[Andre]

Hello all.

I currently own a '98 Skywave 400 (Japanese Burgman) and am thinking about going for the 650.

The Burgman/Skywave isn't sold officialy here in South Africa, but the dealer where I bought my 400 imports a few 400's and 650's from time to time.

Now it seems I have a choice to wait until February when they bring a few more in (second hand, low mileage), or I can have them order a new one if I provide 10% of the purchase price up front. Six to eight weeks delivery if I want a 2005 model.

If I get a new one it might as well be the Executive or the Limited Edition.

Pictures of the Limited Edition:
http://www1.suzuki.co.jp/motor/skywave650limited/index.html
http://www1.suzuki.co.jp/motor/skywave650limited/detail_1.html

The dealer tells me that the 2005 Executive does not have an adjustable screen or overdrive. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Limited has heated grips, but no ABS or electric mirrors. It's also a bit cheaper and I'm partial to heated grips since my 400 has them.

Colours available are black, blue and silver and I really like the look of the black one.

Anyone want to help me make make up my mind which one to get or have any input on these bikes?

 

[Andre]

Welcome to the BurgmanUSA forums Andre. Glad to have you join us.

Thanks

I'd (personally) choose the Executive to get the ABS brakes. You can add the heated grips if it does not come standard on the Executive.

Sounds like a plan.

The adjustable screen does sound like a useful feature. I think I'm going to give it a while to see if that feature does turn up on production models. It might be a difference between Skywave and Burgman models.

I had a brief test drive on a 650 and it felt like there was less wind protection than the 400. The engine braking was a little disconcerting and the extra weight was noticeable when cornering but the extra power and sense of stability impressed me a lot. My 400 feels quite twitchy by comparison.

 

[Andre]

Looking at your avatar, do you have the hand protectors installed?

Yes, they came with the bike.