Yesterday I took the Burgman in for a Service at SMC in Sheffield. I Rode there in pouring rain, heavy traffic on the M1 and road works on A61 so a challenging ride.

Picked up a loan bike for the day, a Yamaha Diversion 600 four cylinder traditional bike.

So what did I think, I hear you ask?

Obviously I was not so familiar with the bike but I rode geared bikes and scooters for years. In traffic open up the Burgman and your gone. Working your way up and down a gear box in traffic is just another thing to have to do when you can better concentrate on who is trying to kill you.

On the open road the 4 cylinders were smooth but sounded like a demented Wasp.

I got soaked and I mean really soaked on the way back in less rain. Oh and wind blasted to bits.

Out of interest I looked up the review on MCN and it says the Yamaha is a good all round bike, not super fast but suitable for commuting, recreational riding and possibly touring apparently because it has a small storage place under the seat.

The review of the Burgman says a fast machine but heavy, wallowy on corners and with limited storage space!

There’s more storage space on the Burgman on the front than there is on the Yamaha under the seat.

In terms of performance nothing to really choose between them. Comfort – need you ask?

Did the experience make me want a proper Bike? I took it back and rode home on the Burgman with a massive grin on my face.

I often wish I'd have gone for a geared bike first then got a scooter to appreciate the comfort and storage and all the other joys of a big scooter

You must remember that MCN live in a different universe to the one we live in....when they say 'comfortable', it means that doesn't inflict severe physical pain on you within the 5 minutes!

I've never been bothered for "proper" bikes that's why I just did my auto test. I knew I could still ride a FJR1300 or the Mana or the 850 scoots.

Only had Scooters for two and half years,always rode Motorcycles. I have been thrown back on course, after banking over too far, once on the Burgman 400 on a right hand bend when the centre stand hit the floor. More recently on the Silverwing banking at a roundabout going left, i thought the front tyre had skipped but, my son in law who was behind me, said the centre stand lifted the rear wheel up off the ground. I do miss not being able to bank over as much. Having said all this, i prefer the comfort and smoothness of a scooter(for now).

Since I bought my PCX I have had a few loan bikes while it has been in for service.
There has been a Transalp, CBR600F, CBR250R, CBF600F and a NC700X DCT.
In every case I have been happy to get back on my PCX, I didn't enjoy riding any of them.

The young ones can't wait to get off their little scoots and onto a sport bike. Folks with a bit of sand in their gizzards get on a scoot and wonder why they waited so long to ditch their cruisers. Ain't life grand?

mightbesane wrote:The young ones can't wait to get off their little scoots and onto a sport bike. Folks with a bit of sand in their gizzards get on a scoot and wonder why they waited so long to ditch their cruisers. Ain't life grand?

I'm the opposite, I love my Mana, and as stated in another post it would have to be a Tmax 530 to tempt me off it. At 44 I think I'm having my mid-life crisis lol

mightbesane wrote:The young ones can't wait to get off their little scoots and onto a sport bike. Folks with a bit of sand in their gizzards get on a scoot and wonder why they waited so long to ditch their cruisers. Ain't life grand?

this is so true.i wish i'd got into scooters a long time ago...although i can't believe how many people see you in bike gear or know you ride.then when they find out you ride a scooter , loose all interest in talking to you...

Scooters forever I say! I won't be going back to big bikes again in a hurry. Totally agree with the sentiments being expressed here, and the speed, comfort, weather protection and general feel of a scooter is just superb. I never get tired however far I ride. I feel I've grown up now in the two wheeled department...although my wife says that in every other department I'm totally juvenile. I have no idea what she is going on about. Anyway...I'm off out now to play, I've got a brand new swing in the garden! See ya!...