2014 Burgman 650 GT Rumor

[dsfraser]

I would add to the wishlist.

Self-cancelling turn signals.

Fix the centerstand so it is not so difficult to use.

Fix the switch under the centerstand so it doesn't stick.

My wife would like Reverse gear for her Lardy. The bike weight five times what she does.

She would also like an Easy Button to pick the bike up off the ground. Don't think that's doable.

The Burgman has been around long enough to be a mature design, yet Suzuki still haven't fixed these little things. They could and should take the opportunity to revamp the line to stay abreast of the competition. As much as like my Burgman, these little things bug me. I doubt I would buy the same Burgman four or five years from now when mine hits 100,000 km. It takes that long to get a new model established. Honda, Yamaha, Piaggio, BMW, Bombardier, Kimco and by then who knows who else will have new super-scooters to choose from. Suzuki cannon afford to rest on their laurels any more.

Regards
Scott Fraser

[YogiBabu]

just a rumor !!!

[NormanB]

Thanks.

[dsfraser]

just a rumor !!!

That may be, but if Suzuki is not on top on a next-generation Burgman, they're going to lose out.

Regards
Scott Fraser
Calgary

[Flint]

Not much mention of the horsepower difference between the 650 Burgman and the 650 BMW? One of my bike rags recently mentioned that the Beemer makes 60 horse compared to the 38 for the Burg?

[InfernoST]

38 at the crank or the rear wheel?

[Flint]

I'm sure that the 38 is at the rear wheel on the Burg and I'm just guessing that the 60 on the beemer is at the crank? The article did say that the BMW was a fast smooth scooter with a nice amount of power. My Burgie is fun and gets along pretty well but, I have to guess that a scoot making 20 more horse is exponentially just that much more fun?

I have owned a nuber of BMW motorcycles and cars over the years and they all were darned nice machines. There is a noticable difference in the way they handle and brake, etc.

Flint

[azrider]

It's been noted before the BMW has as much as 60 at the crank, while it is well known that the Burgman makes 50+ at the crank.

[Leo38]

From reports/reviews I have read, the Burg 650 puts out approx. 54Hp at the crank @ 7,00rpm, 44Hp at rear wheel.
Significant loss mostly due to the gear driven rear drive.
Assuming the BMW is rated 60Hp at the crank, then loss of Hp would be less to the rear wheel with chain drive.
Will be interesting to see rear wheel Hp / rpm's and torque numbers.

[rustynail]

My AN650 has plenty enough power for a performance award in all 50 states, on any public road - and more than enough to be downright dangerous in the twisties.

That being said -

I don't think the torque numbers will be all that different between the GT and the AN, even with the increase in ponies on the BMW. I mean, they are both parallel twins. An increase in HP won't necessarily have a mirror linear increase in torque.

Instead -

I wouldn't mind 1-2k lower RPMs at 75-80mph - lazier high speed - but it's not a must-have. At least for me. It also would be nice if the MPG figures didn't start declining after going past the double nickel limit on state highways.

If the BMW can achieve those two, I'd be more satisfied than just "more power"

Maybe the new Burgman can have a 700cc engine with a 270 degree firing offset, like the NC700X/Integra, for better torque delivery without needing extra horsepower...

[ErikDK]

....

Maybe the new Burgman can have a 700cc engine with a 270 degree firing offset, like the NC700X/Integra, for better torque delivery without needing extra horsepower...

Isn't the 270 degree crank just a gimmick to make a parallel twin sound like a 90 degree vee?

The Danish engineering weekly Ingenioren.dk tested the Honda NC700 XAD, loved the function and reached the claimed
63 mpg. The ergonomics were cramped.

Poeople commenting write the expected BS: Why not 100+hp?, to complicated, I enjoy shifting gears, my current bike pulls from 30mph, it will be discontinued in 2 years.

