2021 Suzuki Burgman Street Test Ride Review

2021 Suzuki Burgman Street Review

Bike tested: Suzuki Burgman Street; Road Test No. 1273; Test Location: Mumbai

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 1,01,729/-

The Suzuki Burgman Street is a likeable scooter, and it has become even more likeable for 2021

In recent times, the Suzuki Burgman Street has become the second feather in the Japanese manufacturer’s cap after the Access 125. It uses the underpinnings of the Access but brings a whole new maxi-scooter feel which people seem to adore. Consequently, the sales numbers have been impressive as well. For 2021, Suzuki has updated the Burgman with some interesting new bits along with the obvious switch to FI following the BS6 compliancy. Suzuki was kind enough to lend us the scooter for some time, and here’s our detailed report of the updated BS6 Burgman Street.

MotorQuest: Suzuki launched the Burgman Street in the second half of 2018 and it shares several mechanical parts with its younger sibling, the Access 125. It is the only maxi-scooter by the Japanese giant here in India, even though the Burgman has many engine options, up to 650cc, worldwide. Lately, the Burgman has become one of the most likeable scooters in the market and it has become even better for 2021.

Styling: If you liked how the Suzuki Burgman looked, we have good news for you as the scooter retains the maxi-scooter design, and looks exactly the same as before. The front end sees a big LED headlamp between the edgy fairings at both sides that incorporate the indicators. A short windshield is also present above the headlamp to finish off the maxi-scooter appeal. At the centre, there’s a large footboard and a long seat along with chunky plastic panels.

Even with no updates, the Burgman looks pretty up-to-date with the current generation of scooters

Towards the rear, we have an LED taillight and indicators integrated into a single unit. The rear end looks big yet sporty and definitely adds to the maxi-scooter feel of the overall design. The muscular exhaust and the flowing grab handle finish the rear look of the scooter. The only change here is that the scooter now gets a new Matte Blue colour option. We think if Suzuki had thrown LED indicators into the mix, the package would’ve definitely improved. Other than this, the Burgman still looks pretty handsome and will appeal to most consumers.

Instrument Cluster and Switchgear: Remember when we said the BS6 Burgman sees some new interesting bits? The instrument cluster is one of those, and it now comes with Bluetooth connectivity. The cluster has grown in size but looks pretty identical to the previous one as it keeps the LCD display. It is a fully digital unit which displays a fuel gauge, clock, oil change reminder, speed, battery voltage, eco mode, and has two trip meters. Information like fuel efficiency, distance to empty, etc. are still missing, though. The new bit here is that one can connect their phone to the instrument cluster via the Suzuki Ride Connect app.

The Suzuki Burgman Street now gets Bluetooth connectivity via the Suzuki Ride app

When connected, the setup shows call notifications, WhatsApp notifications, phone signal, phone battery, and turn-by-turn navigation. Additionally, there is a light on the instrument cluster which lights up whenever there is a new notification on your phone. The switchgear also sees a minor update as the Burgman now gets an integrated start-stop switch. Everything else has remained unchanged and the switchgear quality is impressive. All in all, the Burgman has definitely become better in this segment, even though the information on offer isn’t too much.

Ergonomics: One of the most likeable things about the Suzuki Burgman was its impressive ergonomic setup, and that has remained untouched. The seat is long, wide and well-cushioned, ensuring that there’s enough room for both occupants. The footboard is pretty long and there’s ample leg-room even for tall riders. For added comfort, the scooter features low handlebars and a low seat height at 780 mm, which results in an upright posture. However, thanks to the wide seat, if you sit a little back, it can get a little hard to have both feet down. Moving on, there is ample storage space under the seat and you even get two small cubby spaces up front. One storage space also gets a backlit USB socket, which is an excellent touch. Lastly, the mirrors do a decent job and provide a good view of the back.

Performance: Like most BS6 offerings, the biggest update in the 2020 Suzuki Burgman Street is the addition of FI and its BS6 compliancy. The 124cc single-cylinder motor makes 8.7 PS of power and 10 Nm of torque. This is impressive, as Suzuki has limited the performance loss to just a 0.2 Nm drop in the torque figures. On the go, the addition of FI has made life better as the scooter feels more refined and punchier than before too. The mid-range is strong and the top-end is even better. One cannot feel the drop in performance at all.

Addition of FI has made the Burgman smoother, punchier and more fuel efficient

The scooter isn’t fast from the get-go, but after 50 km/hr, the scooter picks up the pace and feels pretty quick. There aren’t any vibrations that hinder your experience, and the exhaust note is pretty quiet too. It feels stress-free throughout the rev range and the scooter can cruise at about 60 km/hr all day long. The peak efficiency also comes around this point and the scooter returned 44 km/l during our test. This rounds up the total range to about 200 km for the 5.5-litre tank.

Riding Dynamics: The Suzuki Burgman Street keeps the same suspension setup as before. It gets telescopic forks upfront and an engine mounted monoshock at the rear. This is the same suspension setup from the Access 125. The suspension setup is fairly soft, and the Burgman can handle bumps with ease. Its ground clearance at 160 mm is sufficient for big bumps, too. However, at 110 kg, the scooter is considerably heavy and the rear suspension feels stiff if ridden without a pillion. Straight-line stability is excellent, though, and the scooter feels planted even at high-speeds.

At 110 kgs, the Burgman will surprise you with its easy riding dynamics

The only real gripe we have with it is that the wheels feel smaller for the whole package. This hinders the riding experience a little, but the scooter is fairly flickable, thanks to the good chassis. Also, the MRF tyres might look skinny, but they do their job well and inspire confidence in corners. Braking wise, the Burgman retains the same front disc and rear drum brake setup along with Suzuki’s combi-brake technology. The overall feedback is impressive, and the scooter stops quickly without any drama.

Verdict: At Rs. 1,01,729/- (on-road Mumbai, Bluetooth variant), the Suzuki Burgman Street is more expensive than before. However, the question, as usual, is whether it justifies the hike in price and we’re happy to report that it does. The addition of features like Bluetooth connectivity and an engine start-stop switch has definitely made the Burgman 125 better overall. Surely, it isn’t as value-for-money as it was when it arrived earlier, but the scooter has aged decently. To conclude, if you’re looking for a good do-it-all scooter with good road presence, attention-to-detail, and premium feel, we would recommend the BS6 Suzuki Burgman Street to you!

What’s Cool

* Looks good with standout road presence
* Engine characteristics are likeable and useful
* The scooter is agile and feels planted even after being a maxi-scooter

What’s Not So Cool

* Tyres look skinny with the overall design
* The price has crossed the 1 lakh mark, making it quite expensive
* Suspension setup isn’t too plush, has a bounce-back effect on bumps

2020 Suzuki Burgman Street Specifications

* Engine: 124cc, Air-Cooled, FI
* Power: 8.7 PS @ 6750 RPM
* Torque: 10 Nm @ 5500 RPM
* Transmission: CVT Automatic
* Top Speed: 95 km/hr
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Underbone Frame
* Suspension: Telescopic Forks (Front); Monoshock (Rear)
* Tyres: 90/90/12 (Front); 90/100/10 (Rear)
* Brakes: Disc (Front); 130 mm Drum (Rear), Combined Braking System

2020 Suzuki Burgman Street Dimensions

* Length x Width x Height: 1880 mm x 715 mm x 1140 mm
* Wheelbase: 1265 mm
* Seat Height: 780 mm
* Ground Clearance: 160 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 5.5-litres
* Kerb weight: 110 kg (Dry)