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I’m looking for advice – pros and cons about what to buy. I noticed that many of the contributors to this forum have Burgmans and have or had something else. So I’m hoping to draw on your collective experience.
About me: I’m a middle-aged newbie. After years of trying to convince my wife that I won’t kill myself, she finally agreed. I took the Motorcycle Safety course offered by the state of Pennsylvania and got my license at the end of the course. So I have no motorcycle experience other than that course. (Actually, there was some illegal motorcycle riding 30+ years ago, but we won’t talk about that. And I’ve ridden bicycles all my life.) The motorcycles used in the course were primarily Honda Nighthawks (250 cc) or equivalent. I’m 5’ 11” and weigh 200 lbs.
Where I live: I live in an area that is definitely suburbs, outside of Philadelphia. 30 years ago this area was rural, but it’s undergone tremendous growth since then. However, if I go 15 miles north or west, I’m in the country again. If I go 15 miles south or east, I’m effectively in the city (very dense suburbs). The topography is rolling hills, criss-crossed by creeks & streams. It’s a historic area, you can literally say “George Washington slept here”, about 15 miles away from Valley Forge. This is relevant when I discuss the roads (below).
The roads: There are really 3 classes of roads. First are the residential roads in the suburban developments. These are slow-speed (25-35 mph), with stop signs, cul de sacs, etc. Second are the arterial roads. The “major” arterial roads are generally 4-lane, with lots of businesses and traffic lights. These were the major roads in the 18th and 19th centuries. They have names like Lancaster Pike (went from Phila. to Lancaster), West Chester Pike (went from Phila. to West Chester), Wilmington Pike (went from West Chester to Wilmington), Pottstown Pike (well, you get the idea)… The “minor” arterial roads also date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. They are basically the roads that the farmers used, but they now carry a lot of traffic. However, these are generally 2 lane roads with a few traffic lights. And, third, there are the highways. There’s the Pennsylvania Turnpike. (But I don’t really picture myself riding there. I’ve seen too many bad automobile accidents on that road.) There are also 4-lane, limited access portions of route 202, route 30, route 100, etc.
So here’s my dilemma. I want to buy my first motorcycle. I went to a Honda dealer and was very impressed with the Silverwing (scooter). None of the other motorcycles really grabbed my interest. Then I went to a Suzuki & Yamaha dealer. I was impressed with the Yamaha V Star (650 cc), the Suzuki Boulevard S40 (650 cc, formerly the LS650), and the Burgmans. He also had some used Yamaha V Stars with good prices. Local Yamaha dealers don’t expect to see the Majesty 400s until November. So, what should I buy?
General observations/questions:
(1) The scooters have a lot of storage. That would be very convenient for traveling to/from work, running errands, etc.
(2) Let’s face it, scooters are not real popular in the U.S. (Everybody expects somebody like me to buy a Harley for my mid-life crisis.) How do you choose between a traditional motorcycle and a scooter?
(3) Because of scooters’ relative unpopularity, will I have trouble reselling a scooter?
(4) I really don’t care about automatic transmission or manual transmission. I drive a car with a manual. My wife’s car is an automatic.
(5) How important are the ABS brakes that you can get with the Honda Silverwing?
(6) How do you choose between the Burgmans (400 and 650)?
(7) Let’s talk about 2-up riding. After I get more experienced, I hope to convince my wife to ride with me. My teenage son already wants to go. What are the pros and cons of 2-up riding on the various types of cycles?
(8) What’s the story with wheel sizes? The scooters tend have smaller wheels (13” or 14”). The motorcycles have much larger wheels (15” or 16” in the rear, 19” in front). Why the difference?
(9) What are the pros and cons of air-cooled vs. liquid cooled?
(10) New or used? Your thoughts?
The dealers have said that I can test ride the cycles. But I’d like to go in with a short list. I think it would test their patience just a bit if I came in and wanted to try a dozen different cycles.
Thank you for your patience with my long posting.
About me: I’m a middle-aged newbie. After years of trying to convince my wife that I won’t kill myself, she finally agreed. I took the Motorcycle Safety course offered by the state of Pennsylvania and got my license at the end of the course. So I have no motorcycle experience other than that course. (Actually, there was some illegal motorcycle riding 30+ years ago, but we won’t talk about that. And I’ve ridden bicycles all my life.) The motorcycles used in the course were primarily Honda Nighthawks (250 cc) or equivalent. I’m 5’ 11” and weigh 200 lbs.
Where I live: I live in an area that is definitely suburbs, outside of Philadelphia. 30 years ago this area was rural, but it’s undergone tremendous growth since then. However, if I go 15 miles north or west, I’m in the country again. If I go 15 miles south or east, I’m effectively in the city (very dense suburbs). The topography is rolling hills, criss-crossed by creeks & streams. It’s a historic area, you can literally say “George Washington slept here”, about 15 miles away from Valley Forge. This is relevant when I discuss the roads (below).
The roads: There are really 3 classes of roads. First are the residential roads in the suburban developments. These are slow-speed (25-35 mph), with stop signs, cul de sacs, etc. Second are the arterial roads. The “major” arterial roads are generally 4-lane, with lots of businesses and traffic lights. These were the major roads in the 18th and 19th centuries. They have names like Lancaster Pike (went from Phila. to Lancaster), West Chester Pike (went from Phila. to West Chester), Wilmington Pike (went from West Chester to Wilmington), Pottstown Pike (well, you get the idea)… The “minor” arterial roads also date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. They are basically the roads that the farmers used, but they now carry a lot of traffic. However, these are generally 2 lane roads with a few traffic lights. And, third, there are the highways. There’s the Pennsylvania Turnpike. (But I don’t really picture myself riding there. I’ve seen too many bad automobile accidents on that road.) There are also 4-lane, limited access portions of route 202, route 30, route 100, etc.
So here’s my dilemma. I want to buy my first motorcycle. I went to a Honda dealer and was very impressed with the Silverwing (scooter). None of the other motorcycles really grabbed my interest. Then I went to a Suzuki & Yamaha dealer. I was impressed with the Yamaha V Star (650 cc), the Suzuki Boulevard S40 (650 cc, formerly the LS650), and the Burgmans. He also had some used Yamaha V Stars with good prices. Local Yamaha dealers don’t expect to see the Majesty 400s until November. So, what should I buy?
General observations/questions:
(1) The scooters have a lot of storage. That would be very convenient for traveling to/from work, running errands, etc.
(2) Let’s face it, scooters are not real popular in the U.S. (Everybody expects somebody like me to buy a Harley for my mid-life crisis.) How do you choose between a traditional motorcycle and a scooter?
(3) Because of scooters’ relative unpopularity, will I have trouble reselling a scooter?
(4) I really don’t care about automatic transmission or manual transmission. I drive a car with a manual. My wife’s car is an automatic.
(5) How important are the ABS brakes that you can get with the Honda Silverwing?
(6) How do you choose between the Burgmans (400 and 650)?
(7) Let’s talk about 2-up riding. After I get more experienced, I hope to convince my wife to ride with me. My teenage son already wants to go. What are the pros and cons of 2-up riding on the various types of cycles?
(8) What’s the story with wheel sizes? The scooters tend have smaller wheels (13” or 14”). The motorcycles have much larger wheels (15” or 16” in the rear, 19” in front). Why the difference?
(9) What are the pros and cons of air-cooled vs. liquid cooled?
(10) New or used? Your thoughts?
The dealers have said that I can test ride the cycles. But I’d like to go in with a short list. I think it would test their patience just a bit if I came in and wanted to try a dozen different cycles.
Thank you for your patience with my long posting.