(Thanks for showing us the “POWER”, Pete! Does anyone make an aftermarket flip-up cover and a glowing red “Power” button? That would be cool, then add a full-throttle nitrous switch?! Doesn’t someone make a bolt-on turbo kit?)
Gizmag did a pretty lengthy piece on the Burgman 650 recently and in that article they mentioned the lack of love shown to scooter riders and the Burgman’s magic cure for such disdain. The “magic power button”. I never realized there was such a thing, but according to Fred Brown, Burgman 650 rider and organizer of the monthly “Ride of the Shiftless” here in Austin, power mode lets the engine rev 1,500rpm higher and you can really feel the difference, granted you take a hit in fuel economy. This is contrary to my theory that a small mechanical arm with a lighter extends from behind the transmission case and lights a small fire under the Burgman’s arse.
Check out this little snippet from Gizmag:
But there are other times when being on a scooter is not so great. It is clear after riding the bike for a couple of weeks, that many of motorcycling’s brethren do not accept scooter riders as legitimate members of the two-wheeled fraternity.Pull up at the lights and nod to another two-wheeled commuter and the chances of getting a warm reply are greatly diminished if you are on a scooter. Quite strange really, and something we all noticed when riding either the Burgman or the Benelli Adiva.In motorcycling’s pecking order, scooters are seemingly on the bottom rung!This rampant “scooterism” has a sure-fire cure when riding the 650 Burgman hit the power button and nail it the millisecond the lights go green.The get-up-and-go of the Burgman over the first 50 metres embarrassed a couple of litre-plus bike riders and positively humiliated a Harley Sportster rider who rode through a red light rather than face the Burgman a second time.The “magic button” is conveniently located on the handlebar panel and it aids the Burgman in producing very spirited performance indeed.
Speaking of Burgman. Have you Burg riders already seen the new Givi step-through bag? Looks useful!
6. November 2006 at 11:34 pm
It is basically an electrically controlled variator. It really is pretty cool. If you have ever driven a GM two-speed powerglide car, you get the drift. Cruising along at 40, then you crack open the throttle and hit that switch, it’s like down-shifting to first in my old 2 speed ’65 Chevelle! :-) – it’s cool for slowing down also.
Pete
7. November 2006 at 7:02 am
Long live the electronically controlled variator. A glass is raised to the proliferation of it. And hacker/tuner types figuring out ways to get more out of them easily and inexpensively.
7. November 2006 at 2:35 pm
Request: Can a Burg owner send me a picture of the “button”, so I can use it at the top of this story?
Thanks!
steve
thescooterscoop@gmail.com
7. November 2006 at 4:00 pm
Did you ever think that the motorcycle guys are jealous. The large scoots are good looking and expensive plus comfy. Maybe they would like to have one.
7. November 2006 at 5:22 pm
Generally, my experience has been positive between scooterists and bikers. As a member of both camps I have a positive wave for either when I’m on either. Does not seem to matter if I’m on the 150cc, the 400cc or the Liter bike. Just happy to see the influx of so many more folks in the last couple of years.
7. November 2006 at 6:54 pm
Thanks for the photo Pete!
As for my experience… I used to get more “keep the rubber side down”, “peace”, “wassup”, “ride on” signs from bikers when I was on my Helix. On my T5 I can hardly get the time of day. Maybe it’s easier to tell the T5 is a scooter than the Helix. I wonder if any bikers wanted to retract “the sign” when we got close enough for them to figure it out.
And… what is the sign for undoing a “keep the rubber side down”? Do you just play it off like:
“Hey! Keep the rubb…*oh that’s a scooter*, I’m just fixin’ my tassels, don’t look at me.”