Suzuki has just launched the Burgman Street at Rs 68,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). At this price, the new Suzuki also competes with the Aprilia SR150, but the Burgman is focused on a very different riding experience, so they aren’t really rivals. In fact, the Burgman is unique in being the only maxi scooter on sale today – in that sense, it has no real rivals, at all, but these are some other machines at a similar price point to consider.

Design

From the five scooters on this list, three (the Burgman, TVS Ntorq and Aprilia SR125) were launched this year. This is why between them there is a lot to discuss with respect to design.

Let’s start with the newest – the Burgman Street. Typical of the Burgman family, the Street is elaborately styled and features a unique front-end, thanks to its large apron and windscreen. The seat – going by Burgman family traits – looks to be wide and comfortable, with a pronounced step between the rider and pillion pads.

The TVS Ntorq has been positioned to attract youngsters and millennials. For this purpose, it gets a sporty styling. The front apron is raked-out and the rear section flanked by afterburner-style rear vents that look cool. Meanwhile, the Aprilia SR125 (like the SR150) is blatantly sporty and with its tall-ish, edgy stance it looks most suitable to be a motorcycle alternative. The beak at the front-end is done just right and its slim, minimalist tail-end looks great, too.

Coming to the Grazia, it is not a dramatic design in any way; but it’s a clean, crisp looker. The panels align perfectly well on the Grazia and the textures are tasteful, as well. Lastly, the Suzuki Access looks conventional and isn’t dramatic in any way. That being said, it does have a retro-cool trapezoidal headlight and round, chrome mirrors.

Features

The Burgman Street is well-equipped when it comes to features – not a surprise, considering it’s the newest scooter in this comparison. It’s the first Suzuki scooter in India to offer a fully-digital instrument console. It also gets features like a multi-function key slot, a 12V charging socket and a LED headlight and tail-lamp. The Ntorq, on the other hand, is still the most heavily equipped scooter. It features fully-digital instrumentation with navigation assist, LED DRLs and taillight, engine kill-switch, A USB charger and a boot light.

On the other end of the scale is the SR125. The two-wheeler features a basic analogue instrument cluster, conventional lighting all around and, well, not much else. Similarly, the Access 125 is also lacking when it comes to the feature list. While the speedometer remains analogue, the fuel gauge and odometer uses a small digital display. The Access also has a cubbyhole in the apron and a 12V charging socket (optional, available for about Rs 50 at the dealership).

Finally, there's the Grazia. Its equipment list includes a LED headlight, a fully-digital instrument cluster (with a tachometer and a three-step eco speed indicator), a storage compartment with a hinged, fold-down lid and a 12V charging socket (an optional accessory can be added for about Rs 500 at the dealership).

Performance on paper

Here is how the scooters compare when it comes to the power-to-weight ratio. The least powerful scooter, the Access – with its low kerb weight of 101kg – has the highest power-to-weight ratio of 86.1hp/tonne. It is followed by the Ntorq 125 that has a figure of 81hp/tonne. Close on its tail is the new Burgman Street, with a power-to-weight ratio of 80.5hp/tonne. Coming in fourth is the Grazia at 79.4hp/tonne. Despite the SR125 having the highest horsepower of the lot, the scooter has the lowest power-to-weight ratio figure of 78hp/tonne – mainly because of its heavy 122kg kerb weight.

Should you be interested in the Burgman Street?

The Burgman is a nameplate associated with Suzuki’s flagship scooter family; and currently, the company has it in 125, 200, 250, 400 and 600cc guises for international markets. The Burgman nameplate has made its Indian debut; but it isn’t the full-size Burgman, as we’ve known it. The Burgman Street is an Access 125, underneath all of the extravagant bodywork.

The Burgman Street should interest you if you were considering an Access, but were looking for more style and features, as well as a more premium experience, keeping space and comfort as priority.