SUZUKI BURGMAN 125 (2002 - 2012) Review

Highlights

  • Learner-friendly city scooter
  • Low costs, great for the commute
  • Cavernous under seat storage

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Annual servicing cost: £100
Power: 12 bhp
Seat height: Low (28.9 in / 735 mm)
Weight: Low (344 lbs / 156 kg)

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

If you want the comfort and practicality of a maxi-scooter but you’re limited to a 125cc used bike, the well-spec’d Suzuki Burgman 125 is a safe choice.

It’s not quite up to a motorway commute, but for city use it’s a classy ride with more luggage space than you’ll know what to do with.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Don’t be fooled by the look of it – the Burgman 125 may be a bit heavy for a 125cc scooter at 156kg wet, but it feels light and manageable at any speed with a great turning circle.

The brakes are adequate, but a little more bite would help.

Suzuki Burgman 125 review on MCN

Engine

Next up: Reliability
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Burgman’s 125cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder motor is both a strength and a weakness.

It opens up executive-scoot style to CBT riders, but with a top speed of 65mph it’s not quite fast enough for motorway or A road work.

Suzuki Burgman 125 exhaust

It gets up to town speeds quickly enough, but there’s a slight elasticity to the throttle-response that necessitates forward planning.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Since it’s built by one of the big four, the Burgman is well-built compared to a lot of scooters on the market and reliability shouldn't be an issue. Corrosion is a known issue with the whole Burgman range so take care of it if you ride it through winter.

We don't have any Suzuki Burgman 125 owners' reviews.

Suzuki Burgman 125 rear end including tail light

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
3 out of 5 (3/5)

At £3399 new, the Burgman was far from the cheapest 125cc scooter available, but as executive scooters go it was a bargain option compared with the bigger capacity competition and if you never left the city centre, you wouldn't want for the extra power.

Suzuki Burgman 125 ridden on the street

Equipment

5 out of 5 (5/5)

The underseat storage on the Burgman is cavernous – you can do your weekly shopping on this thing.

There’s a handy glovebox under the bars with a 12v power socket in it to charge your gizmos, plus a cubby-hole on the dash. Other useful touches include a fuel gauge and a huge pillion seat with chunky grab-handles.

Suzuki Burgman 125 under seat storage

Specs

Engine size 125cc
Engine type 4-stroke, liquid-cooled single
Frame type Tubular steel
Fuel capacity 11 litres
Seat height 735mm
Bike weight 156kg
Front suspension none
Rear suspension preload
Front brake 240mm disc, single
Rear brake 240mm disc, single
Front tyre size 110/90-13
Rear tyre size 130/70-12

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 81 mpg
Annual road tax £25
Annual service cost £100
New price -
Used price -
Insurance group 5 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 12 bhp
Max torque 7.9 ft-lb
Top speed 65 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range 198 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

Other versions

Owners' reviews for the SUZUKI BURGMAN 125 (2002 - 2012)

1 owner has reviewed their SUZUKI BURGMAN 125 (2002 - 2012) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your SUZUKI BURGMAN 125 (2002 - 2012)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Engine: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Value vs rivals: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Equipment: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Annual servicing cost: £100
5 out of 5 Stress free travel !
21 July 2023 by Nick Zaayman

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £100

Just goes and goes and goes

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Like sitting on your couch. Obviously not ideal for continental travel !. Furthest trip Leicester to London and not too bad. Certainly better freedom scooting around London than other transport. Amazing how many large bikes always in the way through traffic. Besides a few couriers in a rush you will be hooting at many prima donnas in F1 outfits clogging up gaps in traffic ... hooter pretty handy to wake them up !

Engine 5 out of 5

If takes off like a rocket at traffic lights after quick flick of the wrist... gets to 30-40 pretty fast for that tiny piston. Awesome!

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Indicator sometimes not working maybe loose connection after all these years and speedo light not as bright as used to be. At top speed of 65 pretty easy to judge with engine sound as cruise effortlessly at thirty quietly and slightly higher at 40 and flat out at 65 !. Indicators fail to light up approx once every 50 times then push again if no light ... presto! Only slight rust on exhaust and some parts of frame where fixtures are attached... carries whole weeks groceries under seat or one full face or large business bag... another bullet proof suzuki engine.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Diy as simple with a few tools and youtube. And some common sense

Equipment 5 out of 5

Bike is not fussy or complicated. Two sets of tyres since purchased new and still loads left

Buying experience: Dealer bought cash ... never needed guarantee. Cannot remember but certainly cheaper than bus fare.

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