In a recent scooter group ride to Tagaytay organized by Suzuki Philippines, I was able to commandeer (with kind permission, of course) a unit of the newly-launched Burgman Street 125 EX.

It was nice of Suzuki to let me have first dibs on the Burgman EX a month before its scheduled media test.

There’s nothing like the exhilarating feeling of being the first to take a fresh unit on a long ride. Is it the same as the Burgman Street, fitted with a bigger rear wheel? Well, take a seat and read on because there’s more to it than that.

Also Read: 2023 Makina Moto Show: Suzuki Philippines launches luxurious Burgman Street 125 EX

A thrifty travel companion

With only two bars indicated on the digital fuel gauge, I confidently rode the Burgman Street 125 EX through the morning rush hour from the take-off point in Quezon City to my place in Rizal province because I forgot to bring my motorcycle gloves for the ride.

From there, I again filtered through the chaos to meet with the group for a gas fill-up in Alabang. Still, the gauge did not move, and the Burgman Street 125 EX will not leave you high and dry.

Suzuki claims that the Burgman EX can achieve 52.6 kilometers per liter, and I came close to that figure. I liked how the Engine Auto Start-Stop system kicks in at the right time, precisely when idling at a red light. Some similar systems on other brands tend to be overactive and would activate while I’m trying to squeeze my way through gaps in the gridlock.

Excellent cargo capacity

With a 21-liter space under the seat, 2-liter cubby holes in the front, and that extra wide floorboard, the Burgman Street 125 EX cargo.

The left front compartment has a charging socket and a weather-proof lid to protect your gadgets from damage. The right front compartment is deep and wide enough to fit most one-liter water bottles, and it will even fit two 500 ml bottles, in case you are riding two up.

Stability and ride comfort

The Burgman Street 125 EX is fitted with 12-inch wheels front and rear. The bigger rear wheel noticeably improved cornering stability and made the ride quality much more friendly to the old joints. The telescopic front fork and rear single shock absorber did a decent job smoothing road bumps.   

One major factor contributing to the Burgman Street 125 EX’s ride comfort is its refined Suzuki Eco Performance (SEP) – Alpha engine. There’s significantly less engine noise, so that you can enjoy the relaxing scenery on provincial roads in relative silence. Such luxury couldn't be experienced on most 125 cc scooters.

Scoot for the big boys

Most 125cc scooters in the local market have compact dimensions suited to the average Filipino rider. On the other hand, the Burgman Street 125 EX offers good ergonomics even to taller riders. There’s plenty of legroom; you could even place your feet forward cruiser-style while on long journeys.

While the 780 mm seat height is manageable by usual standard, the wide seat might make reaching the ground challenging for shorter riders. 

With a price tag of ₱92,400, the Burgman Street 125 EX is ₱10,000 more expensive than its twin, the Burgman Street. Is the price difference justified? Well, it’s complicated.

The new SEP-Alpha mill on the Burgman EX offers slightly less grunt at 10 Nm. Add that to the bigger rear wheel, and you get a somewhat slower rate of acceleration. The same, however, significantly improved ride quality and, for some, aesthetic appeal as well.

Ultimately, it is a matter of preference, and this rather vain, Tito rider, who gives more value to comfort over a slight edge in performance, would go for the Burgman Street 125 EX.

How about you? Which do you think is the better Burgman?