When I bought my Burgman 650, I bought it because I liked it. Not because I wanted to have people say how nice it is or to be part of some motorcycling group, but because it felt good when I sat on it.

Now I find I can’t get out of a gas station in less than half an hour because people come over to admire it. The first question is always “How fast does it go?” (ans: The speedlimits with me on it.) Itry to find empty gas stations so I can get in and out quickly, but it never seems to work.
Yesterday I was stopped first in line at a red light and a guy crossing the street walked over to admire it. He totally ignored the “other” bike that was stopped next to me in the other lane. I was afraid he would be stranded in the middle of a busy intersection when the light changed.

Another thing I don’t like is how effortlessly it cruises on the interstate. I try to keep my speed at 70 mph as that is the most efficient speed for long distance riding. But if I don’t watch it closely, I find myself going 90 indicated. I’m totally against speeding, so this is a major deficiency.

Since riding on the interstate is so smooth, I figured I’d go out on a very windy day and get some challenge. Even with a 26 mph steady direct crosswind, the scooter wasn’t moved. Sure, I had to lean a little into the wind, but it was very comfortable. After 150 miles of this, I gave up trying to find a challenge in the wind.

The comfort is another big issue. Other riders seem to hobble after only 100 miles or so. 100 miles seems like a quickie. After 300 miles with only one quick stop for gas, I feel as fresh as when I got on.

Where is the satisfaction in that?

Twisties are no challenge at all. The scooter handles flawlessly at the speed limits. And with the engine braking, setting the speed entering the curves is simple. You would think it would be more fun riding twisties downhill, but with the engine braking, even the steepest twisties are effortless and don’t require any braking.

Slow speed handling is too easy. A 20 foot U turn isn’t a challenge at all. Figure 8’s in 4 parking spaces are also very simple. But then, people figure it’s just a scooter and it should be easy.

Oh, and the acceleration…what’s so good about that. Merging onto the interstate, I can pick a hole and accelerate into it with ease. No excitement wondering if I’m going to get run over. And no having to worry about what gear I’m in while looking for traffic. (Yawns.)

Why is it that no other bike or car ever keeps up with me when I leave a stop light? I don’t use more than about 3/4 throttle. (I don’t participate in races if someone seems to want one.)

The worst part is, I figured I’d be buying a few more bikes as I “moved up.” Now there is nothing to move up to. Everything bigger would be a compromise of some sort. Why did I buy the perfect ride as my second scooter? (The first is a Yamaha Majesty.) Now the only way to get a new one is to wear it out. But the dealor says that is impossible.

Some people complain the windscreen isn’t big enough, but this is a problem that just disappears with time. With a full face helmet I don’t notice the little bit of wind.

On another board, I see people having fun working on their bikes fixing little problems that come along. They get to ask all sorts of advice about how to fix their carburator, etc. None of that with the Burgman 650. Nothing has broken yet in almost 9,000 miles.

The only problem I’ve had is a persistant whine: “Honey, are you going riding again?”

Perfection is so boring…I have to wear a dark visor so people don’t see me grinning all the time.

As to needing new riding buddies, I don’t know of anyone who has experienced more than a good nature joke or two. Most riders don’t care what you ride so long as you ride. That’s true of every riding group I know of. I heard today that even the Gold Wing Riders Asc. Has a Burgman or two as members. The Southern Cruisers Riding Club, which has a reputation as a cruiser club, has gone out of their way to invite me and my 650 on many of their rides and their ground rules again say they don’t care what you ride so long as you ride.

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