Was new 400 Burgman, now new 650 Exec.

[VOZZA]

Good to see you're enjoying the big Burger. I had a go on one on a Suzuki Demo day at my local dealers and was most impressed with the experience all round, quick, comfy and practical with fun thrown in for good measure, a hard act to follow.

[wuffstuff]

I did the journey to Portsmouth in temperatures below 10 degrees C. Very cold indeed and the heated grips did their job superbly. I arrived at my clients with warm hands but the rest of me was frozen. After my work there I left for London via the A3. Running low on fuel I thought the services at Liphook would be right handy. I turned in to find that the garage was under reconstruction. No warning anywhere. I did mange to make it to the next fuel stop without any problems but it was a concern. I was into the City really quickly using the A3 right into town. Through Clapham common I was able to use the wide road to my advantage and I overtook (within the speed limit obviously) at will. Even through Kennington and the Elephant and Castle I was still able to maximise my speed and I had no hold ups. From the City I headed out to the Olympic Village along the A13 without any problems; a dull journey. After work I headed for my Hotel in Finchley. Of course, the North Circular was closed and I had to detour to near Muswell Hill and then back up. My Tomtom made short work of that little trip.

I locked the scoot to a post and went about my business. Well, actually I watched Real Madrid play Man City with a few cheeky beers.

The next morning I was up and about early doors; just as well as it took over an hour to reach the Kings Road (only 10 miles). The traffic through Hampstead was hellish and even on a scooter I couldn't get past all of it. Anyway I did get there, did the work and shuffled to a couple more clients in the Notting Hill area, very speedily. This is where the scoot really scores; moving past the traffic congestion in London is a breeze on these scoots. So, at about Midday I'm all done and ready for the 220 mile journey home. The sun is shining and it's 21 degrees C out there. It was very windy though and the 650 is nowhere near as good in the wind as the 400. Stability was a problem in gusting conditions and I was being blown about the road on open motorways. None the less I arrived home in good nick, and interestingly without the sore arse and back that I had with the 400. I'm not sure why, maybe it's the seating position but who cares - no more pain.

For the mileage interested people I averaged 55.4 mpg over 500 miles, with varying speeds from 55-80 mph (Satnav, not Burgman speedo) mostly long motorway runs but maybe 100 miles of in town and single carriageway stuff. Speedo is exactly 10% high by the way.

A great adventurous 2 days out, what a way to get to work!!

[Dave Weller]

Good write up, did you use the heated seat?

[Data]

Wow...it just gets better and better! Well done for posting and thanks. I enjoy reading your blogs about how you are getting on. Interesting what you say about the wind affecting the 650 a bit more. I noticed it too when I had a 650 for the day. I thought it was just me and/or the bike wasn't quite setup right for me. Anyway, it was fine and easily manageable, just needed to input a bit more with my body weight. How about a pic or two when you get a chance...do keep posting especially about fuel as it's bound to get better as you do more miles and the engine loosens. Has she used any oil yet, being a young engine?

[wuffstuff]

Dave - heated seat not used as it was only hands that were cold. Freezing actually.

Data - I'll update the fuel thing, but as for oil - still good. It's only done 1000 miles since the first service and 1600 in total. It's looking good for a change at the expected interval.

Thanks for the comments.

[wuffstuff]

Cold this morning as I set off on my weekly jaunt to Portsmouth - only 9 degrees. Still, it was nice to be out and riding. The scoot worked perfectly and I have now forgiven it for being so hard in the suspension area. Truth is, I've got used to it. After 300 miles, there and back, I felt fine, no back or arse ache. Perfect.

I messed about a bit with the screen, but when set high I don't like it. The scoot is definitely less stable, but quieter, but the height is awkward for me - the top is right in my eye line. I also had a go with the manual gearbox thing; seemed like a waste of time to me and I won't be bothering with it again. Incidentally I have pushed the power button a couple of times on motorways but I can't tell any difference other than the revs go up on the digital screen. The scoot doesn't seem to be any more powerful. Maybe I'm doing it wrong or not understanding. Not that I care, I don't need it.

I love this scoot so much more than the 400. It is worth more than the extra 30% on the 400's price to get all the extra power to be able to do what you want when you want without having to think about it or plan ahead.

OK, that's it for this thread. As the Dragon's say - I'm out.

[bornagainbiker]

The Power button only works in D mode and basically increases the rev band range before changing gear. Use it when you need to overtake quickly so you have that extra acceleration power. When you tried it on the motorway you were probably in 6th gear (OD on pre 2011) and pressing the Power changed the rev band range and into 5th gear. It's also good for the country lane twisties.