I really don't consider a trike in the same sentence as any two wheeler - it's more of a feature short convertible.
The big surprise for most riders is they don't lose the handling, they just lose the shifting. There was one article where a race rider used a Aprilla 850 for a day and came back and said I never knew how much energy and focus I had to expend on shifting.
That bike is very close the Aprilla 840 which is undeniably a hot sport ride.
The 850 hardly qualifies as a scooter in any parameter
Brembos up front, 140 MPH ...yes MPH top end, same suspension as the geared version and same tranny as the Burgman but with 3 ranges instead of two for the ECVT.
There was one story about the Aprilla 850 at a race day cleaning up - no shifting. It's why the low powered Burgman 650 could take the R1 in a tight set of twists with a race rider aboard.
I only moved to it to save my hands which still are damaged from the years on the RD400.
The Silverwing was okay....comfie but twitchy on the highway.
The Burgman 650 is a whole different animal when you hit that power button.
You know that sweet spot you get where power and RPM and torque all come together.
Well that sweet spot never stops, with an ECVT it's like a turbine and the engine braking is superb without ever touching a clutch or shifter.
DIifferent world and an unexpected one...I had no idea.
The VFR800 rider who was escort on the review that got me into the category summed it up after trying to outpace the 650 ....."if this were a race there would be no losing the 650".
That's quite a statement to make yet it matches the experience of Burgman 650 riders who are willing to push their rides.
The bike is better than most riders including me are willing to explore. Incredible braking, weight down low and a magic box transmission that you just roll and go.
CVT always had the promise of maximizing power with a small engine - marry it up with electronic mapping and you can change the nature of the experience enormously.
It's why so many high end sports cars are now fully automatic and mappable performance.I t's simply better.
The nice thing with Aus is that with low insurance costs and no sales tax on used bikes....you can have a stable.
I just don't have the correct mix.
Lately tho one of those duck boats would do....5.5" in the last 24 hours.
Experienced riders know the 650 - they can and do as I do ride other machines.
We PREFER the Burgman 650 for many rides as it covers so many categories well including having fun in the twists.
It's not an age thing, it's an experience thing and also a bit of a cost situation...they ain't cheap.
Mine was $15k out the door for the original owner - he was in over his head and I snagged it for $7k.....still not a cheap ride by any means but considering what you get the value is superb.
Suzuki dominates the big scoot category in Europe....we don't really have one here.
Yet
••*one of the interesting developments, as electrics come on over the next while the idea of constant roll on power without any shifting will be the norm.
