In my search to get on 2 wheels in the spring, I have started to consider large touring scooters, such as the Burgman. Having looked at them in passing, they are quite comfortable and have multiple available foot positions with the floorboards. I don't expect it to be fast, I just would be content with the ability to keep up with traffic, at most 70 on the highway. It wouldn't see any 2 up, but I am on the large side.
Should I instantly turn in my man card for considering a scooter?
Hell no. Ride whatever you want. The Bergman looks like a nice place to be. The 650 has more horsepower than a VW diesel rabbit.
The BMW scooter and the Burgman 650 are so big I actually don't really fit. Make no mistake, a 650 is more than capable of keeping up with traffic, way more.
Ride what puts as smile on your face and has you out on two wheels. If that's a scooter, go for it!
I keep lightly kicking around the idea of selling the XL500 and getting a medium sized scooter. Especially if it were something like ~300cc Vespa. I've always loved the classic look of a Vespa.
My old neighbor had a Burgman 650. That thing was quick! Don't worry about keeping up with freeway traffic, it'll do it, easily.
Most of what I'm seeing are 400's, but those are holding their value decently. $4-4.5K for a 400 with 20k on it. But it comes down to what I can find in the spring, I don't want to buy now and ride for less than 2 months before it goes in the garage, while paying over the winter.
What about the big Kymcos? Those are generally considered pretty nice and don't command the same price.
There is an 04 Burgman 650 in Puyallup with less than 7kmiles for 3500$
neon4891 wrote: I don't want to buy now and ride for less than 2 months before it goes in the garage, while paying over the winter.
But arguably, that's also what this time of year the best time to buy one... The dealers near me are all running crazy deals to unload '15 models (and some still have '14's left)
Paging Minimac....paging Minimac.
He's got a couple. a Majesty 400? and the Burgman 650. I've ridden both and found the Burgman more comfortable. I just had issues not having a clutch lever when riding.
I've been advocating scooters for a few years. Good to see they're attracting some attention!. I have two, an '06 Yamaha Majesty 400 and an '06 Burgman Executive. Both are great to ride, and as capable as almost any motorcycle. Last year I did a 2800 mile four day tour on the Majesty. I was able to carry all I needed(plus more-a full case of LaBatt Blue!)with some Nelson Rigg expandable saddlebags thrown over the pilon and a smallish topcase. I just finished a 1900 mile 3 day weekend to the U.P. (Michigan)on the Burgman.I got the Burger to replace my GL1500 Goldwing(for sale) and although is a little bit slower, will run all day comfortably @85 on the interstate. The Majesty has no problem running as fast, but is better suited at 75. Both require very little in the way of maintenance.The Burger does wear rear tires relatively quickly,and for my own reasons, I have darksided both scoots. A 400 Burgman is a little better suited for touring but the Majesty handles better and is easier to work on,IMHO. If shopping for a 650, the executive has ABS-regular 650 doesn't, but both can be manually shifted if you want to. The 400s will deliver 54-62 mpg and the 650s seem to be 46-52. Prices vary widely, but you can buy a good example of each for $1500-2500(400s) and a 650 for $2000-3500. I would suggest nothing older than an'05 on any of them, especially the 650s. The Honda Silverwing is also very dependable, but seems to ride harsher and the resale value is lower. Kymco also makes a good maxi scooter, but if needed, parts are tougher to get. Neon-PM me if you need more info-I also know of some good deals.
In reply to minimac:
Manually shifted? Wha? Those aren't CVTs? 
Just like a manually shifted CVT in a car, I'd imagine.
Darksiding a scoot. Whole lotta weird going on in that sentence, as a die-hard must have a clutch kind of rider, haha. I will say that I do like the Vespas that have the twist-grip shifter on the left side, but my main thing against scoots is the CVT. Otherwise, hell yeah, do whatever it takes to get on two wheels. 
As a fun aside, you can get knobbies to fit some of the smaller scoots. Turns out, an old Honda Aero with knobs will pretty much go anywhere as long as you're okay with bashing the frame across logs and rocks and such. 
Loved my Burgman, am looking for another next year. Have to refill the fun jar after buying my PRHT Miata... It was wildly comfortable with both the wife and I running over Afton Mountain doing in excess of 80 MPH. I recommend a top box or the Executive model with the back rest if you have a passenger, they will be much more comfortable. The box is a CVT, but somehow incorporates a clutch, so not hateful like most CVTs. Can carry lots, especially with a top box added.
Whats the appeal of a scooter when the equivalent motorcycle is less expensive? Not trying to troll here, it's just something that has always confused me. Unless you're looking for a CVT.
I used to ride a Pacific Coast, a bike that had great riding characteristics and still fit two full helmets inside the trunk. When I started looking at maxi scoots, they were at least $1000 more than the PC for a smaller engines scoot with less storage.
The biggest attraction for me was the fact I don't have to swing my leg up and over.After close to fifty years of riding I wasn't going to let a bad hip make me quit. Plus the fact that Mrs. Mini found it easy to ride and got her license. With the large undersseat storage and a top case, I can carry more than enough gear for my touring. The Majesty is a belt driven cvt. The big burger is gear driven, but can be shifted manually, if so desired. Sort of having a choice between having an automatic and a paddle shifter- the best of both worlds. But don't confuse the scooter cvts with automotive ones. The scooters work great and ride like a barcolounger with wheels.
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