[rustynail]

No. The Tenere lays down it's torque like a big single due to its 270 degree offset. Many reviewers have remarked that it makes the Tenere feel more torquey (like a thumper) than the GSA.

I believe Honda did say it was to make the bike "sound and feel" like a vee twin. Perhaps that feel is better torque delivery?

[Bolzen]

Rusty nail on the head More torque is what Burgie family needs most, not top speed. If i reach 100+ mph on my dl i don't think i control the situation anymore But overtaking, uphills, loads etc is what the bike readily accepts and that's the point.

[Scotty1981]

Oh, and I'd like them to market it under the Japanese name: Skywave. Much better than Burgman. Whoever thought of that should be shot with rock salt.

Burg means castle or fortress in German so I think it is supposed to convey that it is a solid ride maybe. Or a castle for everyman or something similar. I do like Skywave much better.

[scootntoot1]

On my 2009 650, the type of riding that I do...........I really miss having cruise control

scootntoot1

[Flint]

Improving the Burgman is of no matter to me other than if they change the name I will sell the one I have now and I won't buy another. As it is I don't attempt highway travel on mine, due to the round trip I made to Rapid City a couple years back. The fight with the wind and the beating from the suspension on the slab cured me with any thoughts of highway travel at any time in the future. I have motorcycles and they afford a plentiful amount of storage and power for road travel. My scooter is great for runs to town on an errand and has plenty of storage to bring home a few groceries but, as for me it isn't a touring bike. With a Gold Wing and a FLH Harley in the stable I see no reason to attempt travel on a 650cc scooter?

To all who are supposing what Suzy is going to do I wish you good luck.

Flint

[SteveE]

Improving the Burgman is of no matter to me other than if they change the name I will sell the one I have now and I won't buy another. As it is I don't attempt highway travel on mine, due to the round trip I made to Rapid City a couple years back. The fight with the wind and the beating from the suspension on the slab cured me with any thoughts of highway travel at any time in the future. I have motorcycles and they afford a plentiful amount of storage and power for road travel. My scooter is great for runs to town on an errand and has plenty of storage to bring home a few groceries but, as for me it isn't a touring bike. With a Gold Wing and a FLH Harley in the stable I see no reason to attempt travel on a 650cc scooter?

To all who are supposing what Suzy is going to do I wish you good luck.

Flint

Well you're intitled to your opinion but there are a whole lot of Burgman riders both 650 and 400 that will respectfully disagree, and I'm one of them.

[Flint]

You disagree that my Burgman doesn't ride anywhere near as well as either of my two touring bikes, or have the power to fight a 35 mph headwind? hmmm must be psychic? I like my Burgman for what I use it for but, having tried it on the highway for a days travel it just didn't work out as well for me as a bigger bike with more engine.

The suspension on the Burgman is not really very good for me. Maybe some like it but, I just can't do a pounding on my bad back all day because I am just tickled that I am on a scooter. Perhaps if I had this thing 40 years ago it would have been different but, I don't have those young bones and joints that i once did. Out here where I live all the roads are long and there isn't much to slow you down and the traffic is all hauling the mail. I like the Burg but, just don't like trying to ride it like I would the Wing or the FLH or the VTX across a vast open prairie. And surprisingly after 35 years living in this general area I have never seen a Burgman out there doing it either?

Flint

[spiff717]

Well first of all. Your entitled to your opinion. Everything fits everyone differently and at different times. That said.....

This post is about the Burgman GT rumors. Or the new Burgman coming out and the changes people would like to see within that design. Those people like the Burgman, and their input is interesting. You do not like the Burgman as much as your other rides, which is cool. But irrelevant on this post. And the fact that you say it may have worked for you 40 years ago etc etc etc...is fine. Some people can get by with a aluminum walker till eventually they have to move on to a powered wheelchair too. We get it, its inevitable for all of us, but once again irrelevant.

