Citycom 300i, Burgman 400 & the Burgman 650 Executive.

[anonstarter]

Met up with Mister Raven today and we took a ride down to Maccy D's in Hayle.

At the traffic lights and on the flat between Pool and Camborne there didn't seem anything in it. However, when we were going up the Camborne 'Big-Dipper' - at 70 mph (honest officer) - the difference between 263cc and 399cc became obvious - it allowed him to cruise past me... I had my throttle wide open but couldn't do any more than 77mph. I'm sure Raven won't mind me saying he's quite a bit lighter than 110kg and a wee tad shorter than 6'7". Oh well, I thought, at least I can't get pulled for speeding 'going up Camborne hill...'

After a Chicken Legend, coffee and chat about some of the wonderful cuntributions some members make, we swopped bikes for a quick run up to Connor Downs.

It was a great opportunity to compare the bikes. The Citycom is a tall Scoot - the reason I bought it - and the first thing I noticed on the 400 Burgman was the praying mantis position I had to adopt to take the roundabout. The engine was more vibey and the initial acceleration wasn't as quick but the power 'delivery' was linear and it pulled away happily to 70. The Burgman 400 is a fab Scoot, but sadly not as comfortable - to me - and not enough of a power difference to justify changing. I'd be very interested to hear what Raven thought about the Citycom.

Now, I didn't realise that Raven was related in some way to Derren Brown. Before I knew it, we were at the Suzuki dealers - Anton Parris - and I was sat astride a 59 Plate 650 Burgman Executive - potentially spending £4000.

What a Scoot! Smooth, powerful, great handling and we even managed to find a private stretch of road where the Burgman 650 was very quick indeed!
Unfortunately for me, it just wasn't comfortable! The handle bars felt too close together and my shins pressed up against the dash. Again the curse of long shanks!

Sorry you didn't earn any well deserved commission Ross, but thank you for an inspiring morning!

[Raven]

I have to say I had a very enjoyable morning trying the different scooters.

I was very impressed with the SYM Citycom 300i. What stood out the most was how smooth it was compared to my 400 Burgman. With both being single cylinder machines I would expect to get that thud, thud, thud, of the single cylinder engine compared to my 650 twin, but not so on the SYM it was very smooth indeed. The Burgman is ok when it gets revving but at low revs you can tell it’s a single cylinder machine.

One of the things I did notice was how high the Citycom was compared to the Burgman, there was a grove worn in the top of my crash helmet from it rubbing on the overhead electric wires. The Burgman is definitely lower down, I can place both feet on the ground quite easily, whereas on the Citycom I could only place the front of my foot (but I am a short ass). So I found the Burgman easier to handle even though it is heavier than the Citycom.

Anonstarter is the only person I know who can make a Burgman 650 Executive look small, with his grasshopper legs he was well oversized for the scooter try as we might we couldn’t get him to fit comfortably on it, his legs would always be squashed against the dash. He was most impressed with the extra power of the 650 engine, I could tell as he sped away from me, (something to eat Ross no thanks dear I’m still chewing on Anonstarters dust)

So as I said I was most impressed with the SYM Citycom 300i. It has a very smooth responsive engine and was comfy to ride, if a tad on the high side for a vertically challenged person such as myself. The power delivery was constant up through the revs but the extra power of the 400 Burgman showed on the hills, so did the extra power of the 650 Burgman compared to the 400 Burgman. There was one thing I did notice and that was how nice the 650 Burgman sounds when traveling along, it has a sweet sound from the engine & transmision and a very nice burble sound from the exhaust.

So what are we to get Anonstarter now he has the itch to change his scooter?

[gn2]

What about a Majesty 400?
Good deals available on those last time I looked.

[kayz1]

You could always remove the 650 seat backrest that would give another 2"..
to unfold the legs

[Raven]

Think I may have found the ideal new scooter for Anonstarter



Seems to have plenty of leg room

Raven

Sorry Gary!!

[anonstarter]

Thanks for the advice gents!

According to http://cycle-ergo.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; the best fit Maxi Scoot for me is the Aprillia SRV!



I just need a pint of patience - I've got my eyes on the 'new' 2014 MAXSYM 600i !

[R1K SU]

Im 6 ft 1 and find the 650 burg very comfortable, my backrest is all the way back and my legs are no where near the front panels. ,

[anonstarter]

Im 6 ft 1 and find the 650 burg very comfortable, my backrest is all the way back and my legs are no where near the front panels. ,

Well, I've discovered an extra 6 inches makes a hell of a difference, ahem!

[Capt. R Swipe]

Hi Anonstarter,

I'm a very new member here and have just spotted your thread.

Your're right about the Burg 400's low speed vibes. Mine chatters on quick take offs and thereain't much I can do about it. It is for me the most comy bike I've ridden.
Anyway, I'm looking for a stepthrough 300cc for the lighter weight and have spotted your Citycom 300. I am considering the SH300i but is is discontinued, my question is - is the Citycom 300 a discontinued model too?

Do you rate it?

BTW, I'm in Plymouth with its abundance of motorcycle shops!

Tim

[anonstarter]

Howdy Captain Tim - just spotted this - slipped through the net!

I haven't spotted any new Citycoms available for a while now, but if you were tempted to buy new, SYMUK might be able to point you in the right direction.

I do indeed rate the Citycom 300i. At the time it was the best looking AND best value 'sit on' Scoot in it's class. It's a fabulous Scoot that handles really well. Where it's kinda unique is in its height. It's a really tall and slim Scooter - and I think it's that height that makes it fun. Being able to look over the average car helps to get a better view of what's going on ahead, the 'ebb and flow' of traffic and where to aim to be. That extra height probably makes it 'feel like' I'm 'making progress' too. I do still enjoy using 'traffic assessment' instead of raw cc's to make progress - and the 300 class of Scoot is ideal for that - however I must admit the whoopies of more cc's are missed now and then.
With 17G Dr Pulleys it'll happily pretend it's doing 90mph on the flat @ 8500rpm and will out- accelerate the average car up to 50mph. It sips away at fuel - generally around 80mpg - in some of the hilliest terrain in the country. As a 'Sit on' - like your Vision - it's ideal as a commuter Scoot. It is capable of touring, but after a 600+ mile jolly up to London, I began to wonder if the feet first 'sit in' Scoot - like a Burgman - would've been more comfortable.
My 2008 Citycom has been totally reliable. It's well designed, well put together, fettle-friendly and it still makes me smile. The only negatives are the narrow fuel filler and the tiny 10 litre tank.

Short reviews here:
2008 Version: http://www.justgottascoot.com/citycom.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
2011 Version: http://www.justgottascoot.com/citycom2013.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Current availability on Biketrader(31/03/14):
(For some reason they're listed as "City Comm")
2009 12799 Miles @ £2199
2011 3106 Miles @ £2499
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used ... ascdefault" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We could a have a Sou' Westers meet? You're welcome to have a test ride - no wheelies or stoppies though!
Up for a Jolly to Plymouth sometime soon anyone? Mister Raven? FishtownPhil?