Handling in the twisties

[MacDoc]

I came the other way from an RD400 which was superb in the twisties and the big surprise is the 650 is incredible as well. Yes there is weight but it's down low and the transmission in Power mode is just a delight in the twists.

I bought the 650 to protection my hands damaged by too long on the RD with a bikini fairing. Was way more fun handling than I ever expected.

Big binders up front and it's pretty effortless - just be aware of the weight in hauling it down as you can get to speed damn quick - you will shock other bikes off the line.

One review got it right - 80% sport bike,,,,,all fun.

Good review here

http://www.onewheeldrive.net/2006/10/04 ... i-burgman/

General comment is the "Burgman grin"....it's real and the 650 is a hoot in the twisties.

[Scotty1981]

Even the smaller 400cc Burgman will outhandle almost all cruisers in the twisties. When I've ridden with others before, I have to keep on my brakes if I'm in the rear to keep from overtaking the riders in front of me. Just because it is a "scooter" doesn't mean they don't handle well.

BTW, even though they are a scooter, they can go freeway speeds. (If you buy one, count on someone asking you that question some day...)

Chris

Had mine up to 110 on the freeway today for a bit, front end started to feel a bit wobbly so I backed it back down, cruised at 75 to 80 with no troubles for a good 2 hours or so. Only thing I miss about my motorcycle are the big wheels and only time I miss them are when I hit a pothole or bump in the road.

[RussL]

I have owned both Harleys and a Goldwing... The 650 will outhandle both of them... On the highway,,, my ex goldwing winds hands down... After you get used to not having to shift,,, the 650 rules...

[Bully]

Just traded my Boulivard C109RT for the Burgman 650 exc.....the Burgman out handles the cruiser hands down....plus it's a blast to ride, wish I would have swapped out to the Burger much sooner.

[knucklehead]

It took me 3 years to convince myself I needed to let the Harley go and get something else. For a long time I had problems seeing myself on a scooter - no more though! I wish I'd have sold the Harley 3 years ago when it was worth more money. Oh well - live and learn.

As for handling I have to go back to 1968 when I had a 68 Triumph Bonneville 650 for something that handled as well as the Burgman. All my bikes after that were pigs by comparison. Maybe the closest in handling to the Triumph was the 82 Yamaha 920XV. It had chain drive unlike the Virago - so it didn't have that feeling of being picked up during acceleration. It was designed for the European market but never sold well there. I picked that bike up in 85 with under 1000 miles on it for $800! I stole it! From a dealer no less. Seems everyone wanted the Virago.

I had a 78(?) Yamaha 750 3 cylinder with shaft drive - I got used to that feeling of rising during acceleration but it took some time. That bike was a pig for handling. It had more power than either the Burgman or the Triumph and handled pretty good for its size. The 920 would outrun any of the ones mentioned above.

The absolute worst bike for handling I ever owned was also the fastest - in a straight line. In the spring of 1969 I bought a 1968 Kawasaki H1 500 triple two stroke with the optional gearing that dropped a tooth on the front sprocket and added a couple at the rear. It was bad-fast for the times. That thing smoked everything that tried to race me. I had a friend with a CB-750 Honda - not even close. The closest was a friend with a 750 Norton Commando. Close race but I'd take him every time. In corners the Norton handled very well - I couldn't even come close in the corners. A guy with a lowly 305 Honda Hawk would go by me every time. In the straights I was KING! I made the stupid mistake of swapping the Kawasaki for my bro-in-laws 56 Olds for a few days - my GF wanted to go camping - but not on a bike. When I got back I found out it was wrecked. Broke my heart. I did get a bike out of it - plus the insurance money - the guy that wrecked it - a friend of my BIL had a 65 Matchless 500 single. I learned to hate 500 singles after that bike. I traded it off for the 68 Triumph.

[MacDoc]

Lots of memories there and 305 Hawk was a sweet machine at the time. Took that everywhere even off road.

I rode the big brother of the 500 triple once.....the 750 trip was far and away the fastest accelerating bike I have ever driven.

You got to 100 mph before you took a breath......never did ride far enough to notice handling but damn what a rush.

The RD400 was wonderful in the twisties - superb brakes and a nice rush on the power band.

Thought I'd lose the handling going to the Burgman - was I wrong. The 650 is heavy so hauling it down early is important but does it like to accelerate through a turn. Always stable. That was a very unexpected treat.
Stayed stable even bottomed out on a sweeper at 90 mph ( James Bay Road has it's thrills )>

[MacDoc]

Since this is in the newbie section figured it might be appropriate.
Local rider here only riding for a few weeks figured he'd outgrown his 250 Ninja.

Despite being told by more experienced riders to get a year or more under his belt he jumps to a new 600 SS something

And ten minutes into the ride today with a group of us this is the result of him trying to keep up with riders with decades of experience on a difficult and uneven road.
I ride aggressively and knew this road reasonably well but did not push it tho the lead riders on SS were moving.
New rider tried to keep up. Bad idea.


more here

http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m269/macdoc/

So a word of caution to newbie riders - ride at your own pace.
The Burgman is sweet in the twisties and deceptively nimble but it carries a lot of weight and off camber downhills can be treacherous as this rider found out today.



Have fun but be careful - he was very fortunate no injury and we could jury rig the bike enough for him to get home.
A few inches left and a different outcome.