Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/213117
RIDING IMPRESSION P54 2013 SUZUKI BURGMAN balanced at low speeds and is remarkably steady in the turns. You can push it a lot harder than you think through the bends. Eventually, the centerstand will gently kiss the tarmac, letting you know – no mas! Luckily, you'll hear it touch ground before you feel it. The overall ride is pretty good, but not great. Suspension is a little on the bouncy side and will give you a bit of a jolt over the square-edge bumps at both ends. Not a whole lot of damping going on down there. The Burgman's linked brake system is strong, though the right lever felt a little mushy at times. For those occasional panic stops – both levers are needed, though the ABS system works very well. You feel only slight modulation when you really crank down on the brake levers. Making it back and forth to work each day was never an issue as far as fuel range, not with that four-gallon fuel tank and decent mpg. I averaged anywhere from 45-50 mpg on the Burgman, which included mostly highway riding. The fuel filler is located on the left (kickstand) side of the bike and is easy to use. ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END Unfortunately, I couldn't live forever with the Burgman and was sad to see it go back to its rightful owners. My commutes won't be the same. I already miss the Burgman's outstanding storage capabilities, excellent weather protection, the smooth, electriclike power delivery, and pleasing ergos. Heck, I even miss the just-grab-the-throttle-andgo transmission. The Burgman is simply a fantastic commuter and around-town go-getter. It's so good at all those things that I didn't even care that I was on a scooter! In fact, I kind of liked it. And it helps a lot that the Burgman is pretty sporty looking, especially viewed from straight on, where it looks like a full-on motorcycle. The LED position lights give it some flare, as well. Unfortunately, the Burgman 650 ABS ain't cheap. As good as the Burgman is, $10,999 is a lot of dough for 650cc scooter, but at least it does have tons to offer for the commuter and around-towner. For that kind of money, however, I really think Suzuki could have fitted heated grips onto the Burg. After all, this bike is designed to commute and commuters commute in all kinds of weather, including the cold – if not most of the time. If Suzuki chose not to equip the Burg' with heated grips because of cost, I'd just as soon have them ditch the electronic folding mirrors and manual shifting (though I doubt that would be possible) in favor of some hot rubber on the handlebars, and maybe even a heated seat. But, hey, maybe that's just me. Still, heated grips or not, the Burgman 650 ABS could very well be the ultimate commuter. CN SPECIFICATIONS 2013 BURGMAN 650 ABS ENGINE TYPE:.............Parallel, two-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-stroke BORE X STROKE:............ 75.5mm x 71.3mm DISPLACEMENT:...................................638cc HORSEPOWER (claimed):. 4 (approx.) hp @ 5 7,000 rpm TORQUE (claimed):............ 46 lb.ft (approx.) @ 5,000 rpm COMPRESSION RATIO:...........................11.2:1 FUEL SYSTEM:..........................Fuel-injection LUBRICATION SYSTEM:................Wet sump CLUTCH:............Wet multi-plate, automatic, centrifugal typ GEAR SHIFT:.........Automatic and manual shift TRANSMISSION:...................................... CVT PRIMARY REDUCTION RATIO:.1.333 (88/66) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RATIO:............. 1.800-0.465 (Variable) SECONDARY REDUCTION RATIO:......... 3.934 (39/31 x 43/25 x 40/22) FINAL REDUCTION RATIO:.....1.580 (32/31 x 31/32 x 34/31 x 49/34) DRIVE SYSTEM:.............................Gear drive IGNITION:............Electronic (transistorized) FRONT SUSPENSION:...........Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped REAR SUSPENSION:....... Swinarm type, coil spring, oil damped FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL:........................4.3 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL:..........................3.9 in. STEERING ANGLE:........................ 41-degrees CASTER:....................25-degree/25 minutes TRAIL:.....................................................4.1 in. TURNING RADIUS:................................ 8.9 ft. FRONT BRAKE:.................................Dual disc REAR BRAKE:................................Single disc FRONT TIRE:...........................120/70R-15 in. REAR TIRE:............................. 160/60R-14 in. O/A LENGTH:......................................89.2 in. O/A WIDTH:........................................ 31.9 in. O/A HEIGHT:...................................... 55.9 in. WHEELBASE:.......................................62.4 in. GROUND CLEARANCE:..........................4.9 in. SEAT HEIGHT:.....................................29.7 in. FUEL CAPACITY:.................................4.0 gal. WEIGHT (curb):.................................. 613 lbs. COLOR AVAILABLE:.......Pearl Bracing White MSRP:................................................ $10,999