Review of the stylish maxi scooter Suzuki Burgman (Suzuki Skywave) 650

Japanese motorcyclesSuzuki motorcycles

Scooters and mopeds have always remained popular since their inception, despite their unsightly technical performance.

After all, their advantages more than offset the lack of technical equipment. Small, maneuverable and very economical, they will always be in demand.

The Japanese, as the most massive consumers of such motorcycles, decided not to stop at small scooters and began to create equipment that is not inferior to full-fledged motorcycles in technical terms.

A representative of a solid scooter is the Burgman 650 model from Suzuki.

This model appears everywhere as a maxi scooter; this class of motorcycle equipment has received the nickname “Sofa”.

If we give a general assessment of the Burgman 650, then it is rather a motorcycle, structurally made in the form of a scooter .

The same stool seating and concept, but its size, functionality and comfort are not inferior to “Tourer” class motorcycles .

An interesting fact is that in its homeland this maxi is called Skywave, and the first name indicated is for models intended for Europe and the USA.

We have these scooters with both names.

There are practically no differences between the Skywave and Burgman models , with the exception of very minor differences, for example, in the form of turn signals of different colors.

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Suzuki AN650 Burgman/Skywave: 2002 - present
H., 638 cm3, 55 hp, 200,000 - 450,000 rub. Suzuki AN650 Burgman/Skywave: 2002 - present H., 638 cm3, 55 hp, 200,000 - 450,000 rub.

Overseas TWINS. Laziness and craving for comfort, as we know, are the main engines of progress, so the entire galaxy of maxi-scooters owes its birth to these two wonderful human qualities. Now the maxi scooter is one of the most popular two-wheeled vehicles in America, Europe and Japan. In Russia, as usual, belatedly, the demand for these cars is just waking up, gaining strength and strengthening. More and more people are choosing the Maksik as a means of transportation for every day, and there are many reasons for this, ranging from comfort and ease of control to purely psychological and social aspects. A Scoot, even a big one, always remains neutral in the eyes of society, unlike a motorcycle, which automatically labels its driver as a biker, with all the attendant prejudices - and this does not suit everyone.

Technical characteristics and indicators

Detailed technical characteristics of the Suzuki Burgman maxi scooter are shown in the table:

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The left remote control is second only to the Goldwing in terms of the number of keys.
Here, in addition to the standard keys, control of the variator and electric mirrors is concentrated. The left remote control is second only to the Goldwing in terms of the number of keys. Here, in addition to the standard keys, control of the variator and electric mirrors is concentrated.

Suzuki AN650 Burgman is one of the most common high-end devices in Russia. Suzuki created its 650 cc maxi scooter following the success of earlier models with 250 and 400 cc engines in 2002. Production began simultaneously in the USA under the name Burgman and in Japan, where the model was called Skywave. In the vastness of Russia, there are approximately equal numbers of both. there are practically no differences between them, and those that exist are insignificant: for example, the “Sky” is equipped with yellow turn signal lenses, and the “Burg” sports white ones. In 2004, in addition to the basic version of the scooter, a “luxury” version appeared. The Burgman Executive/Skywave LX is equipped with ABS, a power folding mirror mechanism, a passenger backrest and a chrome muffler trim instead of black. In 2005, the top version acquired an electrically adjustable windshield and an outside air temperature sensor, and in 2009, heated steering wheel grips and driver and passenger seats moved from the list of options to standard equipment.

Comfort

The Suzuki Skywave 400 model is equipped with a soft double seat based on polyurethane filler. The saddle is reinforced with steel springs to maintain its shape and provide elasticity. The configuration is complex, the space for the passenger is smaller than the driver's, but trips over short distances leave a favorable impression of comfort.

In terms of ease of fit and ergonomics, Skyway is in first place among all Japanese scooters and motorcycles. However, one can feel the car being adapted to suit the Japanese consumer; everything seems to be designed for small stature. A person taller than 180 centimeters sits on a scooter with some uncertainty. However, after a short time you can get used to the parameters of the seat, floor and footrests.

Skyway 400 is equipped with a low windshield that effectively protects from headwinds and even rain. The angle of inclination of the transparent module is designed in such a way that oncoming wind flows bend around it and an air bag is created. The motorcyclist and passenger are thus in a kind of “dead zone” and feel quite comfortable.

