Burgman, T-Max, Silverwing?

[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.