Suzuki Burgman 650 Maxi Scooter

It dwarfs spouse Ms M's CBX550. Its wheelbase is substantially longer than that of a Hayabusa (1530mm versus 1485). Big. Enough to beg the question of when does a maxi scooter become a medium weight tourer?

Okay, so it's scooter-shaped, and I have to admit that some of its behavior is scooter-like. However the 170kmh top speed with two substantial people on board - and no, that's not a misprint - is definitely a new experience in this class.

Not that I'm knocking the idea, mind you. Nor is it entirely unexpected. Yamaha got the twin-cylinder maxi scoot market off to a flying start some time ago with its rather tasty T-Max, while Honda is in the throes of getting ADR approval for its 600 SilverWing. Suzuki has gone for the trump card through the simple means of more cubes - 638cc in a four-stroke parallel twin.

What's this?
There's an accepted practice developing around this class, which is to use a cross between motorcycle and scooter architecture. That is you need to sit a powerplant and transmission this size in a decent frame (rather than hang it off the rear swingarm), but retain the step-thru styling along with the ease-of-use that comes with a stepless auto transmission.

Actually the trannie is an area where Suzi has gone its own way. While it's a stepless auto, it has three modes: 1. Five-speed push-button manual (with auto clutch), 2. Full auto normal or cruise mode; 3. Full auto power mode. The latter employs more revs per kmh.

The other area where the transmission is different is in the final drive. It's via a set of gears running inside the left side of the swingarm, rather than the usual Gates belt. I suspect it's going to be more robust over the long term, though you cop a little rumbling from that region at idle.

Braking is conventional - no links. You score two-piston twin discs up front a similar single disc out the back. Meanwhile there are no surprises in the suspension: conventional fork up front, and twin shocks with adjustment for preload on the rear.

Wheels are bigger than usual - 15 and 14-inch front/rear - fitted with premium Bridgestone Battlax rubber.

Cut loose
Cutting the Burgman loose is a bit of shock, even though I've had a play with Yamaha's T-Max and should have known what to expect. It accelerates at a positively indecent rate - particularly in power mode - and will allow you to cruise at licence-losing speeds, if you choose. In other words, it does legal stuff with contemptuous ease.

Stability is excellent, though the suspension and wheel combo really struggles with larger holes and bumps. You get quite lot of bottoming and wheel hop on rough stuff, though it's fine in normal conditions. The pillion liked the ride, while the pilot was happy with its ability to go pretty much where you point it.

Braking is good once you get a little confidence and realise just how hard the stock tyres will allow it to haul up. I suspect the low-slung weight helps here. Just as well, as the 238 kilo dry claim, with a couple of people added, make the discs work very hard.

Fuel consumption on a new engine was around 14km/litre for the short time we had it, which suggests a 200km range on the 15 litre tank. This might improve more running in (ours had 1200km on the clock when we handed it back) and gentler use.

What about the three-mode transmission? We played with the 'manual' version, but forgot it after a while - partly because your left hand gets awfully busy with the combo of indicators, rear brake and gearshift. If performance is the aim, it's simpler (and more effective) to use full auto in power mode.

Creature features
There's a lot to like when it comes to looking after the creatures occupying the monster. The fixed windscreen, along with the fairing, provides a lot of cover for the rider, though the pillion is a little more exposed. Your passenger scores proper footboards, effective handrails, and both occupants get good seating.

You can adjust the rider's backrest, while there's an accessory item for the rear seat.

Lift the saddle and you'll discover an enormous boot, which easily swallows two XXL Shoei full face helmets - terrific.

Handlebar position is worth a mention. It's quite high and avoids tangling the knees of tall riders when on full lock, which is something of a minor breakthrough for this style of machine.

The Burgman has a fair bit of presence in traffic, mostly thanks to the novelty of seeing a scooter than looks big enough to be a threat. Sort of like encountering a mouse the size of a German Shepherd...

It's a lot of fun and I can see where the $13,000 ask (a lot for a scooter, but not for a medium tourer) has been spent. It'll be really interesting to see what the local market makes of it.