Ultimate Touring Machine!

I just wanted to share some positive news amidst the current times....

We bought a Silverwing 600 last year and set out planning a European road trip straight the way! We asked a few questions on here and got some great advise so wanted to share how awesome our experience was.

We scootered from the UK to the Italian Riviera, Pisa, Florence, Venice and the Great Dolomite Road which were all incredible on the Silverwing and the best way to see it all. The Bavarian Alpine Road, the Black forest road and back to the UK, 2 up on this incredible touring machine was better than we could ever have imagined!! It was so comfortable my girlfriend actually fall asleep twice on the back!!!

We are already planning our next adventure for when we can!

The soft saddlebags and the back box with the underseat storage gave us plenty of storage capacity for 2 for 10 days at the start of winter. What more could you ask for?!?!

Congratulations! Thanks for the confirmation that the SWing is a great, capable tour bike for one or two. Keep having fun!

That sounds like my dream ride. I’ve always wanted to tour Europe on the saddle of any kind of bike. The USA is a big country with lots of things to see and do but Europe by bike is definitely on my bucket list!

That sounded like a very nice trip/ride. I saw Naples once when I was in the Navy but it wasn't much of a sight seeing trip. It would be nice to go back as a tourist.

My view on SilverWing as touring machine, had 2 new ones, rode for over 90,000 miles combined. They were great new but now old, low value---serious trouble on long trip cheapest=just leave and take the bus home.

My Suzuki dealer had old Burgman 650, very low mileage, 6,000 as I recall---cheap price. Ideal to buy for one long trip, leaving/junked if breaks and repair costs more than value of bike. Maybe should have bought it.

I think properly used and cared for SilverWing probably good for 100,000 miles or more. I usually ride my bikes out to 50,000 miles and trade....before I have to spend money to keep them going.

Mr Grinsel you show all the logic of a Bean Counter. Repair costs always exceed the value of the bike.

Spending $6-$7000 on a new Silverwing, and riding it for 50,000 miles translates to 14¢/mile as just the cost of the bike. So how much do you think would be a cost efficient amount to spend on a one-way bike?

What about that break down: if you are 2/3ds the way to Hyder and a tire self destructs do you bite the bullet and order a tire or do you eat crow and hop on the next Greyhound going home?

What’s the value of success? What’s the cost of failure?

Most of us here have a more than transactional relationship with our Silverwing and would need to think long and hard about leaving our bike behind.

If you have now old SilverWing with little value----first try your road service----Dennis Kirk good source for overnite shipping on tire (shipping costs high) mount your self or use tire shop at least to get tire on rim and bead seated. put wheel on bike your self------major part failure probably just cheaper to leave bike, ride bus. Remember even in SilverWing Hayday Honda shops were not too good on fixing.

My point old, low value bikes=better to leave and go home. I am prepared with scooter/motorcycle for most tire emergencies/minor repair---scooter carry spare drive belt----recent years been on bike or scooter to North Cap in Norway/Hudson bay Road in Quebec/Central America/Japan and Korea/most of Europe----always got back......but on fresh machinery.

Thought we would include a couple of photos from our trip!

Thanks for holiday pics, its most likely the best we're going to get for a while.
As soon as we get Covid pandemic back in its box I'm due some long bike trips.

Hello May I ask where you got saddlebags from ? Thanks

Very nice photos B&M. Thanks.

john grinsel wrote:

If you have now old SilverWing with little value----first try your road service----Dennis Kirk good source for overnite shipping on tire (shipping costs high)  mount your self or use tire shop at least to get tire on rim and bead seated.  put wheel on bike your self------major part failure probably just cheaper to leave bike, ride bus.    Remember even in SilverWing Hayday Honda shops were not too good on fixing.

My point old, low value bikes=better to leave and go home.   I am prepared with scooter/motorcycle for most tire emergencies/minor repair---scooter carry spare drive belt----recent years been on bike or scooter to North Cap in Norway/Hudson bay Road in Quebec/Central America/Japan and Korea/most of Europe----always got back......but on fresh machinery.

