The Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive has been a pretty small blip on the radar since it’s inception but just last week they got a little review at Vancouver’s Straight.com.
Here’s a snippet:
Power is provided by a 638cc twin with dual overhead camshafts, fuel injection, liquid cooling, and four valves per cylinder. Suzuki doesn’t release horsepower or torque numbers for its products, but if I had to guess, I’d say the Burgman 650 Executive is good for at least 40 horses. You can hardly hear the engine tucked away below you at the back of the bike, and it has a honkin’ big, chrome, canister-style exhaust pipe that blends in nicely with the bike’s lines. The aforementioned two-speed CVT can be set via a handlebar-mounted button to “power” or “normal” mode, with the former setting dropping engine revs down about 1,000 rpm to provide a sportier riding experience.
That in itself is oxymoronic for a scooter. Since when has sport had anything to do with scooter riding? Radial tires are standard equipment, and braking duties are handled by a pair of dual discs up front and a single disc in back. Both levers on the handlebars operate the brakes and I’m hard-pressed to think of any other scooter I’ve ridden that scrubs off speed this well. These are outstanding brakes.
Overall Ted loved everything about it… but dubbed it “Dorky”. I wonder if “Good performance, unbelievably comfortable, outstanding brakes, versatile” is overshadowed by it’s “Massive dork factor.” That would be kinda shallow, don’t ‘cha think?
6. August 2007 at 2:48 pm
New Suzuki Burgman 650? It first appeared in North America 2003. I’m not a fan of Ted Laturnus’ writing style but he did do a decent job with the 650. There’s lots to like about the it but in my eyes it is one of the most bulbous, hideous things on two wheels. Dork factor – right off the scale.