A Tale of Three Cycles
What I Thought I Wanted
As you may remember, I had pretty much settled on getting a Suzuki Burgman 400 “maxi-scooter” for trekking around, to save some on gas and to prolong the life (agony) of my nine-year-old 169,000 mile van. The 400’s a sharp machine that feels good under me, and isn’t too hatefully expensive.
However …
What She Wants Me To Want
The other day, Donna and I were at one of the local cycle shops picking up some of my riding gear (I have to have it for my licensing class), and she spied a woman sitting on the rear seat of a brand shiny new Honda Goldwing.
“Yeah. Right,” I said. “First thing is, ‘first is down, the rest are up,’” meaning, it’s a manual transmission bike and I want a CVT “twist-and-go” machine. “Second, it’s a lot more bike than I want to handle as a first machine (the thing’s got an 1800cc motor, and weighs around 900lbs). And finally, have you got any idea what one of those costs?” I didn’t, but I was sure it was a goodly chunk of change. Still, we asked the friendly salesperson, who gave us the price range — starting at about $19,600 and going up, depending upon the options.
Yes, it’s a motorcycle with options like different stereos, intercoms, built-in bluetooth, airbags(?) … you get the picture. Frankly, if we’re going to spend this much money, we’re just going to get another car.
At this point, the ever-diligent salesperson introduced us to a used 25th-anniversary edition machine that came in on a trade. At 65,000 miles, and $9700, it seems a bit steep.
Anyway …
The Uncompromising Compromise
Yesterday afternoon, we were out looking for two pair of boots/shoes for me — one for riding, and another for hiking/walking/shooting. Donna got a real nice pair of Timberlands Friday night, and I tried to get the mens’ version, but they didn’t have my size. During the course of this fruitless search, we ended up at the cycle shop that sells the Suzukis. Hmm… good opportunity for Donna to try the back of the 400. While she had little trouble getting on or off once I was on the bike (I barely noticed her movements, which is a real good thing), she was not at all comfortable because of the design of the rider backrest, which cut into her thighs.
After a short wander around the store, we headed back over to the Burgmans (Burgmen?), and I reluctantly settled onto the bigger model, the Burgman 650, for a test sitting. The Burgman 400 had been a nearly perfect fit for me, in terms of both size and balance, and so I expected that the bigger, heavier (518lbs vs. 438lbs) 650 would be less comfortable for me to handle, as far as balance was concerned. I could not have been more wrong. In fact, I could hardly tell the two apart, from my position. 
(Of course, the instrument cluster is vastly different, and there are a lot more controls on the 650, but the weight distribution and rider comfort were the same, if not better.)
The 650, in addition to stepping up from a single cylinder, 4-valve motor to a twin, adds a unique multi-mode transmission which allows for normal and “power” automatic mode, plus a 5-speed clutchless manual shift mode.
Next, it was time for Donna to perch on the back. The bigger bike afforded her a much more comfortable seat — one she could imagine riding on for more than 20-30 minutes at a time.
So the 650 (or, something similar like the Honda Silver Wing, though I’ve been a big Suzuki fan ever since I rode on the back of Steve’s little 250 back in the 80’s) is the new plan — an uncompromising compromise, if you will. And, it fits in nicely with our current thoughts about buying things — avoiding the “buy cheap, buy twice” trap.
UPDATE: After a little more “looking” at specs, etc., we decided that the Honda didn’t offer enough reason to pay the extra $$$ for the Honda name, so, it’s’a gonna be the Burgman 650 (but not the “Executive” model)
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so what outlaw biker gang are you guys going to join?
There’s a bunch of hellions that hang out and ride around on thier scooters some weekends called the Baltimore Bombers. And, they’ve got a “womens’ auxilliary,” too….
BurgmanUSA.com If you get the bike, you need this site.
Thanks for the tip, Wyldman — I’m already a member, as of yesterday. It’s not so much a matter of if, at this point. More a matter of when.
For $200 more, you can put yourself on a C50T, with a backrest for the pillion seat. Nice, classic bike style, too.
The C50T has a much harsher ride, a much less comfortable saddle, 1st is down and the rest are up, no inherent storage ability, is heavier, is a larger displacement machine than I want and doesn’t get gas mileage as good as the Burgman 650, has a higher COG and is therefore less stable.
While it looks cool, in short, it doesn’t meet the specification.
“Get ready for the ride of your life - on the stylish Burgman 650 Executive, it has all the great features of the Burgman 650 with ABS, an electic adjustable windshield and a passenger backrest.”
Not going quite that far — I don’t need the electrically operated windshield and automatic folding mirrors (yes, they fold up against the side of the bike when you shut the thing off!). We probably will add the backrest, though.
“We probably will add the backrest, though.”
whaddya’ mean ‘probably’??? try ‘MUST!’
So say we all … the Minister of Finance hath spoken.
My wife agrees with Donna. First thing I added was the backrest. It will be simple if you have a circle drill bit. They have marked the inside of the plastic for the holes you have to make to install the backrest. It then attaches directly to the frame and gets covered up by the backrest itself.