Mr. G, I don't understand the point of your post. Even the absolutely newest US Silverwing found somewhere in a box will be at least seven years old. Based on age alone, wouldn't that still be a "low value" bike? One would still have to get parts from the same places the '03 owner would. One would still have to deal with the same repair issues older bike owners have to. As long as one is best prepared as can be, the value will be there. Not in the bike, but in the ride...the journey yet to be experienced.

All SilverWing in US are now old period...if you are serious rider doing 20-30,000 miles per year. Really used instead of talked about ---I traded 2 bought new Silverwings, 2009 and 2013 at 50,000 miles or so. Neither had much value or did anybody really want them----they both went for about $3,000, when they were finally gone. My take, low value bikes/scooters are best in strange places----I have ridden in 15-20 countries. Never had to leave one, but delays can get very expensive. I also like to ride under warrany and tend to favor new, low cost bikes/scooters

BroOKS2K9 wrote:

john grinsel wrote:

If you have now old SilverWing with little value----first try your road service----Dennis Kirk good source for overnite shipping on tire (shipping costs high)  mount your self or use tire shop at least to get tire on rim and bead seated.  put wheel on bike your self------major part failure probably just cheaper to leave bike, ride bus.    Remember even in SilverWing Hayday Honda shops were not too good on fixing.

My point old, low value bikes=better to leave and go home.   I am prepared with scooter/motorcycle for most tire emergencies/minor repair---scooter carry spare drive belt----recent years been on bike or scooter to North Cap in Norway/Hudson bay Road in Quebec/Central America/Japan and Korea/most of Europe----always got back......but on fresh machinery.

Mr. G, I don't understand the point of your post.  Even the absolutely newest US Silverwing found somewhere in a box will be at least seven years old.  Based on age alone, wouldn't that still be a "low value" bike?  One would still have to get parts from the same places the '03 owner would.  One would still have to deal with the same repair issues older bike owners have to.  As long as one is best prepared as can be, the value will be there.  Not in the bike, but in the ride...the journey yet to be experienced.  

+1

john grinsel wrote:

All SilverWing in US are now old period...if you are serious rider doing 20-30,000 miles per year.   Really used instead of talked about   ---I traded 2 bought new Silverwings, 2009 and 2013 at 50,000 miles or so.  Neither had much value or did anybody really want them----they both went for about $3,000,  when they were finally gone.   My take, low value bikes/scooters are best in strange places----I have ridden in 15-20 countries.   Never had to leave one, but delays can get very expensive.   I also like to ride under warrany and tend to favor new, low cost bikes/scooters

Mr. G.,
Old or not, that's not where the "value" is when it comes to scooting/motorcycling. Based on your words of who qualifies as being a "serious rider", the vast majority of automobile drivers in this country couldn't be considered "serious drivers". I'd bet the vast majority of people on this site who have any interest whatsoever in scootering/motorcycling, don't even care about being a "serious rider." Why? Is there value only in being a "serious rider" or in just riding...seriously?

I can assure you I take it very seriously when riding my 11y.o. daughter ten miles to the skate park. Why? We, like all riders, want to get to our destination. I value the simplicity of getting on a bike, prepared as necessary, and just going: two wheels, a motor, the open air and just...going. Where? Wherever the journey may take me for that particular ride.

A ride to the grocery store that leads to 20 miles extra in going "the back way" home. Been there and done that!!!. The ride to the post office where you happen to meet another scooter/motorcycle rider. You talk for sometime, take interest in each other's bike, maybe exchange numbers and meet up sometime later for a ride. To where? As long as all are safe and enjoy it, does it really matter?

I respect the miles you've put on all the bikes you've ridden over the years, rubber-band or no. But what I gather from the post is a love for the number of miles and the preparedness you put into those miles. What I don't gather is the value of all that came between mile #1 and mile #X-- the end of the journey. Because if that were where the value is, who would care at all about (resale) value?

