Getting Hands-On with Burgman Scooters
So, you’re asking about Burgman scooters? Yeah, I’ve spent some time with them. It wasn’t like I woke up one day and decided, “I need a Burgman.” It kinda just happened.
I was riding this old, beat-up thing, you know? Did the job, barely. Then I saw one of these Burgmans glide past. Looked like a sofa on wheels, honestly. Huge thing. My first thought was, “That’s ridiculous.” But then, curiosity got the better of me.
Started looking into them. Read some stuff online, mostly folks raving about comfort. Comfort sounded good. My back wasn’t getting any younger on that old bike. Decided to actually try one. Found a used Burgman 400, decent price. Seemed like a good place to start. Didn’t want to jump straight to the massive 650.
First Ride Impressions
Getting on it felt… different. Low seat, feet forward. Fired it up, smooth sound. Pulled away from the curb, and man, it was comfy. Like night and day compared to my old ride. The wind protection was decent too. Didn’t feel like I was fighting a hurricane anymore.
Used it for my daily commute for a few months. Here’s what stood out:
- Storage: Under the seat, massive space. Could fit my helmet, jacket liner, groceries. Really practical. No more backpacks unless I was carrying something huge.
- Comfort: Like I said, it’s like riding an armchair. Long rides were suddenly way less painful. The passenger seat looked comfy too, though I mostly rode solo.
- Handling: For its size, it handled okay in town. Not super nimble, felt its weight in slow traffic. But on open roads, it was stable and smooth. Felt planted.
But it wasn’t all perfect. That thing is heavy. Pushing it around the garage was a chore. And fuel economy wasn’t amazing, especially compared to smaller scooters. It felt more like a small motorcycle in that regard. Maintenance could be a bit involved too; lots of plastic bodywork to remove for basic stuff.
Living With It Day-to-Day
It became my go-to vehicle for pretty much everything. Quick trips to the store, commuting, even took it on a weekend trip once. That trip really showed the good and bad. Hours on the highway? Easy peasy. Twisty mountain roads? Uh, less fun. It managed, but you really felt the size and weight then.
Saw plenty of other Burgmans around. The little 125s and 200s looked more city-friendly, but lacked the punch for highways. The big 650? That thing’s a proper touring machine. Met a guy who rode his across the country. Looked even bigger and heavier than my 400. Seemed like overkill unless you do serious long-distance, two-up riding all the time.
Over time, I got used to the weight. Learned how to handle it better in parking lots. The convenience of the storage and the comfort kept me happy for a long while. It just made getting around easier, less of a hassle. Didn’t have to think about carrying stuff, didn’t dread longer rides.
Eventually, my needs changed. Moved somewhere with less space, needed something smaller. Sold the Burgman. Kinda miss the comfort sometimes, especially on cold mornings. But don’t miss wrestling with its weight in tight spots.
So yeah, that was my time with a Burgman. Good machine, especially if comfort and carrying capacity are your top priorities. Just know what you’re getting into with the size and weight. It’s not just a scooter; it’s a commitment to comfort, sometimes at the expense of agility.
