ex burgman 650 owners, what are your thoughts???

vazbro

Member
I have owned two Burgman 650 before. One 2004 model and one 2006. I have a BMW C650GT now and there is a world of difference!! Just get it. You won't be disappointed!
In my opinion, BMW C650GT is in every way superior to Burgman 650, especially in suspension department and handeling!
 

Doraemon

New member
Having had a 2011 exec, and modified the engine with dynojet and full exhaust. I bought the sport, it was just more of what I wanted, and less plastic. Even if Kymco built it; BMW has the final on the quality. it happens to be quite high performance engine, if you read your manual you will see it even has a dry sump oil system. Stainless steel brake lines and USD from forks. is just that much better than the burg. then add that you can get factory heated parts, TPMS for the tires; the price addition is not as signifigant as the long term penny pinching burg riders.
thats my 2 cents.
 

UR2SLOW1

New member
I would have to agree with the comments here. I've owned two Burgman Executives and I've found my C650GT to be superior in nearly every way. Handling and Power are much improved over the Burgman, it just feels much more solid and handles like a real motorcycle rather than a big scooter. The biggest improvement though has got to be the CVT Transmission. I grew very tired of the constant low speed bucking from the Burgman tranny, not to mention the diesel sensation/sound from the engine.
 

rothenbj

New member
Interesting comments. I currently have an '07 exec and really like the looks of the BMWs, that's why I'm here. Unfortunately, I can't decide whether I want to get rid of one of my scoots for one. I thought, at first, I'd get rid of the '05 Majesty and just have two 650s. Then, I got the Maj out on the road and decided it was just too much fun to part with. I just can't see getting rid of the exec either, so I have to decide if I really want three scoots or wait until one of the two makes the decision for me.

I've only seen the black GT and Blue 600 in person. They have a red GT in a crate and don't have a bronze yet which is helping to control my excitement.
 

Jim Rehmann

New member
@ Rothenbj: You can always paint it another color! Mine was originally bronze, which is really a nice way of saying "gray."

Jims650.jpg
 

FloridianRobert

New member
I just sold my 2006 Burgman 650 and stepped into a 2013 BMW C650GT. My Burgie had many aftermarket features, specifically a Clearview Windscreen with vent, Kuryakyn grips and a Bestem trunk box. After 400 miles on the GT, my thoughts are as follows.... The BMW simply outperforms the Burgman! The CVT is extremely smooth to engage and this bike will literally coast a quarter of a mile before stopping. With the Burgman, the engine compression is simply unbearable when the throttle is released. The BMW handles the weight distribution with more finesse. The suspension is superior and the handling is awesome.

The hardest decision is selecting the color! Oh, and I only mentioned those aftermarket accessories because with the BMW, I find I don't miss any of them. I did invest in the luggage rack and bought a 35 liter soft bag which slides on from BMW Motorrad. This bike simply needs nothing else. The adjustable windscreen and the grips are great. In sunny Florida, I'm not sure I need the heated grips with exception to a few times a year, but at least I have them! All in all, if you can put down the money to buy one, the BMW is exceptional.
 

rothenbj

New member
Interesting review Robert. Did you get a ride before you bought or was it a leap of faith?

As for as the engine compression, I've heard that before from many Burgie riders and was actually a bit concerned before I bought mine. However after purchase, I liked the effect and use it to control stops/glides into stop lights.

Jim, I like that color you painted yours. I'm not sure I'd want to go through the hassle and I had a bad experience with a car once where an expensive paint job didn't work out so well. It had to be taken back twice to be repainted (portions), when the paint didn't adhere properly.
 

FloridianRobert

New member
I was able to test ride one in Sarasota, FL although it was only five miles. I just felt really good on the bike in a number of ways. First, I felt like it was riding "in" it, not "on" it. Secondly, the low center of gravity gave the GT a really solid feel, even over bumps. My Burgie was rough to ride over manhole covers and holes in the road. Finally, the engine compression was just too forceful. My wife rides frequently and her helmet would practically bang into mine every time I went to let off the throttle. I love the Burgman and I wish I had enough room to keep both, but the GT just feels like the better bike for me. BTW, I am 5'10 and 180 so perhaps it just fits me better? Who knows. They are both amazing machines, but I wanted to try something different and the GT is complete satisfaction to me.
 

