inflation, global financial system shock, long-term recession, stagnant wages, and falling motorcycle sales, 'sticker shock' seems like an appropriate reaction. However, if the powers-that-be at Suzuki and BMW think the market will bear $10k+ scooters, so be it. I think putting more Burgmans on the road by lowering the entry barrier (price) would benefit the entire supply chain - consumers, dealers, distributors and the manufacturers. This is what Honda is doing with their new x500 and x700 lines.

That being said, I'm totally itching for a new Burgman 650. If I can't find a used '13 next year, I'll probably bite the bullet on a new '14 as I don't see me waiting until '15.

 

[MacDoc]

I made the same point in this post on the CB500x - but in that case the CB500x is pretty convincing as an alternative in my view.

http://burgmanusa.com/forums/16-all-others/57673-honda-cb500x-vfr1200dct.html

Lighter, far cheaper, better suspension, bigger range and a lovely seating position, ABS and even spending a $1000 on luggage and windscreen which I think is high still comes in $2-3000 less with 40% better gas mileage.

An a bike that is just plain fun to ride.

Suzuki has been resting on it's laurels too long with a 10 year model and the 2013 I don't think is sufficient change.

For instance while I might have looked for a used 650 in Australia long term I'm more likely now to pick up a new CB500x for a similar price point....

Bout time the value for money returns....