Serious rider----uses bike/scooter for all transport needs. 66 years for me---over time you get professional motorcycle/weather clothes, etc.---tools, etc. When bike is used for everything, you tend to take care of it, get rid of it at the right time----bikes have taken me to 15-20 countries, long stays in Japan and Germany, over 20 years each. I like to ride only under warranty if possible---my Kymco XTown 300i just fell out of the 2 year warranty----goes up for sale next Thursday. Secret to lots of riding, don't get married as that requires sharing money and time.----I suggest you try some long distance trips......they are fun.

john grinsel wrote:

Serious rider----uses bike/scooter for all transport needs.   66 years for me---over time you get professional motorcycle/weather clothes, etc.---tools, etc.   When bike is used for everything, you tend to take care of it, get rid of it at the right time----bikes have taken me to 15-20 countries, long stays in Japan and Germany, over 20 years each.   I like to ride only under warranty if possible---my Kymco XTown 300i just fell out of the 2 year warranty----goes up for sale next Thursday.  Secret to lots of riding, don't get married as that requires sharing money and time.----I suggest you try some long distance trips......they are fun.

Serious rider? Okay, I'll bite.
*I use my bike to ride to work. Am I a serious rider?
*I use my bike to get groceries. Am I a serious rider yet?
*I use my bike to go to the post office. How about now?
*I use my bike to go to church. Ah ha!! Now...nope?
*I use my bike to go to lunch. Cold?
*I use my bike to go to Lowe's and Home Depot. Still cold?
*I've used my bike in freezing temperatures. Not there yet?
*I've used my bike in blistering temperature. Not quite?
*I even use my bike to do nothing except ride more than 50+ miles in and around my town and surrounding suburbs on a regular basis. Just to ride for the heck of riding. Absolutely not a serious rider with that one, right?
*I don't, and will likely never own professional motorcycle/weather clothes. Still not serious enough yet?
*I use my bike to ride my daughter around and share my time with...just for fun. Okay! That makes me serious right? No!?!
*I use my bike to even take her to and pick her up from school. Wait...no?
*I've used my bike to ride my (greatest gift of all) wife around with. Absolutely not a serious rider with that one, right?
*I've used my bike to share my life and riding experience with others. Whew!!
Surely....? What!?! Not yet?

And for the piece de resistance...
*I do my own maintenance and repairs? Still not serious enough?

How about "absurd enough"?

A "long distance trip" is relative or are you the definer of that phrase? For some (motorcycle 'posers') on their ultra chromed out, overly shiny and nowhere-near-ergonomic bikes, 50 miles once a quarter --if that-- is a long distance trip. For someone else, a 300+ mile, one-way trip just to ride a newly purchased bike (with no windshield) back home is a long distance trip. I can assure you, both riders were serious about the ride: serious about being in the moment, serious about being in the wind, serious about possibly being stranded on the side of the road, serious about what his/her butt felt like afterwards and serious about finally getting off the bike after having experienced what either would surely deem a valued time on the bike. For those few moments, for those few (to you) miles, they are serious riders.

The "secret to lots of riding" isn't in not being married.... The "secret to lots of riding" is liking the ride so much that regardless of whoever, whatever, or however you share, split, fracture or splinter your time with, the last ride only urges you to get on the bike again and purge yourself, if only for the briefest of moments, of all else going on and enjoy the ride you're about to take. Seriously!!

Nice photos B&M. Enjoy your newer bike many good rides to come on SW.
Looks like this thread snow balled into something else but keep sharing.

Ride ON.

Yes. Great photos. Great inspiration too. Thanks.

Hi B&M;

Great photos you've posted, the Silverwing is a very underated machine. What is the make of the aftermarket exhaust and what make are those orange saddlebags please..?
Cheers.

Peter
Scotland

WoW, sounds like a article from travel magazine.

B&M , the first photo looks like the Dolomites near Val Gardena near where my folks were born. Breath taking indeed. Thanks

john grinsel wrote:

Secret to lots of riding, don't get married as that requires sharing money and time.

I would disagree. Wife and I have ridden together since 1982. She has mostly ridden her own bike because very few two-up tourers fit us. She is 5' 11" and only 145 lbs so she can't handle a heavy bike but the Silver Wing fits her pretty good.

For two-up we have had both Goldwings and Harley Electra Glides. The Harley fits her (and me) better than the Goldwing for two-up. It has more leg room and not near as cramped for space as the Goldwing.

But still, we have plenty of breakdowns over the years on various motorcycles when we've been out touring. We fix 'em and continue on - would never consider leaving one behind just because it's a "cheap" bike.

