Got passed by a Scooter
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
I was at Yankee's Tavern in Carlos Tx once when a group of about 10 kids pulled up on classic Vespas. They had ridden over a 100 miles on those little things to get there. They got a bigger reaction and warmer welcome than any Harley or custom ever has. You should have seen all the hardcore bikers going to check out the Vespas and talk to the kids and shake their hands.
Pretty funny and yet very cool at the same time.
Pretty funny and yet very cool at the same time.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
From: Brighton,Illinois
One of the guys in our riding group has a Bergmann.
We all ride Harleys and Hondas. Except for the Goldwings...the Bergmann probably is the fastest bike. Has lots of storage. Won't do much for the ego...but it's a pretty nice bike. Looks almost like a Goldwing when it's coming up behind you. This guy gas been all over the country on his Bergmann.
RonC
We all ride Harleys and Hondas. Except for the Goldwings...the Bergmann probably is the fastest bike. Has lots of storage. Won't do much for the ego...but it's a pretty nice bike. Looks almost like a Goldwing when it's coming up behind you. This guy gas been all over the country on his Bergmann.
RonC
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 527
Likes: 1
From: TEOC, MS
Yeah, looked like that. 2 days later and we still laugh about it. Kid was layed back lowridin and chillin when he whooshed us.
I am in no way knockin these things, This is the first experience I(we) have ever had with them. I don't think they are for me, they don't look that stable to me especially at 70MPH + as this one was doing when he went by
I am in no way knockin these things, This is the first experience I(we) have ever had with them. I don't think they are for me, they don't look that stable to me especially at 70MPH + as this one was doing when he went by
Novice
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Rapid City, South Dakota
We own two 650 Burgmans, a 2006 and a 2007. They're very stable at interstate speeds, and well above as far as that goes. They have a 63 inch wheelbase which compares to many mid-sized cruisers, top out at about 105-110 actual, and weigh a full 600 lbs wet for the standard model, the deluxe one called the 'Executive' is a bit heavier due to it's ABS brakes, power windshield and power mirrors. They run down the road in 'overdrive' at 75 actual (indicating 83-84...10% speedo error) about 5000 rpm, with an 8500 redline, returning mid 40's to almost 60 mpg depending on conditions and rider 'technique.
I traded-in a 2003 Honda VTX1800R for my Burgman, and before that I owned a Hayabusa for three years and 37,000 miles, so I come from the motorcycle end of things, not smaller scooters, which I've never ridden (yet).
Performance-wise, I recently rode nine Harleys at the Sturgis HD test rides in Rapid City, and my impressions were that the Burgman 650 is quicker and more powerful throughout the range then the 883's, but probably falls just short of the 1200 Sportsters in torque and acceleration, though the scooter might match it on the top end. The scooter also matched or exceeded the performance of the Fatbob, Road King, and Rockster I rode, which surprised me a bit. Of course the V-Rod and 110 inch HD I also rode would eat the scooter for breakfast.
It's rumored that Yamaha may be coming out with a three-cylinder 750cc version of the 500 T-max, so the scooters and auto-bikes are possibly undergoing something of a displacement 'arms race' not unlike motorcycles have done in years past.
I traded-in a 2003 Honda VTX1800R for my Burgman, and before that I owned a Hayabusa for three years and 37,000 miles, so I come from the motorcycle end of things, not smaller scooters, which I've never ridden (yet).
Performance-wise, I recently rode nine Harleys at the Sturgis HD test rides in Rapid City, and my impressions were that the Burgman 650 is quicker and more powerful throughout the range then the 883's, but probably falls just short of the 1200 Sportsters in torque and acceleration, though the scooter might match it on the top end. The scooter also matched or exceeded the performance of the Fatbob, Road King, and Rockster I rode, which surprised me a bit. Of course the V-Rod and 110 inch HD I also rode would eat the scooter for breakfast.
It's rumored that Yamaha may be coming out with a three-cylinder 750cc version of the 500 T-max, so the scooters and auto-bikes are possibly undergoing something of a displacement 'arms race' not unlike motorcycles have done in years past.
Last edited by Johnny Burgman; Aug 25, 2009 at 12:32 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: SE Michigan
Been there, done that.
I had the leather flapping, 70mph run down the freeway. Suddenly one of those little scoots blows by. The rider is in shorts, t-shirt, smoking a cigarette without a bit of wind on him. Must have been going 80+.
Once I got over the shock, I laughed all the way to work.
I had the leather flapping, 70mph run down the freeway. Suddenly one of those little scoots blows by. The rider is in shorts, t-shirt, smoking a cigarette without a bit of wind on him. Must have been going 80+.
Once I got over the shock, I laughed all the way to work.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Saint Charles, MO
Are you sure it was not a really big dude on a Gold Wing?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 25,962
Likes: 9,763
From: Montana & Arkansas
I had a Majesty in the stable 5 years ago. Bunch of in town commuting back then and it was good.
It came off the line like grandma's old Buick wagon. But, when it hooked up it cranked to 100 pretty fast.
It came off the line like grandma's old Buick wagon. But, when it hooked up it cranked to 100 pretty fast.