2014 Burgman 650 Review.

[macamxthe1st]

Probably worth giving a bit of background so as to give context to what is obviously a personal but I hope objective view of my 2014 Burgman 650.
I am 61 years of age, retired and have been riding powered two wheelers off road from the age of 12 and on road from the age of 16. I have have owned 50+ bikes of all types in the interim 49 years and I am a qualified DVLA Direct Access Instructor. I have ridden 12,000 miles plus a year including any some longish trips such as round the coast of the UK 3,600 in six days.
Over the last couple of years I have been alternating between Triumph Bonnevilles and Suzuki Burgman 400's. My riding now is purely for pleasure and consists of taking off for the day just going wherever the road takes me covering 2 to 300 miles in the day.
I really loved the last Bonneville. A cracking down to earth bike. Unfortunately I was starting to find that after a couple of hours I was getting rather uncomfortable and I was all aches and pains for the following couple of days (yes I had changed the seat/suspension etc.).
Time for a change then, another Burgman 400 then. A known quantity. Comfortable, frugal and practical beyond belief. The negatives were few but included, slightly lethargic off the line, suspect clutch operation (totally random, my ZA was really bad) and the back end could become a trifle lively should one ride with a modicum of enthusiasm. What about the 650 then, nah! To expensive, to heavy, to thirsty to complex. Several weeks of should I shouldn't I followed but I was pushed over the edge by by being offered a stonking deal by my long term acquaintance at B & B Motorcycles of Lincoln. The day arrived and full of doubt handed over my much loved Bonnie and road off on the Burgman. Now 2,000 miles on was it a good decision or a stupid expensive mistake.
Initially I had serious misgivings as to the wisdom of the change. Don't misunderstand me I fully appreciated the sheer quality and sophistication of the Burgman from day one but something was missing. Not something tangible that I could put my finger on, that spark, that Ah!, that ?.
What's good. In short a heck of a lot. The performance is excellent. The mid range, that all important 40 to 80 mph is strong and very accessible and rolling on and off the power for A road overtakes is a thing of great joy. The handling is a revelation, chuck it in and it sticks to line like a politician in the run up to an election. Compared to the 400 it gives a little ground in reactiveness but is in a different league with regard to stability, indeed I have pushed it pretty hard and haven't been anywhere near the limit. The straight line stability is also impressive, I have given it a good shake at shall we say "speed" and it refuses to complain it just shrugs it off a ploughs straight on.
The brakes have great feel with the reassurance of Abs. One can "howl" the front tyre with the Abs just on the point of coming to the party. Now if thats not good feedback then I don know what is. Also worth noting is the design achievment this is given the very low center of gravity as the tendency would be for the front to push under heavy braking but the Burgman does not suffer this. The standard fit Bridgestone Battleaxe tyres give good grip and feel in the dry. I have no experience of the wet weather performance at this time.
Comfort, the riding position for me (5'6") is spot on. The ride I found to be very harsh initially but this this has improved with miles. It will however never be described as "plush" nor could it be and still handle the way it does so for me thats fine. I can ride all day and suffer no ill affects. Wonderfull. I did find that my right Index finger was going numb after a few hours so there must be some vibration at a frequency that I was unaware of but a set of Grip Puppies have completely sorted it.
Fuel consumption has come as a pleasant surprise. The onboard Mpg readout yesterday showed 58.6 Mpg and that was on varied riding fro spirited back roads to motorway cruising. This was backed up by brim to brim, odometer arithmetic.
I thought the heated seat would be a gimmick but it is extremely effective suppose it should be really given the amount of blood flow in that area.
My only gripe is the noise of the airflow coming off the screen. My head is not being buffeted but the noise is awful. We made progress with this yesterday. Whilst on the motorway I lifted the front of my Shoei Multitec. Voila. Quite. Now riding with a flip front lid open is very bad practice indeed and in the event of an incident is a first class ticket to a broken neck so we need to sort it.
And then it happened, as we rolled into Cleethorpes at lunch time it all gelled. It clicked, the bond was made. The "it doesn't get any better than this" feeling hit. I don't know why it took so long but this is completely different for me. Normally I am passionate about a bike then pick faults as the miles rack up this time however I was initially far from sure but now I am. A marvelous machine and for me at this time, exactly the right choice.

Geoff.

[smeghead]

Great review Geoff. Your sentiments echoed my feelings for my Majesty when I too swapped a Bonneville for the scooter. I also had the aches and pains after a ride. I was initially underwhelmed with the scooter, partly because the running in speeds are silly, and partly because I was yet to 'get it' but now I do I doubt I'll see another 'real' motorcycle in the garage. I'm happy for you any your choice of metal steed mate.

[anonstarter]

Excellent review - thank you Mister Maca!

[poldark]

Excellent report and glad you've bonded (for life).

Though nothing awry with the Bridgestones, you might like to try a Michelin Pilot Sport SC on the rear when it's due. I enjoyed the more progressive profile to the rather flattish TH01Rs.

[Bluebottle]

Sounds like you are having a great time with the 650

[MrGrumpy]

I'm slightly surprised you find the screen a bit drafty, though maybe its different on the new model. I found the screen on my Burger just about OK on its highest setting. I actually found the issue was that air was coming round the screen and hitting my body. I eventually forked out a small fortune for an US -made screen that could be made to specific heights and was wider.

I agree about the ride quality - definitely the Burger's weak point IMHO. It does handle quite well - its big and heavy and needs a little 'riding' but it was pretty responsive.

Personally, I really rate the Bridgestone TH01 tyres, I like the feel and that they continue to grip in the wet even when knackered!

[macamxthe1st]

I have been pointing the finger at the screen for the racket around my napper but I now believe the problem lies mainly with the helmet with the airstream coming smoothly of the top of the screen and flowing into the helmet articulation thus causing the din.

Geoff.

[wozza]

Great and informative write up. Those big burgers aren't my cup of tea, but I know they're bloody good machines.

[Data]

Mac, great review and glad you are pleased. They do go don't they! Please keep us all up to date with your exploits on her.

[SkuTorr]

My brother is 5'6" also, and on his 2009 Burgman 650 he upgraded to a Clearview windscreen. All the noise, and he also rode with a Shoei MultiTec!