Oldscoot

New member
I own a C600 and have owned a 2009 Burgman 650 in the past. While I can't speak regarding the C650GT and a direct touring comparison, I can state with personal knowledge that my C600, nothwithstanding long distance touring, otherwise outperforms my Burgman in every aspect. Despite installing a Yoshimura pipe and Power Commander III on my Burgman, the BMW is in another class regarding power. I wholly agree with FloridianRobert, "With the Burgman, the engine compression is simply unbearable when the throttle is released. The BMW handles the weight distribution with more finesse. The suspension is superior and the handling is awesome." I would also add that making a tight, slow U-turn on a narrow street was a death-defying experience on the Burgman and pushing her around the garage was a workout. Although there is no arguing over taste, to me the BMWs in both configurations are things of beauty while the Burgman was more of an acquired taste. As to long distance comfort - if I was going to take a real long trip on the interstate - where simply moving down the road is the objective - only then would the Burgman win out over my Sport.
 

FloridianRobert

New member
At 1,300 miles, this bike just keeps getting smoother and better. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am with my 650GT. The low center of gravity offset by the smoother engine action (since she's broken it) just makes it such a pleasant riding machine. More to follow.....
 

Jim Rehmann

New member
@rothenbj - It's called "Atomic Orange" and it's a Corvette color. I have a lifetime guarantee from the body shop, who has been in business here for over 30 years. Hopefully I won't experience any issues.
 

Doraemon

New member
Well, after several months of waiting for the new Burgman for the USA, I decided to trade my 2011 B650 for the C600 sport. That was back in January when I found out that Suzuki is having dificulties importing anything with the issues they had with the Auto dealerships (Bankrupt or whatever) the proof is that it is June and still no new Burgs in the US. Secondly, the new Burg will not have factory heated anything and have a tag of 9500? the base for the C600 was 9500, with another 1k for TPS, heated seats and grips....

any how, back to the task at hand. I now have 2500 miles, 300 ust done riding from Seattle to Lewiston Idaho. After 6 hours on the stock seat only the last 50 miles were numbing. the mountian pass (snoqualmie) was done at 75mph at 6500rpm with mor than 1/3rd of the throttle available for passing. Following the other C600 and myself on Fuelly.com and several c650GT's I am about right in MPG on the sport at 40mpg(myself and one other), the GT's getting 47mpg of 6 on the site. There are 70 Burgmans showing an average of 47.5 mpg. In Seattle I am averaging 38-39, mostly having fun passing H-D's and sport bikes that discount my scoots power, which started at 47whp stock and is now 50.7, thanks to 2wheel dynoworks and Dynojet.

I chose the sport because I wanted the more sleek sporty style, the Burgman and Gt are really quite similar, truck seating style etc... For me, if the GT was the only choice I may have stayed with the Burgie. Although there are items I like on the BMW over the Burgie, for either GT or sport:
1. the OPTION for Heated bits
2. Stainless steel Brake lines
3. Brakes, much stronger stopping power
4. black plastic below the foot line, easier to clean and don't have to worry glossy colored plastic
5. the main colored parts are painted, not colored plastic, smaller parts as well easier to manage respray or repairs. Not to say that some Burgies havent, but ask those folks how hard or long the paint lasted.

My final note, I am enjoying the BMW and the sportier ride. I also prefer the mat blue over the drab gray, plain white or black. tell Suzuki the bring back teh Blue or red they used to have, and by the way suzuki, too little and way to late....

I posted this on the Burgman website as well. A conslusion should be that from 2004-2012 all the burgman's are the same, then in 2013 they changed the plastic and reduced the grip of the clutch.....Ohhhhhh, big change! BMW brought the best to the table!!
 
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Dean Theriot

New member
I just sold a 2006 Bergman that I purchased new. Never gave me a single mechanical issue. Was fantastic on longer trips. The engine compression issue sucked. I liked the front end of the bikes appearance but not the rest of the bike. More storage on the Bergman under seat. Better glove box layout on Bergman.
The main issue for me was that I wanted a better looking bike so I bought a 2016 c650 Valencia orange. I like it a lot.
 
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