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On the right remote control of the top modification (Executive/LX) there is a control for electrically adjusting the height of the windshield.
On the right remote control of the top modification (Executive/LX) there is a control for electrically adjusting the height of the windshield.

ALMOST A CAR. The in-line two-cylinder injection engine is quite reliable and unpretentious. Thanks to the large displacement, low degree of boost and operation in tandem with a variator, the engine can easily maintain 100 thousand km or more without major repairs, or even without breakdowns at all. The engine easily digests 92-octane gasoline, which is very important for travelers and residents of the outback, and the appetite of a large scooter is very modest. If you do not raise the speedometer needle above 80 km/h, a 15-liter tank will be enough for 300–320 km (4.6-5 l/100 km), but if you constantly “unscrew” from traffic lights or drive along the highway faster than 100 km/h , consumption jumps to 7.5 l/100 km, and a full tank “flies down the drain” in just 200 km.

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The richness of the dashboard will be the envy of other cars.
The richness of the dashboard will be the envy of other cars.

As befits a large scooter, the AN650 is equipped with a V-belt variator with SECVT electronic control. It is not the mechanics (weights and springs) that are responsible for changing the gear ratio, but the electronic control unit. It receives data from many sensors and sets the optimal diameter of the drive pulley using an electric motor. The trick of the variator is that instead of the usual Kevlar, it uses a stacked plate belt, like those installed in CVT transmissions of cars. Such a belt is capable of transmitting much more torque than a regular one, due to the fact that it does not pull the driven pulley, but pushes it. Another plus of a dialed belt is durability. On average, it has to be changed no more than once every 60–80 thousand km, and for the average rider this is at least four to five years of active riding. Electronics, unlike mechanics, allows you to instantly change control algorithms. In normal mode, the transmission saves fuel, and Power provides the scooter with the best dynamics. In addition, the control unit contains five fixed “virtual” gears, and the pilot can, by turning on the manual mode, independently “switch” the gears using the keys on the steering wheel. The variator contains perhaps the most serious “sore” of the scooter. The position of the drive pulley halves is changed through two plastic gears. Although the load on them is not great, they work almost non-stop, which leads to wear after 25–30 thousand kilometers. It is clear that with “eaten” gears, normal operation of the variator is impossible, and repairing the defect will cost no less than 10 thousand rubles. Moreover, it will only cost about four thousand for new gears; the rest will be taken from the service center for the work. So when buying a used Burg or Skye, it’s worth asking the owner whether such repairs have been made (especially if the scooter has the appropriate mileage), and perhaps bargain.

Clash of the Titans. Suzuki Burgman AN650 vs Honda Silver Wing 600

Mr. Burgman - Suzuki AN650 Burgman/Skywave
Traffic jams make even the most inveterate motorists think about two-wheeled transport. But I really don’t want to part with the automatic transmission, the soft chair and the music! A maxi-scooter is ready to replace the business class sedan.

Overseas TWINS.

Laziness and craving for comfort, as we know, are the main engines of progress, so the entire galaxy of maxi-scooters owes its birth to these two wonderful human qualities. Now the maxi-scooter is one of the most popular two-wheeled vehicles in America, Europe and Japan. In Russia, as usual, belatedly, the demand for these cars is just waking up, gaining strength and strengthening. More and more people are choosing the Maksik as a means of transportation for every day, and there are many reasons for this, ranging from comfort and ease of control to purely psychological and social aspects. A Scoot, even a big one, always remains neutral in the eyes of society, unlike a motorcycle, which automatically labels its driver as a biker, with all the attendant prejudices - and this does not suit everyone.

The left remote control is second only to the Goldwing in terms of the number of keys. Here, in addition to the standard keys, control of the variator and electric mirrors is concentrated.

Suzuki AN650 Burgman is one of the most common high-end devices in Russia. Suzuki created its 650 cc maxi scooter following the success of earlier models with 250 and 400 cc engines in 2002. Production began simultaneously in the USA under the name Burgman and in Japan, where the model was called Skywave. In the vastness of Russia, there are approximately equal numbers of both. there are practically no differences between them, and those that exist are insignificant: for example, the “Sky” is equipped with yellow turn signal lenses, and the “Burg” sports white ones. In 2004, in addition to the basic version of the scooter, a “luxury” version appeared. The Burgman Executive/Skywave LX is equipped with ABS, a power folding mirror mechanism, a passenger backrest and a chrome muffler trim instead of black. In 2005, the top version acquired an electrically adjustable windshield and an outside air temperature sensor, and in 2009, heated steering wheel grips and driver and passenger seats moved from the list of options to standard equipment.