Now the head winds I have to agree with you on, they suck and can take a toll on the 650. Doesn't mean that I personally would rather have a semi truck of a bike to push thru them. The other 90 percent of the time I ride, the head winds are, ********************....irrelevant.
[Edited by mod to remove personal inflamatory remark.]

Moreover the 650 is what it is, just as the gold wing is, the Genuie buddy is and Kim Kardashian is.

I wish I had known what prairies you lived on so I could have scooted by on my trip from Savannah to San Diego in April. Then you would have seen a Burgman in your neighborhood, happily doing its thing, and carrying a terminally ill cancer patient in on it with no problem. And pretty comfy

Some of us like what we ride and have something to say about it....I guess others just have to come up with something to say.

[Flint]

Isn't the first thing that was said was someone wanted to change the name of the Burgman and I said I liked mine just fine being a Burgman and not a Skywave? From what I have read in a number of magazines as well as on the net is that the new BMW scooters offer more power as well as the amenities that some are asking for? Is the premise to find a better machine or just to buy another Suzuki? If Suzuki isn't going to make a better machine are we to be stuck with the Burgman or maybe to move along to whatever comes next?

Some have mentioned 900cc motors and stereos and heated seats and grips and such? I agree that would make for a nice bike and probably one that would tour quite comfortably?
Flint

[Daboo]

Gentlemen, let's stick with remarks regarding the OP's original topic.

When you think about it, it makes perfect sense that Suzuki's next logical step would be to develop a 650 Burgman GT to bring to the maxi-market in 2014. A Burgman 650 GT could deal Yamaha, BMW and Honda a serious blow in one fell swoop.

What would a 2014 Suzuki 650 Burgman GT bring to the table?
1- Refinements to the running gear, switches and gauges(optional GPS) and a relocation of access for fueling.
2- Upgraded mono shock suspension.
3- Slightly larger wheels.
4- Rear top box and panniers (optional)

If this is really a work in progress, are they on the right track?

Chris

[rustynail]

I've ridden with a Streetglide rider for 3 years. That's a 900lb bike with more torque than my AN650. The rider is only 5 years older than me.

On weekend rides he's always complaining about his shoulder, his back or something. Around the campfire at night, he can barely keep his eyes open.

I didn't complain and felt fine after all day on my AN650 - slaughtering my riding partner in the twisties.

Sometimes it's the rider Spiff.

ALSO:

I have ridden my AN650 at 60-80mph into 50mph headwinds with pouring rain & felt the bike did fine...

Okay, yes, you got me... In those conditions, I couldn't do a roll-on to 110mph

Point is, I'll ride a BMW scooter, or any other bike, before I buy it. I'll look for opinions - but won't rely on them. They're far too subjective.

The MAJORITY opinion is probably the right one, though...

[Bolzen]

From what I have read in a number of magazines as well as on the net is that the new BMW scooters offer more power as well as the amenities that some are asking for?

Why would I want to drive some fright just because it has 2 more hp? I'm pretty fine with the name Burgman and don't want it to be changed too. Besides it reflects scoot nature better than other names do.

But I think the 650 can be used as a touring rig, make it only 750 cc for the current weight and tune the suspension.

[Flint]

Hot tip Rusty Nail, a Street Glide does not weigh 900 pounds. My son has one and it isn't close to that and neither is my full dress FLHTC.

According to Cycle World the new BMW scooters make 60 horse power as opposed to the Burgmans 38 horse power.

I'm sure that the entry price will be kinda steep but, in any application the cost to "upgrade" is usually more than the current offering?

Flint

[ErikDK]

....
According to Cycle World the new BMW scooters make 60 horse power as opposed to the Burgmans 38 horse power.

Flint

BMW crankshaft HP versus Burgman rear wheel HP.

With the BMW you get a rebadged Kymco with the same transmission as a Burgman 400, say goodbye to low-rpm cruising with instant kick-down which is unique to the 650 Burgman with computer controlled CVT.