Burgman 200 or Modded 125

[87112]

Pretty excited about winter only being 1.5 months GONE. Planning to either buy a Burgman 200 or the possibility of modding my 125. I would like to comfortably handle freeway rides of 65 mph for about 50-60 miles one way.
Will a modded big bore 125 do this easy?

If anyone can help with all the parts needed ( link ) and estimate shop costs to do this it would be great.

The Burgman is gonna costs me more than the big bore route I think so thats a consideration to not go Suzuki. I think the PCX is more fun but I want to go freeway without straining the motor.

[gn2]

Burgman 200 is far and away the better option.

[Mel46]

Even a molded pcx 125 will only bore up to 170cc's, making the Burgman a better choice for freeway riding. Dave haD a 125 that he put a BBK into, and it was very fast, but he ended up selling it and buying a V-Strom for the freeways. He is n9w back to a 125 but he isn't planning on riding on freeways any more, so now the V-Strom will end up being sold. Choose what you want the primary use of your bike to be and go from there. The PCX is an ideal around town bike, but it is not meant for long rides at max throttle like you would do on a freeway.
When I was younger and lived in west Texas, I use to take my Harley Sporster on long rides. I had a riding buddy who had a small 150cc bike and he often complained because he could not tag along when I rode to New Mexico, or even to Midland, which was only 38 miles away. If you plan on doing a lot of freeway riding or long distance at all, consider something a bit larger, such as a used Burgman 400. It might even be economical enough that you can have 2 bikes, if the Burgman 400 is low enough in price. I saw some pretty nice used ones here for $2500 - $3000. Keep in mind that 10,000 miles on one is not very much.

[chicaboo]

As someone in the midst of modding a PCX (that's why I bought it), it's cheaper just to buy a bigger scoot.
Even if you add sufficient power to the PCX, in my experience it has a nervous characteristic over 100kph.
This may be exacerbated by my size/height, but I find the PCX responds negatively to any amount of wind.
A larger scooter will be more sure footed at HWY speeds and ultimately a more enjoyable ride on the HWY.

Having said that, the Burgman 200 has cramped legroom for tall riders, so you really want to sit on one first.
I've also sat on the Forza 300 and Kymco Downtown 300i, and I found the Kymco more comfortable and roomy.
We don't get the Burgman 400 in Australia anymore, but they appear to have much better legroom than the 200.

[chicaboo]

I should add that if you are intimidated by bigger scooters being harder to handle, the SYM HD2 and Aprilia Scarabeo 200 have good engines but with a bent leg position.
The Scarabeo has a very tall seat, so that's something to consider as well. Another medium sized scooter I forgot to mention is the Piaggio BV350, with heaps of power.
I don't know about the others, but the BV350 (often called Beverly) is quite popular in North America. It also suffers from the bent leg position, but looks less cumbersome.

[87112]

Thanks for all the info. 10 years ago I had a Yamaha Majesty, that bike ate up freeway miles like was nothing. I am not sure I want to go back to such a big heavy scooter due to loosing so much fun factor in city riding. I have been convinced the Burgman 200 is the better option over a moded 125 for moderate freeway use.

I really need to test ride the Burgman 200 on the freeway. I've read and seen many different viewpoints on how stressed or unstressed the motor is on the freeway. Some have said no issue able to pass even at 65-70mph. Others have stated good for short freeway runs. I simply have to wait till it warms up a little to test it at the dealer. But time is not on my side the closer it gets to March the higher the prices go up on anything 2 wheels. Well almost anything, locally 2 dealer have Burgman 200s in, both are 2014 models. So that is 3 years it has not found a home! But they are not doing great dealer, 3999 plus fees. Maybe they want to sell it in 2018??

[chicaboo]

IMO the 200cc class is a nice trade off for city and HWY commuting if you don't want a big scoot.
If you mod your PCX, it will always be a feather on the HWY waiting to get knocked around, and then there is the long term reliability of a BBK on a commuter...

[dougfreeze]

I've put 3,500+ miles on my new Forza 300 (279cc) in three months both on freeway and on streets in Los Angeles and I am already looking for a bigger scooter. Whatever you've read about people 'passing' other traffic at freeway speeds with a 200cc bike, ummmm, read a little more.
At 65 MPH, it takes me a while to get that thing fast enough to overtake someone on the freeway. Granted, I'm about 200 pounds, but I just can't keep up with the bigger bikes out there.
When people are moving at full speed (75 to 80), I usually just hang out in the slower lanes doing a comfortable 65 to 70.

[Andreas]

in my limited experience on a rental burgman 200

Likes:
Under seat storage wow!
Comfortable pillion

Dislikes:
Feels underpowered for its big frame.
Motor sounds buzzy
Instrument panel meh (subjective)
Not so comfortable for a tall rider.


Wish I had some highway experience for you but it was more mountain road traveling. And it didn't have Any more grunt than my friends nmax.

Andreas

[87112]

I am going to check out the Kymco Downtown 300i which has been copied by Kawasaki as the J300. Its seems pretty powerful for long hwy rides, will let you guys know about how I like it.

[chicaboo]

Oh, there's a Downtown 350i now with a bit more power.

[gn2]

The 350 isn't available in all markets.
Hasn't materialised in the UK yet, neither has the Agility Maxi.
Both of these were announced in 2014...

[chicaboo]

The 350 isn't available in all markets.
Hasn't materialised in the UK yet, neither has the Agility Maxi.
Both of these were announced in 2014...

Finally for once we have something you guys don't. I really dig the DT350i.

[Andreas]

That dt300i has some nice specs! 29+ hp 300cc under 400lbs?! Sounds like a blast.

[chicaboo]

That dt300i has some nice specs! 29+ hp 300cc under 400lbs?! Sounds like a blast.

The Downtown 350i is even more beastly if you can get it.

[homie]

I've put 3,500+ miles on my new Forza 300 (279cc) in three months both on freeway and on streets in Los Angeles and I am already looking for a bigger scooter. Whatever you've read about people 'passing' other traffic at freeway speeds with a 200cc bike, ummmm, read a little more.
At 65 MPH, it takes me a while to get that thing fast enough to overtake someone on the freeway. Granted, I'm about 200 pounds, but I just can't keep up with the bigger bikes out there.
When people are moving at full speed (75 to 80), I usually just hang out in the slower lanes doing a comfortable 65 to 70.

Maybe time to get a clutch and some serious HP Mr Dynamite. Use the scooter for local errands. Don't know where you live, might be China so perhaps no Harley's for you but plenty of reasons to have a scoot and a sport bike bro

[87112]

Decided to pass on the Kymco 300i, read it was 421 lbs. Which is to me kind of like touring scooter weight. So it looks the its either keep the PCX125 or Burg 200.
I am having a terrible time justiflying paying new scooter prices when used is soooo much more value. I can't believe I missed out on a 50 mile on the odometer 200 for 2699 2 weeks ago.
Its really hard to have patience when what you want is right there at the shop vs daily scooping out cycletrader.com and Craiglist.

[you you]

Vote Pedro.

[87112]

Vote Pedro.

Are you drunk as usual?

[chicaboo]

Vote Pedro.

Are you drunk as usual?