Burgman, T-Max, Silverwing?

[zeocen]

Gidday all,

I've recently started a new job that enables me to commute from Manurewa right into the heart of Auckland City (About 24-25km in distance). I take the bike every day, rain/hail/shine and love it, but I do wish I didn't have to rack up the commuting kms on my main bike, always thinking about tyres, fuel, servicing, lubing the chain and so on. I also have clothes, etc, I take to work, work shoes and all that jazz so I am ending up parking my bike and taking the helmet in one hand and the biggest sized Ventura rack full to the brim in the other.

So, I've been looking into these maxi-scooter things, the "boots" look like bottomless pits and it seems the fairings stick out as far as your knees would on a motorcycle, which means lane splitting would still be very much doable, am I correct in saying that?

I did a little research (as much as one can do on a Sunday afternoon) and it seems the general consensus is that the Burgman is the reigning champ (not taking into account the Gilera range with all the fancypants sports bits).

So I put it to you scootererers, what in your opinion, the best maxi-scooter out there? And why? For motorway riding should I look at 400cc or 650cc? Anything else to consider riding a maxi-scooter on the motorway?

Thanks a bunch!

[UberRhys]

Burgmans and Silverwings are quite similar aren't they. If I had the money I would get the Gillera 850, but I don't have that much money...

PM insane1, he has had both the Honda and the Suzuki I think...

My GT200 went from Waiuku to Penrose everday rain hail or shine sweet as. You also don't want something to wide to impair your filtering ability. The Southern backs up pretty quickly these days...

[Pogo2]

Hi Zeocen

I've heard good thing about all of them, except you don't get to see many T-Max's or Silverwings. Dunno if you buying new or secondhand but I really only found the burger readily available in the shops. Other shops I visited didn't usually hold models as demo stock. T-Max is expensive, I thinks about 15K new and have never seen a new silverwing in the shops but I would imagine dearer than the burger.

For cc size any burger is hefty and my preference would be for the 400 and the 650 is a big bugger. 400cc also has slightly more luggage space (about 5 litres I think) Yes the boots are big and can hold quite a load. I never wear a backpack - all goes in the bin. 250cc versions are about the same price as the 400cc (new) so would not even bother with a 250.

Handles motorways well and mine does about 27 km/litre. 650cc version is quite thirsty apparently by comparison. Use mine most days on the Northwestern with no drama.

Have fun choosing!

[Hitcher]

A Burgman 400 was the first bike home in the Grand Challenge about four years ago. Make of that what you will.

[Dave Lobster]

The 400 Burgman is ideal for commuting. It's not really that hefty through the traffic. I commuted for about 18 months on one, two up, with a top box, along the motorway.
Really economic, tyres last far longer than you'd ever imagine, comfy as fuck - ideal.
Just fork out for a Givi screen and heated grips and you're well away.

But do try a few others. Try a Nexus.. really high up and vibey as fuck. There's no speed where the mirrors work. A Vesper 250 or 300. Not as fast or comfy as a Burgman. And, they're ridden by latte bar loiterers. Niiiice...

T-max. Nice.. Really nice. But at what cost? $15k buys you a Burgman and something else as well. I can't remember ever seeing a secondhand one.

I've seen a couple of Silverwings secondhand. I've never seen a new one. I think they look shit, but that's just my 2c.

Burgman 650s are a lot more thirsty than a 400. I felt perched on top of the one we had for a couple of weeks. Faster than a 400, but overkill (IMO) for commuting.

[zeocen]

Hey thanks for the quick replies, guys.

I was under the impression that the 400 Burgman was identical to the 650, with just a smaller engine? Although, the extra luggage capacity is a good bonus. I'd also agree with 400cc being more than enough for commuting.

You're all quite right in noting there are no T-Max's, and it being rare to see a Silverwing. I'm buying second hand as it's just going to be a straight commuter - I've seen some good looking 400cc Burgman's on TradeMe.

Hitcher: I've noticed you've mentioned this a few times in other threads (I was doing a bit of searching in the forums), it does speak some volume. I'll have a test ride of both a 650 and a 400cc Burgman, but I think I'll ultimately end up with the 400cc one if the 650 is a bit thirsty.

Thanks again guys! Anymore information (specifically Burgman, I guess!) would be much appreciated.

[Choco]

Three bikes not enough? :laugh:
I've seen a 400 burgman hold it's own open road and in twisties but have never ridden one. Riding behind them is weird because the exhaust moves with the rear wheel :blink:

[zeocen]

You also don't want something to wide to impair your filtering ability. The Southern backs up pretty quickly these days...

