Burgman 650 service

[johnp]

Just had my 4000 mile service done and i am happy that it wasn't as much as i thought. I paid £16/$255 which was cheaper than my Nexus.
I have to go back next week for a new rear tyre.

[Buffalo]

The next one will be a little more because of changing the spark plugs but the big jump will be when the valves need checking at 14,500.  Most of us have found that the plugs are good for at least 25,000 but Suzuki calls for them to be changed at 7,500.  I change my plugs and check the valve clearance at 25,000 miles intervals.  So far the valves have been withing spec so no adjustments were needed.   

[Maggie]

Change the plugs yourself... if I can do it anyone can!

[Didiki]

Posted by: johnp

Just had my 4000 mile service done and i am happy that it wasn't as much as i thought. I paid £16/$255 which was cheaper than my Nexus.
I have to go back next week for a new rear tyre.
     

Did you mean 160 pounds?/  (I don't have the English pound sign on my keyboard).  If not that's one hell of an exchange rate. 

Only 4000 miles (6400 km) on a rear tire.  How come?

__________
Dick

[johnp]

Yes £160 and everyone has said the same about the mileage on the tyre, it is pretty squared off and thats why it has worn.

[mulepwr]

Hey Johnp,
 go with a Metzler Feel Free for your rear tire. Run with Suzuki recommended air pressure,front & rear,not the sidewall maximum and if you can't get 8000 miles,I'll come over and go ridding with you,cuz you are having way more fun ridding than I. It may sq a bit but it won't be showing belts.
 Strong statements but I do have mileage on them. I change tires like Imelda changes shoes. Only hers still have tread.  It appears to play well with a Battlestone front if you don;t want to change them both. I usually do even if though the front is still good for a few more.  Guessed wrong on the Pirelli front this year,but was close. Not the same as the Metzler even though they are the same Co.
Mule

[johnp]

What is the Metzler like in the wet.

[Buffalo]

I tried the Metzler on the back of my 650.  It handled about the same in the wet as the OEM Bridgestone or the Michlen Pilot Sport.  I got less wear out of the Metzler than I did from the other 2 brands. 

If you like to corner hard (center stand dragging levels) the Metzler has a handling trait I didn't like.  Just before you get to mazimum lean angle the tire profile goes to a steeper angle that causes the tire to feel like it slips a little as it goes through the transition to the steeper angle.  It doesn't actually slip but the feeling made me apprehensive when I was pushing lean angles to the max.  Other people on the Burgman USA board have reported the same feeling.  The slipping feeling is more pronounced when you hit the transition at low speeds than at high speeds.  Up until you hit that point the tire feels very secure and I actually prefer it for less aggresive riding.  I do like agressive cornering though so that quirk and the lesser wear caused me to go back to the Michelin Pilot Sport on the back of my 650. 

For me the best tire combination is the OEM Bridgestone on the front and the Michelin Pilot Sport on the back.  YMMV

   

[johnp]

I won't buy Michelin as it's made by the French.

[Buffalo]

No problem for me as I have some French blood in my ancestry on my Mother's side along with Scotch Irish.  That goes along with the Irish and Welsh ancestry on my Dad's side.     

[johnp]

The reason i don't like the french is because back in 1985 my dad had a BMW RT1000 bike and went across Europe and the UK for BMW bike meets.
One year coming back from the South of France a car switched lanes and knocked my dad off across the road on to the other side doing around 70+mph. My dad was not in a good way and when my dad was well enough he took the driver to court which was in France.
At the time poeple were saying that the car went into the bike without looking but when it came to court there were witnesses which my dad never saw there saying that my dad was riding in and out of traffic at speed (which he has never done) and that's why the car didn't see him.
The judge said that the driver was not at fault which ment my dad had to pay all the court costs and extras which went into 10's of thousands of pounds which was a fortune in them days.
So to me the Frenach are dirty cheating b***ards and will never have anything to do with them.