REAL-WORLD VIRTUES

We Brits may not be broad-minded enough to accept maxi-scooters as credible players in the bike world, but dismissing them is our loss. They’re utterly brilliant machines, offering more than sufficient performance, fantastic comfort and pretty much unrivalled levels of practicality and versatility. They couldn’t be much more easy-going or real world.

Suzuki’s contribution to the class began first with the AN400 Burgman late in 1998. But it was four years later when its bigger brother, the AN650 Burgman, arrived, that Suzuki really made its presence felt in the maxi-scooter class. Quite apart from its engine size, the 650 set itself apart from the rest with its high spec. Helping to get the best from its 54bhp, its semi-automatic gearbox had a Power option to boost acceleration, with higher revs and extra power on offer at the push of a button. If you wanted, there was the choice of selecting the five gears manually.

Its deeply padded seat made longer