New Suzuki Burgman road test

[Deleted User 796]

Thanks for the review, another slight correction maybe:

If you can’t cope with the thought of never changing gear again you have the option to flick it into manual mode, which allows you to go up and down the six-speed box at the flick of a button, albeit without a clutch, it’s like a quick shift on a race bike. In reality not many riders will bother with manual mode, that’s because auto is just so easy and gives instant power.

The Burgman doesn't have gears as such. Like all current scooters it has a cvt, just on the 650 it is an electronically controlled one.

What surprised me a little was the report of 42-49mpg, that's a bit of a shocker even for a spirited ride!!

Do you know what the service intervals are, hopefully they are a more sensible 6k miles by now (but the cynic in me says probably not)?

I still can't help but wish Honda would shove the NC700 DCT engine into the silverwing (with an enclosed chain maybe if we have to have a chain). Surely that would murder the competition?

[VOZZA]

Excellent report Iggy thank you, it's a shame some people are influenced so much by their mates misguided opinions and miss out so much.
I had a ride on the old model last summer on a Suzuki Demo day and had a ball. I may well give the new one a go when the Honda NC is due for replacement.

[Deleted User 796]

Excellent report Iggy thank you, it's a shame some people are influenced so much by their mates misguided opinions and miss out so much.
I had a ride on the old model last summer on a Suzuki Demo day and had a ball. I may well give the new one a go when the Honda NC is due for replacement.

TBH, my local Suzuki dealer (West London Suzuki) is the biggest off putting thing to buying a Burgman!

[Scootlife]

The Burgman doesn't have gears as such. Like all current scooters it has a cvt, just on the 650 it is an electronically controlled one.

What surprised me a little was the report of 42-49mpg, that's a bit of a shocker even for a spirited ride!!

Do you know what the service intervals are, hopefully they are a more sensible 6k miles by now (but the cynic in me says probably not)?

I still can't help but wish Honda would shove the NC700 DCT engine into the silverwing (with an enclosed chain maybe if we have to have a chain). Surely that would murder the competition?/b]


Although it doesn't have mechanical gears it still gives the feeling of a gear change, unlike conventional CVT's, that's what I was getting at there to encourage cynical gear changes that they won't be missing out. Service schedule is 4,000miles, still not great. To be honest with the MPG we really weren't hanging about and about 80% of the time was spent in power mode.

I did a Honda DCT event in Ireland last week, all 5 DCT bikes for two days and over 400 miles, awesome couple of days riding. The NC700 engine is a stinker, I preferred it in the Integra although it isn't as practical as the NC700 (hardly any storage). Good bikes though.

[poldark]

Real world MPG for B650 is 65+, just check Fuelly.

NC700 in maxi-design would be great, but Silverwing would need suspension/chassis upgrade to handle.

[MrGrumpy]

Real world MPG for B650 is 65+, just check Fuelly.

NC700 in maxi-design would be great, but Silverwing would need suspension/chassis upgrade to handle.

Don't think the big Burger is that economical....well, it wasn't for me anyway!

Rather than reverse engineering the Silverwing, what Honda really need to do is make some storage space in the Integra....not to mention losing the exposed chain drive. The NC700 engine (in auto form) makes a very similar amount of power (51bhp) to the Silverwing anyway, though probably has better economy.

[poldark]

Real world MPG for B650 is 65+, just check Fuelly.

NC700 in maxi-design would be great, but Silverwing would need suspension/chassis upgrade to handle.

Don't think the big Burger is that economical....well, it wasn't for me anyway!

Well over 7k miles I averaged 64mpg and that was an old K3 scoot, the newer ones make circa 10% more, so unless you're commuting with it 65mpg is quite doable.

Fuelly

[Normsthename]

they could also ditch the Power mode which is useful for engine braking down steep hills and not much else.

The Power Button is useful on the earlier Burgman 650 where it is handy for fast overtakes.
On the later Burgman 650 Suzuki messed around with the software and changed the way the transmission alters.
It feels like it is always running in Power Mode, where as the the early models have a much more lazy relaxed feel.
I preferred the earlier system to be honest using the Power Button when required

Andy

[Deleted User 796]

Why does Honda need another version of the Silver Wing with a different engine. They have already made it's replacement the face lifted SW-T Silver Wing, the same as Suzuki are doing now with the 'new' 650 Burgman, although it's not yet available here and in the USA.

Having owned a 650 Burgman for a couple of years before buying a Silver Wing, the best thing Suzuki could have done with the 'new' 650 and didn't, is lose about 30kg weight. That's more useful than a set of buttons you play gear changes with until you get bored, and they could also ditch the Power mode which is useful for engine braking down steep hills and not much else.

Because it's a better engine, quicker of the line too. Sadly we don't get the SW-T here - the Honda rep at the bike show last year denied they even exist!

I agree the Burgman should be lighter. It should also have longer service intervals and the same luggage space as the old one and be cheaper as it seems there was a minimal amount of R&D spent on it.

[DMAC64]

Anyone think that you will get a fair review from people who think that you have to be on a sports bike to exist ?