Suzuki vs Kymco

[Ashbrook]

I recently went from a Kymco AK550 to Suzuki Burgman 650.The main reason was the lack of Kymco dealers in my area. The Burgman seems more refined in normal mode and the heated seats also outshine the Kymco which comes with heated grips. The Noodoe infotainment system on the Kymco is vastly overrated and cannot use postcodes meaning I had to check my destination on Google maps anyway. It also didn't do live traffic updates so could lead you into congestion.i now use Google maps via my phone attached to a RAM mount.
The Burger is much heavier than the AK but not so much that it worries me. Performance is similar in Power mode, the added cc of thr Susuki being offset by its greater weight. Love the folding mirrors although the mirrors on the AK were brilliant.
Will add more as I progress.

[StephenC]

Not defending Kymco per se, but about congestion on satnav: hate it! Google Maps certainly don't take m/bikes into account for routing and even my trusty old CoPilot app, while it has specific routing options for us, does not allow for filtering benefits.

So when congestion is indicated the mapping suggests a route that is quicker for cagers but far from optimal for those able to filter. I have found being diverted onto a long diversion which was busy (because everyone else had the same advice) whereas filtering would have been fine.

Sorry for the rant.

My own Kymco is just a lowly X360 but I was really disappointed that Noodoe wasn't even an option and that the dash has less information than any scoot I've had since 2016. At least I feel a little better about not having it now....

[knight2]

I'm not a big user of sat nav's, don't use it at all on the bike. In the car I've started using it on longer trips but it seems to send me in and out of a lot of small roads just to save a minute or two then all you need is a tractor and I wonder if I'm saving time at all. Or like one occaision while driving a truck an old guy on a mobility scoooter in a country lane I just couldn't pass, it was funny at first, not for long.

[StephenC]

I'm not a big user of sat navs, don't use it at all on the bike. In the car I've started using it on longer trips but it seems to send me in and out of a lot of small roads just to save a minute or two then all you need is a tractor and I wonder if I'm saving time at all. Or like one occasion while driving a truck an old guy on a mobility scooter in a country lane I just couldn't pass, it was funny at first, not for long.

Depending on what you're using, you should be able to set preferences for different road types: that might help?

[Andym]

I use Maps all the time. My phone is set to "avoid motorways", the work one to "efficient route". You don't have to follow every instruction it gives you know, if you don't like the look just go your own way and it'll catch up. Set for shortest route if you think filtering will make a difference. The data it produces is great for route planning. It's a tool so you just need to know how to use it.

I'd actually like the next generation Forza to ditch the rev counter (which gives me no useful information) and integrate a screen. Neater, more secure and more waterproof than the Quadlock I have.

Andy

[knight2]

Stephen, I use my phone in the car I haven't got a mount on the bike so I just use maps to plan the route. I don't mind making a wrong turn on the bike it's easy to turn around or just ride into the wild blue yonder and see where it takes me.

Andy, I use the maps on the phone to plan my trips it's handy to know the mileage and how long it should take. I wish it could be set to show me where all the toilets are , actually it might I never really tried. I threw all my maps away from my truck driving days last week some of them were hadly used. uite sad to see them go, end of an era and all that.
Yes I often ignore it, the sat nav that is.

[Andym]

Open maps, zoom into an area, in the search here box enter "Toilets". It'll pop out a load of red markers on the map, closest first complete with reviews (which I bet vary from depressing, through weird to hilarious). Touch one to open then navigate to.

Personally (sales rep, so I've seen it all and had to buy the waders) I'd go with the same sequence but look for Maccy D, Costa etc. Better to blow some points or even cash and know they aren't Victorian and last cleaned when Disreali came to visit.

Andy

[knight2]

Andy thanks for that I tried it on the computer with google and it worked well, haven't tried it on my phone yet. I don't mind buying a coffee for use of toilets, they usually have good parking as well.

[Andym]

Glad to be of help

Andy

[Data]

You guys do know I hope that you can use 'Waze' navigation on you phones. It's available for Android & iPhones. It has MOTORCYCLE MODE! It can cope with most bus lanes. It's partnered with Google but in my opinion is far superior to Android Auto. Let's you plan any journey exactly as you want it. It's free & works brilliantly in cars or on bikes. Available from the istore & playstore Try it!