Sharing the touring miles with my wife over the last 38 years has made touring MORE enjoyable. If it was just me and leave my wife at home I wouldn't do it.

I would happily get myself and my better half onto my old SW now and ride it to the south of France and back. Although it has low mileage, it has been neglected in the past. It still has one or two little niggles which I will attend to in time. However, all the fundamentals are sound after many hours of D.I.Y.ing, and some help from the shop but I've never had to touch the engine. My faith lies in Honda with that part.

I'm planning on a trip to the Continent this year. I'm sure the 20 year 'ole gal' will oblige...'to infinity and beyond'.....well, Paris would do to start with

Thanks for the pictures B&M.  Looks like a great trip. For me the SW is a superb one-up touring steed. A bit too small for two-up in my case but whatever works. Plus my wife would want to bring along the kitchen sink!!!

I'm fine with solo touring which is my default setting anyway. I enjoyed the years Mrs M accompanied me and now she's hung up her helmet and I've downsized, I'm used to solo touring again.

It'll be interesting how it goes riding in the post Brexit EU this year or whenever it's safe to travel there again. But currently some of their politicians are being being arseholes about it and still can't get it through their thick skins we've left.

Meldrew wrote:

It'll be interesting how it goes riding in the post Brexit EU this year or whenever it's safe to travel there again.

I've been talking to some truckers and they give me the impression that ferry space from Ireland to France will be very hard to come by this summer and that we lowly tourists will have to use the land-bridge. Bit if a pain if you're hading down the west coast to Spain.

It's not just brexit, it's also whatever travel restrictions are in place to manage covid by our Government and the destination country. Much as I hate restrictions I'll accept it if it helps keep the virus mutations out!
I'll be staying in the UK this year, fortunately there is still plenty bits I haven't fully explored yet.

For me though the old routes, I think, are permanently distorted. I'm not expecting to get out of Ireland this year but next year and beyond, trucks will still be avoiding the UK and using up all the direct capacity forcing private traffic, which faces fewer restrictions, to use routes through the UK. Rather than 24 hours on a ship and arriving rested in France, I face a run from south Wales across M4 or from Holyhead down the the A55, M56, M6, M25 and on into the 'wrong' part of France. I don't particularly like being stuck on a ship but it beats an extra night in an hotel and an extra day of motorway driving.

smellybeard wrote:

For me though the old routes, I think, are permanently distorted. I'm not expecting to get out of Ireland this year but next year and beyond, trucks will still be avoiding the UK and using up all the direct capacity forcing private traffic, which faces fewer restrictions, to use routes through the UK. Rather than 24 hours on a ship and arriving rested in France, I face a run from south Wales across M4 or from Holyhead down the the A55, M56, M6, M25 and on into the 'wrong' part of France. I don't particularly like being stuck on a ship but it beats an extra night in an hotel and an extra day of motorway driving.

As an annual visitor to The West, usually on a bike, I totally concur. The ferries seem to be a lotter anyway as to whether they even are running on any given day!

Your comments reminded me of an occasional bike buddy from NW Scotland, who tended to jump across to N.Ireland from Stranraer, scoot down through Ireland and then catch a ferry to NW France. Much more relaxing all round

smellybeard wrote:

Meldrew wrote:

It'll be interesting how it goes riding in the post Brexit EU this year or whenever it's safe to travel there again.

I've been talking to some truckers and they give me the impression that ferry space from Ireland to France will be very hard to come by this summer and that we lowly tourists will have to use the land-bridge. Bit if a pain if you're hading down the west coast to Spain.

Once upon a time, ferry companies would always squeeze in a couple of bikes, but they have got increasingly difficult in recent years...

BF are the worst by far with their "you must book a cabin" policy. I have done the sailing into Pompey on several occasions and used to grab a sleep mat and bag off the bike, and doss down in the Lounge. Much better than the horrible couchettes!!

steveR wrote:

Once upon a time, ferry companies would always squeeze in a couple of bikes, but they have got increasingly difficult in recent years...

BF are the worst by far with their "you must book a cabin" policy.  I have done the sailing into Pompey on several occasions and used to grab a sleep mat and bag off the bike, and doss down in the Lounge. Much better than the horrible couchettes!!

