I read on some forum once where a guy had to pay $1,200 to fix his trans/variator on his burgman 650. The X500 owner could replace his entire variator, belt, and entire clutch essembly for about grand or so. I get at least 50 MPG on my X500. Many Burger owners state they get 34 MPG at freeway speeds. I think the burg 650 is very comfortable, but is to heavy. It is a nice looking bike too, but at the price they are asking for it, you could buy 2 new X500's. Also I fear if Osama Obama is re-elected we will be lucky to only pay $5.00 at the pump? If I made $200,000.00 per year, I would go with something else maybe? But I go the speed limit and don't worry so much about how the scoot handles. It's not a race bike, not a $28,000.00 Gold wing, BMW 1600 six cylinder and so on. My wife and I ride it about twice a week at least 100 miles per trip. It's comfortable and get's us there and back. That's all I ask of it. I don't like the look of the 700 also, the 4 head light front end was a misstake in my opinion. I have heard some great things about the new Tmax, but will we get it here in the USA? And the price, holy crap. I like the Silver wing, but it set's you to close to the handle bars, you can't move back on the seat, and the price? I feel the burger and yamaha 400 may not have the needed power for 2 up freeways? I may be wrong, but I don't want to spend thousands to find out I made a big misstake. I'm going to stay with the X500 for now.