New Burgmans at last

[Bluebottle]

After all the rumours there finally seems to be some definate noises coming out of Suzuki - a new Burger 650 in 2013 and 400 to follow in 2014

I wonder how they are going to improve those 12v outlet positions - maybe one inside the rear tyre and another in a car park just outside Gretna?
Other than that I hope they recognise the good stuff and carry it on into the new versions

[barryG]

I reckon the 12v socket should be somewhere on Mars, that would be better! Also, I wonder if they will finally make a clutch that works like it should

[johnp]

Can't wait to see the pictures.

[MrGrumpy]

A new Burger in 2013....and they'll probably get the bugs out of it by 2017! Sorry, me being over cynical again...

[halfabusa]

no need to be. unfortunately you're stating the obvious. Unless scooters are used in popular races, there will never be a true competition in that category between the manufacturers, hence the leniancy towards buggy scoots...

[phantom309]

why they don't get people who actually ride scooters to see what they really want from there scooters,an not just oh that'll do,attitude.( as already stated,the power outlet,put it somewhere that you can actually plug your stuff into it an still shut the door to keep the weather out.) bizzare..SYM have ,it's spot on.an the new joyride 300 even has a USB port..

[MrGrumpy]

I just hope that Suzuki sort the suspension out on the new Burger, so that it can handle bumpy roads without making the rider wish they had stayed at home!

[barryG]

I thought the suspension pretty good, but I came from an Xevo which had non!

They need to sort the clutch issues out, lord knows theyve had long enough. Maybe a wet clutch will be used like the X10?

[Dave Weller]

I have no wish list for a new B650, but, I bet the new model will cost more and the standard features on the executive will be dropped, like heated grips and seat and adjustable electric screen and mirrors.

[irev]

I can't say I had any problems with the suspension on the two Burgmans I had. On the 400 I adjusted it once within a few weeks of buying it and left it there, and it was good for solo rider and any amount of gear I stowed on the passenger seat and in the top box. On the 650 I put the rear shocks on 3 for solo, and pumped up the tyres a bit and set the shocks to 5, when it was loaded up for touring with Mrs M. It's the same routine I use now on the Silver Wing, set and forget.

Agree with Mal-adjusted. On my (early) 400 the rear suspension had the slightly odd effect of quickening the steering when preload was wound off, rather than on and the front springs settled over time, but apart from that it was more than good enough.

On the SigFiddy I intended to replace the rear shocks with some nice Fournales units when the originals lost their damping as Jap shocks `always` do - 24,000 miles later they were still fine and used the same settings and tyre adjustment as Meldrew. Only difference is I swapped the front springs out for Hyperpros - the oe springs fitted sagged badly in a few thousand miles and THAT is the cause of most suspension complaints about the 650.
Back when I could still be bothered with Burgman USA we had a number of members measure the static sag of their front springs, where they were all drastically out of spec, then replace them with a variety of spring and damping solutions. Every single one massively improved on the standard, all by returning the sag to acceptable levels.

The cause is, of course, the sheer basic mass of the `system` and the utter crapness of the `that'll do for a scooter` mindset of the dweebs in Suzuki's QC department who clearly have a basic lack of understanding that 550lbs of scooter travelling at 100mph is just the same as 550lbs of motorcycle travelling at the same speed and needs the same level of suspension control.

One area where the BMW's may well justify their cost, as the new roadtests are revealing.

All the new Burgers need is half the weight and double the fuel mileage. If those are the goals, with no loss of practicality, throw in double the service intervals and inevitably these should be a major step forward. as the criteria dictate the solution. Suzuki will also need to anticipate that BMW will roll out the semi-active suspension solution on the scoots in the next year or two so the new bikes will need ABS as standard (dictated by incoming legislation), and massively improved economy of operation. Auto-adjust suspension by button on the dash is also required (a maxi-rider should not have to scrabble about with the dirty bits just to pull a bint and take her home from the party, you leave oily prints on her knickers).

I'd suggest they give the design task to the car division and keep the motorcycle bods designing irrelevant hyper sports bikes with no electronic aids in a market which wants 150hp adventure bikes with all the leccy gizmos including brakes, traction, gearchanging, suspension and, presumably a plug for X-Box so the `leisure biker` can take their 22 mile Sunday run from the comfort of their armchair.

Meantime the real bikers - all-weather scooter riders - can expect improved weather protection and underseat clothes drying facilities.