I haven't found it a problem taking a bike/scooter on ferries since the Eighties, I started taking my own ratchet straps and pads to tie the bike down after I was handed a couple of lengths of oily rope on a crossing from Stranraer to Larne.

The ferries I use mainly go from Hull to Rotterdam, or Zeebrugge and there's designated areas for motorcycles, either on elevated car decks, or areas away from cars and HGV's with a heavy duty steel cable stretched along the deck to secure the tie down straps to.


I'm all for ferry companies now insisting you book a cabin or at least a berth in one because over the years passengers dossing down in lounges was getting out of hand. Instead of going in there to sleep at about 10pm onwards when the lounges empty and people off to their cabins for the night.  It's long became the norm for a minority of selfish passengers to head for the lounges as soon as they board the ferry.

There they spread themselves and their kit all round the seats and sofas like squatters with complete disregard to the needs of other passengers and families.  There they stay for the whole crossing, with some going off for meals and drinks while their cronies guard their patch. Rather like Germans with their towels on sun beds.

Not using a cabin and getting your head down where you can is basically sleeping in your clothes. I much prefer to come up off the car deck with my overnight bag and go straight to my cabin. Get the riding gear off, have a shower and change into casual gear.

Meldrew wrote:

steveR wrote:

Once upon a time, ferry companies would always squeeze in a couple of bikes, but they have got increasingly difficult in recent years...

BF are the worst by far with their "you must book a cabin" policy.  I have done the sailing into Pompey on several occasions and used to grab a sleep mat and bag off the bike, and doss down in the Lounge. Much better than the horrible couchettes!!

There they spread themselves and their kit all round the seats and sofas like squatters with complete disregard to the needs of other passengers and families.  There they stay for the whole crossing, with some going off for meals and drinks while their cronies guard their patch. Rather like Germans with their towels on sun beds.

Not using a cabin and getting your head down where you can is basically sleeping in your clothes. I much prefer to come up off the car deck with my overnight bag and go straight to my cabin. Get the riding gear off, have a shower and change into casual gear.

DFDS (I think) were notororious for having no space to sleep/lie or book a cabin, and the lounge looked like a  refugee ship some nights I agree!!

I do like a cabin with a mate, if I am doing a proper overnighter as you describe, and do so on the BF crossings to St Malo/Caen, as it means a good nights kip, and then on the road at 6am and be well away from the Channel ports before finding breakfast. It used to be a nice boulangerie, but more recently, it'll be a dive into a handy supermarket and grab enough for a picnic in a quiet field gateway

steveR wrote:

BF are the worst by far with their "you must book a cabin" policy.  I have done the sailing into Pompey on several occasions and used to grab a sleep mat and bag off the bike, and doss down in the Lounge. Much better than the horrible couchettes!!

Especially if you're planning on sleeping on the ground for the next couple of weeks. I normally sleep outside for a few nights before leaving on trips to get used to the feeling and get those first few nights of poor sleep over with. Many years ago I cycled to Istanbul and slept outdoors the entire trip. I was offered a bed once in Germany but had to get up and go outside before I could get to sleep.

When I lived in Cumbria I spent a few years using the Scandinavian Seaways/DFDS overnight crossing from North Shields to IJmuiden in Holland. I'd already using the same ferry company on the 24 hours crossing to Gothenburg, and Hamburg.

North Shields was about half the distance from my home in Cumbria than the Hull ferry was, and pretty straightforward if you avoided going through Newcastle upon Tyne.


This time there was no slumming in it lounges and basic cabins, I went Commodore or Commodore Plus, expensive but well worth it, and remembering a wise saying from my squaddie days,  “Any **** can rough it”.    

The Commodore and Commodore Plus were spacious outside cabins with sea views, double or two single beds, bathroom,and a fridge stocked with wine, beer, water, and soft drinks as part of the price. (Looking back I remember just drinking the Coke and taking the bottles of water, I left the rest untouched.)

On arrival on the deck with Commodore cabins, I was met by a female steward who brought me a tray of tea and biscuits, showed me the Dinner Menu and made table reservations for both dinner and breakfast.  It was very nice stripping off heavy bike gear and sitting around in my undercrackers enjoying tea and biscuits.