On the right remote control of the top modification (Executive/LX) there is a control for electrically adjusting the height of the windshield.

ALMOST A CAR.

The in-line two-cylinder injection engine is quite reliable and unpretentious. Thanks to the large displacement, low degree of boost and operation in tandem with a variator, the engine can easily maintain 100 thousand km or more without major repairs, or even without breakdowns at all. The engine easily digests 92-octane gasoline, which is very important for travelers and residents of the outback, and the appetite of a large scooter is very modest. If you do not raise the speedometer needle above 80 km/h, a 15-liter tank will be enough for 300–320 km (4.6–5 l/100 km), but if you constantly “unscrew” from traffic lights or drive along the highway faster than 100 km/h , consumption jumps to 7.5 l/100 km, and a full tank “flies down the drain” in just 200 km.

The richness of the dashboard will be the envy of other cars.

As befits a large scooter, the AN650 is equipped with a V-belt variator with SECVT electronic control. It is not the mechanics (weights and springs) that are responsible for changing the gear ratio, but the electronic control unit. It receives data from many sensors and sets the optimal diameter of the drive pulley using an electric motor. The trick of the variator is that instead of the usual Kevlar, it uses a stacked plate belt, like those installed in CVT transmissions of cars. Such a belt is capable of transmitting much more torque than a regular one, due to the fact that it does not pull the driven pulley, but pushes it. Another advantage of a dialed belt is durability. On average, it has to be changed no more than once every 60–80 thousand km, and for the average rider this is at least four to five years of active riding. Electronics, unlike mechanics, allows you to instantly change control algorithms. In normal mode, the transmission saves fuel, and Power provides the scooter with the best dynamics. In addition, the control unit contains five fixed “virtual” gears, and the pilot can, by turning on the manual mode, independently “switch” the gears using the keys on the steering wheel. The variator contains perhaps the most serious “sore” of the scooter. The position of the drive pulley halves is changed through two plastic gears. Although the load on them is not great, they work almost non-stop, which leads to wear after 25–30 thousand kilometers. It is clear that with “eaten” gears, normal operation of the variator is impossible, and repairing the defect will cost no less than 10 thousand rubles. Moreover, it will only cost about four thousand for new gears; the rest will be taken from the service center for the work. So when buying a used Burg or Skye, it’s worth asking the owner whether such repairs have been made (especially if the scooter has the appropriate mileage), and perhaps bargain.

The electronic variator is quite reliable and pleasant to use, and only the plastic gears of the servo drive (white) “die” by 30 thousand km.

NOT A “STOOL” AT ALL.

Ensuring the comfort of the driver and passenger is perhaps the main purpose of the existence of any maxi. Burgman is no exception. It is comfortable for a person of almost any size to drive. Even with a height of 190 cm, the pilot will be able to fully extend his legs. A large saddle with adjustable lumbar support is comfortable both in the city and on long-distance trips. The wind protection of the scooter is designed so well that the helmet visor can be left open, and in the rain the pilot remains practically dry. The passenger of the "burg" is given a royal seat. The size of the passenger “sofa” this Suzuki can easily compare even with the Honda Goldwing or BMW K1200LT. The impressive “toilet bowl” matches the size of the device itself - 56 liters of usable volume allows you to easily fit two integral helmets.

The size of the maxi and seat capacity match it. It can easily “swallow” two integrals or a medium-sized bag with things.