Mate, does it ever!
School holidays were a treat, now it's back to about 18 of the 24km being heavily congested. I'm having an easy time filtering with the Hornet, one would assume the maxi-scooters would be only slightly wider than my current leg width, which still isn't as wide as my mirrors or bars so I should still be relatively okay with filtering?

[zeocen]

Three bikes not enough? :laugh:
I've seen a 400 burgman hold it's own open road and in twisties but have never ridden one. Riding behind them is weird because the exhaust moves with the rear wheel :blink:

In fairness the ZZR is rarely ridden by me nowadays, it's all my father's now. I just kept it on the list because I'm a dirty Kawasaki fan boy!

[Choco]

I just kept it on the list because I'm a dirty Kawasaki fan boy!

Not fully converted to Honda yet?

[mathornet]

not fully converted to honda yet?

honda dn-01!

[Hitcher]

Seeing as we're now spreading the love about clutchleverless motorcycles, the Aprilia Mana is probably worth a look. If one wants something more "substantial", don't forget the clutchleverless FJR1300...

[insane1]

zeocen read your pm"s.

[Dave Lobster]

I've seen a 400 burgman hold it's own open road and in twisties but have never ridden one.

I've been on a cruiser ride from Coleman's on one, and it was the most economical ride we've done.

However, you need to remember you're riding something with 29hp and weighing over 200kg. It's like riding a 125 or something where you have to hold all your corner speed. On the ride out I nearly hit the back of a few 800s because they just about stopped to turn..

[carver]

Three bikes not enough? :laugh:
I've seen a 400 burgman hold it's own open road and in twisties but have never ridden one. Riding behind them is weird because the exhaust moves with the rear wheel :blink:

they are shit in the wet!

[danchop]

i own 3 bikes,gixxer 1000,burgman 650 and a uz125,i courier around auckland everyday on the uz and it would get you to town from where you live to the city faster than any bike,no maintenance and cheap as gas and tyres,my first one did over 80000kms before my first major fault(broken drivebelt)ive done 32000km on the second and its just about run in,even though id like you to buy mine,do not consider the burgman650 as it too heavy/wide and thirsty in traffic

[klingon]

...or for something completely different, have a look at Scooter Bar who are selling off brand new Piaggio X7 scoots for about the money you will need to pay for a 4-5 year old Burgman. The Piaggio is a 250, but will easily cruise at 100kph (top speed 120+ - ish), has decent storage, comfort etc. Worth a crack!

[Dave Lobster]

...or for something completely different, have a look at Scooter Bar who are selling off brand new Piaggio X7 scoots for about the money you will need to pay for a 4-5 year old Burgman. The Piaggio is a 250, but will easily cruise at 100kph (top speed 120+ - ish), has decent storage, comfort etc. Worth a crack!

But a real far away second choice..

There's deals to be had on new and slightly secondhand Burgmans. There was a nearly new 650 with 8000km on it in Colemans not long ago for $8k. That's a bargain..
Bikes that aren't selling in their droves can always be got for a deal.

[YellowDog]

The Burgman is the yard stick that others follow. I have seen Insane1's one, which looks really neat.

I have not ridden one but of the scooters I have ridden, they are very comfy and like an armchair on wheels.

You need to watch those little wheels on the tougher terrain and be careful in the wet.

So far as Economy goes, if you are commuting and riding steadily, there is bugger all in it.

The 650 won't struggle up hills and would be my choice.

My best advice: Test ride a 400, fully loaded to see how it handles for you.

[Dave Lobster]

You need to watch those little wheels on the tougher terrain and be careful in the wet.
.

The Burgman has 14" wheels, IIRC.. I never took mine on rough terrain (except the southern motorway), but I'd be more concerned about the hard ride they give than anything else. The smaller wheels lead to a less comfortable ride than a big wheeled bike.



So far as Economy goes, if you are commuting and riding steadily, there is bugger all in it.


Have to disagree here.. The one we used would suck petrol at about 44/45 to the gallon two up commuting up and down the motorway. Our own 400 would do 69/70 to the gallon doing the same trip at the same speed with the same weight.



The 650 won't struggle up hills and would be my choice.


It is better, but I didn't have a problem with the 400.



My best advice: Test ride a 400, fully loaded to see how it handles for you.

See if you can borrow both for a few hours each, back to back.

To me, a 650 feels like a fast potato. You sit more perched on top of it like a Nexus. The 400 you sit more 'in' it, and the screen is easier to hide behind.

If you're getting one as a commuter, I'd imagine economy is a big part of the choice. A 650 doesn't fit that bill in my eyes.
For doing long distances at 140km/h, a 650 would be better.

[KelvinAng]

What about the SYM CityCom 300i? Not as quick, but it has 16" wheels and supposedly an unbelievable fuel economy of about 30km/L.