The food was excellent and Commodore passengers had their own area in the main restaurant for both dinner and breakfast, and at breakfast it was cooked to order off the Commodore breakfast menu.

I remember on a later crossing Commodore and Commodore Plus cabins had complimentary use of the ships Internet cafe and a steward brought free snacks and soft drinks.

Meldrew wrote:

This time there was no slumming in it lounges and basic cabins, I went Commodore or Commodore Plus, expensive but well worth it, and remembering a wise saying from my squaddie days,  “Any **** can rough it”.    

Obviously, an Officer and Gentleman....

I bought my first Silverwing just over 4 years ago. My friends and I had a Spain and France tour planned and I was temporarily without a motorbike and had intended to get one prior to the trip. With only two weeks to departure date I was flicking through Auto trader and came across Honda Silverwings. I spotted a 13 year old one for sale in Devon for just over £1500 and agreed to buy it. I caught several trains down to Devon to buy it and then rode it 200 miles home to Shropshire. Two weeks later after checking tyre pressures etc. and not even an oil and filter change I was riding down to Plymouth with my motorcycling mates to board the Plymouth to Santander ferry. I then rode the SWing through Northern Spain and then through the Pyrenees and up through France. This fantastic machine didn’t miss a beat and was perfect for the trip.
I don’t know why but 6 months later I sold her and returned back to a motorcycle a Honda VFR 1200X, I trust Honda’s! I then did the North 500 around Scotland with same biker mates. Don’t get me wrong the VFR is a fantastic and quick machine but I missed my Silverwing. So this year I sold the VFR and bought my current 14 year old Silverwing. Once the Covid travel restrictions have been lifted I will be joining my biker mates on another European tour aboard the SWing.
I can take the mickey taking I get from them and underneath I think they are a little bit envious of my super comfy scooter and the practicality it offers for touring. I don’t think I will ever return to motorbikes again. This super scoot is the only bike I will ever need.

Glad to have you back Jamesy. Please let us know how you enjoy your next tour.

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

Glad to have you back Jamesy. Please let us know how you enjoy your next tour.

Thanks. I will do and will post some photographs if someone will kindly advise me how to do this. I have an iPad.

I recall some time ago reading an article in a motorcycle magazine devoted to touring about a tour guide who broke his leg and although it was mended, couldn't cope with his big motorcycle. He had European tours booked so bought a Silverwing on spec. The upshot was that both he and his wife, who rode pillion and navigated, found it most satisfactory and easily able to keep up and ahead of the other riders. In fact, his wife preferred it since she was uphigher than on the motorcycle and could see much better.

I did many comfortable miles on the continent on my Silverwing and it never let me down.

Jamesy wrote:

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

Please let us know how you enjoy your next tour.

Thanks. I will do and will post some photographs if someone will kindly advise me how to do this. I have an iPad.

Add photos to your iPad. Then create a new post, or Reply to a post > click on the (below) screen image on the post tool bar > click on Select Files > click on (your) Photo Library > select your photo(s) > click on Add > click on Insert All.

You may have to futz around with it but that’s the basic procedure.

MikeO wrote:

I recall some time ago reading an article in a motorcycle magazine devoted to touring about a tour guide who broke his leg and although it was mended, couldn't cope with his big motorcycle. He had European tours booked so bought a Silverwing on spec. The upshot was that both he and his wife, who rode pillion and navigated, found it most satisfactory and easily able to keep up and ahead of the other riders. In fact, his wife preferred it since she was uphigher than on the motorcycle and could see much better.

That's the bloke that used to organise motorcycle tours for Motorcycle Sport & Leisure magazine. I even remember his name and that of his wife. He rode a BMW K1100 GT for many of his tours.

I used to get MS &L brochures as I was a subscriber to the magazine. Personally I though the prices were on the expensive side, although they seemed to be popular with all the gear no idea couples who wanted to be lead everywhere as part of a group.  

The tours used good hotels where the guide who was a bit of a bon viveur knew the importance of group socialising after a days ride with good food and wine.

Yes, that's the one!

Thanks for filling in the details.

Thinking more about it: he broke his left leg and that weakness prevented him getting on and off his BMW. I think his doctor told him not to ride until he had regained the strength in his leg.