The scooter’s suspensions are, of course, tuned for comfort, so the smoothness of the device is at the highest level, but on our roads, excessive softness is inappropriate. And if the suspensions cope with one pilot on board at the very least, then with a passenger the rear shock absorbers break even on not very large bumps, and the fork works at the limit of its capabilities. This ailment is treated with traditional means: replacing the springs with tuning ones, for example from HyperPro (about 10 thousand rubles). It’s a little expensive, but if you’re going to be traveling together often, it makes sense to splurge. If mainly only the driver moves on the scooter, then you can get by by simply changing the oil in the fork from the standard 15W to a thicker “twenty”. The braking system of the scooter works great, and if it is the Executive/LX version equipped with ABS, then the brakes can be called almost perfect. The only drawback of the system is that the levers are too flimsy. Even with completely new copies, both levers can easily be pressed to the handle. To remove this unpleasant effect and improve feedback, it is worth installing reinforced brake lines. Another “family” drawback of the Burgs and Skyes is the weakness of the plastic linings. Often the rear facing mounting brackets break due to vibrations, and it hangs on a single screw. Due to the miniature nature of the brackets themselves, it is not possible to glue or weld them in place, so you have to splurge on a new part (see table). The “ears” that attach the plastic on the “belly” to the radiator lining suffer from the same problem. True, apart from an increased gap at the joint, this does not threaten anything. And if you drive a lot at high speeds, the windshield trim fasteners become loose and begin to rattle. This “jamb” can be corrected by placing pieces of polyethylene foam or porous double-sided tape between the glass and the cladding. For the same reason, Burgs often lose the plastic cover that covers the fuse compartment located on the front panel, near the driver's knee, so that the cover falls directly onto the road. That is, it is irretrievably lost. Knowing this feature, sellers keep a stock of these caps in stock. It is also worth remembering that the scooter is equipped with an immobilizer with a tag chip in the ignition key. Unfortunately, it is impossible to make a duplicate of a chip key, even if you have the original in hand. The loss of all the keys leads to the replacement of not only a set of cylinders, but also the engine control unit (about 35 thousand rubles), since it is this that “identifies” the marks in the keys.

INDIVIDUALIZATION

. With tuning “burgs” (in the technical sense), things are a little tight. Unlike the 400th model, which comes with all the imaginable bells and whistles, the list of factory and aftermarket options is quite meager, so it’s not possible to build a rocket out of a “burg.” The only thing that sellers offer to “pick up” the car is a power commander, which, together with a direct-flow muffler “can,” is capable of increasing engine power by 5-7 forces. By the way, the choice of tuning exhaust systems is also small: Leo Vince and Yoshimura have only one model of “cans”. You can complete the list of available tuning with the already mentioned set of suspension springs. Probably, such scarcity is due to the fact that Burgman is still considered a representative of the “business class”, and respectable guys in jackets are not supposed to “have a blast”. But for those who like to stand out from the crowd of their own kind, there is somewhere to turn around. The voluminous sections of the catalogs of leading manufacturers offer a lot of all kinds of carbon and wood trims, visors, light bulbs, mules and pieces of iron, and specialized companies offer all kinds of lighting. So the question of individualization is limited only by the thickness of its owner’s wallet.

BUSINESS CLASS TICKET.

Prices for used Burgs and Skyes vary widely. It all depends on the mileage and general condition of the car, as well as on tuning, because sometimes the cost of “sound” on a scooter comes close to the price of the device itself. True, the market also offers an abundance of copies untouched by the tuner, so there is always a choice. Copies of the first years of production with a decent mileage are offered from 200 thousand rubles, and sometimes even lower, but when choosing a device from the lower price range, it is worth considering that a possible overhaul of the engine and variator can greatly undermine even a fairly solid budget. Due to belonging to that very “business class”, “burgs” are most often bought by mature people and not inclined to crazy shooting, often just as an expensive toy. So there are quite a lot of devices on the secondary market with very low mileage and truly in perfect condition. But the cost of such devices is sometimes close to that indicated on the price tag of a new scooter in the showroom. In short, the choice of options is quite wide. The only recommendation is that it is better to look for a top-end scooter (Executive or LX). The number of options does not affect the price so much, and ABS will never be superfluous. Selling a used Burg, of course, is somewhat more difficult than selling a classic 400; after all, a maxi-scooter is not a motorcycle. But, like any equipment from the top of the model range, maxikis do not lose much in price, especially if the appearance has not been damaged during operation and the mileage has not exceeded five figures.

Periodic Maintenance

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The electronic variator is quite reliable and pleasant to use, and only the plastic gears of the servo drive (white) “die” by 30 thousand km.
The electronic variator is quite reliable and pleasant to use, and only the plastic gears of the servo drive (white) “die” by 30 thousand km.

