A friend saw my intro over on the Burgman USA forum, and wrote to ask how I liked it so far, and why I decided to get one. Here's my comments:
As you may know, I kitted the Vespa to 190 over the winter, along with the Malossi variator, kevlar belt, Scorpion exhaust, new tires, etc. This was to "sporty" it up a little. I just can't leave well enough alone. I could go fast enough on the 150, but the 190 gave me the ability to maintain the speed into the wind and up hills. What it doesn't do is make the bike any more stable at 70 MPH. I took I-90 from the east side of Cleveland out to Avon [~30 miles] a couple of weeks ago, and it was wide open all the way. Unstable as could be, but quite exhilarating.
Plus, my wife and 10 year old daughter both found it uncomfortable riding pillion. Deb had nowhere to put her feet and both found the saddle too broad. Deb wouldn't ride more than around town.
So last fall we looked at the Majesty, Burgman, and Silverwing. Hated the Majesty right off the bat. Posture was horrible for me. The Silverwing was like a Goldwing, only smaller. "Too" much. I'd have taken the Burgman home on the spot, but we decided to wait until spring.
Spring came along and we didn't do anything, but after that ride on the Shoreway, I decided I needed a more roadworthy scoot. I wanted it big enough that it would contrast the LX, so a 250 was out, but not so big as to not be fun. To me, that left the Burgman 400.
Called J&J Sports in Huron Friday and they had the silver. I wanted blue, because the silver looked much lighter, like all the cars around. But once I saw it in person, I was sold on the color! Otherwise, I might have waited for red.
It is an '07 AN400K7, but was built 06/06 #134. I tested it with 1 mile on the odo, and told Deb if I didn't come back from the test ride, just write them a check. Bought it on the spot, and rode home on Rt 2 with 8 miles on it. After hitting 85+ I decided a more reasonable break-in might be more prudent.
The Vespa is more engaging, requiring rider concentration and constant input. It is sprightier, sportier, more nimble, etc. It also gets blown around and bounced across lanes by pot holes. The Burgman is calm, comfortable, semi-luxurious (by comparison), predictable, more powerful, and oddly enough, gets better gas mileage on lower grade fuel. It is also less nimble, heavier by exactly double, longer, harder to maneuver, harder to ride at slow speeds, etc.
Saturday, Claire, my 10 year old, said "Sorry to say, Daddy, but I like the new scooter better." Yesterday after a 30 mile ride on the Burgman followed immediately by a 5 mile ride on the Vespa, I asked her what she thought now. She answered with the perfect response: "The new one is more comfortable, but the blue one is more fun." I couldn't have said it better myself! I equate it to the difference between a sports car vs a luxury sedan.
The Vespa is still the daily driver, and the Burgman is for 2-up, anywhere requiring a highway, or just cruising, and colder weather due to better protection. Both will continue to reside in the Morris Garage, along with the Met and SS.
Since then, the Burgman has become more familiar, and a little more sporty. They are still quite different rides, and I like both for their particular ride.
One day I took the LX out on a 30 mile ride in wind blowing 20-25 with gusts over 30 MPH. At 50 into a quartering wind, it was all I could do to keep it in my lane. Constant twitching and correction was required, and by the time I got home, my shoulders were sore! I took the Burgman on the same loop and then an additional 28 miles. I expected that with it weighing twice what the LX weighs that it would buck the wind better. It did, but I was still leaning hard into a cross wind.
Since I bought the Burgman, I've made a few changes:
Performance Mods:
J Costa variator
Malossi Fly Clutch
Cosmetic/Convenience Mods:
Suzuki Passenger Back Rest
Suzuki Bungee Hooks
Suzuki Side Visor set
Alaska Leather Butt Pad
Garmin nuvi 680 GPS
Sirius Sporster 5 satellite radio
GPS/Siruis Brackets and arms from GPS City
Brake Reservoir Covers w/Ball Mounts from Motorcycle Larry's
Autocom Active-Plus Duo Kit (Kit200Duo) w/Interface 1299 for connecting to Garmin, Sirius radio, and cell phone
GIVI windscreen
'08 Dual hi/lo headlamp conversion
Osram +50 H4 headlamp bulbs
Motolite Driving Lights
Autoswitch Garage Door Opener module activated by the flash-to-pass button
Two additional 12V outlets in roof of glovebox (one switched, one hot)
MotoFizz Seat Bag (medium)
D J Ellis Hump Bag
Safety/Weather Related:
Back-Off brake light modulator
Stebel Nautilus Compact Dual Air Horn
I went on a 500+ mile trip one weekend this past October, and it was a fantastic ride. I'm very pleased with the Burgman, and now find myself riding it when I would have been on the LX in the past. If you are in the market for a medium size bike, you have to at least consider the Suzuki Burgman 400.