NOT A “STOOL” AT ALL. Ensuring the comfort of the driver and passenger is perhaps the main purpose of the existence of any maxi. Burgman is no exception. It is comfortable for a person of almost any size to drive. Even with a height of 190 cm, the pilot will be able to fully extend his legs. A large saddle with adjustable lumbar support is comfortable both in the city and on long-distance trips. The wind protection of the scooter is designed so well that the helmet visor can be left open, and in the rain the pilot remains practically dry. The passenger of the "burg" is given a royal seat. The size of the passenger “sofa” this Suzuki can easily compare even with the Honda Goldwing or BMW K1200LT. The impressive “toilet bowl” matches the size of the device itself - 56 liters of usable volume allows you to easily fit two integral helmets.

Controllability

Have you ever wondered what class of “ordinary” motorcycles can be classified as maxi scooters? We decided that these would be sports tourists , because good wind protection, good power supply, hooding, standard luggage capacity and a dislike for off-roading are inherent in this class. And the design of our four devices is very similar to the “faces” of such motorcycles. And since we're testing quasi-sport tourers today, we decided to test their handling on winding roads leading to nowhere, with everything you need on board. We were quite impressed with all four, but one in particular stood out.

Making your way through the city or along a bypass, they all feel about the same. All have rear suspension preload adjustment, and we appreciated the Honda's softness for normal driving. “Good around town and on flat roads,” according to one of us. At first, the Burgman felt a bit harsh on the highway, but that feeling faded over time.

BMW C650GT

But the BMW C650GT impressed with its composure. “BMW seems to have found the fine line between precise handling and outright stiffness of the suspension,” noted a colleague. Ride quality teetered on the edge of comfort for normal driving, but with all four of us comparing the experience on twisty roads, the firm suspension is an acceptable price to pay for the almost sporty handling precision.

Kymco MyRoad 700i surprised us. Despite the electronic suspension adjustment, it was disappointing to say the least.

I was hoping to play with the electronic suspension and find my balance, but in fact I was only upset,” said one of my colleagues. -It turned out to be extremely hard in the softest position, so there was no need to try a harder setting.

Things got a little better when we loosened the spring preload on the rear suspension, but the fork was still stiff.

I think the culprit here is that the high-speed compression smoothing is too long,” continues the colleague. -The MyRoad electronic suspension could be a huge benefit if it worked as it should. She definitely wouldn't make a Gold Wing out of a sportbike, but she could make the Kymco more comfortable.

Of course, going all the way to the footrests is not what most people buy maxi scooters for, but we didn’t buy them, we took them for a test. Considering that we also tested the C600Sport right after its release, we immediately agreed to test their extreme lean angles, so we headed to the nearest serpentine road to test their sporting capabilities. And what we found is surprising not only to you, but also to us: all four turned out to be more athletic than you expect from them.

Honda Silver Wing

They are not sportbikes by any means, but:

Each offers immediate steering response, although their long wheelbase increases the turning radius, says our tester. -This is especially noticeable with Honda. The front turns, and then, after a short but noticeable pause, the rear follows.

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The size of the maxi and seat capacity match it. It can easily “swallow” two integrals or a medium-sized bag with things.
The size of the maxi and seat capacity match it. It can easily “swallow” two integrals or a medium-sized bag with things.

The scooter's suspensions are, of course, tuned for comfort, so the smoothness of the device is at the highest level, but on our roads, excessive softness is inappropriate. And if the suspensions cope with one pilot on board at the very least, then with a passenger the rear shock absorbers break even on not very large bumps, and the fork works at the limit of its capabilities. This ailment is treated with traditional means: replacing the springs with tuning ones, for example from HyperPro (about 10 thousand rubles). It’s a little expensive, but if you’re going to be traveling together often, it makes sense to splurge. If mainly only the driver moves on the scooter, then you can get by by simply changing the oil in the fork from the standard 15W to a thicker “twenty”.

The braking system of the scooter works great, and if it is the Executive/LX version equipped with ABS, then the brakes can be called almost perfect. The only drawback of the system is that the levers are too flimsy. Even with completely new copies, both levers can easily be pressed to the handle. To remove this unpleasant effect and improve feedback, it is worth installing reinforced brake lines. Another “family” drawback of the Burgs and Skyes is the weakness of the plastic linings. Often the rear facing mounting brackets break due to vibrations, and it hangs on a single screw. Due to the miniature nature of the brackets themselves, it is not possible to glue or weld them in place, so you have to splurge on a new part (see table).

Maxi scooter design

Now a little about the design of the Skywave – Burgman 650. The load-bearing part of this maxi is a tubular frame, which is completely hidden under a plastic body kit.
Its engine is located under the driver , and not like in small class scooters - near the rear wheel.

The engine itself is a two-cylinder engine and is liquid cooled. The cooling radiator is located behind the front wheel, but it is almost invisible due to the same body kits.

The exhaust pipe runs from the right side of the scooter. To prevent the possibility of burns from above and from the sides, it is covered with an overlay.

A feature and advantage of the Suzuki Burgman (Skywave) 650 scooter over classic motorcycles is the presence of a CVT gearbox.

It is this that allows you to move comfortably on this maxi .

The suspension consists of a classic telescopic fork in front and a pendulum fork with two lateral shock absorbers in the rear.

The braking system used on this scooter is all disc, but there are two discs at the front and only one at the rear.

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...and break.
...and break.

The “ears” that attach the plastic on the “belly” to the radiator lining suffer from the same problem. True, apart from an increased gap at the joint, this does not threaten anything. And if you drive a lot at high speeds, the windshield trim fasteners become loose and begin to rattle. This “jamb” can be corrected by placing pieces of polyethylene foam or porous double-sided tape between the glass and the cladding. For the same reason, Burgs often lose the plastic cover that covers the fuse compartment located on the front panel, near the driver's knee, so that the cover falls directly onto the road. That is, it is irretrievably lost. Knowing this feature, sellers keep a stock of these caps in stock. It is also worth remembering that the scooter is equipped with an immobilizer with a tag chip in the ignition key. Unfortunately, it is impossible to make a duplicate of a chip key, even if you have the original in hand. The loss of all the keys leads to the replacement of not only a set of cylinders, but also the engine control unit (about 35 thousand rubles), since it is this that “identifies” the marks in the keys.

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The fuse compartment cover, which “loves” to get lost.
The fuse compartment cover, which “loves” to get lost.

INDIVIDUALIZATION. With tuning “burgs” (in the technical sense), things are a little tight. Unlike the 400th model, which comes with all the imaginable bells and whistles, the list of factory and aftermarket options is quite meager, so it’s not possible to build a rocket out of a “burg.” The only thing that sellers offer to “pick up” the car is a power commander, which, together with a direct-flow “can” of a muffler, is capable of increasing engine power by 5–7 forces. By the way, the choice of tuning exhaust systems is also small: Leo Vince and Yoshimura have only one model of “cans”. You can complete the list of available tuning with the already mentioned set of suspension springs. Probably, such scarcity is due to the fact that Burgman is still considered a representative of the “business class”, and respectable guys in jackets are not supposed to “have a blast”. But for those who like to stand out from the crowd of their own kind, there is somewhere to turn around. The voluminous sections of the catalogs of leading manufacturers offer a lot of all kinds of carbon and wood trims, visors, light bulbs, mules and pieces of iron, and specialized companies offer all kinds of lighting. So the question of individualization is limited only by the thickness of its owner’s wallet.

Buyers' opinion

Owners of the Suzuki Skywave 400 maxi-scooter, whose reviews are generally positive, note primarily the comfortable feeling when driving on smooth roads, a smooth ride and silent engine operation. However, all buyers agree that on rough roads the level of comfort decreases significantly. The front wheel transmits shocks through the handlebars, which make it difficult to control the scooter. And the rear suspension throws the passenger up, and this happens chaotically. To avoid shaking, you have to reduce the speed to a minimum and move, carefully avoiding bumps and irregularities.

Otherwise, the owners do not see any shortcomings. The engine power is more than sufficient, its throttle response allows you to make a jerk if necessary and move forward if the road situation requires it. Or, conversely, stop in time, since the scooter’s ventilated disc brakes are highly efficient.

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The engine number is stamped on the left side of the crankcase, and can be read through a hole in the plastic in the area of ​​the side stop.
The engine number is stamped on the left side of the crankcase, and can be read through a hole in the plastic in the area of ​​the side stop.

BUSINESS CLASS TICKET. Prices for used Burgs and Skyes vary widely. It all depends on the mileage and general condition of the car, as well as on tuning, because sometimes the cost of “sound” on a scooter comes close to the price of the device itself. True, the market also offers an abundance of copies untouched by the tuner, so there is always a choice. Copies of the first years of production with a decent mileage are offered from 200 thousand rubles, and sometimes even lower, but when choosing a device from the lower price range, it is worth considering that a possible overhaul of the engine and variator can greatly undermine even a fairly solid budget.

010_MOTO_0410_034

The frame number is stamped on the left (in the direction of travel) vertical pipe.
But to read it, you need a flashlight. The frame number is stamped on the left (in the direction of travel) vertical pipe. But to read it, you need a flashlight.

Due to belonging to that very “business class”, “burgs” are most often bought by mature people and not inclined to crazy shooting, often just as an expensive toy. So there are quite a lot of devices on the secondary market with very low mileage and truly in perfect condition. But the cost of such devices is sometimes close to that indicated on the price tag of a new scooter in the showroom. In short, the choice of options is quite wide. The only recommendation is that it is better to look for a top-spec scooter (Executive or LX). The number of options does not affect the price so much, and ABS will never be superfluous. Selling a used Burg, of course, is somewhat more difficult than selling a classic 400; after all, a maxi-scooter is not a motorcycle. But, like any equipment from the top of the model range, maxikis do not lose much in price, especially if the appearance has not been damaged during operation and the mileage has not exceeded five figures.

Fit and ergonomics

All members of our today's four have a comfortable neutral fit. But there are also differences.

BMW C650GT

The highest saddle is the BMW, which is 80.5 cm high and is not well suited for short people. Even with a height of 180 cm, sitting on the BMW C650GT it is not possible to stand with both feet on the ground. It doesn't have much room for long knees, though, and the same goes for the Suzuki, which has a 5cm lower seat. True, the Suzuki Burgman 650 has an adjustable driver's backrest, which allows riders of different heights to control it. The Honda Silver Wing has a seat height of 75 cm, while the Kymco MyRoad 700i has a seat height of 77 cm.

In motion, the BMW maxi scooter proudly demonstrates its comfort. The feet can be extended forward into a near-chopper position, and the ratio between the height of the seat and the height of the footpegs is the most comfortable here.

My legs are bent at the most comfortable angle on it, especially compared to the Kymco, our tester comments.

Only the maxi scooters BMW C650GT and Suzuki Burgman 650 are equipped with electronically adjustable windshields , but we liked the BMW windshield better due to its wider range of adjustment and stability at speed. In its top position, it directs the wind over the head and around the body, which is comfortable in the heat. My colleague liked the Burgman's more complete wind protection - its wide plastic and adjustable windshield provide better protection from the wind. About the BMW, he said that “I didn’t like the swirl behind the helmet from the windshield in the up position.”

Speaking of weather, our BMW C650GT scooter is equipped with heated grips and heated seats for both seats as part of the Highline Package. On a night trip at -2 degrees, this was a lifesaver! Heated grips and driver's seat are available on the Suzuki Burgman, also as an option.

Suzuki Burgman 650

Regarding the convenience of the Kymco MyRoad 700i. It cannot boast of windshield adjustment or heating of anything, its seat seems to be 2.5 cm lower than that of the BMW, but it is the widest of all four, and the legs exposed from the device have to be spread wide. And the back of its seat, in the words of our tester, “hooks you by the belt and pulls your pants almost over your ears.” And that's not even the worst part: Tall testers complained that the platforms are too high, placing their knees higher than they'd like, and coupled with the uncomfortable backrest and lack of knee room, it "becomes uncomfortable after an hour of riding," according to one from my colleagues.

The ergonomics of the Honda Silver Wing are somewhere in the middle: it’s a little cramped for tall people, but, according to a colleague:

For those on the smaller side, the good news is that the Honda weighs less than most and will be easier to handle at stoplights or when rolling around in parking lots. Plus the lowest seat.

And despite the Silver Wing's fixed windshield, it has quite good wind protection.